As much as I love living in New York City, there are times when I need a change of scenery. Luckily, there are plenty of options within a reasonable driving distance. From getaways like Beacon, Hudson, the Catskills and Philadelphia all under 3 hours distance, to farther away destinations like the Finger Lakes and Saratoga Springs, I’ve rounded up the Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend Getaways from NYC.
Read on to find out how much they cost, the travel distance and the best hotels and things to do in each destination.
Under 3 Hours Away:
Beacon, New York
Beacon, NY is a convenient getaway option for those located in New York City, as it’s easily accessible by train or car. Home to the Dia:Beacon contemporary and modern art museum, a number of local boutiques, breathtaking hikes and a slew of top notch bars and restaurants, you’ll never run out of things to do and see in this popular Hudson Valley city.
Cost: ~roughly $26 roundtrip via MetroNorth
Distance: 1h 30m
Hotels in Beacon:
- The Roundhouse ($$$)
- The Dutchess Inn & Spa Beacon ($$)
Things to Do in Beacon:
- Hike to the Beacon Fire Tower Trail, or Breakneck Ridge if you like more of a challenge
- Visit the Dia:Beacon contemporary and modern art museum
- Browse the boutiques and antique shops on Main Street
- Stop by the Denning’s Point Distillery for a spirits tasting
- Grab a craft beer at Hudson Valley Brewery
Hudson, New York
Hudson, NY is a hip Hudson Valley city packed with stylish art galleries, unique antique shops and trendy hotels. Spend a weekend popping in the antique stores and coffee shops that line Main Street, take a hike at High Falls Conservation Area or grab a drink at one of the many bars and restaurants in town. It’s the ideal escape for the city lover who’s looking for a slower, small town pace.
Cost: Roughly $28-100+ each way via Amtrak or ~$78-100 per day rental car
Distance: 2h 26m
Hotels in Hudson:
- Rivertown Lodge ($$); Read about my experience at the lodge here.
- The Maker Hotel ($$$)
- The Howard Hotel ($$)
There are also a number of swoon-worthy Airbnb properties in the the Hudson Valley region, and you can check out some of my favorites here.
Things to Do in Hudson:
- Browse the antique shops and art galleries on Warren Street
- Hike the High Falls Conservation Area
- Wander through the Art Omi outdoor art exhibition space
- Search for antique treasures at the Antique Warehouse Hudson NY
- Grab a cocktail at Back Bar
- Feast on a delicious meal at the Rivertown Lodge Tavern
- Stop by Cooper’s Daughter Spirits for a cocktail
The Catskills, New York
There is so much to love about the Catskills region but the one thing that stands out the most is nature. It’s the ideal weekend getaway if you’re looking for some fresh air and outdoor activities.
Cost: The cost of a rental car ~$78-100 per day
Distance: 2h 30m
Where to Go in the Catskills:
- Catskill, NY
- New Paltz, NY
- Phoenicia, NY
- Woodstock, NY
Hotels in the Catskills:
- The Woodhouse Lodge ($$), Greenville, NY; Read about my experience at the lodge here.
- Scribner’s Catskill Lodge ($$$), Hunter, NY; Read about my experience at the lodge here.
- Hotel Dylan ($$$), Woodstock, NY
- Starlite Motel ($$), Kerhonkson, NY
- Getaway House ($$)
There are also a number of swoon-worthy Airbnb properties in the Catskills, and you can view my favorites here.
Things to Do in The Catskills:
- Hike the Catskill Mountains. A few hikes that I recommend are:
- Kaaterskill Falls
- Huyck Preserve
- Mount Tremper
- Overlook Mountain
- Pop by the Phoenicia Diner, Gracie’s Luncheonette & Dixon Roadside for some quality eats
- Take a tubing trip down the Esopus Creek with The Town Tinker Tube Rental
- Spend the day skiing and snowboarding at Hunter Mountain Resort
- Visit one of the Catskills best breweries, including West Kill Brewing, Catskill Brewery, or Arrowood Farms
- Pedal through the Catskills railroad with Railroad Explorers
Long Island, New York
A popular summer destination for local New Yorkers, Long Island and more specifically, the Hamptons, is a high-end beach getaway destination but what many don’t realize is that it’s also a wonderful and more affordable getaway in the off season.
Cost: The cost of a rental car ~$78 per day
Distance: 2h 20m
Where to Go in Long Island:
- The Hamptons
- North Fork, Long Island
Hotels in Long Island:
- The Menhaden ($$$$), Greenport, NY
- Crow’s Nest ($$$$), Montauk, NY
- The Maidstone ($$$), East Hampton, NY
Things to do in Long Island:
- Spend a day visiting the many wineries and breweries in the area. My personal favorites include:
- Enjoy a day lounging at the beach
- Wander through the towns of Greenport, Montauk & Amagansett
- Visit the Montauk Lighthouse
- Stroll through the Longhouse Reserve sculpture garden
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Only a mere two hours away from NYC by bus or an hour and a half by Amtrak train, my hometown of Philadelphia offers a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of NYC.
Whether you’re looking to get in some shopping, explore Philly’s historic sites or check out some of the cities hottest restaurants, there are endless things to do and see here and a variety of neighborhoods to visit.
Cost: Bus tickets range from $10-30 depending on time of day and how far ahead you purchase, while Amtrak is typically ~$50 one way
Distance: 2h
Hotels in Philadelphia:
- Stay Lokal ($$$); Read about my experience at the Stay Lokal Old City location here.
- Sonder ($$)
- Rittenhouse 1715 ($$)
Things to Do in Philadelphia:
- Explore the Fishtown neighborhood, which is full of unique restaurants, bars and boutique shops like Yards Brewery and Wm. Mulherin’s Sons
- Wander through Reading Terminal Market
- Spend some time walking through Rittenhouse Square
- Transport yourself to Paris at Parc restaurant
- Take in some history in Old City, the birthplace of American independence
- Visit the Betsey Ross House and the Liberty Bell
- Spend the day roaming the halls of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Visit the unique shops lining South Street
- Give the city’s most notable meal a try; Cheesesteaks at my personal favorite, Pat’s King of Steaks
Read more about what to do with a weekend in Philadelphia in my post here.
Westerly, Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s South County is home to 100 miles of shoreline, but this area offers so much more than just the ocean. It’s also home to noteworthy restaurants and beautiful hotels and inns. These things combined make it a must-visit destination on the U.S. East Coast.
Cost: Roughly $28-100+ each way via Amtrak
Distance: ~3h train / 2h 37m drive
Hotels in Westerly:
- Margin Street Inn ($$), Westerly, RI; Read about my experience at the inn here.
- Ocean House ($$$$), Watch Hill, RI
Things to Do in Westerly:
- Visit the area’s hottest beaches: East Matunuck State Beach & Misquamicut Beach
- Stop by the town of Narragansett and watch the surfers catch some waves
- Walk through the coastal village of Watch Hill and grab a glass of wine at the Ocean House
- Enjoy a delicious meal at Matunuck Oyster Bar or 1230 Ocean Bistro
- Sip on a beachside cocktail at Andrea’s Beach Bar
Read more about what to do on a trip to Westerly in my post here.
3+ Hours Away:
Finger Lakes
A cluster of eleven lakes give this region its name, and also make them a big draw for outdoor activities in the summer and fall. Water activities, hiking, winery hopping and more, help to make this region a must-visit in New York.
Cost: Roughly $28-100+ each way via Amtrak
Distance: ~3h train / 2h 37m drive
Where to go in the Finger Lakes region:
- Cayuga Lake
- Seneca Lake
- Canandaigua Lake
- Keuka Lake
Hotels in the Finger Lakes:
- The Inns of Aurora ($$$), Aurora, NY
- Geneva on the Lake Resort ($$), Geneva, NY
Things to Do in the Finger Lakes:
- The region is known for its abundance of wineries so I highly recommend spending a day winery hopping. You can check out my list of the best wineries on Cayuga Lake here.
- Visit Taughannock Falls State Park and view the beautiful waterfall
- Stop by Muranda Cheese Company for a tasting
- Spend a day exploring Watkins Glen State Park
Saratoga Springs, New York
Known best for its horse races, Saratoga Springs has so much to offer – from beautiful Victorian architecture to tasty local restaurants and a number of hiking trails within close driving distance, there are endless amounts of things to do in this upstate New York city.
Cost: The cost of a rental car ~$78 per day
Distance: 3h 30 mins by car
Hotels in Saratoga Springs:
- The Inn at Five Points ($$$); Read my experience at the inn here.
- The Adelphi Hotel ($$)
- Saratoga Arms ($$$)
Things to Do in Saratoga Springs:
- See the Famous Saratoga Race Track
- Visit Saratoga Spa State Park
- Hike the Geyser Creek Trail
- Walk down S Broadway Street to peep in all of the shops and visit some of the city’s best restaurants and bars
- Have a picnic on Saratoga Lake
- Walk through the city’s residential areas to take in the beautiful Victorian architecture
Read more about Saratoga Springs in my post here.
This list only breaks the surface of the best weekend getaway from NYC so be sure to comment below if there are any others that I should check out! I’ll continue to add as I find new destinations to visit.
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