The best weekend getaways from NYC

2 hours from NYC

New Haven may be best known for being the home of Yale University but there’s plenty to explore in this charming cultural capital even without a coveted acceptance letter. From the restaurants and shops on Chapel St. to the delicious, dueling “apizza” joints, there’s more than enough to keep you busy for a full weekend. On top of that, almost all of the small city’s world-class museums are completely free.

Do this: After a multi-year renovation, the Yale Center for British Art recently reopened to once again welcome visitors to its fascinating exhibitions. Widely thought to have the greatest collection of British art outside of the UK, this must-visit institution is housed in a striking, brutalist Louis Kahn building that’s a work of art in itself. (While you’re there, be sure to stop by the similarly gratis Yale University Art Gallery and Yale Peabody Museum.) No trip to New Haven would be complete without a trip to Sally’s Apizza or Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana to sample the local take on a pizza pie. (It’s kind of like an NY slice but with a chewier crust.) For a night out, make a reservation at Tavern on State for elevated cuisine.

Stay here: With a desirable location right on Chapel St., The Study at Yale has a modern feel with a fantastic on-site restaurant: Heirloom. Another great local option for travelers is The Blake Hotel which boasts large suites and has a fun rooftop bar space. 

1hr 15 mins from NYC

In the time it would take to make it across town during rush hour, adventurers can get to Bear Mountain for an easy escape from city madness.

Do this: The state park, situated in the mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River, which offers a bevy of hiking and biking trails, as well as picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool and a zoo.

Stay here: Bear Mountain Inn, originally built in 1915, hosted Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower back in the day, and has been extensively renovated to include 15 luxury guest rooms, plus a spa and a restaurant. 

1hr 30mins from NYC

The summertime gay community in this shore town has actually been active since the 1950s—and over the past few years, the scene’s really heated up.

Eat here: MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos, a favorite among both visitors and locals. 

Stay here: Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, which was originally designed by noted Beaux Arts architect Whitney Warren.

1hr 30mins from NYC

Beacon is steeped in history (Beacon Mountain, the tallest point of the Hudson Highlands, played a significant role in the American Revolution), but besides its storied past, it’s also packed with modern-day culture. The city has an arty, indie spirit that attracts…arty, indie people.

Do this: A former Nabisco box-printing facility on the banks of the Hudson, Dia:Beacon holds collections from the 1960s to the present. Exhibitions meld with works on long-term view from artists including Walter De Maria and Dan Flavin. 

Stay here: Sitting at the base of Mount Beacon—a mile and a half from the town’s center—the Swann Inn of Beacon is a charming bed-and-breakfast. Situated in an 1866 Gothic house, it has five uniquely decorated rooms, which all have retro-cool vibes that would make Wes Anderson blush, including the Red Parlor Suite, a romantic respite complete with a friggin’ front porch). 

1hr 45mins from NYC

New Hope is Bucks County’s jewel, unhurried and unassuming, with indie boutiques, seasonal-focused eateries and forget-all-your-troubles B&Bs galore. Between hopping to different quaint spots, be sure to get back to nature. We suggest cruising on a rented bike down the Delaware Canal towpath.

Do this: With 134 acres featuring hundreds of species of native plants (including more than 80 that are rare or endangered) and stunning woodlands and meadows throughout, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve offers guided walks in addition to talks and workshops (“Focus on Ferns,” anyone?). 

Stay here: A AAA Four Diamond winner for eight consecutive years, The Inn at Bowman’s Hill is damn swoonworthy. Rooms, like Fountain View and Orchard Retreat, have heated tubs for two—if that’s your bag. For platonic pals, there’s the Penthouse Suite, with its private deck and panoramic views of the property. 

1hr 45 mins from NYC

Beyond all the worth-the-trip views of riverside bluffs and verdant trees, New Paltz is the most historic on this list, with preserved houses that were around 100 years before we even became the U.S. of A. So, yeah. Pretty old.

Do this: Learn about the lives of the 17th-century Huguenot settlers, as performers (dolled up in duds from the period) take you through 30 buildings over 10 acres, including seven historic homes and a reconstructed 1717 church. (Want to retain the back-to-basics spirit as you take in the National Historic Landmark District? Leave the selfie stick at home.) 

Stay here: Mohonk Mountain House, set in the Shawangunk Ridge on Lake Mohonk, is sporting and sophisticated, a sort of East Coast version of The Shining grounds (without all the killing and stuff). Whether you choose one of the classic, wood-paneled rooms and suites or one of its private cottages two miles away, your nightly rate gets you access to a range of complimentary activities like boating and swimming, not to mention meals in its dining room. 

The beloved lake is just the beginning: This prime Adirondacks spot features art, shopping, hiking, swimming and one killer mountain. 

Do this: If you're already planning to go out to admire all the greenery upstate New York has to offer, visiting The Wild Center is a must if you want to experience truly unreal nature views. That is, as long as you aren't afraid of heights. Why? Oh, because when you go, you'll be walking an elevated trail across the Adirondack treetops. No big deal!

Stay here: The seven-acre, 131-unit Mirror Lake Inn can’t be beat. Every room looks over the lake, and the cozy fireside accommodations (along with two restaurants and a spa) will keep you in your robe late into the day. Or check in to the aesthetic and cozy Eastwind Lake Placid.

2hrs 20mins from NYC

You’ve probably heard a lot about Hudson, and here’s why: food and antiques. The place does both extremely well—it’s a prime option for rustic fine dining (Ca’Mea) and rare retro finds (just about any storefront on Warren Street). But the other big reason why droves of New Yorkers and, fittingly, DIY businesses and developments are staking their claim on the town is because it’s all ensconced in a gorgeous Hudson River–side environment, dotted with quaint historic homes.

Eat here: The communal, high-end restaurant Wm. Farmer and Sons has a cozy-yet-urban energy, serving up bar snacks, small plates and big plates that make use, whenever possible, of local ingredients. 

Stay here: The Hudson Whaler beautifully blends old-timey flavor with contemporary amenities. Set in an Art Deco building, the hotel has 16 well-appointed guest rooms with sleek, sculptural furnishings that match the Deco tone, as well as free Wi–Fi, an iPad lending library, Keurig coffeemakers, pillow-top mattresses and Lather Aromatherapy bath products.

2hrs 30mins from NYC

Tucked into the Catskills, this Ulster County hamlet is a real melting pot, the kind of place where you can expect to see a conservative old-timer and a Brooklyn lumbersexual sipping Buds along the bar in perfect harmony. For every no-nonsense staple (Phoenicia Diner), there’s a hipster newbie (the Graham & Co.). The mellow, no-frills, hippie-dippie local culture makes it easy for anyone to relax here.

Do this: Explore downtown Phoenicia, go whitewater tubing on Esopus Creek, or explore Kaaterskill Falls. Phoenicia has plenty of adventures, from mild to wild. 

Stay here: Located directly on Esopus Creek in the heart of the Catskills, Phoenicia Black Bear Campground is rustic without being primitive. Choose your own adventure: There’s swimming, biking, horseback riding and more nearby. 

2hrs 30 mins from NYC

A midsize island just a seven-minute ferry ride from Greenport, NY, and surrounded by Shelter Island Sound and Gardiner’s Bay, Shelter Island is all about unwinding, with historic plantations, unassuming cafés, kayaking and, of course, those views that will make your pals rageful that they didn’t join you.

Do this: With more than 2,000 acres of tidal creeks, mature oak woodlands, fields and freshwater marshes, Nature Conservancy’s Mashomack Preserve is one of the richest habitats in the Northeast. Edged in white by 12 miles of coastline, Mashomack attracts birders and botanists looking for ospreys and a number of rare plants—and regular people like us who just want our Facebook feed to look awesome. 

Stay here: Every room at the perennially popular Sunset Beach Hotel has a private sundeck with water views (and loads of Kiehl’s products in the bathrooms, yay). Sunset Beach’s area, with its curving shoreline and spectacular light, is pretty darn similar to the French Riviera.

3hrs from NYC

Think of the Berkshires as the Hamptons, minus the nightlife and plus all the art, theater, dance, music and small-town simplicity you could want. Yes, the mountainous region in western Massachusetts has luxury, but it’s served in a laid-back setting. And given its jaw-dropping bucolic backdrop, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities, either.

Do this: One of the country’s largest centers for contemporary art, MASS MoCA, which is set in a converted factory building, focuses on large-scale, immersive installations that more conventional museums just can’t handle. There’s just as much focus on performing arts as there is on visual here; each year touts more than 75 performances of music (Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival has been held here), dance, films, theater and more. Another surefire bet for the performing arts is Shakespeare & Company in nearby Lenox. The thriving regional theater company mixes traditional Shakespearean productions with contemporary works across multiple, indoor and outdoor stages. And do we need to mention that weed is legal here? Try paying a visit to the closest cannabis dispensary to the New York state border: the chic and friendly Rebelle located in Great Barrington.

Stay here: Oriented toward health, wellness and pampering, Canyon Ranch, which is centered around the century-old, lovingly restored Bellefontaine Mansion, has a lot to offer: tennis, aerobics, guided hikes and bike rides, canoeing, croquet and more than 40 seminars and classes daily such as “Finding Forgiveness.” After all that fresh air and, er, learning, relax in the spa while enjoying the signature Canyon Stone Massage or the candlelit Euphoria body treatment. 

3hrs from NYC

Rediscover your inner summertime kiddie at this seaside destination, which has some of the East Coast’s most unspoiled beaches. The unpretentious fun peaks on Fourth of July weekend—when a full-on carnival and an impressive fireworks display bring in throngs of people—but the good times continue throughout the season, with boardwalk vendors and even dolphin-spotting tours.

Do this: Yup, Jersey Shore Alpacas sounds like an MTV spin-off (and it’d be an awesome one). At this small alpaca farm in Green Creek, a quaint town right next to Cape May, mingle with the critters—well taken care of by owners Jim and Tish Carpinelli—during Open Farm Saturdays, when you can meet the cute creatures at the fence and feed them (carrots are provided). 

Stay here: Cape Resorts. One of the area’s Victorian buildings, the 200-year-old Congress Hall is America’s oldest oceanfront resort. It has 104 rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar and lounge, outdoor pool, spa and a fitness center. But despite the full-service amenity list, the best things here are the simple ones, like the smell of salty sea air outside your open window. (Book an Atlantic-view room for the best relaxation results.) 

2hrs from NYC by car, 1hr and 23min by train 

Aside from the wild football fans and patriotic Liberty Bell-seekers, the city of brotherly love caters to the artistic set through major attractions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Go to get cultured, but stick around for the amazing restaurants, beer gardens and the cheesesteaks (duh) that truly make the city a smash.

Do this: As the crown jewel of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Philadelphia Museum of Art should arguably be the first stop on your list. (Yes, even before the aforementioned cheesesteak). Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of 19th-and early-20th-century paintings and artifacts. After peeping the creative works, refuel at Reading Terminal Market. The famous indoor farmer’s market hawks everything from food and housewares to speciality snacks and treats all under one roof. Grab a takeaway treat from notable sellers like Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, Beiler’s Doughnuts and Little Thai Market. Once you’re full, head to Independence Beer Garden (an outdoor brew den) to down a few pints while playing games like giant jenga. What’s missing? Oh, right: End your night with a cheesesteak at any one of these spots.

Stay here: Rest your head at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco. This is one of the city’s coolest hotels with post-modern meets art-deco inspired decor and a trendy rooftop bar. Added bonus: The hotel is located right next to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

2.5 hrs from NYC

The Hamptons’ gorgeous sandy respites, dunes and relatively untouched landscapes aren’t just for the jet set. The area boasts gratis culture (the Dan Flavin Art Institute) and no-nonsense places to eat (Lobster Roll) and drink (Fellingham’s), plus plenty of other casual nooks for the rest of us.

Do this: Coopers Beach is the only stretch of silky, fine-grained white sand in Southampton that’s open to the public. So you can look like a baller in your sunset Instagram pic—without having to actually throw down a ton of dough. 

Otherwise, you pay to park at Main Beach in East Hampton or park and walk to Montauk’s Kirk Park Beach. 

Don’t miss a trip to the Montauk Lighthouse for some gorgeous views or a shopping spree in Sag Harbor.

Stay here: Privacy, luxury and amenities reign supreme at the Reform Club. The main building houses seven suites with wood-burning fireplaces (you’ll want to turn them on, even in the summer, just for the fun of it), oversize marble baths and white wainscot walls with original artwork. 

4hrs from NYC

Cooperstown has way more than baseball, and every true brew head knows this. With four breweries in town, Cooperstown was once the country's hops-growing capital.

Do this: Brewery Ommegang, is located on a 135-acre hops farm and offers daily tours. 

Stay here: The Otesaga, the charming (and reportedly haunted) historic hotel, is celebrating its 106th anniversary. It offers fishing and boating—and serves Ommegang beer, to boot.

4hrs 30mins from NYC

It’d be easy to dismiss the town as a tourist trap, but what often brings people back to Newport (other than yacht races, tours of a Vanderbilt mansion and smiley locals) are the newish spots.

Eat here: Revolving Door, where regional and national chefs hunker down for several weeks—sometimes up to a month—creating, cooking and serving an inspired prix-fixe menu.

Stay here: The Attwater, a design-driven seven-room boutique hotel off of historic Bellevue Avenue, recently acquired a Victorian manor next door and renovated it from top to bottom.