Romantic weekend getaway
 

We're looking for a romantic weekend getaway ... a small town in Maryland or Pennsylvania within 4 hours of NYC where we can walk, and go antiquing, and relax. Want to go Columbus Day weekend. Any suggestions? We're in our 50s so nightlife isn't as important as relaxation and good food. Thanks!

I think you may have trouble getting a reservation at a hotel for that weekend, but my suggestions would be:

1. St Michaels area of Maryland.

2. New Hope Pennsylvania area.

3. The Brandywine area on the border of Pennsylvania and Delaware is a lovely area of the country. There are Longwood Gardens if you like gardens, and the Winterthur Museum if you are interested in colonial American and other antiques. The area around the river is charming as well. Take a look at http://www.longwoodgardens.org and http://www.winterthur.org. An inn to consider would be Inn at Montchanin Village in the Brandywine, Delaware area about 30 minutes south of Philadelphia. Go to http://www.montchanin.com or slh.com

4. Bay Head, Spring Lake or Cape May, New Jersey. For a list of B&B's go to http://www.jerseyboardwalk.com/bed.htm

In Bay Head and Spring Lake, hotels to consider would be:

Bay Head Gables Inn
200 Main Avenue
Bay Head NJ
732-892-9844
http://www.bayheadgables.com/

The Grenville
345 Main Ave.
Bay Head, NJ 08742
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (732) 892-0599
Fax: (732) 892-0599
http://www.thegrenville.com/

Has an excellent restaurant.

Conover's Bay Head Inn
646 Main Ave
Bay Head NJ
800-956-9099
732-892-4664
http://www.conovers.com/

The Breakers
1507 Ocean Avenue
Spring Lake
Phone: (732) 449-7700 ~ Fax: (732) 449-0161
breakershotel.com

5. The Hudson River area just north of NYC and points further north in New York State. You can tour historic homes along the Hudson, such as the Vanderbilt Mansion or Kykuit the old Rockefeller Mansion. These and other homes of the "robber barons" of the late 19th and early 20th century are in the Hudson River Valley area, esp along the Hudson. Huge homes and acres of gardens and woodlands. Take a look at http://www.hudsonvalley.org/web/kyku-main.html. There is a lot to see and do in this area, including outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing. Take a look at t the New York State tourism website at http://www.iloveny.state.ny.us/

Hotels to consider:

The Emerson Inn and Spa in Temper, New York (the Catskill area), about 1.5 hours north of NYC airports. Go to http://www.the-emerson.com/ or slh.com

The Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown (30 minutes from NYC). Go to http://www.castleonthehudson.com or slw.com

Mohonk Mountain House, in New Paltz New York, about 90 minutes from NYC. Check out their website at Mohonk.com

6. Massachusetts or Vermont (should be in your 4 hour range, but may be a bit further). Places like the Wheatley in Lenox Massachusetts or the Equinox in Manchester Vermont would be a great base. Go to http://www.wheatleigh.com or lhw.com and http://equinox.rockresorts.com or lhw.com

I second Cape May or St. Michael.

New Hope is a lovely area but was recently beset with flooding after TD Jeanne. Nearby Lahaska has Peddler's Village with lots of neat little shops. There is a lovely B&B called Holly Hedge in New Hope. The Brandywine area would also be quite nice. If you enjoy gardens I would definitely check out Longwood Gardens. Winterthur and the Brandywine River Museum are also enjoyable. Chaddsford Winery is in the area if you enjoy that.

Well, it's in the other direction but it is 4 hours from NYC--Manchester, Vermont. I've gone up there a couple of times for weekends, and it's got everything you describe. You can stay in the Equinox Resort (nice, a bit pricey) or in one of the many lovely B&Bs. Can walk around, check out the shops, ride horses, etc. There are also many good restaurants. As for B&B's I can recommend The Inn at Ormsby Hill or the Reluctant Panther--both excellent.

I would say New Hope or Cape May - both seem to fit all of your criteria

If you mainly want to relax and be in a quiet place check out this website (www.innatnewberlin.com) in New Berlin, PA. Great food, biking, hiking, some antiques nearby, and massage. It would really be relaxing for you and approx. 2 1/2 hours (maybe three) from Manhattan. There are a few NYC actors and producers buying property in this country area for weekend homes.

Thank you all ... we're investigating all options. You're the best!!

I happened to notice some weekend auctions on luxurylink.com. One was for the New Berlin Inn (which I'd never heard of) that LHG mentions. There was also one for the Maidstone Inn in East Hampton, NY. Not an area you mentioned but within your parameters. Just beware if you decide to go the luxurylink route to check with the hotels BEFORE bidding to make sure of availability on your dates b/c you bid and then it's up to you to book the package you won when they have room.

What about the Berkshires? Lots of good antiquing. Look at the Manor House in Norfolk Ct. just near the Mass border. Great antiquing on Rt 7 in Sheffield Mass. Also near there, the Weathervane Inn in Egremont.