We get it: after a while, the buzz that brought you to New York City in the first place becomes overwhelming. You need to escape your tiny apartment, you just can’t squish yourself into the subway during rush hour one more time, and you’ve forgotten what the night sky looks like without the urban glow. Luckily, there are plenty of weekend getaways from NYC that require minimal travel and promise maximum fun, relaxation, or even romantic magic if that’s your style. Pack your bag and bid the honking horns adieu for the weekend: here’s a list of the best weekend getaways from NYC, with a little bit of something for everyone.
Unplug at Harriman State Park
Even for those without a car, Harriman State Park is an accessible oasis of forests, lakes, and quiet. 47,000 acres of forest with over 200 miles of the trail means endless options for you to wander. Take the NJ Transit’s Port Jervis Line out of Penn Station to Tuxedo in two hours, where you can catch the Harriman Shuttle. Decide ahead of time which trailhead you’d like to get off at, and on Saturdays, the shuttle stops at the farmer’s market and deli so you can stock up on snacks.
Bicycle the Montauk coast
Carless New Yorkers, fear not: this is one of the easiest weekend getaways from NYC by train. Hop on with your bike (newcomers to New York, don’t forget your $5 bicycle permit – it’s easy to obtain.) Roll out at the Westhampton station, drink some water, check your tire pressure, and hit the road. You can bike through the Hamptons along the gorgeous coastal roads to your hotel or Airbnb, drop your bags and lock up your bikes, and go enjoy the town. Duryea’s Lobster Deck is a must, and if the weather is just right, you can jump in the water at Ditch Plains Beach.
Taste all the wine in North Fork
Leave the kids at home and grab your sweetie for this romantic weekend getaway from NYC. A hidden gem of sorts, you can take the LIRR from Penn Station to Mattick in 2 hours 40 minutes, or get fancy and ride the Hampton Jitney in 3 hours. Once there, make sure your accommodations are centrally located among all of the amazing wineries (more than 60 of them, in fact) and rent yourself some wheels at Dan’s Bike Rental. The easiest way to make sure you don’t miss anything: book a four-hour outing with East End Wine Tasting Tours, who will drive you around to each of your destinations. Fill your belly with tacos and your ears with live music at Greenpoint Brewing in Peconic and, if you’ve got room in your backpack, grab your groceries at any number of farm stands before heading back to the city. Your roommate will be so impressed.
Strap on your skis at Hunter Mountain
Though some New Yorkers just hunker down for the winter months, others need those snowy slopes. For one of the best weekend getaways from NYC in winter, head to Hunter Mountain in the Catskills. This one is best navigated by car, but when you settle into your room at the Kaatskill Mountain Club Lodge, it’ll be worth it. Indulge in a massage at the Mountain Club Spa, cruise the 320 skiable acres, and enjoy a mid-slope Belgian Waffle at Pika’s Waffle Stop. On your road trip home stop through Tannersville for pancakes at Maggie’s Krooked Cafe, or a Fern Gully cocktail at Scribner’s Lodge on-site restaurant. The view alone makes it worth the stop.
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