The Best Last-Minute Weekend Getaways from New York City
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With summer in full swing and vaccines duly disseminated, our most ambitious travel fantasies are finally about to be realized. But a faraway trip will hardly be enough to satisfy our wanderlust after a year and a half of restrictions, so we’ve put together a shortlist of easy jaunts from the Big Apple—outings perfect for a quick weekend escape (or a longer vacation with a couple of WFH days snuck in)—all arranged by travel time for your planning needs.
A Short Drive Away: Upstate New York
Skip the Hamptons this summer (all the rentals are already booked anyway) and head upstate where a panoply of new hotels continues to breathe new life into the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and beyond.
Try a suite at Scribner's Catskill Lodge, which overlooks Hunter Mountain. Eat at the phenomenal on-site restaurant, Prospect, and don't pass on the sourdough bread. They are operating at lower-than-usual capacity this season and do not take reservations, so call ahead to check their status. Other food favorites in the area include Brushland Eating House (try the pork schnitzel) and the local cider bar, Wayside Cider; Peekamoose (for the fresh rosemary bread and chive butter); and The North Branch Inn (for the seasonal ingredients and the 100-year-old bowling alley in the kitchen).
Kenoza Hall opened its doors last summer, boasting a tranquil lakefront retreat situated on New York’s Kenoza Lake. Spanning 55 acres, the restored 1880s boarding house features 22 guest rooms and an extensive Kneipp-inspired wellness program. Another new luxury hotel reopened after a multimillion dollar restoration, Urban Cowboy, featuring rustic-style lodge vibes and claw-foot tubs for two with views of the forest. If the brand sounds familiar, it's because they've also got outposts in Brooklyn and Nashville, which are also worth the trip.
A Short Drive: Saranac Lake and the Finger Lakes
Further on, head to Saranac Lake, nestled between the Adirondack Mountains, where the likes of Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson had gone for a mind, body, and soul reset. Check into The Point, the intimate lakefront private Adirondack estate that was originally built for William Avery Rockefeller II. Today, the Point offers 11 distinct guest rooms and a “house party” atmosphere, where visitors receive access to all 7 -acres of the secluded property and the staff anticipates guests’ every need. Here, hiking boots of all sizes are available for guests to borrow, and it’s not unusual for the staff to arrange impromptu activities based on guests' desires. Visit The Village Mercantile, New York state's only community-owned department store, where you can find a plethora of limited edition, not-so-ordinary gifts from local vendors and artists. When visiting a rustic woodsy town, expect that maple syrup is incorporated into everything.
If you're up for something close that feels even more far and away, continue further to the Finger Lakes. The area has become one of America’s best wine-growing regions—particularly for the sweeter white varietals like Riesling. Try Glenora Wine Cellars and Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery, both on Seneca Lake. Spend the night at the Inns of Aurora, a collection of well-appointed luxury homes revitalized as small hotels. Or check into The Lake House on Canandaigua, which is poised to anchor the area as a wellness center with its brand-new Willowbrook Spa. With 124 well-appointed guest rooms, an event barn, an outdoor saltwater pool, outdoor saunas, and more, the property is a destination unto itself. The Lake House has also maintained the salt-of-the-earth Sandbar restaurant beloved by locals for decades (complete with a chic upgrade), and opened the Rose Tavern, a high-end eatery featuring locally sourced ingredients and stellar wines from the region.
A Short Drive Away: Newport, Rhode Island
This coastal town may seem like a respite from the city—and it is—but be prepared to be far busier with activities than you typically would in a shore town. Go for the waterfront views, but make time to explore the town's iconic mansions. From The Breakers, the Vanderbilt's magnificent summer "cottage," to the Versailles-inspired Rosecliff and Chepstow, designed to resemble a grand Italian villa, you will likely want to spend a day browsing through the otherworldly rooms, grand staircases, and manicured gardens the town of Newport so beautifully preserves.
At sunset, make sure to walk the Cliff Walk, the elevated path along the ocean, for a breathtaking sunset view. The Chanler at Cliff Walk boasts only 20 rooms, each individually named and designed to reflect the luxury, charm, and rich history of different historical periods. Guests of the Chanler can now partake in a socially distant happy hour with gazebo cabanas spread across the expansive lawn. For dinner, Cara boasts stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean with only three coveted tables operating Wednesday through Sunday, with two seatings per night. For an authentic Caribbean meal by way of Haiti, pop over to Garden of Eve Restaurant, where you won’t regret ordering the jerk chicken and the Moss Drink. Open as of last summer, The Wayfinder Hotel brings the vibrant, local culture of Newport to life. If you're looking for something a bit more classically Newport, check in to Castle Hill Inn, which boasts an incredible lawn, perfect for enjoying sundowners.
A Short Drive Away: Greenwich, CT
Most people are familiar with Greenwich, considering it’s only an hour drive (or 45 minute train ride) outside of the city and often where New Yorkers tend to move when they’re ready for a change of pace from city life. Who doesn’t love to take in waterfront views in the spring and summer and gorgeous foliage come the fall? Greenwich also serves as a charming city-escape for just for a quick weekend trip, too. The town is popping up with luxe boutique hotels, including the Delamar Hotel Group’s Greenwich Harbor property.
The hotel sits on a marina with 500 feet of private dockage, perfect for those who want to relax by the water. During warmer months, visitors can opt for a private yachting experience and take in the beauty of the Long Island Sound and come the fall can venture on the Connecticut Art Trail which includes destinations such as the Bush Holley House and the Bruce Museum.
The nearby Greenwich Avenue is also a must-visit for shopping excursions, while come dinnertime, Greenwich Harbor’s house restaurant and bar L’escale is sure to satisfy any craving. The chef-driven menu includes seared foie gras, ricotta gnocchi arrabbiata, and citrus creme brulee. Other nearby local favorites include Le Penquin and Raphael’s Bakery.
A Longer Ride: In and Around Washington, D.C.
There’s a new vibe in the country’s capital after last year’s election, and a fresh spate of hotel openings from the Viceroy to the Dutch-owned Citizen M is helping to turn the city into a worthy getaway once more. While the hotly anticipated Wharf district nears completion of its second phase, hop over the Potomac to Alexandria, Virginia, for a quaint colonial vibe along its shores, where Georgian-style row homes feature worthy stops like vintage bar shop The Hour (currently open for pick up only) and local favorite The Majestic, which lays on the old-school brasserie charm.
Up the road, Baltimore—a.k.a. Charm City—is home to Guinness’s first U.S. brewery and plenty of food markets, rooftop bars, and restaurants, making it a true foodie city. The new luxury property in town, the Pendry Hotel, is the crown jewel of the Harbor where cloudlike linens, buttery leather accent pillows, and a highly tempting minibar with local specialties await you after a long day of sightseeing. Don’t eat all the Utz potato chips and Kinderhook mixed nuts (they're Baltimore specialties) in one sitting; Maryland blue crabs on the waterfront or at the R. House food hall in Remington are not to be missed.
Check in to the stunning Inn at Perry Cabin, which was the backdrop for the rom-com Wedding Crashers. Don’t let the name fool you; this colonial mansion boasts 78 charming rooms that sit along the Miles River waterfront, a private Chesapeake Bay inlet. Maximize your weekend with the inn's summer programming, allowing guests to “skip the bridge” aboard an elegant Hinckley yacht, sailing directly around traffic from Annapolis to St. Michaels, to arrive faster at the intimate waterfront resort.
A Longer Ride: Maine
In the early spring, “Southern Maine” was one of the most-searched domestic destinations on Airbnb when it wasn’t quite clear which countries would be opening their borders. And with good reason—this is cabin country par excellence, with low-key townships dotting the craggy shoreline all the way up to Canada.
Only about an hour and half north of Boston lies the town of Kennebunkport, filled with lobster shacks as far as the eye can see. A chic cottage getaway awaits at Hidden Pond, an enclave surrounded by a pristine birch forest, a fresh vegetable farm, and the stunning Goose Rocks Beach. With the feel of a luxury summer camp for adults, the property is converting its standard hotel experience into private summer rentals for 2020. Per the property, this is akin to "the private summer home in Maine you've been dreaming about—without any of the planning, prep work, maintenance or clean up." The amenities are still on offer though; expect the warmest of wakeup calls with fresh coffee and pastry deliveries to your cabin door each morning.
Kick up your feet at the White Barn Inn & Spa, which boasts excellent service, delicious local cuisine, and more than 7,000 wines. His and her bikes are available on property for guests to take into town or to the beach. For a special night out, try the recently reopened White Barn Inn Restaurant, which boasts a four-course
prix fixe menu using all locally sourced ingredients and produce.
For casual dining, clams and lobster rolls are a must at Nunan’s Lobster Hut, which sits off the beaten path and is open for only three hours a day, 5 to 8 p.m. Folks line up way before the opening to secure a spot, and food and service here is cash only.
A penchant for the outdoors is easily appeased at Snug Harbor Farm, where you can purchase a variety of plants and florals, watch ponies roam the grounds, admire a gorgeous peacock, and more. For a midday sip, pop into the Shipyard Brewery for a refreshing Melon beer. Here, you can mix and match Maine sodas and a variety of beers to create your own six-packs for the beach.
A Quick Flight: Miami, Florida
In less than three hours—easily doable for a long weekend—you can fly practically anywhere in the United States east of the Mississippi River. And the possibilities are endless, whether it's an all-night urban escape or a rugged and remote retreat.
But at this point, Miami is practically New York’s sixth borough, especially after the onslaught of new transplants during the last 15 months. And new developments are making every intersection relevant, especially along Miami Beach.
Check out the recently opened Goodtime Hotel, the brainchild of hospitality honcho David Grutman and pop star Pharrell Williams. The rooms are purposefully functional—think sleeping closets (yes, sleeping closets)—as the ideal guest would spend the majority of their visit in the property’s common areas. Favorite hangout spots include the pool veranda, decked out in candy striper pinks and minty greens, and the library, which looks like a Willy Wonka creation; perhaps if he were designing a bubble gum annex to his chocolate factory. The real pièce de résistance, however, is Strawberry Moon, Goodtime’s signature restaurant, serving pan-Mediterranean fare from westerly tapenade to easterly baklava ice cream sandwiches. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the moon bread—the secret ingredient is an unholy amount of butter; wash it down with one of the signature cocktails—there’s an old-fashioned/Paloma mash-up that’ll do the trick.
For something decidedly less sceney and more sedate, try the KAYAK travel booking app’s first essay in the hospitality space: KAYAK Miami Beach—a partnership with the Life House hotels portfolio where simply furnished rooms and a small plunge-pool oasis on the roof deck will lure visitors seeking boutique digs and exquisitely made Middle Eastern fare at the on-site restaurant, Layla.
Book ahead at Joia Beach, a restaurant and beach club helping to revitalize Jungle Island, or hit up Seaspice along the Miami River—the city’s top spot for daytime drinks; rumor has it that the restaurant will be taking a shot at the hotel biz, too, with a hundred ultra-luxe rooms to be completed at the end of the year.
A Quick Flight: Midwestern Destinations
Last year was all about heading for the hills—so expect everyone to flood back into the cities this summer as restaurants, bars, and concert venues reopen at full capacity. Booking a choice table in New York City may be a frustrating prospect as a result, so it may well be worth sampling some of the country’s top spots beyond Gotham where the population density is a bit less, but the quality remains high.
A sleeper hit for foodies in the know, Cincinnati promises a surprising surplus of excellent restaurants operating at international standards—steak-centric Losanti is not to be missed, as is Sotto, which is offering some of the best pasta west of Italy. Mornings should always start with pastries at Brown Bear Bakery—it's so popular you have to call ahead to lay claim to your croissant—and evenings should end with a barrel-aged cocktail at Sundry and Vice.
Honorable mentions include Pittsburgh, where the brand-new Industrialist Hotel just opened its doors. Foodies flock to town for the Spanish fare at Morcilla, which is award winning and not to be missed.
In Indianapolis, which just hosted its annual race—the country’s largest-attended event since COVID struck—check out the new Bottleworks District, born from the rubble of an old Coca-Cola factory, complete with a chic Art Deco hotel, expansive food hall, adult arcade, and a smattering of local boutiques. Don’t skip town without a meal at Napolese, where the salads are to die for and the authentic Neapolitan pies keep locals coming back on the regular. The concept’s owner, noted restauranteur Martha Hoover (think Martha Stewart of the Midwest), has launched an ambitious plan to radicalize the restaurant industry championing not only the customer experience but employee work conditions as well.
Or do as the Chicagoans do and spend the weekend along the Great Lakes. Our undeniable favorite is the Wisco town of Kohler on Lake Michigan—lost in time with its Bavarian-style American Club Resort Hotel by Kohler promising the best destination spa in the entire region with top-of-the-line soaking tubs and showers (yes, it’s that Kohler). The brand-new Camp Aramoni, Illinois’s first luxury camping destination, is fast becoming a choice spot of Windy City escapees too.
A Farther Haul: Mexico
An extra hour or two in the sky will propel you to some of the best tropical escapes in the world, with a side of culture or ample luxury depending on what the heart desires.
In a bold move last year, Mexico never shuttered its borders to Americans, and they came in droves to all the country’s hot spots from Cabo to Cancun. This year looks to be no different, especially with new direct links from the East Coast down to Baja California and a bevy of exciting hotel openings from the One&Only Mandarina, further bolstering Riviera Nayarit’s luxury offerings, to Paradero Hotels, helping bring Todos Santos—Cabo’s neighbor—into the forefront of international appeal.
And in Mexico City, shack up at the newly opened Octavia Casa, which brings an unusual Zen calm to an otherwise frenetic landscape. Then, check out the cafe and restaurant scene, starting with—fittingly—the taco omakase at Pujol. Be sure to enjoy a bite at the wildly innovative Cicatriz and the delightful Indian, East African, and Mexican fusion favorites at Masala y Maiz.
A Farther Haul: Turks and Caicos
Starting in June, a new route on American Airlines has made this chain of islets even more accessible to New Yorkers, at just under four hours away. Due to its northerly position in the Caribbean, the archipelago’s climate is just right for a summer getaway. If it rains at all, expect only a sprinkling of afternoon showers here and there, rather than the more tropical downpours further south.
Steep off-season discounts and record-high vaccination rates make the hotels in Providenciales a worthy choice—or go for one of the hundreds of secluded villas that’re quickly turning the destination into the next St. Barts or Anguilla as the go-to spot for a very private holiday. For a luxury stay unlike any other, check in to Amanyara, which boasts a Zen respite along a private strip of shoreline and some of the best haute cuisine (with an effortless authenticity) that you'll find on the island. For those looking for a family getaway, Grace Bay welcomes a new Ritz-Carlton Resort this year. If you're looking for a daytime activity like no other, Provo Ponies offers horseback riding along the beach and in the crystal-clear ocean.
A Farther Haul: Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria followed by the Covid pandemic had particularly devastating effects on Puerto Rico; as a result, much of the island is experiencing a slow and steady recovery. Consider that when deciding where to book a trip—and when. Worth keeping in mind: A visit outside of high season, when the island will likely need support the most, is infinitely more impactful than an influx of tourists in the winter months.
Check in to the O:LV Hotel located in the trendy Condado area of San Juan with some of the island's best restaurants and nightlife just steps away. The rooftop is now open to non-hotel guests and boasts a modern pool overlooking the serene Condado lagoon.
Caribbean and Asian flavors mix at Raya Restaurant, by award-winning chef Mario Pagan, featuring an incredible menu of flavors from Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. Think wasabi grilled cheese and beet matcha ice cream cookies. If you’re a beach lover, you won’t want to miss visiting the western shorelines of Crash Boat for sunbathing, surfing, and snorkeling. Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay is a traveler favorite as a classic Caribbean hideout during the day, and with the waters transforming by night, emitting a blue glow from the dinoflagellates organisms that live in the water.
Head to Calle del Cristo for excellent photo-taking opportunities with the street's two famous chapels: The San Juan Bautista Cathedral and the Capilla del Cristo. For delicious tapas, check out La Copa Llena at The Black Eagle—order the chistorra sausage and tostones while watching the sunset over the ocean.
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