6 min readThe paradox of living in New York City is that even those who love its frenetic pace eventually find themselves craving the exact opposite. The cure isn’t necessarily a two-week escape to Italy—although that kind of trip absolutely has its time and place. More often, it’s as simple as throwing together a weekender bag, booking the next train or afternoon flight, and disappearing before anyone notices you’re gone.
Fortunately, when it comes to weekend getaways, New Yorkers are spoiled for choice, but the best ones have a few things in common. They’re easy to reach, have a hotel you’ll immediately fantasize about moving into, and just enough restaurants, boutiques, museums, beaches—or whatever your ideal weekend happens to involve. That way you can focus on the most important task at hand: doing absolutely nothing you don’t want to do. By the time Monday rolls around, you’ll feel like a new person. From the beaches of Long Island to the storybook towns of New England, these are the best weekend getaways from NYC.
Newport, Rhode Island
For mansions, polo, and seaside living
Newport embodies everything that makes for a great getaway: fabulous Gilded Age mansions (many of which are now museums), leisure pursuits at the International Tennis Hall of Fame as well as Newport Polo, America’s oldest polo club, and, as the sailing capital of the world, a never-ending supply of ways to get out on the water. There’s great shopping on Bannister’s Wharf and Thames Street, as well as restaurants ranging from coastal Italian at Giusto to unfussy seafood at Flo’s Clam Shack. Book a sunset sail with America’s Cup Charters and you’ll be living your best life in no time.
The hotel scene is fantastic, too. Book The Pell for a family-friendly atmosphere with a pool, The Chanler for stunning suites housed in a Gilded Age mansion directly on Newport’s famous Cliff Walk, or one of the most luxurious rooms on the entire East Coast: the beach cottages at Castle Hill Inn, where you can step outside your door and onto the hotel’s private beach.
Hudson Valley, New York
For farm stands and antiquing
No other getaway destination has changed as much over the last decade as the Hudson Valley, which has evolved from a sleepy destination into a dynamic, fast-changing hotspot. Today, it is truly the choose-your-own-adventure of NYC getaways, complete with everything from pulse-pounding hikes to quiet villages where you can get lost in a day of antiquing. For luxury lovers, book one of the freestanding cabins at Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection, which has a fantastic spa as well as miles of trails on-site. But for something a little more intimate and tucked away, check out Troutbeck, a 250-acre estate which has been a staple of the region since the 1700s. At just two hours on the Metro-North from Manhattan, this is a hard getaway to beat in terms of convenience.
East Hampton, New York
For East End elegance
The Hamptons may have a reputation for exclusivity, but their natural beauty and convenience from New York City are undeniable. East Hampton, specifically, is where the fantasy of Hamptons living still feels most magical—and if it’s good enough for Ina Garten, it’s good enough for us. The hotel everyone is talking about right now is the newly renovated Hedges Inn, a historic property where each room is different, the valet team will do a complete beach setup for you, and the restaurant Swifty’s serves perfect martinis and unapologetically lavish seafood towers. Yes, this is some of the most astronomical real estate in the world, but it’s still the simple pleasures that East Hampton does best: borrow one of the hotel’s bikes, linger on Main Beach, and shop on Newtown Lane if you must.
New Hope, Pennsylvania
For a vibrant arts scene
Just across the Delaware River from New Jersey, New Hope feels like the sort of town that stepped out of a Hallmark movie. Colorful storefronts house galleries, bookstores, vintage boutiques, and cafés, while the historic Bucks County Playhouse offers theater all year round. Wander by the canal, browse the shops, or walk—walk!—across the bridge to New Jersey for a change of scenery. New Hope is equal parts bohemian and refined, and, unlike other getaways near NYC, is perfectly suited to a long weekend and still has its “best kept secret” air. You’ll want to stay a few miles outside of town at the new Carversville Inn, a design-forward boutique hotel complete with Frette linens in every room and a French-inspired brasserie that is one of the best restaurants in the region.
Palm Beach, Florida
For a tropical escape
There’s very little that a weekend of tropical sunshine can’t fix, and Palm Beach is a go-to for Florida-loving New Yorkers. Ever since the pandemic, this enclave has truly flourished with hotels, restaurants, art, and shopping. Check into The Colony Hotel, a favorite of the fashion set, where mornings begin with coffee by the pool and the Atlantic Ocean is just a short stroll away. Or book a room at the elegant White Elephant Palm Beach, where the sceney restaurant Lola41 slings some of the best sushi on the island and luxury shopping at the Royal Poinciana Plaza is just a block away. Wherever you land, be sure to pack your best Lilly Pulitzer dress—or pick one up on Worth Avenue as a souvenir.
Boston, Massachusetts
For history, shopping, and dining
Why trade one city for another? Here’s why: Boston has a completely different character from New York and has quietly become one of the East Coast’s most rewarding city breaks. The historic stuff is all still there, of course—from the rambling paths of the Public Garden to the historic sites along the Freedom Trail—but these days, the city’s biggest draw is everything that’s new.
Raffles Boston (North America’s first Raffles hotel), the intimate Whitney Hotel, and The Newbury have raised the bar for luxury accommodations and personalized service, while neighborhoods like the Seaport have transformed into hubs for destination dining and contemporary art. Shopping on Newbury Street offers everything from Chanel and Loro Piana to indie bookshops and homegrown brands like Tracksmith, all tucked alongside the historic brownstones of Back Bay. Compact, walkable, and stylish in an unassuming kind of way, Boston packs an impressive amount into a weekend without ever feeling overwhelming.
Litchfield County, Connecticut
For New England charm and spa weekends
If the Hamptons are where people go to be seen, Connecticut is where they go to disappear. Just over two hours from Manhattan, this bucolic northwestern corner of the state is a low-key hideaway for fashion insiders, including Diane von Furstenberg and Wes Gordon. Make the elegant Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Collection your home base, where you can retreat in style after long days spent antiquing and admiring the rolling hillsides. The Mayflower is running a special culinary pop-up with Café Boulud through the end of 2026, and its spa remains one of the finest in New England. In other words: you don’t even need to leave the hotel for this one to feel like a true getaway.
Montréal, Québec
For a taste of Europe
If you’re craving Europe without the overnight flight or the jet lag, Montréal is the answer. Direct flights from New York take barely 90 minutes, and the moment you arrive, the city’s cobblestone streets and sound of spoken French make it feel oceans away. Wander the picture-perfect lanes of Old Montréal, linger in the hipster bars of Mile End, and explore some of the best restaurants, vintage shopping, natural wine bars, and art galleries on the entire continent. Montréal is also a goldmine for fabulous, design-forward boutique hotels: Book a room at the Hotel Nelligan and you’ll forget just how close New York actually is.