5 Weekend Getaways From NYC
Take it from me, living in (New York City can be an exhausting experience (or even just visiting). There just aren’t many places in the world that can match its pulse and intensity. Sometimes, even if you don’t feel like you’ve done that much in NYC, you can find yourself physically and mentally spent. To a point, this is just part of the experience, and there’s almost a kind of pleasantness to it. But for all the city’s glory, there’s also something to be said about breaking up your next trip to New York with a little R&R, and you know, maybe some nature. Don’t get me wrong, I love Central Park just as much as the next New Yorker, but there’s much more to New York the just the Big Apple its self. Maybe I’m biased since I technically hail from Long Island, but in any case, here’s a few must-visit weekend escapes from NYC.
If you’re in need of an escape from the hustle, read on for a few specific ideas that might just make for the perfect getaway.
1. Wine In The Hamptons
You’ve likely heard of The Hamptons as a sort of wealthy suburban retreat for New Yorkers and that’s for good reason. But it’s more than just a chance to spot celebrities wearing all white ensembles. The Hamptons are actually a strong example of the fact that New York has been on the rise as a major American wine producing region. There are actually several incredible wineries in the area, meaning a weekend winetour is basically a must. One piece on some of the prettiest Hamptons vineyards went so far as to say “you’ll never drink wine the same way again,” after experiencing these vineyards! While I feel like they’re exaggerating, they do have a point, since I was just sipping on some wine in New Zealand last weekend and heard myself say it reminded me of Wolffer Estate. That’s the one famous for their Summer in a Bottle varietal, which you definitely have to try if you make a point of stopping there. Kontokosta Winery, and Channing Daughters Winery are a few good ones to check out, but there’s so many in the area. If you also throw in vodka on your grand alcoholic tour of eastern Long Island, there’s a distillery named after me (jokes) called LIV and they make the vodka out of potatoes there.
2. Hiking The Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are the go-to mountain range for New Yorkers who like to hike, and are located not too far north from the city. From a geological perspective, it’s interesting that they roughly form a giant circle some 160 miles across. As you may expect, the mountains provide some gorgeous sightseeing, especially in fall for those who want to check out the changing leaves. Most hikes up here are easily done in a day, if not a weekend, and you can stop off at Storm King on your way back to check out all the sculptures. If you’re craving a little fresh air, but you don’t necessarily have the funds to get yourself a plane ticket to the Rocky’s, this kind of experience can be a great way to quickly and actively get back in touch with nature.
3. Woodbury Outlet Shopping
Of course NYC is known for shopping down Fifth Avenue (or op shopping in Brooklyn which is more my style). But just outside the city in the same direction of the Adirondacks is the Woodbury Outlets, aka the Commons. More or less comprising a little town in and of itself, this outlet center is known for making popular stores accessible with affordable prices. Rest assured though, this isn’t just any old outlet mall. It’s a sprawling, though quaint-looking complex, complete with well over 200 shops and capable of easily keeping you occupied for an entire day. It’s an excellent city break, especially if you’re in need of a new wardrobe and/or bonus points if you’re visiting from a country with a stronger currency than the dollar. A lot of tourists literally rock up to NYC with empty suitcases just so they can go here and take advantage of the insane sales.
4. Gambling in Atlantic City
The Atlantic City casinos get knocked fairly often for their failure to live up to Las Vegas, as well as because a certain businessman-turned-president more or less ran a few properties into the ground. But these same casinos are getting back on their feet, and could be a solid option for a 21st birthday or a bachelorette party or something. Since New Jersey has decided to welcome online gaming versions of casino games, money is coming back into the state, and bringing tourism along with it. This means the casinos have a little bit of a buzz to them once more, and it puts a gambling getaway to Atlantic City near the top of the list for weekends away from New York City once more. AC is also on the Jersey Shore, which makes for another great beach option in the summer months. There’s often lots of big name DJs that come to town, and tickets to see them in Atlantic City are often cheaper than Manhattan, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
5. Boating On The Delaware River
Somewhat like the Adirondacks, the upper Delaware River in the Catskills region of NY can offer you exquisite beauty and a little bit of action to refresh the spirit. There’s actually some wonderful hiking along the river too (so much so, I even included a cheeky pic in this post about beautiful nature around the world) but the main attraction for the river is probably boating. Companies like Lander’s River Trips, Indian Head Canoes, and more will help you rent boats and get out on the mighty river on your own, or in a small group. It’s a remarkable experience, and could hardly feel more separate from the city. White water rafting down the river is also tons of fun!
So there you have it. Just a few options for getting out of the city. I could do a whole post of places on Long Island alone (hello pumpkin and apple picking) but maybe next time :)
❤ Liv
