Yahoo Lifestyle The Best Last-Minute Weekend Getaways From New York City
New York City: capital of commerce, capital of culture, and to many people, the center of the universe. But every now and again, even the most die-hard New Yorkers will admit to needing an escape from the city’s draining hustle and bustle. Lucky for them—and for you—NYC has an abundance of last minute getaways at its fingertips. Here, we’ve put together a shortlist of some of the best of the best, with a keen eye for what’s new, what’s fabulous, and what’s going to get your batteries properly recharged.
The Hamptons might be hot, but it’s cooler upstate—that’s what the numerous artists, designers, and restaurateurs who have relocated to this region over the last fifteen years would say, anyway. Sure, the once-sleepy Hudson Valley has pulsed with renewed activity in recent years, but the good news is that it’s become a utopia of swoonworthy hotels ripe for your next escape. This expansive region is easily accessed both via car and train from NYC, and is a veritable choose-your-own adventure of getaways.
Check out the modern, design-forward cabins and delectable spa at Piaule in Catskill. Hiking, rock climbing, and outdoor pursuits of all sorts are king at the old school Mohonk Mountain House. Those looking for lower-impact activities to enrich their upstate time should consider Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection, which offers a range of experiences like feeding the on-site chickens and donkeys, floral focaccia making workshops, as well as painting and pottery classes taught by local artists.
And not that you need to do a lot of convincing to get us to venture upstate, but Wildflower Farms also has a longstanding partnership with Mercedes-Benz where specific properties maintain a fleet of 3-6 of the luxury vehicles at all time for guests to use on and off the road as well as a number of exclusive benefits just for Mercedes-Benz owners. There’s a ton to explore here—and it would take literally years to do it all—but you’ll walk away from even a single getaway here amazed at how quickly you can get from Manhattan’s city streets to bucolic, tranquil countryside.
Again, no shade to the Hamptons, but North Fork is our next great suggestion for a getaway, especially if you’re a foodie. If the Hamptons are all about see-and-be-seen hot spots, North Fork is where to escape for farm stands, unpretentious restaurants, and winemakers like Macari Vineyards and Peconic Bay Vineyards. In Greenport, the must-book restaurant of the moment is Anker, which cooks up a contemporary take on local and seasonal bounty—like monkey bread doused in lemon-nori butter, or grilled fish collars with rosemary lemon barbecue sauce.
The hotels here have a particularly unpretentious air about them—so when you’re here, there’s a real sense that you can let your hair down, enjoy some local food and wine, and connect to the beauty of the landscape without waiting in line at The Surf Lodge or steaming your tennis whites for a trip to the Maidstone Club. The recently renovated Silver Sands Motel in Greenport has several nods to the region’s mid-century modern heyday, and a killer waterfront location that’s tough to beat. Make sure to grab a meal at their on-site diner Nookie’s, which offers indulgent old-school milkshakes and smash burgers.
Ah, Newport. Known for its heyday as a summer respite for Manhattan’s Gilded Age elite, this seaside town still teems with activity and goings-on in the summer months. Order some Veuve Clicquot fieldside at a Newport Polo match, tour the mansions of Bellevue Avenue, and channel your very own Gilded Age moment by securing tickets to the annual Preservation Society of Newport County’s Summer Dinner Dance. And as one of the great sailing capitals of the world, this is also a great getaway if you’re looking to get out on the water with a sailboat charter.
For where to rest your head, there is no shortage of fabulous options in this town. Castle Hill Inn, a historic mansion located on a prime stretch of waterfront at the mouth of Newport Harbor, was a favorite of Grace Kelly’s and offers some of the best waterfront views in town. The Chanler at Cliff Walk sits advantageously, as its name would imply, at the top of Newport’s famous Cliff Walk, a seaside walking trail with enviable views of Newport’s historic mansions. For something in the center of the action, however, book a room (or at least stop by for the infamous spicy margaritas) at darling newcomer Gardiner House—it's located by the waterfront, just steps off the main drag, Thames Street.
Maine might be a longer drive from NYC than, say, the Hudson Valley or points east on Long Island. But if you’re willing to invest just a little more time on the road (or on a quick, painless flight up to Portland), you’ll be rewarded with stunning seashores, a secluded atmosphere, and all the lobster rolls your heart desires. Or as the state’s slogan so aptly puts it: “Maine, the way life should be.”
You’ll want to focus your getaway on the coastal regions. Rub shoulders with the Bush family in Kennebunkport, where you can stay at the tony Cape Arundel Inn overlooking the Atlantic, or just a few blocks away at the Kennebunkport Captains Collection (a group of refurbished historic sea captains’ homes). For a different side of Maine, visit York—where the adorable, newly renovated Nevada Hotel offers minimalist-meets-retro rooms, many with ocean views. Speaking of views, it’s hard to beat the luxurious Cliff House: this sprawling resort occupies seventy oceanfront acres atop a dramatic ninety-foot cliff. The Maine coast positively sings during the summer months, but is truly a delight to visit at any time of year, especially in the autumn once the foliage changes colors and the summer crowds thin out.
And any Maine adventure should include at least one night in Portland, widely considered one of the best food cities in the country. Check into a room at The Weldon, a brand new collection of one- and two-bedroom suites in one of downtown Portland’s converted mill buildings. It’s conveniently located just a few short minutes from Twelve, one of Maine’s toughest tables to book—we recommend reserving one of the coveted bar seats, where you’ll have a front row view into the dramatic open kitchen.
Pink sand beaches, pastel-hued homes, friendly locals—there’s a lot to love about Bermuda. And believe it or not, the flight here is so short that on a busy weekend, it can be quicker to fly to this Atlantic island than to drive to the Hamptons.
The main island of Bermuda may be just twenty-one miles long, but it offers a wealth of fabulous hotels. The island’s grande dame is the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club, located in the center of Hamilton and with a shuttle to the resort’s own nearby private beach club. If some secluded beach time is more your speed, however, check out the St. Regis Bermuda Resort, nestled on the northern tip of the island in St. George’s, and dramatically perched on the beachfront next to Fort St. Catherine.
The seafood, the infamous rum swizzles at the Swizzle Inn, the island attractions like Crystal Caves—for an island fix this close to NYC, it’s tough to beat Bermuda. The island feels most itself in the peak summer months, but offers temperate, sub-tropical weather year round. If the winter blues are getting you down, consider visiting in February “Spa Month,” when a number of the island’s best spas offer steep discounts.
The history, the food, the nearby beaches—there’s a reason the Holy City has swelled with popularity in recent years. There are dozens—and we mean dozens—of adorable boutique hotels in Charleston, but the buzziest of late has been The Pinch. It’s centrally located on popular King Street, in a series of meticulously restored historic structures, and its signature restaurant Lowland offers a contemporary take on classic low country cuisine. The grilled local grouper with creamy sweet corn and shishito peppers? Inspired.
For a jaunt outside of the city proper, check out the brand new The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection—the epitome of low country chic, surrounded by 2,000 bucolic acres of Kiawah River waterfront. The resort offers a rich array of experiences from moonlit evening paddles, to fishing charters, to private boat rides to nearby Edisto Beach. For a getaway packed with history, food and beaches all in one go, Charleston is your spot.
People really underestimate just how close and convenient Cancún International Airport is from NYC—in about four hours flat you can leave the city behind in exchange for tropical weather, unending beaches, and vast jungles. Of course, you’ll want to hightail it out of Cancún proper as soon as you land so you can leave the rowdy spring breakers behind. Make your way south to Casa Chablé, an intimate and luxurious beachfront lodge perched on an isolated peninsula surrounded by the enormous, unspoiled Sian Ka’an Reserve. Put your phone on airplane mode, go barefoot the entire time, you do you—this is the type of spot where Mexican beach vacation dreams are made of.
For a different type of beach vacation, set your sights on the newly opened SHA Wellness Clinic Mexico, in Costa Mujeres just north of Cancún proper. This is the debut Americas outpost of the iconic Spanish wellness retreat which includes the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Campbell as fans. It may not be the tacos-and-margaritas take on Mexico that Americans know and love, but you can check in for an intensive wellness program between four and twenty-one days where a team of wellness practitioners will use the latest technologies to whip your mind and body back into shape.
Three and a half hours. That’s how quickly you can get from NYC to having your toes in the white sand beaches of Turks & Caicos. In terms of Caribbean luxury, this small British Overseas Territory is one of the best in the region, offering an excellent culinary scene, some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, and waters so turquoise and sand so white, they’re almost blinding.
Accommodations here run the gamut from secluded villas to full-service resorts. Opened in 2023, Rock House offers a mix of poolside studios up to two-bedroom oceanfront villas, built directly into the limestone cliffs on Providenciales’ north side. On the even-more-luxury end of the spectrum, the decadent Amanyara leads the way, situated in the Northwest Point Marine National Park, far away from the crowds. Not secluded enough for you? Hop a private charter to the nearby COMO Parrot Cay, an iconic resort where Donna Karan and Christie Brinkley own villas. Wherever you land, you’ll feel amazed at how easily it was to get there from NYC—just a quick flight from home, yet worlds away.
You Might Also Like
