In this post, I’ll share my favorite weekend getaways I enjoyed while living in New York City for 10 years. I love these scenic drives, cozy inns, and charming small towns that aren't too far or too hard to get to. You'll get plenty of fresh air and unforgettable weekend adventures just beyond the skyline and subway buzz.
Best Weekend Getaways from NYC:
Spa Weekend Getaway at The Crystal Springs Resort
It felt like arriving at a mountain-sized playground—for grown-ups. “This is more than a spa,” I thought, stepping onto a terrace that overlooked green hills and a glimmering infinity pool.
Located in Sussex County, New Jersey, Crystal Springs offers two distinct spas—Reflections and Elements—plus golf courses, wine cellars, and nature trails. We booked treatments at Reflections: my massage came with dim lights, a warm quartz bed, and a quiet I hadn’t realized I needed. Later, we soaked in the Biosphere Pool, glass-domed and humid, as if the rainforest had followed us north.
What I Loved Most: The way luxury blended with landscape. You could hike in the morning and be wrapped in lavender towels by afternoon.
My highlight? Dinner at Latour: seared scallops with lemon beurre blanc, their sweetness kissed by fire, served with shaved asparagus and a hint of mint. The scent lingered like spring rain on warm stone.
Plan your weekend:
- Location: Hamburg, NJ (~1.5 hours from NYC)
- Vibe: Luxe, activity-rich
- Best For: Couples, groups, spa-goers who want options
- Cost: Rooms from ~$300/night; spa treatments ~$150+
Historic halls and Hudson River views from The Thayer Hotel - 1.5 hours from NYC
Walking into The Thayer Hotel felt like stepping into American history—but with plush linens and five-star views. The military heritage added weight and grace to our stay, and the scenery made it feel utterly serene. I remember thinking, “We’re sleeping where presidents and generals once stood.”
What I Loved Most: Watching the mist rise off the Hudson in the morning with coffee in hand.
My highlight? Sunday brunch at MacArthur’s Riverview Restaurant—especially the smoked salmon platter and fresh-squeezed mimosas.
Plan your trip:
- Drive Time: ~1.5 hours from NYC
- Vibe: Historic, formal, riverside
- Highlights: West Point tours, scenic drives, elegant dining
- Best For: History buffs, scenic weekenders
- Cost: Moderate to upscale
Wine country charm in North Fork at Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn
There was a soft slowness to Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn that we fell into instantly. Mornings with vineyard views, afternoons sipping chilled whites under the pergola. I remember thinking, “This is how you do nothing... beautifully.”
What I Loved Most: The boutique size—it felt like staying at a friend’s dreamy country estate.
My highlight? Our sunset picnic: goat cheese, olives, baguette, and a bottle of the house rosé enjoyed on the lawn.
Plan your trip:
- Drive Time: ~2 hours from NYC
- Vibe: Relaxed, rustic, cozy
- Highlights: Wine tasting, bike rides, farm stands
- Best For: Wine lovers, couples, quiet escapes
- Cost: Moderate
Address:
2000 Oregon Rd, Mattituck, NY 11952Phone: 631-804-0367
Colonial elegance meets Cape Cod calm at The Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa - 4 hours 20 minutes
Stepping into The Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa was like a warm hug from history. The rooms creaked in the best way, and every corner seemed to tell a story. I remember thinking, “I could spend a whole day just exploring inside.”
What I Loved Most: Tea in the conservatory and the inn’s curated antique charm.
My highlight? Baked stuffed lobster with a side of buttery popovers—Cape Cod on a plate at the in-house restaurant.
Plan your trip:
- Drive Time: ~4 hours from NYC
- Vibe: Historical, polished, coastal
- Highlights: Spa treatments, local shops, heritage walks
- Best For: Traditionalists, history lovers
- Cost: Moderate to upscale
Address:
149 Main Street, Sandwich, MA 02563Phone: 800-444-3566
Gilded Age grandeur in Vermont at The Inn at Shelburne Farms - 5 hours
We arrived through a tunnel of trees, and The Inn at Shelburne Farms appeared like something out of a novel. It felt timeless. We walked the farm trails, sat by the lake, and soaked in the golden light of an unhurried world. I remember thinking, “This is Vermont at its most graceful.”
What I Loved Most: Waking up to lake breezes and fresh-baked pastries.
My highlight? Farm-to-table breakfast with Shelburne eggs, housemade jam, and Vermont cheddar grits.
Plan your trip:
- Drive Time: ~5.5 hours from NYC
- Vibe: Grand, pastoral, restorative
- Highlights: Walking trails, farm tours, lakeside serenity
- Best For: Nature lovers, vintage luxury seekers
- Cost: Moderate to upscale
Address:
1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT 05482Phone: 802-985-8686
Upstate calm with a boutique soul at Hasbrouck House
Hasbrouck House blended farmhouse warmth with boutique polish. We played lawn games, read by the fire, and wandered to the pond at dusk. I remember thinking, “We’ve found our upstate home base.”
What I Loved Most: The community feel—you can talk to other guests or disappear in your own little world.
My highlight? Dinner at Butterfield, the onsite restaurant: heritage pork with apple cider glaze and roasted root vegetables.
Plan your trip:
- Drive Time: ~2 hours from NYC
- Vibe: Warm, welcoming, design-forward
- Highlights: Farmhouse décor, outdoor fire pits, local hiking
- Best For: Couples, creatives, friend getaways
- Cost: Moderate
Address:
3805 Main St, Stone Ridge, NY 12484Phone: 845-687-0736
A Tiny House Resort, New York
“This is all we need,” I said as we unlocked the tiny house—just 400 square feet of carefully placed calm. A full window looked out over the creek, the kitchen smelled faintly of cedar, and the loft bed felt like a nest. The quiet wasn’t empty—it was full of birdsong, wind through trees, and the soft knock of a squirrel on the roof at sunrise.
We cooked breakfast ourselves—eggs from the farm store on-site, crusty toast, and hot coffee sipped on Adirondack chairs by the water. That first morning, we barely spoke. It didn’t feel like silence. It felt like presence.
The rest of the day moved gently: a walk through the forest trails, a nap in the hammock, a trip down to the waterfall pool. We watched the sun dip below the tree line while grilling dinner on our deck—rosemary chicken, corn, and fingerling potatoes wrapped in foil and roasted over the flame. The smell was smoky and rich, the flavors bright. Later, under string lights, we roasted marshmallows and leaned into the stillness. I thought, “We could live like this—just for a while.”
Plan your weekend:
- Drive Time from NYC: ~2.5 hours north
- Vibe: Secluded, sustainable, cozy
- Highlights: Private tiny houses, creekside decks, firepits, farm stand, hiking trails, waterfall pool
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for flowers, fall for color, winter for snowy seclusion
- Cost: Tiny houses from ~$300/night; bring your own groceries or purchase on-site
- Hours: Check-in 4pm; most amenities open 9am–7pm
Walk to the beach from Shelter Island House in New York - 2 hours 30 minutes
Shelter Island House Shelter Island House was low-key lovely. Biking quiet roads, sunning by the pool, and stargazing on the porch—everything slowed down. I remember thinking, “We needed this silence.”
What I Loved Most: That ferry ride feeling of “we’re leaving it all behind.”
My highlight? The lobster roll and glass of rosé at the hotel’s garden restaurant—simple, fresh, unforgettable.
Plan your trip:
- Drive + Ferry: ~3 hours from NYC
- Vibe: Chill, breezy, boutique
- Highlights: Biking, beach, garden dining
- Best For: Recharging, beachside couples
- Cost: Moderate
Address:
11 Stearns Point Road, Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965Phone: 631-749-1633 (Hotel) | 631-749-5659 (The Tavern)
Mountain air and spa serenity at Emerson Resort and Spa
Nestled in the Catskills, Emerson Resort and Spa gave us tall trees, deep sleep, and steamy spa afternoons. It was luxury without pretense. I remember thinking, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
What I Loved Most: The world’s largest kaleidoscope on-site—it was whimsical and oddly romantic.
My highlight? A couple’s massage followed by truffle mac and cheese at Woodnotes Grille.
Plan your trip:
- Drive Time: ~2 hours from NYC
- Vibe: Cozy, luxurious, natural
- Highlights: Spa, hiking, artful touches
- Best For: Reconnection, birthday weekends
- Cost: Moderate to upscale
Address:
5340 NY-28, Mt Tremper, NY 12457Phone: 845-688-2828
Skaneateles Quiet & Vintage Grace at 34 State
The front door at 34 State clicked shut behind me, and the house settled into a hush so complete I could hear the wind shift the trees outside. Light filtered through old glass, and I thought, “This place remembers every guest.”
What I Loved Most: Waking up in crisp white linens, the scent of coffee drifting in from the kitchen, sunlight warming the floorboards like a quiet invitation to linger.
My highlights? Breakfast down the road at Rosalie’s Cucina: a tomato-basil frittata with aged parmesan, roasted potatoes with rosemary, and a warm scone that smelled like almond and butter. Each bite felt like home—if home had 19th-century wallpaper and gallery art.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from NYC: ~4.5 hours northwest
- Vibe: Elegant, historic, peaceful
- Highlights: Boutique suites, artful interiors, walkable downtown, Skaneateles Lake
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for foliage, summer for lake strolls
- Cost: From ~$350/night
- Hours: Check-in 3pm; lake and shops open daily
Jump to a Spot...
- • Spa Weekend Getaway at The Crystal Springs Resort
- • Historic halls and Hudson River views from The Thayer Hotel - 1.5 hours from NYC
- • Wine country charm in North Fork at Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn
- • Colonial elegance meets Cape Cod calm at The Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa - 4 hours 20 minutes
- • Gilded Age grandeur in Vermont at The Inn at Shelburne Farms - 5 hours
- • Upstate calm with a boutique soul at Hasbrouck House
- • A Tiny House Resort, New York
- • Walk to the beach from Shelter Island House in New York - 2 hours 30 minutes
- • Mountain air and spa serenity at Emerson Resort and Spa
- • Skaneateles Quiet & Vintage Grace at 34 State