The Best Weekend Trips to Take From NYC
All of them are less than four hours from the city.
Your summer vacation plans have likely been thrown for a loop thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but don't despair—you can still get a respite from the confines of your home or apartment, especially if you live in or around the New York metro area. Whether you prefer a nature-filled retreat, a laidback beach vibe, or just want a place to let your four-legged friend run free, one thing is certain: escaping the concrete jungle—even if you can only swing a day or two—will cure those quarantine blues. The best part? Not one location requires the health risk of boarding a plane. Grab your weekend bag, your mask, and your car keys, then head out to one of these easily socially-distant escapes, below.
1.The Surf Lodge, Montauk
Driving time: 3 hours
The Surf Lodge’s quintessential beach vibe will transport you to a relaxing headspace. This summer, owner Jayma Cardoso is re-inventing the Surf Lodge, transforming it from a party hotspot to a quiet posada-style hotel. Enlisting creative director George Sotelo and designer Kimberly Bevan, the team redesigned the lobby, plus all 20 rooms, using chic coastal décor, custom-made furniture pieces from Serena & Lily, luxe Frette linens, and artwork from both local artists and international galleries—including see-now-buy-now decor from philanthropic-forward fashion site, Olivela.
Pick up a swimsuit at the new retail space, Concept Playa Shop, highlighting both American and Latin designers, and hop on complimentary bikes to Ditch Plains beach—a mere five minutes away. Alternatively, spend a few hours in a hammock with a summer read on your own private balcony overlooking the lake. While The Surf Lodge's restaurant is closed for the 2020 summer season, the bar is up-and-running for guests who want to enjoy a sunset drink on the patio.
2.Beach Plum Farm Cottages, Cape May
Driving time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
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Inspired by the farm heritage of South Jersey, the cottages on Beach Plum Farm are the perfect getaway for a weekend visit or a longer trip. Stay in one of four cottages—some date back to the 1700s with updated luxury amenities, like a large cook’s kitchen—stocked with fresh eggs and produce from the farm grounds. Each cottage comes equipped with its own fireplace and an outdoor fire pit for s'mores under the stars. Bicycles and golf carts are also provided to easily explore the property, and a secluded pool is just steps from your cottage door.
3.Miraval, The Berkshires
Driving time: 3 hours
Right now, we could all use a bit more balance in our lives, and the Berkshires' Miraval wellness resort is here to help us achieve that. Located in the serene countryside of Massachusetts, Miraval offers its guests private accommodations in one of its seven individual, two-story cottages. Designed with peace and tranquility in-mind, the 380-acre property offers restorative experiences like hiking, horseback riding, and beekeeping workshops. Consider a digital detox, too—the device-free resort encourages visitors to leave phones and tablets at home, and engage in mindfulness and nature instead.
4.Winvian Farm, Connecticut
Driving time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
At Winvian Farm, scattered across the picturesque property are private cottages with cheeky decor themes, like a treehouse, helicopter, and a musical conservatory. Spend the evenings engulfed in classic literature in the Ivy league library room or cozy up by the fire with a glass of wine inside the rustic log cabin. Intended as respite for city-goers, the sprawling property is set on 113 acres of land, with woods and lakes surrounding it. Dine outdoors on Winvian’s "seed-to-table" menu, for which Executive Chef Chris Eddy creates seasonal dishes utilizing ingredients from the property’s greenhouses and organic gardens.
5.Urban Cowboy Lodge, The Catskills
Driving time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Escape the noise and stress of the city with a stay upstate at The Urban Cowboy Lodge, nestled on 68 acres of land surrounded by the Catskills State Park. Unique guest rooms feature hand-selected antiques, custom hand-printed wallpaper, deep-soaking clawfoot tubs, and panoramic forest views. Hang out with your morning cup of joe while snuggled up in a Pendleton robe on your private deck, and dine picnic style on the front lawn for lunch or dinner. This summer, the hotel is partnering with NYC's Roberta’s pizza to offer wod-fired pies for guests to enjoy in a socially-distanced outdoor setting.
6.Dogfish Inn, Lewes, Delaware
Driving time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Dogfish Inn, located along the canal in the quaint town of Lewes, Delaware, is widely used as a basecamp for exploring the Delaware beaches and sipping on beers at the nearby Dogfish Head brewery and distillery. Minimalist rooms, a socially-distanced outdoor patio set up, and a dog-friendly policy makes the inn the ideal place for travelers to lay their heads after a day exploring the trails at Cape Henlopen State Park or the boardwalk in Rehoboth. While there's no on-site restaurant, you can grab a seat outdoors at a restaurant in town, like The Wheelhouse, take food to go from the wildly-popular Agave restaurant, or head to Dogfish Head's very own restaurant located a few miles away in Rehoboth.
Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, where she oversees fashion coverage spanning seasonal trends, celebrity style, designers, Fashion Month, and shopping. With more than a decade of experience in fashion media, she has held roles at Condé Nast’s Lucky and Self and contributed style and travel coverage to Equinox’s Furthermore. A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is based in New York City, where she writes about fashion through both an industry and personal lens, including the realities of getting dressed as a working mom. Follow her on Instagram at @sarajonewyork.