My favorite weekend getaways from NYC are a little bit calmer: think small towns, lake houses, one-lane highways, farmers markets that are a stone’s throw from the actual farm.
The Berkshires is my #1 choice for a weekend away from New York City: located on the borders of Western Massachusetts and New York State, it’s only a two-hour drive away from the city—and it rarely has traffic.
I especially liked visiting the ivy-covered stone Nyack Library and stopping for a morning treat at Gypsy Donuts. And if you’re a cyclist, make sure to bring your bike: the Hook Mountain trails are especially popular.
Located on the beautiful beaches of New Jersey, the neighboring towns of Avalon and Stone Harbor are nothing like the Jersey Shore stereotypes you might be imagining.
Bucks County is actually one of my favorite places to spend a weekend, although I feel like it’s super underrated, especially by the New York City set.
This tiny seaport town is best known for being the backdrop to Julia Roberts’ breakout role in Mystic Pizza, but it’s also home to a world-class aquarium and some gorgeous oceanfront.