The Best New York City Weekend Getaways: For Couples and Families
Does the hustle and bustle of New York City make you feel anxious? Overworked? In need of a break? Need a NYC weekend getaway? To be honest, it doesn’t matter where you live. We all feel like that sometimes. It’s good to get away, even if it’s not that far from home. Putting yourself in a different environment, around new people, and in a new location helps you feel more at ease, refreshed and like you can let go of any stress.
Weekend getaways from NYC, whether you’ve trekked to upstate NY, NH, CT, VT, ME, or MA, are a necessity to reset yourself form time to time. You don’t have to fly halfway around the world just to feel like you’re disengaging from your everyday life. Now, if you’re asking me, I will always vote for a beach weekend getaway, but something as easy as an Amtrak vacation is just as good!
Even if you don’t live in NYC, but you’re looking for a short trip out of town, this blog is still for you! We’ll be covering the surrounding areas that have great treats for people of all ages.
One of the main things to keep in mind when booking a NYC weekend getaway is that you don’t want to spend two days of your “restful escape” traveling. That only leaves one day for relaxing! Make sure you pick somewhere different enough, yet close enough so that you can actually enjoy your time there instead of being stuck in the car or on a train.
Another important thing to consider when planning a weekend getaway is who’s coming along for the ride? A significant other? A spouse? Some buddies? Children? Just you and the dog? You can plan your trip around this herd of cats, unless it’s just you and the dog of course. Dogs are happiest by your side no matter what you’re doing… all of the other people listed can be a bit more high maintenance–like a herd of cats.
That being said, keep your travel time and friends, or lack of friends, in mind when booking your NYC getaway and start planning today! Get out of your routine for once. It’s finally time to change it up, breathe new air, and change your pace. Get ready to escape, relax and come back to your life refreshed and ready to go.
Where should I go for a weekend getaway?
One of the most difficult parts about planning a weekend getaway is settling on which location suits your needs. With so many options close by it can difficult to choose. You have to consider your own personality and the personality of any friends and family who have decided to join you.
I suggest that if you’re just trying to get away with some books and a stash of good tea then go by yourself! Or with one other friend who either wants to read books or will be heading out on outdoor adventures, leaving you home alone with your books. Either option is good! If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, but want your cohorts to join then pick people that fit the bill. Or at least one or two people… if you want to just bring your dog and enjoy a little bit of both then do just that! Upstate New York has a little bit for everyone.
There is a huge variety of mountains and ski resorts in upstate New York. NY may not be as well renowned as the mountains in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire but New York has more options than anywhere else! So, if you’re looking for variety then a relaxing day gliding down the slopes in upstate NY is a perfect option.
Between the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the Finger Lakes you have various options depending on what you’re looking for.
The Adirondacks host some of the more difficult and larger ski resorts in New York. From Whiteface Mountain, to Gore Mountain, and last, but certainly not least, Oak Mountain. No matter which you choose you have a variety of ski schools, cross-country skiing, terrain parks, steep slopes and gorgeous views!
The Catskills offer some similar, yet less advanced slopes. The resorts in the Catskills pride themselves on their lesson programs. They even have a lively après ski scene, and beautiful cross-country skiing. All of these bring you out into the cold winter wonderland of upstate New York.
Lastly, we have the Finger Lakes region. The Finger Lakes are more known for their lakes and wineries than their skiing but that doesn’t stop them from having some great slopes! Bristol Mountain Ski Resort is one of the larger slopes in the area. It’s great for skiers and riders of all levels. Labrador Mountain is more family-friendly, just like a Labrador Retriever.
No matter which region you choose, you have options for downhill skiing and riding right here in the great state of New York.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
As shocking as it may sound even New York state has some beautiful Natural Parks, and it is home to 2,000 waterfalls! Make sure to make a trip to the “Grand Canyon of the East”. Letchworth State Park lays its comfortable 15,000 acre head in the Finger Lakes region. Head out to do some site-seeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and some camping while you’re here!
You should also make your way down to the Montezuma National Wildlife Rescue. You can either take the 1-mile hike or the 3.5 mile drive through this 9,800 acre reserve. It rests right outside of Seneca Falls in the Finger Lakes. They are the happy home of several bald eagles, Canadian geese, osprey, muskrats, deer, coyotes, minks, and fox. It’s a great way to spend the day if you’re an animal enthusiast.
If you’re looking to venture into the Adirondacks region you can partake in hunting (permit and season permitting, of course), beautiful hikes, motorcycling, paddling, and exploring the dark skies! I highly recommend the last one. If you’re used to being stuck under ambient light most of the time then it’s great to get out and see the stars in all of their glory.
If the Catskills is your desired destination then look out for great hiking trails through the Catskill Mountains, zip lining, waterfall hunting and of course fishing. Any type of outdoor adventure can be enjoyed in these regions of upstate New York.
FOOD, DRINK AND A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
The last things that are necessary for a great NYC weekend getaway is to surround yourself with local culture, food and drink! All of these things are abundant in New York. Getting away means less cooking, more relaxing and of course more eating! Head to the local eateries in any region and try something new. You won’t even have to do the dishes afterwards, unless of course you’re a thief but we don’t condone that sort of tom-foolery here.
No matter which region you are staying in, you will access to a large variety of local drinking holes in every direction. The Adirondacks, Catskills and Finger Lakes are full to the brim with great breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries for your enjoyment. So go enjoy them!
You can create your own beer trail, pub crawl, or wine tasting sojourn. Head out for some of the best cideries in the country, second only to Washington state. Tour the beverages of New York and enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon. Be sure to leave the kids behind for this activity though!
If you are looking for food to wash all of those beverages down with then hit the town. There are local eateries that are worth every bite all around you! All the way from Syracuse to Buffalo is a smorgasbord of restaurants that are well worth your time and hard earned dollars. Be adventurous and hit the spots the locals love. Experience something new and try a plate you’ve never heard of.
Once your full to the brim, check out some of the history. New York is a great place for history buffs and children alike. There are various museums, graves, and historic houses throughout New York state. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park is right here in the Finger Lakes! Learn all about her and her amazing, yet trying, journey to freedom. Not to mention all of the others she guided to freedom.
You can also visit her grave site, as well as Susan B. Anthony’s and Frederick Douglass’. You can even visit the house where Susan B. Anthony was arrested! If that’s too heavy, or not your bread and butter, then visit the National Comedy Center. It’s a museum dedicated to the history of comedy right in the hometown of Lucille Ball herself.
There’s also the Museum of Play in Rochester. It’s interactive and fun for all ages. As part of the Strong Museum, it’s one of the largest museums in the United States!
No matter what type of activities you enjoy you can find them in upstate New York.
Click here for information about rental properties by owner in the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the Finger Lakes.
Our Surrounding New England Neighbors
If you’re looking to head in a different direction altogether then head to one of our many neighboring states. Heading down to Connecticut, over towards Massachusetts, or even up and over to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, you are looking at even more adventures!
All of these states are within a, somewhat, short trip from NYC. You can Amtrak to most of them, or drive. They all offer great activities for all ages. Whether you’re looking to do some skiing, site seeing, food eating, beer drinking or just some light reading then New England is for you! Be surrounded by foliage, mountains, lakes and the natural beauties of the North East in any of these states.
The Best Northeast Ski Resorts
For the some of the best northeast ski resorts outside of New York State, we highly recommend skiing in Vermont, skiing in New Hampshire, and skiing in Maine.
1 Okemo in Vermont
2. Loon Mountain in New Hampshire
3. Sunday River in Maine
You have a variety of choices! Come experience the North East’s best ski resorts for riders, skiers, children and adults of all ages!
HIKING, SNOWSHOEING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, AND OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Between the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Acadia National Park in Maine, the waterfalls of Vermont and the lighthouses in Connecticut you have your options for outdoor activities. There are several-hundred great hiking spots throughout all of these states. If that’s your main form of entertainment during a weekend getaway then make sure to see what’s around. There’s everything from easy hikes to trekking up Mount Washington in the dead of winter. Keep in mind that Mount Washington is home to the “world’s worst weather”!
Throughout all of the New England states are great snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails! Just head to the nearby nature center for snowshoe rentals and trail maps and get on your way! You can also rent, or bring your own snowmobiles for a more speedy race through the winter wonderland.
If you’re into hunting, fishing, or anything involving lakes, ponds and rivers than all of these states have something to offer. Known for its cold winter, mountains and lakes New England is full of fun water sports such as kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, and swimming. There’s also abundant fishing and hunting– just make sure you research what licenses you need and what season you plan on traveling.
MUSEUMS, HISTORIC PLACES, AND SITE SEEING
Last, but not least, the entire north east is filled with historic places that date back before the American Revolution. Between historic Boston, America’s Stonehenge, and all of the maritime museums throughout Connecticut, there is history behind every corner.
You can even head out to Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. History is just sitting, wearing away under the many feet that have walked those same paths as the Founding Fathers and first European inhabitants to come to this land.
Keep in mind, there are other great sites to behold left that were left behind people who were here for thousands of years before the Europeans. Native Americans have a rich history throughout New England, and they are still here to tell their stories!
Between all of the ports, museums, mountains and lakes there is an abundance of great site seeing throughout the north eastern states. Come in the autumn to enjoy the gorgeous foliage, during the winter to take part in the winter sports, or head down during the summer to enjoy the beautiful weather, seafood, lakes and hikes throughout New England.
Need a Place to Stay?
No matter where you choose to have your weekend getaway, make sure you pick somewhere that you will enjoy. If you’re looking to relax then pick a small town far away in the mountains, or pick somewhere near the recreational or historic areas throughout the north east. From New York to Maine, there is a vast variety of opportunities and it’s about time you take advantage of them. Treat yourself!
And if you’re not looking to get away just yet but are a rental owner that would like to earn some extra cash on, we’re always looking for the best rental properties throughout the state to join us. Contact us for more information!
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