There is no perfect time of year to use your vacation days and take a break from NYC. Each season offers inspiration to explore new places, and to run off and get cozy...

Here are a few of our favorite weekend getaways close to NYC:

Upstate New York || Rachel loves visiting the lower Hudson Valley, especially the New Paltz and Mohonk regions. We also love spending the day in Beacon. If you have a little more time, the Finger Lakes region can’t be beat.

• New Paltz + Mohonk || Rachel loves to hike the Shawangunk trails (“The Gunks”) and in Minnewaska State Park. After hiking, refuel at The Bistro on Main Street in New Paltz. If you plan to stay for a couple of days, the Mohonk Mountain House makes for a pretty dreamy weekend respite.
• Bear Mountain || Bear Mountain, which is super close to the city (approximately 1 hour and fifteen minutes by car), is another one of Rachel’s favorite spots for hiking. Nearby is Storm King Art Center, which is a real treat -- it’s experiencing art in a whole new way! Storm King is an outdoor museum so make sure to bring rain gear if the weather calls for it.
• Beacon || Beacon houses the Dia Art Foundation, which is a museum that recognizes, promotes, and curates “artists who have potential to change the way we think about art and the world.” It’s a fantastic space and one of our favorites to visit. Metro North drops you off across the street, so you don’t need a car to experience this space.
• Hudson || Just a bit north of Beacon is Hudson, which is thriving with artists, beautiful homes, cute bistros, and a wealth of shops. It is a great place to spend a day strolling, shopping, and nibbling on delicious food. Try to time your visit with a show or event at Basilica Hudson.
• Woodstock + Phoenicia || These are wonderful areas to rent a home for a weekend. If that is too much space, the Spruceton Inn in nearby West Kill is an idyllic break from NYC.

 

Keep it close || New Jersey has some fantastic wild spots where you feel like you’ve escaped and are in the middle of nowhere.

• New Jersey || The Delaware water gap region is stunning. there are so many beautiful hiking spots, it’s hard to mention just one (we particularly love Sunfish Pond). If you're travelling by car, you’re close enough to head to Philly for a night. Also, visit Field Station: Dinosaurs, in Bloomfield, NJ, which needs no explanation -- dinos!
• Philadelphia || After all that travel, make time for some awesome vegan grub at Blackbird Pizza. Before heading back to NYC, the Barnes Foundation is a museum that should not be overlooked. The Economist has called it, “the greatest private collection of impressionist and early modern art in America.”

Go a little farther || Rachel also enjoys heading south to the DC area, which is an easy train, bus, or car ride from NYC.

• Washington, DC || At Soapwalla, we have a not-so-secret thing for dinosaurs; therefore, The Natural History Museum is a must-see. If dinosaurs aren’t your thing, head over to the Folger Shakespeare Library, home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection. If you’re lucky, Rachel’s mom, a docent at the museum, could be the one giving you a tour! Afterwards, grab a cup of coffee from Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse (right around the corner from Union Station). And make sure to walk down to Union Market and check out one of our absolute favorite beauty spots, Follain DC.

Sunshine for Days || And of course there’s the jaunt down to Florida for which cold, winterbound New Yorkers are known.

• Miami || Miami, is a quick flight from NYC. Gloss Miami is the spot for freshening up your nails safely. In Wynwood, check out the amazing painted buildings, galleries and grab some sustenance at Zak the Baker. A somber and moving Holocaust Memorial is in South Beach and worth a visit. Afterward, head to South Beach for an art deco walking tour and to see the beautiful city beaches!

Image Source || Death to the Stock