When city life starts to feel loud, fast, or just plain crowded, a quick weekend escape can reset everything. Luckily, you don’t have to travel far from New York City to find quiet trails, cozy towns, or lakeside views. These spots are close enough to reach without flying, but far enough to feel like a change of pace.
Here is a list of 15 weekend getaways near New York City.
Cold Spring
Right on the Hudson River, Cold Spring is a small town with big scenery. Main Street leads straight to the water, lined with antique stores, cafés, and ice cream parlors. Just behind town, trails in Hudson Highlands State Park climb to panoramic views like Breakneck Ridge.
It’s the kind of place that works whether you want to hike or just sit with coffee.
Beacon
Once an industrial town, Beacon has flipped into a haven for artists and weekend wanderers. DIA: Beacon, a massive modern art museum in a former factory, draws big crowds—but the surrounding galleries and shops give it lasting appeal. There’s also Mount Beacon for hikers, with rewarding views after a steep climb.
It’s easy to get to by train, but it still feels like an escape.
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The Catskills
With winding roads, waterfalls, and forested peaks, the Catskills are a favorite for outdoorsy weekends. Whether you’re into hiking, tubing, or just finding a cabin with a fire pit, the options are wide open.
Towns like Phoenicia and Livingston Manor keep things charming without feeling staged. The star-filled skies are reason enough to visit.
New Paltz
Home to both a college campus and a stunning ridge line, New Paltz blends energy and nature well. You’ll find rock climbers headed to the Shawangunk Mountains and visitors walking through the 17th-century stone houses of Historic Huguenot Street.
There’s cider, there’s local cheese, and the trails are usually just a few minutes away. It’s cozy without being sleepy.
Montauk
Way out at the end of Long Island, Montauk has more space and less flash than the Hamptons. Windswept beaches, quiet dunes, and a classic lighthouse make it feel like the edge of the world.
During summer, it gets busy—but in spring or fall, it’s calm and wildly beautiful. Surfing, seafood, and salty air come standard.
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Hudson
Known for its art scene and historic architecture, Hudson has become a go-to for creative weekenders. The town has a walkable layout filled with design shops, wine bars, and antique stores that lean more cool than dusty.
The riverfront park adds breathing room, while nearby farms and trails offer simple ways to unwind. It’s stylish but grounded.
Fire Island
No cars, just boardwalks, beaches, and bicycles—Fire Island is the kind of place where time slows way down. Ferries connect the island to the mainland in under an hour, but it feels much farther once you’re there.
Some towns are lively, others quiet, but all share that breezy, no-hurry vibe. Perfect for sunbathing or doing absolutely nothing.
Warwick
Just over an hour from NYC, Warwick is known for its apple orchards, wineries, and rolling countryside. Fall is peak season, with cider donuts and corn mazes at every turn, but the town’s charm lasts year-round.
Downtown has a relaxed feel, with local bookstores and bakeries that invite lingering. It’s a slower pace that doesn’t try too hard.
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Storm King Art Center
This open-air museum isn’t your typical gallery—it’s 500 acres of hills, woods, and massive sculptures you can walk right up to. It’s an easy drive or train ride from the city, and you can easily spend a whole afternoon wandering without retracing your steps.
Even folks who aren’t into art tend to be impressed. It’s modern, peaceful, and a little surreal.
Shelter Island
Sitting between the North and South Forks of Long Island, Shelter Island is accessible only by ferry—but that’s part of the charm. It’s quieter than its neighbors and filled with wooded paths, marsh views, and Victorian-style homes.
Biking is the best way to get around, and the whole place feels unhurried. Even on busy weekends, it stays low-key.
Princeton
Yes, it’s a college town—but Princeton also offers tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and a lot of green space. The campus is open to the public and worth exploring, especially in spring or fall.
Just outside of town, hiking trails loop through nature preserves and along rivers. It’s refined but never stiff.
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Bear Mountain
If you’re looking for easy hiking, lake views, and maybe a picnic with a skyline backdrop, Bear Mountain hits the mark. The park includes a zoo, carousel, and some of the best views of the Hudson River from Perkins Memorial Tower.
In autumn, the colors pop in every direction. It’s great for families or anyone wanting nature without a long drive.
Sag Harbor
A former whaling port turned charming village, Sag Harbor offers a polished but relaxed vibe. You’ll find classic bookstores, small galleries, and seafood spots right on the marina. Even in peak season, it manages to avoid chaos.
It’s nautical but not flashy—think boat shoes and breezy linen, not velvet ropes.
Asbury Park
On the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park mixes beach boardwalk with music history. The Stone Pony still draws acts, and the murals around town make even parking lots interesting. There’s sand, yes—but also vintage shops, arcades, and surprisingly good food.
It’s not polished, but it’s full of character.
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Kent, Connecticut
Tucked into the northwest corner of Connecticut, Kent is all about covered bridges, hiking trails, and calm rivers. Kent Falls State Park offers a scenic picnic area with one of the region’s prettiest waterfalls. The downtown area is compact but charming, with galleries and bookstores that invite wandering.
It’s a good pick for a quiet, nature-first weekend.
Close Enough, Far Enough
Weekend escapes don’t have to be epic to make a difference. These towns and trails offer the space to breathe, the time to slow down, and just enough change to feel fresh. You leave the noise behind, but not the comfort.
And best of all, by Sunday evening, you’re already nearly home.
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