Andrew Hirschfeld

If you are a skier (or snowboarder) there is no better way to tackle the winter time blues than getting out to the slopes. Terrain across the northeast has been blessed with early season snowfall—with many resorts ranging from Bellerye to Killington opening up trails even before December.   With a handful of the resorts within hours of the city, you can already enjoy powdery conditions comparable with what you’d get out west for now. But don’t fret, you still embrace the icy conditions the east coast (or colloquially referred to as ice coast) that resorts across the eastern seaboard are known for.  If you’re looking to get out for the day or the weekend, here are our expert recommendations:  RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs near NYC with snowy viewsThe best Airbnbs for ski getaways from NYC The coziest Airbnbs near NYC This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

If you're planning to fly anytime soon, be prepared for potential delays—or even cancellations—for a myriad of reasons, be it staffing shortages, weather or mechanical issues. With that in mind, you’ll run the risk of getting to your destination late, or skipping vacation altogether. To mitigate your chances of delays or cancellations, it’s worth springing on an on-demand, semi-private flight as opposed to standard commercial airlines. While these tickets don’t come cheap, they may be more affordable than you think, especially if you book at the last minute. Intrigued? Keep reading to discover our top picks on the best semi-private flights in the U.S.—and get booking! RECOMMENDED: The most beautiful airports in America  

It’s finally the best time to leave NYC for cozier environs. The city is a quiet, frozen tundra and the powder beyond our city limits is fresh, the sand is warm and the need is great. While there are plenty of things to do in winter in NYC, the city can also feel awfully gloomy when the sun disappears at 4pm each day. You could get yourself into one of the best bars with fireplaces or you could jettison off somewhere completely new. Whether you’re the adventurous type looking for some of the area’s best ski trips near NYC or a more low-key vacationer wanting to kick back and relax, we’ve got you covered with the best winter getaways from NYC that are easily within reach.  RECOMMENDED: Find more weekend getaways, the best Airbnbs near ski resorts from NYC and the coziest Airbnbs near NYC

If you live in New York City, chances are you don’t have a car. Seventy-six percent of Manhattan and 57 percent of Brooklyn households are car-free. Most of the time, this makes life easier—no need to worry about street parking, and everything you need is walkable. However, if you like to get out of town for the weekend or even just for a day trip, this lifestyle can often be limiting, especially if you like to ski.  Hitting the slopes can be costly, especially if you have to rent a car. Fortunately, here are several surprisingly easy ways to get to the mountains from New York City for the day or weekend to take advantage of that fresh powder. RECOMMENDED: The best ski resorts near NYC Below are some of the best options and how long it takes via car or bus. Disclosure: Andy Hirschfeld is Editor-In-Chief of City and Slopes Magazine and OvRride. which is mentioned in this story, financially supports that magazine.

You’ve got a day off? Maybe it’s time to take advantage of one of those last summer Fridays or take an early fall getaway. Labor Day is coming up, after all. Montauk sounds fun, the traffic will likely mean a good three-and-a-half hours on the road without stops. A trip down the Jersey Shore is not that much different … so, if it’s going to take a while, why not elevate your weekend away and try somewhere where you may not run into the neighbors? These are some easy getaways from the city that may not actually be as far away or take as long to get to as you might think. RECOMMENDED: The best road trips from NYC

If you have a long layover or (God forbid) a delay, it can put a damper on any travel experience. Fortunately, quite a few U.S. airports now empathize with that struggle and have ramped up amenities in recent years. Several large hubs are appeasing beleaguered travelers with perks, including pools in New York, restaurant concepts from James Beard Award-winning chefs in Houston, access to therapy animals in San Francisco and even a movie theater in Portland. None of it requires lounge access, either. We looked into the best ones at some of the nation's biggest airports, most known as hubs for connecting flights, to bring you the best options to consider when booking your next flight.

With New Year’s celebrations in the rear mirror, dry January is in the spotlight. The annual event encourages people to cut out alcohol for the month. Those taking part are joining a growing number of Americans putting the proverbial bottle down amid surging interest in the non-alcoholic beverage landscape. So, it’s no surprise that there are hot, trendy, sober bars popping up around the country catering to this growing demographic. If you want to bond with colleagues after a day at the office, or if you’re like me and looking for that special someone—opting not to grab a drink is easier said than done. Fortunately, the country has quite a few options for zero-proof bars. Below, find the best sober bars in America for your next booze-free night out. 

Imagine this: your bags are packed, getting in a car and headed to the airport for your vacation but the only thing you know is what airport you’re leaving from—not where you’re going, staying and what you’ll do on your vacation. You also have no idea who might be traveling with you. That’s the ethos behind the growing niche of the travel industry known as surprise travel. The blossoming set of companies behind the sector makes it super easy for those of us who think planning to get away is a job in itself. Ready to embark on this new way of seeing the world? Here are some options for the best surprise travel programs out there.

If you are a ski (snowboard) fiend like me, waiting until peak season to hit the slopes is just not an option. Some of America’s top resorts, including Keystone and Killington, have already opened for early-season skiing. It’s a great way to get outside during the late fall, while leaf peeping is on its last legs and get warmed up for more extensive ski trips later in the winter. Trail options are limited in the beginning, so it’s not the full experience you may get in a few months. But there are several world-class resorts you can get out to for a quick day trip or a fun weekend away before the holidays get into full gear. Here are some of the best options for early-season skiing in the U.S., from the West Coast to the East Coast. 

Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC have many things in common and one of the most notable is that despite their sprawling, metropolis-like scale, they're all cities where you can comfortably survive in without a car. But what happens when you want to explore the cultural treasures and history that other cities up and down the Eastern Seaboard have to offer? Well, you're in luck. If you weren't already aware, the Acela is a reliable high-speed rail link run by Amtrak that offers affordable access to the biggest cities on the Atlantic coast. With summer just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to get out of the house and get on that weekend getaway. With more space and legroom than typical airline seating, it offers downtown to downtown service between all the major cities, plus free Wi-Fi, power outlets at your seat and amazing views as you speeds across the country at speeds of up to 150 mph. (And Amtrak often offers deal on tickets!)  With gas prices where they are, make this the summer you schedule a scenic train ride instead.