At some point, everyone needs a break from the city that never sleeps. From stunning mountains to luxurious beachfront escapes and quirky small towns, these weekend getaways from NYC are perfect for leaving Friday and returning in time for work on Monday.
The top weekend getaways from NYC you won’t want to miss
New York really does have it all – including compelling options to escape the city when you need it. From beaches to mountains, luxurious retreats and small town charm, there’s a weekend getaway from NYC for every type of traveler.
1. Escape the hustle and bustle in the Palisades
- Where to stay: the historic Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson
The most common reason to get out of the city? To unwind in nature of course! Make the most out of being on the Hudson River by taking a boat ride on the Palisades. It’s one of the best weekend getaways from NYC for anyone who loves the outdoors.
These dramatic cliff formations were forged over 200 million years. And they’re especially stunning in the fall as the foliage turns to bright orange, yellow, and red hues. The area is also great for hiking, and it offers amazing visibility over the river with the New York skyline as its backdrop.
2. Get your culture on at Storm King Art Center
- Where to stay: the stunning Historic Thayer Hotel in nearby Cornwall
The Storm King Art Center has become an iconic weekend destination in recent times, thanks to its ultra Instagram-able works of art. But this 500 acre sculpture museum has actually been around since the 60s and is situated in the lush Hudson Valley about an hour north from the city by car.
You will find oversized artworks by the likes of Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi, Maya Lin, and more. It’s been temporarily closed for renovations, but its much anticipated reopening will take place in early May of this year. So be sure to start planning your trip!
3. Peak mountain scenery at the Catskills
- Where to stay: the cozy Hunter Lodge a Bluebird by Lark
From cycling and trekking to sampling craft beers and luxuriating at the spa, the Catskills offers something for everyone. And it’s easily accessible by train from New York! The Catskills were once a favorite haunt whose mountain views enchanted some of America’s best writers, including Washington Irving and Mark Twain.
Today it offers a scenic place to get away from the bustle of the city, as you immerse yourself in rustic charm, enjoy farm-to-table cuisine, and take in incredible mountaintop views. As one of the top weekend getaways in upstate NY, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy all the natural riches of southern New York State. And like some of the other spots on our list, it’s ideal for taking in that stunning autumn foliage.
4. Weekend getaways in Upstate NY: Unwind on the Hudson Valley
- Where to stay: the pristine Hyatt Regency Greenwich
For many decades, the Hudson Valley has been a muse for musicians like Bob Dylan and The Band. It’s also home to Woodstock, a now quieter hamlet town you can still visit on your weekend getaway. Be sure to check out the festival’s museum in the nearby Bethel Woods which holds many relics of those 3 days of peace and music.
New Paltz is another nearby locale where many of those hippies stayed over and never left. From the Mohonk indigenous community to the French Huguenot settlers, today it offers a wealth of history dating back to times before the USA even existed.
The Hudson Valley is also where you can find the CIA… but not the one you’re thinking of. It’s home to The Culinary Institute of America where you can go and enjoy the creations of some of the nation’s finest culinary talents. The region is still a hub to contemporary musicians and artists as well. So if you’re looking for a weekend getaway from NYC with a vibrant cultural scene, this is it.
5. Splash in the sun on the Jersey Shore
- Where to stay: gather friends and fam and rent a beach house near the the Barnegat Lighthouse
Let’s face it, New York gets hot (and smelly) in the summer months. So one of the best getaways New Jersey has to offer will always be found at the shore. For those looking to let loose and party, there’s always Seaside Heights, where the infamous reality show, Jersey Shore was filmed.
But if you’re looking for something a little more whimsical, you can’t go wrong with Long Beach Island, or LBI as its visitors affectionately call it. In addition to relaxing at the beach, you’ll find many shops selling handmade trinkets and lots of excellent local seafood on offer. Be sure to take a trip to watch the sunset at Barnegat Light while you’re there.
6. Winter weekend getaways from NYC: Snow globe perfect Schenectady
- Where to stay: the charming Stockade Inn
Many spots on our list are touted for their fall foliage, with a few others especially ideal for the summer months. While Schenectady is perfectly lovely during these seasons as well, it’s ranked one of the most festive Christmas towns around. Its quaint, Victorian village is walkable and perfect for holiday season shopping. And these aren’t the only reasons why Schenectady is one of the best winter weekend getaways from NYC.
Nearby you’ll also find places for skiing and ice skating to complete your wintertime bucket list. Schenectady is located in the Saratoga Spring as well, a favorite destination for people across New York State. It’s beloved for its natural hot springs which you can enjoy year round.
7. Make the most of your weekend in Montauk
- Where to stay: the resplendent Sunset Montauk
Not to be confused with Long Beach Island, Montauk is located on the Long Island Peninsula. It’s a classic favorite weekend getaway from NYC that’s known for its rugged coastline, beaches, and postcard-perfect Montauk Point Lighthouse.
Also great for history buffs, Montauk’s story dates back to the 18th century, and its museum contains documents signed by George Washington himself. At Camp Hero State Park, you’ll also find the remnants of an old military base, a WWII bunker, and a defunct radio tower.
Located in the Hamptons, Montauk offers a more laid back feel than other nearby communities.
8. Luxury weekend getaways from NYC: Splurge in the luxe Southampton
- Where to stay: the quaint Hamlet Inn
Sometimes we all have the urge to splash out on our next vacay. If that sounds like you, Southampton is the place to do it. An ideal destination in the summer months, it’s a favorite getaway for celebrities and New York elites. You’ll be able to rub elbows with the upper echelons of society while you enjoy fine dining and luxury shopping – all cloaked in coastal charm. In fact it’s one of the ultimate luxury weekend getaways from NYC.
And hey, even if you can’t live like this every day, it can make a memorable weekend or day trip for splurging. It’s only located about 2 hours’ drive out from the city after all.
9. Get cozy and quaint in Cooperstown
- Where to stay: the boutique Cooper Inn
Cooperstown is great for a guys’ trip. It’s home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, which draws people from all over the country. It’s also where Ommegang brewery is located so you can crack open some cool ones with the boys after you visit.
Not your cup of tea? You’ll also find attractions for art lovers like the Fenimore Art Museum. It exhibits an incredible array of American fine art as well as folk art. Cooperstown offers a small town feel, surrounded by those autumn colors we love to talk about, and it’s situated on Otsego Lake to complete the picturesque look.
Taken together, this is an ideal spot for a classic all-American escape from the big city.
10. Catch some New England charm in the Berkshires
- Where to stay: the classic Red Lion Inn
If you’re looking to venture out of New York State altogether, remember that the city is not so far from New England. This region boasts many iconic features of its own. The Berkshires, for example, is a mountainous rural region of western Massachusetts whose autumn colors would give anywhere else on our list a run for their money.
The Berkshires are also amazing for relaxation and immersion in nature. Plus, they’re home to thriving cultural institutions including the Clark Art Institute, Sohn Fine Art Gallery, and Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. It’s also a focal point for the area’s performing arts and has served as a stomping ground for famous playwrights and actors for decades. These include greats like Edith Wharton, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville.
11. Escape to the hip and historic Philadelphia
- Where to stay: the upscale Element Philadelphia
Philly is kinda like New York’s little cousin. And while lots of Philadelphians love to take a trip to New York, doing things the other way around isn’t a bad idea either. You can get there in less than 90 minutes by train, too. That makes it one of the easiest weekend getaways from NYC you can take.
For art and culture vultures, you really can’t go wrong with the Philadelphia Museum of art, whose steps you may recognize from the epic montage in the film Rocky. This city is also an unmissable destination for foodies. And that goes beyond the cheesesteaks (but you should definitely get at least one of those as well). Tour the Reading Terminal Market, an indoor famers market, which has been serving up incredible food of all stripes since 1893.
12. Live your Gilmore Girls dream in Washington, Connecticut
- Where to stay: Mayflower Inn & Spa, the place that inspired the show, of course!
This one is for the Gilmore Girls fans among you. Anyone who’s watched the show can remember the moments when the girls saw the Bengals in the city, or when Rory infamously hopped on a bus to visit Jess in Manhattan and missed her mom’s graduation. But it’s equally easy for you to venture out and explore the real Connecticut locations that inspired the show, small-town quirkiness of Stars Hollow and all.
And you will definitely have to stay at the Mayflower Inn and Spa. This inn actually inspired locations like the Dragonfly and Independence inns after the show’s creator Amy-Sherman Paladino took a visit there.
