We will be visiting New York City this summer probably in July and August. We would like to spend a week in the city seeing old friends and getting some culture and then we wnat to have a week or so relaxing. Where should we go? Possibilities might be the Catskills or Long Island or? Suggestions welcome

What do you mean by realxing?

Just sitting by the beach or lake? Specific activities? Budget restrictions?

The classic vacation is a week on the east end of Long Island - beautiful beaches - and lots of beautiful/famous people, great dining, wineries, historical colonial villages, lots of small museums and galleries - and interesting things on the way to and fro (Teddy Roosevelt's house at Sagamore Hill, Old Bethpage colonial Restoration, Flight Museum).

But - not really doable without renting a car, the area is mobbed for the whole summer and lodgings are expensive/can be had to find if you don;t plan now.

The Jersey Shore is another beach option. A whole variety of towns with different budgets and "feels". But - also mobbed although mostly not as expensive as the East End of LI.

We have had a rough couple of years with looking after elderly parents so probably a little sightseeing old house, museums, good gardens with fine food a pool and not a lot else would be fine. Money is not a big issue but we want something really good. We have had mixed esperiences of B and Bs in America some good others not so really want suggestions of places that are quite luxurious without making us feel uneasy.

hi- just a thought - why not rent a car and drive up to the Berkshires. Lots to do in the summer (Tanglewood,etc.) Book a place near Lenox,Ma. Many small towns to meander through, good restaurants, and a very relaxed atmosphere after the bustle of New York.

We once combined a trip to NYC with a visit to Cooperstown. Yes, it's famous for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but it's also a quaint town on a lake with a couple of good resorts and inns, an art museum, an antique farm, a brewery (nearby) and a few very good restaurants. We were very pleasantly surprised. And the HOF is actually cool even if you're not a baseball nut.

i actually liked cooperstown too. its a great community. id stay away from the shore or E. LI unless you want to be mobbed by crowds and sit in traffic.

I suggest renting a car and drive up to Lake George it's 31/2 hour beautiful drive The Sagamore at Bolton Landing is a beautiful victorian style resort with a great lake with loads of activities (golf, spa, 5 star restaurant. One can lay on a lounge or go white water rafting. It's about 31/2 hours from NYC

I think Newport RI would be a good choice. It's about 3.5 hours by car from NYC.

The problem with Lake George is that the village itself is quite tacky - and from late July through early September is especially mobbed since the overflow racegoers from the Saratoga races stay there.

The only place I would consider there is the Sagamore - on an island in the lake.

I think Newport has what you're looking for, as mentioned above. Fine houses and gardens to tour, good restaurants, a beach . . .

If you are up for a five or six hour drive, though, and want to get away even more, you could get to Maine. Kennebunkport might suit. For my money, Maine has the most scenic shore in the eastern US. Also, there's a chance -- not certain -- that it will be cool. And the water will almost certainly be too cold for a swim. Makes it near perfect! There are even nicer areas further "down east," depending on how long you'd like to drive.

For country -- nearby are the Litchfield Hills in CT, then north to the Berkshires, already mentioned. Further north and a bit west in NY state the Adirondaks have attractive lakes and forest. Nice mountain and lake country in New Hampshire. Vermont a little more pastoral.

There really are lots of possibilities. Think country vs seaside and close vs moderate.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. Tanglewood sounds ideal and I do fancy seeing the Berkshires. I will start researching accommodations in the area. Any suggestions for Lennox or near to there. Will also try and get some concert tickets for Tanglewood.