While we love living in NYC, sometimes my family of five needs a short weekend getaway to somewhere that doesn’t feel like NYC at all. From the Berkshires to Cape May, we’ve rounded up the best weekend getaways from NYC—curated escapes that feel like a true vacation. With gas and airfare prices on the rise, these weekend getaways are vacation-worthy destinations that won’t break the bank.
Since we don’t want to spend the entire weekend on the road, all our picks are relatively close by, with drive times ranging from 90 minutes to 4 hours. We’ve also considered the quality of accommodations, amenities, activities, and the overall feel of “getting away.” Read on for our picks for the best weekend getaways from NYC, and start planning your next trip.
For even more recommendations and tips, check out our comprehensive Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.
Weekend Getaways From NYC, At-A-Glance:
In this guide, you’ll find:
- The best 2-3 day escapes from NYC that genuinely feel like a vacation—not just a day trip with a hotel
- Options organized by vibe from the beach to the mountains and every charming small town in between
- Destinations that work without a car—and which require one
- Drive time and the best season for each destination
- Budget indicators: What’s a splurge, mid-range, or wallet-friendly option
- Underrated destinations you won’t see in every New Yorker’s Instagram feed
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What Are the Best Weekend Beach Getaways from NYC?
1. Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Spa – Montauk, New York
Drive time from NYC: 3 hours
Car required? No
Best for: Immaculate beach vibes
Budget: Splurge
Why we love it: Located at the East End of Long Island, Gurney’s is a luxurious beach resort with direct access to one of the world’s best beaches. Its amenities are world-class, and it’s within walking distance to the town of Montauk, with its cute shops, restaurants, and attractions.
2. Asbury Ocean Club Hotel – Asbury Park, New Jersey
Drive time from NYC: 1 1/2 hours
Car required? No
Best for: Beach lovers
Budget: Mid-range
Why we love it: With its prime beachfront access, Asbury Ocean Club is one of the best hotels on the Jersey Shore. The hotel features a sleek, modernist vibe with a large rooftop pool for when the beach gets too crowded.
3. Congress Hall – Cape May, New Jersey
Drive time from NYC: 3 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: Quintessential Jersey Shore experience
Budget: Mid-range
Why we love it: Enjoy the beach and all that Cape May has to offer with a stay at this lovely beachside resort.
4. OceanCliff Hotel – Newport, Rhode Island
Drive time from NYC: 3 1/2 hours
Car required? No
Best for: Relaxed beachside getaway
Budget: Mid-range to splurge
Why we love it: This oceanfront hotel offers stunning views of the Narragansett Bay and is close to Newport.
What Are the Best Mountain Getaways from NYC?
5. Emerson Resort & Spa – Mount Tremper, New York
Drive time from NYC: 2 hours
Car required: Yes
Best for: Quiet mountain relaxation
Budget: Mid-range
Why we love it: The Emerson Resort is a family-favorite in the Catskills. Highlights for adults include the impressive spa. There are lots of activities for kids, including the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope.
6. Crystal Springs Resort – Hamburg, New Jersey
Drive time from NYC: 1 1/2 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: Activity-driven mountain resort
Budget: Splurge
Why we love it: This upscale mountain lodge has something for everyone with loads of family-friendly activities, several pools, golf, and a stand-out spa set against the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Read our full review here.
7. Mohonk Mountain House – New Paltz, New York
Drive time from NYC: 2 hours
Car required?: No
Best for: Basking in stunning natural scenery
Budget: Splurge
Why we love it: Mohonk is an exceptional year-round resort offering delicious, all-inclusive dining, thoughtful activities, and a great spa surrounded by breathtaking mountains and forests. Read our full review here.
The waterfront Woodloch Pines Resort features tons of activities for families.
8. Woodloch Pines Resort – Hawley, Pennsylvania
Drive time from NYC: 2 1/2 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: Families looking for an activity-driven resort in a beautiful setting
Budget: Splurge
Why we love it: Woodloch Pines is one of the best family resorts around, offering a plethora of activities. Adults can enjoy their downtime at the spa at Woodloch Lodge. Read our full review here.
9. Skytop Lodge – Skytop, Pennsylvania
Drive time from NYC: 2 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: All-American mountain resort that’s wholesome and a little-preppy
Budget: Mid-range to splurge
Why we love it: Families have been returning to Skytop Lodge to relax, spend time outdoors, golf, and take advantage of myriad activities in every season. While there’s a lot going on, it isn’t chaotic, and the activities are well-organized.
10. Equinox Golf Resort & Spa – Manchester, Vermont
Drive time from NYC: 4 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: Country club feel; understated luxury
Budget: Mid-range to splurge
Why we love it: This golf resort is a more traditional resort with an old-school New England vibe. Multi-generational families return every year looking to relax, golf, be in the outdoors, and enjoy the spa.
11. Winivan Farms – Morris, Connecticut
Drive time from NYC: 2 hours
Car required?: Yes
Best for: Whimsical and rustic
Budget: Splurge
Why we love it: Each of the cottages on the farm is designed with a unique theme, like a helicopter, treehouse, and library. Enjoy the pool, cooking classes, yoga, art classes, spa treatments, or venture into the surrounding outdoors for peaceful hikes, bike rides, and boating.
Hit the dock at the Sagamore to try your hand at fishing during a weekend getaway from NYC. Photo by Jaime Mercurio courtesy of the resort
12. Sagamore Resort – Bolton Landing, New York
Drive time from NYC: 4 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: Upscale resort with relaxed atmosphere
Budget: Splurge
Why we love it: The Sagamore Resort is a full-service resort with loads of amenities and activities for kids and adults alike. Do as much or as little as you like. Located on its own private island, the setting is gorgeous.
What Are Best Charming Small Town Getaways from NYC?
13. Beekman Arms & Delameter Inn – Rhinebeck, New York
Drive time from NYC: 2 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: History buffs
Budget: Wallet-friendly
Why we love it: This Hudson colonial is the oldest, continuously operating inn in America, and the rooms have a lot of historic charm and period details. Since it’s located right in the center of Rhinebeck, you can walk to shops, restaurants, and museums.
14. The Red Lion Inn – Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Drive time from NYC: 3 hours
Car required?: Yes
Best for: Historic charm and prime location to explore the Berkshires
Budget: Mid-range
Why we love it: This charming inn is the perfect base for exploring the historic towns in the Berkshires and enjoying the outdoors.
15. Stockton Inn – Stockton, New Jersey
Drive time from NYC: 1 1/2 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: Intimate and curated experiences
Budget: Mid-range
Why we love it: This small, historic inn—it has just nine rooms—along the Delaware River is so cozy and romantic you can’t help but let your hair down. It’s more about the ambiance than activities. Take your time to explore the nearby towns like New Hope and Lambertville. It’s especially pretty in the winter.
16. Whaler’s Inn – Mystic, Connecticut
Drive time from NYC: 3 hours
Car required? No
Best for: Perfect base for exploring Mystic
Budget: Wallet-friendly
Why we love it: This seaside boutique hotel is centrally located in Mystic. Visitors can walk to nearby shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Mystic Aquarium and Olde Mistick Village.
17. White House Inn – Cooperstown, New York
Drive time from NYC: 4 hours
Car required? Yes
Best for: Old-school American charm
Budget: Wallet-friendly
Why we love it: This intimate bed and breakfast is a great base for exploring Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame.
What Are the Best Weekend Getaways from NYC Without a Car?
- Best Train-Accessible Weekend Getaway from NYC: Whaler’s Inn
- Best Bus-Accessible Weekend Getaway from NYC: Gurney’s Montauk Resort
- Best Ferry Weekend Getaway from NYC: Asbury Ocean Club Hotel
FAQs for Summer Weekend Getaways from NYC
What is the best weekend getaway from NYC?
It depends on what you’re looking for. We’ve rounded up the best weekend getaways from NYC, including beach, mountain, and charming small-town resorts. Our weekend getaway picks meet a variety of interests and budgets.
How far should I go for a weekend trip from NYC?
A weekend getaway shouldn’t take longer than four hours to get to.
What are the best beach getaways from NYC for a weekend?
Some of the best beach getaways from NYC are Gurney’s in Montauk, New York; Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey; and Asbury Ocean Hotel Club in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
What are the best weekend getaways from NYC without a car?
Our list of weekend getaways includes several places you can reach without a car—including options reachable by train, bus, and ferry.
What is the most underrated weekend trip from NYC?
While you’ve probably heard of most of the resorts on our list, there are several that may be flying under your radar, including Winivan Farm and Red Lion Inn.
What are the best weekend trips from NYC with kids?
The best weekend getaways from NYC with kids include Mohonk Mountain House, the Sagamore Resort, and Crystal Springs Resort. Each of these destinations includes tons of activities for kids. If you’re looking for more options, we have a separate list of local resorts with summer programs to keep kids occupied while adults enjoy some downtime.
Is Philadelphia worth a weekend trip from NYC?
Philadelphia is a great place to visit, but since it’s a large and bustling city like NYC, it won’t quite feel like a relaxing vacation.
How far are the Berkshires from NYC?
It takes about three hours to reach the Berkshires from NYC. If you’re looking for a car-free option, consider booking a ride on Amtrak’s Berkshire Flyer, which runs seasonally, between Moynihan Train Hall and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. We’ve rounded up Pittsfield’s best family-friendly activities here.
Can you do Vermont for a weekend getaway from NYC?
Yes. Depending on where you want to go, Vermont takes about 4 hours from NYC.
All photos courtesy of the resorts
