It’s not only about getting out of the house, now that a measure of freedom has been restored.

It’s also about doing something worthwhile, fun, and important for your sense of enjoyment. In other words, what do I do now?

If you’re visiting the Big Apple, or living anywhere near New York City, then Ulster County figures in your plans.

A leafy, two-hour drive from Manhattan, the county is home to Woodstock, among other noted New York State cities. And we’ve all been reading about the big-city folks who have been making a bee-line to more countrified places. But this is not only a question of getting away—it’s about doing something terrific for yourself.

Broadway isn’t reopening until the fall, but world-class-level shows are abounding in Ulster. Remember Bob Dylan (yes, that octogenarian)? Well, at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, now reopened, there is the annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration (bearsvilletheater.com).

Is Dylan too edgy for you? Or maybe too nasal? Well, there’s always chamber music, which somehow seems a perfect fit for the great outdoors in the town of Hurley. Thus, there is Music in the Woods, performances on weekends in a country setting starting in July. It may seem odd, going into what looks like a renovated barn, but that’s where the surprise starts, with an evening of music. Yes, it’s a concert hall. Find out more at: [email protected].

But wait—there’s even more music, for more tastes. Imagine swaying to rock ‘n’ roll outdoors, overlooking a waterfall! That’s what’s in store for you at The Falcon in Marlboro. On the outdoor stage there is an eclectic range of music, from Afro-Cuban to chamber. There’s also indoor music, with dining (liveatthefalcon.com).

Although you could make any of these spots on a day trip, Ulster is also a getaway, and who doesn’t need to get away these days?

So Ulster has 250,000 acres of natural forest and woodlands and hiking and biking trails. If you don’t want to work up a sweat, there are meadows and smooth walks, not to mention an array of places to stay that spell r-e-l-a-x.

The annual Ulster County Fair in New Paltz is back in August, and it will remind you of what it was like to have a bit of noisy fun, with rides, cotton candy, and glowing lights.

As for those trails—they abound here. Trails over old bridges, old rail lines. And places to stay—how about a farmhouse? Yes, three dozen of them are available. Or what about the 168 cabins, 141 cottages, 897 houses. 

One of my favorites is the Mohonk Mountain House, with its echoes of a Victorian castle, in the midst of 40,000 acres of hills and meadows and streams. But the area abounds with an eclectic array of places to stay, all of which will give a sense of freedom, and complement the outdoorsy feeling we all want these days. 

So here you have it: Ulster County, listening to the music you want, staying at a comfy place, freedom we’ve all been searching for. It’s about time.