jenniemojo

I'm looking for a good side trip from NYC for my husband and I (early 30s). I actually live in NYC, but I've only been here 1 year and I don't know much about day trips from the city yet. So, my husband and I are looking to take a relaxing day or two somewhere within driving distance of the city - no more than 3-4 hours via car or train. We're looking for a bit of romance, a low key atmosphere, good restaurant options, and a nice charming inn/hotel. We love to explore, whether it's a nice town or hiking through the woods. Any suggestions?

margot55

Hi jennie - although I live in NJ, I have several suggestions for you which could take you in different directions:

1) New Hope, PA or Lambertville, NJ (right across the bridge from New Hope). The New Hope area, which is in Bucks County, PA, is really charming, and if you go over the bridge from Frenchtown, NJ into PA and travel down Route 32 along the Delaware Canal to New Hope, you'll be in for a treat, as it feels like you are back in Colonial times. As for Lambertville, NJ, this town has been redeveloped very nicely, and is also worth spending some time there.

2) Cape May, NJ, down at the southern tip of the state - this is a great shore town that has done a great job in restoring some fabulous Victorian structures to their heyday -lots of great B & B's and excellent restaurants. There is the wildlife refuge at the lighthouse that is worth seeing, as well.

3) Travel further north in NY to places such as New Paltz or Rhinebeck, and explore areas along the Hudson River.

Those are a few suggestions that would fit your needs. Let us know where you wind up and have fun!

mingum

Here are my favorite city getaways:
- Catskills - anywhere, even close like Woodstock with a cute b&b can be very nice, easy hikes, meals at inns and the like, antique shopping etc. It is very relaxing and peaceful no matter where you go. Anywhere off Route 17 is nice - avoid Monticello proper which is a bit rundown now.

- Delaware Water Gap for river rafting, camping, b&bs etc

- Montauk - I love that place, kind of pricey but the jitney will make the ride better than driving

- Cape May (as in previous post)

- Atlantic City for gambling fun!

- Wildwood at the Jersey Shore is fun and the town is done up in the 50's architecture

- A little further to drive but Lake George can be really nice too.

- Rye Playland - day trip

- Coney Island day trip - don't miss the Sideshow.

- Rockaway Beach - you can park next to the sand and there are hardly any people in many parts of the beach. Day trip

dlpiano

Upstate Ny is so beautiful!You could take the metro north and get off in Cold Springs, or there is Beacon with the DIA(worlds largest modern art museum-so cool!!).By car though gives you unlimited possibilities.
West Point
Storm King Art Center
Mohonk Mountain House
President Roosevelt, Vanderbilt. Mills Mansions,etc.
Strawberry and cherry picking
numerous boatrides on the Hudson(from West Point, Newburgh,Kingston)
Wineries
horseback riding
Culinary Institute for an incredible meal
Vassar College
and many other possibilities.
Hope this helps!

Gekko

Hamptons, Jersey Shore, Hudson Valley, Boston . . . lots of options.

I suggest you visit your local bookstore and pick up a copy of the book entitled something like "Weekends Away from NYC." It's very thorough.

Good Luck & Enjoy!

mclaurie

All good ideas. A lot depends on when you're planning to do this (some are better in summer, or fall or etc.) and what your budget is. As you can imagine, this is not the first time someone has asked this question so there's already a lot of info here if you do a search for weekend getaways from NY or words to that effect. Metro North has some specials too if you want to avoid driving. Check their website for daytrip and weekend specials.

Assuming you're doing this over the summer, here are some of my favorites through the years

1)Spring Lake, NJ (lots of cute Inns in a Victorian era town on the water)

http://www.springlake.org/

2)Shelter Island, Long Island much less crazy than the Hamptons, you can get there by taking the North Fork and ferry from Greenport. Sunset Beach is a trendy motel that's on the water. If you want more of an Inn, Ram's Head Inn is really like a step back in time.

3) The Berkshires--I stay with friends, but the Weathervane Inn is very good (not luxurious but nice) and there's lots of antiquing, hiking etc. in the area. Lenox, Mass. is another location in this area that has lots of options for dining and b and bs.

4) On the edge of Ct. and Mass. is Norfolk, Ct. Friends of mine stay at the Manor House and rave. It's not far to TAnglewood and Jacob's Pillow if you're interested in the music festival.

http://www.manorhouse-norfolk.com/

5)Closer to NYC, Beacon, Rhinebeck, and the Rockefeller Estate Kykuit are good options.

6) I agree with New Hope/Lambertville but have a slight preference for this area in fall.