The first 90-degree days in New York City this year have us all dreaming of that elusive thing: the perfect weekend getaway.

It’s almost summer, which means we’re all trying to take some time off to enjoy the sunny days. But what if an elaborate European vacation isn’t in the cards? They may not be Ibiza or Marseille, but there are plenty of beautiful, fun, restorative places to enjoy a summer weekend within hours of the city.

Maybe you’re craving some time in the woods to unplug from it all; or dreaming of the beach, a delicious sandwich, and a cold beer. If you’re searching for the best summer weekend getaways near New York City, look no further; below, we’ve curated options for whatever vibe you’re seeking. Happy summer!

The Under-the-Radar New England Trip: Newburyport, Massachusetts

Everyone knows Cape Cod, but the town of Newburyport is an underrated gem. Here, you can stroll historic cobblestone streets; slurp fresh oysters and sip white wine at a chill-yet-elegant seafood restaurant, like Brine; and take a dip in the cold ocean at one of the nearby beaches. There are a number of cute inns, including the Garrison, which is right in town. To stay right on the water, try Blue.

Driving distance from NYC: about 4 hours

The Culture Trip: Hudson Valley, New York

Do you find the Hamptons too scene-y, yet the Adirondacks too secluded? Here’s a Goldilocks weekend getaway from NYC for you: Hudson Valley, New York.

The Hudson region is known for its plethora of art galleries, quaint antique stores (ask this writer about her Murano glass lamp!), and farm-to-table restaurants. A must-visit town? Kingston, which is home to the boutique Hotel Kinsley. Spread out over four historic buildings—including a 19th-century bank—it flawlessly encompasses both old world and new thanks to its contemporary interiors by Studio Robert McKinley. Meanwhile, in Hudson—another town revered for its cultural scene—is The Maker, a glamorous property by the co-founders of Fresh Beauty.

There’s also Pocketbook Hudson, a new boutique hotel in a renovated factory that has an airy, standalone bathhouse for a nice soak and steam after a day of antique shopping. And go to dinner at Stissing House for a charming candle-lit farm-to-table dinner you won’t soon forget.

For a bit more space, head out to Wildflower Farms in Gardiner. Nestled within 140 acres at the foothills of the Catskills Mountains, it boasts a spa, pool, a cooking school, an on-site farm, hiking trails, as well as a natural playground with plenty of boulders for children to climb and even a zip line. The best amenity of all, however? Their great porch—a sprawling outdoor space overlooking the grounds lined with Adirondack chairs and firepits.

Another fantastic option is Inness, in nearby Accord. The high-design hotel, helmed by Taavo Somer, sits on 225 acres and features a soon-to-open spa, golf course, pool, and restaurant. An added bonus? The grounds were designed by famed landscape artist Miranda Brooks, making it truly an idyllic retreat.

Finally, there’s Troutbeck. The hotel has a rich history: in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a private estate owned by the wealthy Benton family. They regularly invited the great Transcendentalist thinkers of the time, including Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, to stay as guests. In the early 1900s, the Bentons sold Troutbeck to Colonel Joel Spingarn and his wife, Amy. They continued its legacy as a cultural retreat: Sinclair Lewis, Teddy Roosevelt, Lewis Mumford, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall were all visitors. The Spingarns were also avid supporters of the NAACP during its early days, and held conferences attended by W.E.B. Du Bois.

Today, the Dutchess Country property offers 37 guest rooms to anyone seeking rest, relaxation, and respite. Hammocks and fire pits sit along the river, while nestled elsewhere within its 250 acres is a tennis court, pool, full-service spa, and a walled garden.

There’s also The Six Bells, the country inn from Audrey Gelman that is a cottagecore dream.

Driving distance from NYC: just under 2 hours

The Beach Day: Amagansett or Montauk, New York

Yes, the Hamptons seem like an obvious choice. But they fit the weekend getaway criteria to a T, with sun, sand, scene, and plenty of lodging.

While each hamlet has its attractions, you can't go wrong with the laidback charms of Amagansett. Stay at The Roundtree right off Main Street, an idyllic property that offers several shingled cottages as well as rooms in their renovated barn. It’s a mere one-mile bike ride away from the beach—and, with their adorable line of white cruiser bikes, you’ll be excited to pedal away. Then there's The Reform Club, located a quick walk from Amagansett Square (and the delectable Wölffer Kitchen). Set upon a rolling four acres, the getaway boats a 20th-century tea house with an outdoor fireplace as well as an impressive contemporary art collection. There's nothing quite like sipping rosé in its apple orchard during golden hour. A property to check out? The Maidstone in East Hampton.

For those who want something right on the ocean and don’t mind the drive to the end of Long Island, Marram Montauk is the perfect place. Marram describes its vibe as “barefoot luxury,” which is apt: the entire boutique hotel is nestled within the dunes, its courtyard dotted with beachgrass. At night, you can hear the waves crash. The vibe, according to owner Atit Jariwala, is essentially this: “great surfing, check; great food, check; focus on health and fitness, check; great beach, check.”

House rental more your summer style? You can't go wrong with any of the McKinley Bungalows.

Driving distance from NYC: 2.5 to 3 hours

The Forest-Bathing Foray: Catskill, New York

Piaule is a go-to escape for those looking to relax in the woods this summer. 24 modular cabins blend into the forest, and guests get a clear view of their natural surroundings thanks to floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass doors. The spa has a similar indoor-outdoor feel: the yoga studio looks out onto greenery while hot and cold plunge pools come with a wide view of the hills.

There’s a restaurant on-site along with room service, but if you’re craving some people-watching after forest bathing, Lil’ Deb’s Oasis is in nearby Hudson, and HiLo serves sandwiches in Catskill.

Another property worth checking out—especially for families? The Chatwal Lodge. The 100-acre property, nestled within a 2,500-acre nature reserve, features Adirondack-inspired interiors and more activities than one could ever cram into a weekend: horseback riding, trout fishing, canoeing, bicycling, stargazing, and a stand-alone lodge with a movie screening room, billiards, shuffleboard, skeeball, and duckpin bowling (among other games).

Finally, foodies should take a look at The Henson, a country inn run by Michelin-starred chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske Valtierra. Its on-site restaurant, Matilda, offers arguably the best meal in the region—think steak with garlic cream, or Hudson Vally trout with clams. They also run a casual diner within walking distance, Day June, that serves some of the thickest bacon you’ll see in your life. Also worth checking out? Hemlock Neversink, which is run by James Beard-nominated hotelier Foster Supply Hospitality.

Driving distance from NYC: 1.5 hours

The Wellness Weekend: The Berkshires

In 2022, Amtrak launched a service from New York City to the Berkshires, making the Massachusetts countryside easier to reach than ever.

Wellness fiends go wild for Miraval Berkshires, the famed brand’s first retreat in the Northeast. (For the uninitiated: Miraval Arizona essentially invented the idea of the “destination spa.”) Sitting upon a 380-acre expanse in Lenox, Massachusetts, it has a state-of-the-art spa, but also a golf course and a ranch dotted with horses for equine therapy. A bonus? Its minimalistic, clean-line architecture is an aesthete's dream. The space is in good, Goop-like company: Canyon Ranch also has a property in Lenox. If a summer de-stressing session is your top priority, Western Massachusetts should be top of mind.

For a transcendentalist-esque trip, try Tourists in North Adams. Perched on the banks of the Hoosin River, this transformed motor lodge sits on over 80 sprawling acres. Hike part of the Appalachian trail, meditate by a waterfall, forest bathe, or forage for medicinal plants with a guide. Another notable hotel? Life House Berkshires. The mountain retreat comes complete with a cocktail bar, restaurant, library, and a dusty green interior color scheme that serves as a nod to the natural landscape that surrounds it.

Driving distance from NYC: 3.5 hours

The Remote Retreat: The Adirondacks

Really want to get away from it all—like, no cell service away? Enter the Adirondacks.

The Adirondacks is a vast region, sprawling over 6 million acres. Lake George, with its iconic Victorian hotel, The Sagamore, is perhaps the best known among travelers. It's on its own 70-acre island, and perfect for adults and children alike: while the parents play golf, the kids can take a banana boat ride across the lake. (Or vice-versa; we won’t judge.) History geeks will be fascinated by the property’s past: it was once the crown jewel of what was known as Millionaire’s Row: a stretch of stone mansions built on Lake Shore Drive, on the south side of Lake George. (The Adirondacks, along with Newport, Rhode Island, were a prized getaway in the Gilded Age—the Rockefeller family owned a great camp in the region, which was then bought by the du Ponts, which was then bought by Alibaba billionaire Jack Ma.)

Perched on Lake Saranac is The Point, a Relais and Chateaux property originally built, and used, by the Rockefeller family as a woodland retreat. Guests can cruise through the waters on mahogany boats or arrange for a gourmet picnic to take place on the sprawling grounds.

As for activities, hiking is a must. Helpfully, the Adirondacks’ tourism website lists hikes by area, ability level (including family friend hikes), season, and even proximity to a waterfall. Just make sure to keep your social distance from others on the trail.

Driving distance from NYC: 3.5 hours

The Little-Town-by-the-Lake Trip: Finger Lakes, New York

New York state isn’t quite the land of a thousand lakes—but, if one cares to venture to its northernmost region, it is the land of 11! The stunning, scenic Finger Lakes are chock full of charming inns and boutique hotels. Chief among them are the Inns of Aurora, a collection of five historic, centuries-old properties owned by American Girl founder Pleasant Rowland. For those who want to be smack dab in the middle of town, stay at the Federalist-style Aurora Inn, or, if you’d like to be near the water, the spacious Rowland House, with its pristine green lawn that rolls right into Lake Cayuga. The Inns are small, boasting at-or-under 10 rooms, and also allow buyouts by families or large groups. Their spa is also one of the best in the region: in 2024, it was named as one of the top destination spa resort in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and is featured in Vogue’s own spa guide. (“In the midst of a lavender- and alfalfa-dappled field, the Inns of Aurora Spa rises almost cathedral-like, with soaring ceilings and airy windows that offer panoramic lake views,” reads our review. “Spa-goers can indulge in Ayurvedic-influenced treatments, saunas, steam rooms, and hot and cold soaking pools. An unexpected perk: The spa hosts a museum-quality modern art collection too, with pieces by Alex Katz, Chuck Close, Wayne Thiebaud, Helen Frankenthaler, and David Hockney.”)

Then there's The Lake House on Canandaigua. This charming resort, which includes a main house, a spa, a timber-frame barn, a stand-alone tavern restaurant, and a beachside bar, is perfect for those who’d prefer not to venture from hotel grounds. It’s sure to attract a design-loving crowd: the project is a collaboration between Post Company and The Brooklyn Home Company. Oh, did we mention you don’t actually need to drive here? The Lake House offers seaplanes from the East River right to its grounds.

Obviously, with all the lake access, water sports—from boating, to kayaking, to canoeing—are a main draw. But don’t miss strolling through the Finger Lakes’ local towns, many of which date back to the early 19th or even 18th century. The region is also known for its plethora of wineries, many of which specialize in Riesling.

Driving distance from N.Y.C: 4.5 hours.

The Countryside Sojourn: Litchfield County, Connecticut

London has the Cotswolds, and New York has Litchfield County. For decades, it’s been a country escape for well-to-do New Yorkers: think Oscar and Annette de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, and Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon. It’s easy to see why: With its stone barns, rolling hills, and farm stands, Litchfield is the epitome of New England charm.

Stay at the stately Mayflower Inn, which is situated on 58 acres. There, you can indulge yourself in a wide array of leisurely pursuits: tennis, croquet, canoeing, archery, and antiquing. Another fantastic option? The recently opened Belden House & Mews, which sits right in the middle of Litchfield town. Housed across three historic buildings—an 1888 mansion, an 1891 firehouse, and a 1959 modernist structure—the 31 well-appointed guest come with butler service. They also offer an extensive spa called The Bathhouse and an idyllic outdoor pool with views of Litchfield’s rolling hills. The Abner Hotel is another boutique option located right off of the town’s green. Its on-site restaurant, Courtroom, offers farm-to-table fare while their rooftop bar is the perfect place for cocktails during the summer months.

Culinary enthusiasts, make sure to stop by Bantam. The quaint town is home to three different outposts of Arethusa Farm. The first is the restaurant Arethusa al Tavolo, which serves "seed to table" cuisine fresh from Arethusa’s fields. (Order anything with their homegrown heirloom tomatoes.) Then, there's a breakfast and lunch café, Arethusa al Mano. They offer homemade doughnuts—cinnamon! cold brew! Bantam cream!—and a special cookie of the month.

Finally, their dairy plant, housed in the old Bantam firehouse, offers delicious old-fashioned ice cream. Order a scoop of pistachio, butter pecan, or whatever seasonal flavor they're offering at the time.

Driving distance from NYC: just under 2 hours

The Classic Americana Getaway: Shelter Island

Sitting in the bay between Long Island’s North and South Forks is Shelter Island, a summertime getaway that embodies an effortless, timeless spirit of Americana. It’s a place where you can still ride bikes anywhere and everywhere, eat strawberry ice cream in flip-flops and jean shorts on a bench in town, and shop at mom-and-pop stores without a chain name in sight. The island’s grand dame, The Pridwin, re-opened in 2022 after an extensive renovation. People also love The Chequit, a 150-year-old inn housed in a Victorian home with a wrap-around porch. As for restaurants, go to Sunset Beach for the scene or SALT for a classic lobster roll—best enjoyed while watching the boats in the harbor bob by.

The Historic Site Seaside Vacation: Newport, Rhode Island

There is perhaps no more historic American summer destination than Newport, Rhode Island—once the destination of choice for Gilded Age industrialists like the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Morgans. (Fittingly, a number of its grand 19th-century mansions serve as the real-life filming locations for The Gilded Age on HBO—and you can see them yourself on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk.)

Stay at the Auberge Resort Collection’s The Vanderbilt, a 33-room mansion originally built by a Vanderbilt heir in 1908, or the classic Castle Hill Inn. New in town, meanwhile, is The Gardiner House on Lees Wharf. (An added bonus? It’s within walking distance from classic Newport restaurants like The Black Pearl and Clarke Cook House.) As for shopping, make sure to stop by the Spring Street Bookstore as well as the Newport Lampshade Company for some classic New England homewares. Meanwhile, Bannister and Bowen’s wharves play host to a number of fantastic boutiques and art galleries.

Driving distance from NYC: 3.5 hours