10 Best Weekend Getaways From NYC For Nature, Food, and Art

There’s nowhere like New York City, but sometimes you need a break from the urban grind. And whether you’re after a coastal getaway or want to explore another major city, getting out of New York is easy. A quick train or bus ride or drive will take you dozens of places where you can catch prime fall foliage, peruse local art galleries, or munch a lobster roll by the shore. And since we’re all about a relaxing train ride, 8 of these 10 weekend getaways from New York City can be done by rail and none require going to the airport.

Montauk, New York

Distance: 2.5 hours by car; 3.5 hours by train or Hampton Jitney bus
Best for: A laid-back beach getaway

A more relaxed alternative to the upscale beach towns in the Hamptons just to the west, Montauk is best known for its surf breaks, like the ones at Ditch Plains and the Terrace. So pack your swimsuit, sign up for a surfing lesson, and plan on eating as much seafood as you can.

What to do in Montauk

Go snorkeling and foraging for oysters or take a surf lesson or rent gear at Engstrom Surf (from $175) or East End Surf Club (from $150 or $225/two people). If you prefer being on the water instead of in it, book a sunset sail with MTK Cruises (from $250).

What to eat in Montauk

A lobster roll is a must. Go semi-casual at Hooked, with its chalkboard menu and blue picnic tables, or take in sunset views at Duryea’s, an airy seafood restaurant right on the water overlooking Fort Pond Bay. Close out the night by drinking a beer or two with locals at Shagwong Tavern, a no-frills bar in the center of the village that’s been open since 1936.

Where to stay in Montauk

Check into Marram, a quiet beachfront hotel with courtyard firepits (with complimentary nightly s’mores) and a pool deck overlooking the Atlantic. A hundred feet from the ocean is Daunt’s Albatross, operated by the Daunt family since 1977. The 24 guest rooms come with kitchenettes perfect for weeklong stays, as well as custom-made knotty alder furniture, indigo-hued textiles as art, and sleek flagstone floors.

A hill covered with red and orange foliage, with river and more tree-covered hills in background — Bear Mountain, across the river and a bit north of Peekskill, is a popular Hudson Valley hiking area.

Hudson Valley, New York

Distance: 1.5–2.5 hours by car; from 70 minutes to 2 hours by train
Best for: Scenic hikes, small towns with good food, art installations

The many hiking trails, dense pine forests, and swimming holes of the Hudson Valley offer a welcome escape from the city, but it’s not all nature up here. The small, postindustrial towns that line the Hudson River—many are accessible by train—have solid vintage shops, great places to eat, and contemporary art spaces.

What to do in the Hudson Valley

There are many breweries in the Hudson Valley; go for a chocolate porter at West Kill Brewing on an old dairy farm in the Catskills, a tropical fruity IPA at Woodstock Brewing, right down the street from Phoenicia Diner, and excellent pizza and pints at Sloop in East Fishkill.

Hit the trails of Bear Mountain (bus from Port Authority) or, moving north, you’ve got Minnewaska State Park near Gardiner and Hunter Mountain and Kaaterskill Falls.

If you’re more into vintage Mary Janes than hiking boots, tiny Saugerties has a handful of vintage and antique shops. The main drags in Hudson and Beacon are lined with well-curated concept shops. Farther north, the town of Woodstock offers a fun afternoon of window shopping and dessert eating (go just for Peace, Love and Cupcakes and Bread Alone).

In Hudson, cruise the dozen-odd galleries on and just off Warren Street. In Beacon, walking distance from the train, is Dia Beacon ($25/adult), a 300,000-square-foot museum in a former Nabisco box printing factory. Near Cold Spring is modernist-style contemporary museum Magazzino Italian Art ($20/adult); it runs a shuttle ($3) from Cold Spring station. For more kid-friendly art, try sculpture parks Storm King (from $25/adult) on the west side of the Hudson near Cornwall, or Art Omi (free, suggested donation $15) on the west side of the river north of Hudson.

Where to eat in the Hudson Valley

In Kingston, the homey Brunette wine bar and café-by-day, tapas-by-night spot Mirador both warrant a detour. In Hudson, tuck into a warming Massaman curry at Isaan Thai Star. Lil’ Deb’s Oasis looks like a maximalist neon-colored diner and serves a menu as bright and global as its walls, with llapingachos (Ecuadorian fried potato–cheese pancakes) and tuna crudo. Make time for an brunch feast at Phoenicia Diner, a 1960s establishment zhuzhed up for modern enjoyment.

Where to stay in the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains have many cozy bed-and-breakfasts and contemporary boutique hotels. A few of the best include Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in Hunter, and Wildflower Farms in Gardiner.

Beach on Long Island at sunset, with a few people standing by the water's edge and greenery in foreground — 67 Step Beach in Greenport is a local favorite for sunsets.

North Fork, Long Island, New York

Distance: 2 hours by car; 3 hours by train
Best for: Wine, food, and ocean vistas

Local wineries. Bucolic pastures. Farm-to-table food scenes. Oysters and lobster rolls up and down the coast. The North Fork feels worlds away from the concrete jungle of New York City.

What to do on the North Fork

Winetasting is one of the most popular on-land activities on the North Fork. Spend an afternoon exploring vineyards along the Long Island Wine Trail; Kontokosta Winery in Greenpoint is the North Fork’s only waterfront winery, and Borghese Vineyard and Winery is the region’s oldest vineyard and a lovely place to picnic.

To experience the area’s beautiful beaches, go sailing with East End Charters ($100/two hours) or take the ferry from downtown Greenport to Shelter Island ($3), a nature-filled refuge between the North and South Forks. Shop for vintage clothes, vinyl records, and antique home decor at boutique shops such as the Times Vintage and Lido.

Where to eat on the North Fork

For lunch, head to Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market in Greenport to enjoy shuck-your-own oysters. Around the same corner as Little Creek are a handful of other restaurants for dinner: Airy Stirling Sake serves sushi, rice bowls, and sake while 1943 Pizza Bar is known for crispy pies enjoyed on the patio.

Where to stay on the North Fork

Its largest town, Greenport, offers a low-key alternative to flashier Long Island escapes like the Hamptons. Use Sound View Greenport as your base for the weekend—the revamped 1950s motel is now a 55-room waterfront hotel with a private beach, mixing New England modernist with coastal minimalism (think crisp, clean lines everywhere). Its sister property, Harborfront Inn, is another family-friendly option.

Several boat houses along Seventh Lake in the Adirondacks, with tall evergreen trees in background — Be sure to visit Seventh Lake while in the Adirondacks—especially during the summertime.

Adirondacks, New York

Distance: 4.5 hours by car
Best for: Exploring a state park filled with old-growth forests

When your main contact with nature is Central Park or Prospect Park, it’s easy to forget that a 6-million-acre state park—larger than Yellowstone, the Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon national parks combined—is available within New York State. The Adirondacks contain state-protected preserves filled with old-growth forests, waterfalls, glistening streams, and sparkling lakes, and because the area isn’t a national park, there’s no entrance fee.

What to do in the Adirondacks

Canoe or kayak on Lake George, a 32-mile-long body of water nicknamed “The Queen of American Lakes,” in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. The state park also has more than 2,000 miles of hiking trails that cater to every skill level, from nature strolls to strenuous summit climbs up the Adirondack High Peaks.

Where to stay in the Adirondacks

For a true Adirondack experience, spend the weekend at a historic “Adirondack Great Camp.” Gilded Age industrial titans vacationed in the Adirondacks, where they built mansion-like log cabins. Today, you can stay in a number of these lodges, including the Point, a great camp built by William Avery Rockefeller on 75 acres of Saranac Lake shorefront nearly a century ago, and White Pine Camp, the one-time Summer White House of President Calvin Coolidge.

A boutique hotel lobby with leather couches and gray brick fireplace (L); an antique rusty small plane on scaffolding outdoors (R) — For an art and culture-filled getaway, head to the Berkshires, with a stay at the hotel Tourists (left) and a visit to museum MASS MoCA (right).

Berkshires, Massachusetts

Adventure and art enthusiasts will find their ideal getaway in the Berkshires, a mountainous area in western Massachusetts that’s become a Northeastern cultural hub thanks to a rush of entrepreneurs transforming the region’s formerly derelict buildings into contemporary galleries and lodging.

What to do in the Berkshires

Base yourself in North Adams, one of the most charming small towns in the country. It’s best known for the MASS MoCA, a 19th-century factory mill complex turned modern center for world-class art. Roam more than 200,000 square feet of exhibition space, then head outdoors to nearby Mount Greylock and traverse hiking trails that lead to the highest point in Massachusetts. In Lenox, visit Edith Wharton’s magnificent former home, the Mount, which hosts events including ghost tours and poetry readings.

Where to stay in the Berkshires

Check into Tourists, a contemporary, rustic-minimalist motel whose 46 rooms have big picture windows and cabin vibes from plenty of blonde wood. Miraval Berkshires in Lenox is a wellness-focused resort whose calendar is packed with daily activities such as early morning hikes, forest meditation, and rock climbing.

Aerial view of harbor and land spit with lighthouse at Nantucket — Nantucket is an oasis of calm best explored by bike.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Distance: 6 hours by car and ferry
Best for: Eating fresh seafood

It takes a little legwork to get to quaint Nantucket from New York City. If you have at least three full days, the upscale island is an ideal destination for savoring ultra-fresh seafood, biking to the beach, learning about the whaling industry, and marveling at the town’s iconic 1700s clapboard homes.

What to do in Nantucket

Head to the Nautilus for its stand-out cocktails and fusion menu that zigzags from Sichuan-style dandan noodles to tuna poké. If Nautilus is full, its sister the Gaslight has a similar menu and live music. Pick up sandwiches from Born & Bread for a beach picnic, or dig into a dish of oysters from Cru while sitting on the waterfront.

The Whaling Museum is a must-do to learn the basics of Nantucket’s past—the Wampanoag people, notable abolitionists and suffragettes, 19th-century industry and transportation—as well as its legacy in the whaling industry. Private and self-guided walking tours of the island’s historic neighborhoods and architecture are also a highlight. Cruise around on two wheels with a rental from Young’s Bicycle Shop on Broad Street or Nantucket Bike Shop, then pick up a beach read at Mitchell’s Book Corner or Nantucket Bookworks.

Where to stay in Nantucket

Historic three-story brick mansion Jared Coffin House has gorgeous rooms that celebrate history-making women, such as abolitionists Anna Gardner and Lucretia Coffin Mott. Greydon House, with its 20 rooms done up in blue and white, feels homey, while Life House has an inviting terrace whose firepit lends itself to a convivial atmosphere. Luxurious White Elephant has multiple residences and suites for families; the Nantucket Hotel and Resort has a terrific pool and kids club.

Small motorboat and white sailboat in calm water, with large, white three-story building in background surrounded by tall trees in Greenwich — Greenwich boasts four beaches on the Long Island Sound: Greenwich Point, Byram Beach, Island Beach (Little Captain’s Island), and Great Captain’s Island.

Greenwich, Connecticut

Distance: 45 minutes by train
Best for: A relaxing coastal getaway

For weekend visitors, this affluent community offers many of the cosmopolitan comforts available in New York (high-end shopping, spas, and upscale restaurants) but, unlike in the city, Greenwich’s hot spots are set among the green landscapes and relaxing vibe of coastal Connecticut.

What to do in Greenwich

Don’t leave Greenwich without eating seafood at the palatial waterfront restaurant L’Escale. For something more casual, Grigg Street Pizza slings satisfying slices, pies, and sandwiches. If shopping is high on your travel agenda, head to the luxury boutiques along Greenwich Avenue and browse for baby gifts at the Piccolina Shop, or pop a block over to consignment shop Consigned Designs. For laid-back R&R, visit nearby recreational areas Byram Shore Park and Great Captain’s Island, or head to Greenwich Point Park to enjoy a long sunset stroll beside Long Island Sound.

Where to stay in Greenwich

Book a room in the waterside Delamar Greenwich Harbor hotel; some of the 82 guest rooms have balconies overlooking the harbor. Or check in to a minimalist room or suite at 83-room the J House Greenwich. Both hotels are excellent options for a wellness moment, with full-service spas on site.

Sunrise over docked sailboats at small marina — The seaside town of Mystic is about much more than pizza.

Mystic, Connecticut

Distance: 3 hours by car; 2 hours 45 minutes by train
Best for: Pizza, beer, and learning about the town’s nautical history

Even if you’re not obsessed with the 1988 Julia Roberts rom-com focused on Mystic Pizza and set in Mystic itself, come for the same riverside charm that delighted screenwriter Amy Jones. Historic downtown Mystic looks every part a New England village: pretty clapboard homes and storefronts, colonial-era steeples, and old sea captains’ residences. It’s the kind of family-friendly getaway where you’ll sip apple cider from a 19th-century mill, check out the iconic aquarium, and eat. And eat. And eat.

What to do in Mystic

Spend a morning exploring the locally owned shops in downtown Mystic. (Trove Mens Provisions feels like an old-school haberdashery, and Hang the Moon focuses on women-made, eco-friendly, and ethical gifts.) Don’t sleep on the town’s most iconic activities: The Olde Mistick Village is fun for the family, especially the year-round Sofia’s Mystical Christmas shop and Deviant Donuts. Nearby Mystic Aquarium is a standout with beluga whales, sharks, African penguins, seals, sea lions, and more.

What to eat in Mystic

Don’t feel guilty about multiple stops at Sift Bake Shop, co-owned by Adam Young, a Food Network “Best Baker in America”—or that you’re chasing the sticky bun with an apple cider doughnut and hot cider a short drive away at B. F. Clyde’s Cider Mill. The last steam-powered cider mill in the United States (c. 1881), B.F. Clyde’s feels like a time warp. Make a reservation at Oyster Club or Shipwright’s Daughter for a fancier dinner out without any kids. And, of course, eat a slice or two at memorabilia-heavy Mystic Pizza.

Where to stay in Mystic

The Whaler’s Inn has more than 125 years of heritage: One building was the residence of a shipbuilding family in the 1800s; another was an upscale hotel that opened in 1861. The present-day inn has 55 rooms and is centrally located in downtown Mystic, with a wraparound porch and big picture windows overlooking the river. It also has family-friendly rooms, including a suite with bunk beds.

Aerial view of old brick buildings in Philadelphia — Philly offers a different urban vibe than New York City and is less than 90 minutes away.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Distance: 1.5 hours by train
Best for: Culture, history, and food in a smaller city

It may not seem like much of a “getaway” to travel from one urban destination to another, but the City of Brotherly Love offers plenty of perks for culture-seeking New Yorkers, especially if you know how to explore it like a local. And with the U.S. celebrating its 250th birthday next year, expect a slew of events in Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy.

What to do in Philadelphia

For history lovers, there’s no end to the landmarks and significant buildings—you’ve got the iconic Liberty Bell with its famous crack and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed. Museum enthusiasts should plan to visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but the jewel in Philly’s cultural crown is undoubtedly its vibrant street art scene. Don’t leave the city without taking a Mural Arts Philadelphia tour to view buildings transformed by imaginative murals.

Where to eat in Philadelphia

Philly is an exciting food city, offering dishes well beyond the beloved cheesesteak (although plenty of iconic establishments serve the namesake dish). Sample fine foods in the Reading Terminal Market, where stalls sell everything from cured meats to fresh cheeses and mouth-watering desserts. Go upscale (but not fussy) at James Beard Award–winning Friday, Saturday, Sunday in Rittenhouse Square, which serves an eight-course tasting menu. Or head to Superette in South Philly, a colorful market/bottle shop/wine bar serving sandwiches like shaved lamb with pickled eggplant and a handful of plates to share such as gigante beans with preserved lemon and chili breadcrumbs.

Where to stay in Philadelphia

On the top 12 floors of the Comcast Center, the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia has a 60th-floor Sky Lobby with sweeping city views, plus 219 serene guest rooms. For something trendy, try 15-room hotel/concept shop Yowie; the large Notary Hotel, which offers luxury lodgings in the former City Hall Annex; or 14-room Fitler Club, a private club/hotel with an unmatched spa.

An armchair and striped couch by black wood bookcases at the Graduate Princeton — Blazers of famous graduates are on display in glass cases at the new Graduate by Hilton Princeton.

Princeton, New Jersey

Distance: 1–1.5 hours by train
Best for: Collegiate vibes, ice cream, late-night hoagies

Fall is the perfect time to soak up dark academia vibes, and Princeton nails it with a picture-perfect campus full of impressive Gothic buildings.

What to do in Princeton

Before you walk around campus gaping at the architecture, join a walking tour with the Historial Society of Princeton to get the scoop on the university and the town itself. On campus is the Lewis Center for the Arts whose theater and dance performances and author talks are often open to the public.

What to eat in Princeton

Get a cone while strolling around campus at one of a handful of ice cream shops, including Halo Pub, the Bent Spoon, and Thomas Sweet. Reserve a table at Agricola for a grown-up, farm-to-table meal, or follow the hordes of students for a hoagie at Olives. If you need something to eat after a night out at the Ivy Inn, there’s always Hoagie Haven next door, open until midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

Where to stay in Princeton

The Nassau Inn on Palmer Square, nearly on campus, used to be the only game in town; its 157 rooms are still a classic, comfortable bet, but the August 2024 opening of Graduate by Hilton Princeton has raised the bar for a cool college-town hotel. Afar editor at large Laura Dannen Redman calls the clubby lobby “one part library, one part British pub, with a hint of Hogwarts.”

This article was originally published in 2016 and most recently updated on October 2, 2025, with current information. Laura Dannen Redman, Claire Volkman, Lyndsey Matthews, Erika Owen, and Sophie Friedman contributed to the reporting of this story.