Best Weekend Trips from NYC
Trade subway beeps for mountain air, beach towns, vineyards, and historic streets. These handpicked getaways are close, doable in 36–72 hours, and friendly to car-free travelers.
Last updated: November 2025 · Editor tested itineraries
Quick Start: Where to Go This Weekend
Pick a vibe → choose a base town → lock one anchor activity per day. That’s the whole playbook.
Hudson Valley (Beacon/Cold Spring)
Art + river views + hikes. DIA Beacon, Storm King, and Breakneck Ridge are the highlights. Walkable main streets and cafés make car-free trips easy.
Catskills (Phoenicia/Woodstock)
Cabins, waterfalls, breweries. Hike Kaaterskill, float the Esopus in summer, and stargaze by a firepit at night.
Hamptons/Montauk
Dunes, lighthouses, seafood. Visit in shoulder season (May–June, Sept) for calmer beaches and better rates.
How to Choose the Right NYC Weekend Trip
Match your time, budget, and transit comfort. Here’s a quick framework that keeps planning simple.
If you have 36 hours
- Train to Beacon/Cold Spring or bus to Asbury Park
- One anchor per day (museum or hike + sunset walk)
- Stay near the station to cut transfers
If you want beaches
- Montauk for lighthouses & surf towns
- Fire Island for car-free boardwalk villages
- Pack light (soft bags) for ferries and LIRR
If you love food & wine
- Hudson Valley tasting rooms + farm stands
- Princeton/Lambertville cafés & canal paths
- Newport raw bars + coastal walks
Nature Escapes (Green, Easy, Close)
Swap sirens for swaying trees. These spots pack views and low-stress logistics.
Bear Mountain & Harriman
Classic Hudson views with lakes, picnic lawns, and short ridge climbs. Family-friendly loops and fall foliage that goes cinematic in October.
Best time: April–June, Sept–Oct · Parking fills on sunny weekends—arrive before 10am.
Storm King Art Center
Rolling hills dotted with monumental sculpture. Bring a picnic blanket; golden hour light is dreamy for photos.
Tip: Shuttle loops help you cover ground; save the South Fields for later light.
Minnewaska & Mohonk Preserve
Sky lakes and carriage roads above New Paltz. Choose one lake loop + one cliff outlook to keep pace mellow.
Access: Lot caps on peak weekends—arrive early or go late afternoon.
Beach Town Weekends
Sand, lighthouses, boardwalk snacks—choose shoulder season for calm and good rates.
Montauk
End-of-the-line charm with ocean walks and seafood shacks. Sunrise at the lighthouse, sunset on the bay.
When to go: May–June, Sept–Oct. July/August = premium prices.
Fire Island
Boardwalk villages and wide beaches; bikes and wagons rule. Pack soft bags and cash for small vendors.
Villages vary—Cherry Grove & The Pines for nightlife; Ocean Beach for families.
Cape May (NJ)
Porch life and painted ladies; dolphin cruises and lighthouse climbs. Calm even in summer if you stay a few blocks off the beach.
Small Cities with Big Payoff
Walkable cores, museums, coffee, and easy transit from NYC.
Philadelphia, PA
Old City, Liberty Bell, Reading Terminal eats. Murals everywhere—take a street art loop and a riverfront sunset walk.
Stay: Center City or Old City for walkability.
Boston, MA
Freedom Trail, Seaport sunsets, North End eats. Compact and perfect for 2 days on foot + T.
Washington, DC
Free Smithsonian museums and monuments at night. Base in Penn Quarter or Dupont for easy metro connections.
Food & Wine Weekends
Mix farm stands, vineyards, cideries, and small-town restaurants with scenic drives or train hops.
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Hudson Valley Wine & Cider
Apple orchards and river-view vineyards near Warwick, Gardiner, and New Paltz. Designate a driver or book a local shuttle.
Harvest peak: mid-Sept to late Oct.
Princeton + Lambertville
Ivy walks, towpath bike rides, antique browsing. Cozy bistros and bakeries for low-key weekends.
Newport, RI
Mansions, cliff walk, and raw bars. Shoulder seasons bring bright, cool days and open tables.
Car-Free Trips (Train & Bus)
No car? No problem. These trips align with Metro-North, LIRR, Amtrak, or direct coaches.
Beacon (Metro-North)
Train-to-art-to-brewery in minutes. Add a riverside sunset walk on the same day.
Transit: Grand Central → Hudson Line (off-peak weekends).
Asbury Park (NJ Transit)
Live music, murals, and beach time. Easy and affordable; book return trains before you wander.
Philadelphia (Amtrak/NJ Transit)
Step off the train and start your loop—Old City to the river in a single afternoon.
Month-by-Month: Best NYC Weekend Trips
Use seasonality to your advantage—crowds, prices, and foliage all swing by month.
Jan–Feb
City breaks (Philly, DC, Boston) with museums and cozy lunches. Off-season rates in Montauk with moody coastlines.
Mar–Apr
Early blooms in Princeton; trail season begins at Bear Mountain. Dress in layers—temps swing.
May–June
Prime beach shoulder season; Hudson Valley tastings ramp up. Long daylight = more outdoors time.
Jul–Aug
Water wins. Opt for Asbury Park or evening coastal walks; mid-day museums for A/C.
Sep–Oct
Foliage peak: Catskills, Minnewaska, Storm King. Book stays early—weekends go fast.
Nov–Dec
Holiday towns (Cape May lights) and coastal off-season vibes. Bundle up and lean into cafés and tastings.
Costs & Budget (What to Expect)
Two anchors per day keeps spending predictable. Here’s a realistic range per adult.
| Item | Saver | Comfort | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train/Bus (round trip) | $25–60 | $60–120 | $120–220 (Amtrak peak) |
| Gas/Tolls (drive) | $35–70 | $70–110 | $110–160 |
| Stay (per night) | $90–160 (off-season) | $160–280 | $280–450+ |
| Meals (per day) | $30–45 | $45–75 | $80–150 |
| Activities | Free hikes | $15–40 (museums) | $60–120 (cruises/tastings) |
Where to Stay (By Vibe)
Pick central, walkable bases—close to stations or trailheads—to save time and rideshares.
Hudson Valley
- Beacon for DIA + Main St cafés
- Cold Spring for hikes + river views
- New Paltz for Minnewaska/Mohonk access
Catskills
- Woodstock for shops/eats
- Phoenicia for river floats
- Hunter/Tannersville for quick trailheads
Coast
- Montauk for surf + lighthouse
- Fire Island in-village rentals (pack light!)
- Cape May near Washington St Mall
Driving vs Train/Bus
Transit is calmer, driving is flexible. Choose based on your plans on the ground.
When to take the train
- Walkable base towns (Beacon, Princeton, Philly)
- You want to read/relax instead of navigating
- Parking is scarce or pricey (summer coasts)
When to drive
- Multiple trailheads in one day (Catskills)
- Fire Island ferries with gear (still pack light)
- Off-season coastal loops with scattered stops
Smart Packing List (Weekend-Size)
Think layers and hands-free. The fewer transfers you make, the happier you’ll be.
Basics
- Small daypack + reusable bottle
- Light shell (wind on coasts & decks)
- Comfortable walking shoes
Outdoors
- Microfiber towel & compact first aid
- Headlamp for post-sunset trails
- Bug spray (late spring–early fall)
Beach
- Soft-sided bag (ferries hate hard luggage)
- Quick-dry layer for breezy evenings
- Cash for small vendors
Sample Itineraries (Mix & Match)
Use these as scaffolds—swap in hikes, beach time, or tastings depending on the weather.
Hudson Valley (Train-Friendly)
- Day 1: Train to Beacon → DIA Beacon → late coffee + riverside sunset
- Day 2: Bus/ride to Storm King or Cold Spring hike → lunch on Main St → return
Optional add-on: Bannerman Castle boat tour (seasonal).
Catskills (Cabin & Trails)
- Day 1: Drive up → Kaaterskill Falls loop → brewery & firepit
- Day 2: Hunter Mountain lookout → brunch → antique stops on way back
Rain plan: Phoenicia Diner brunch + bookstores in Woodstock.
Hamptons/Montauk (Shoulder Season)
- Day 1: LIRR to Montauk → lighthouse & dune walks → seafood dinner
- Day 2: Beach sunrise → coffee & boutiques → bay walk → return
Windy? Shift beach time to mid-afternoon and walk the bay side.
Philly in 36 Hours
- Day 1: Old City loop → Reading Terminal Market → riverfront sunset
- Day 2: Museum Mile or murals tour → brunch → train back
Kid-friendly: Franklin Institute + Please Touch Museum.
Practical Tips
Tiny tweaks = smoother weekends.
Timing & Crowds
- Leave early Saturday; return after dinner Sunday
- Book lighthouses/museums in advance
- Sunset golden hour is prime for photos
With Kids
- One anchor + playgrounds/boardwalks
- Pick stay near food options
- Matinee shows end earlier = fewer meltdowns
Safety & Access
- Trails: carry water, check daylight times
- Coasts: windproof layer even in July
- Stations: screenshot return schedules
FAQ
Quick answers for stress-free planning.
What’s the best car-free weekend from NYC?
Beacon/Cold Spring (Metro-North) for art + hikes, or Asbury Park (NJ Transit) for beach & boardwalk.
When should I visit the Hamptons?
Best value is late May–June and September: warm days, cooler crowds, easier bookings than peak July–August.
Are the Catskills doable without a car?
Limited, but possible if you base in a town with shuttles (seasonal) and plan fewer trailheads. Driving is more flexible.
How do I keep costs down?
Travel off-peak, pick walkable bases, and swap one paid activity for a free hike or waterfront walk. Book stays early for foliage weeks.
Is Fire Island good for first-timers?
Yes—choose a village that matches your vibe, pack light (no cars), and check ferry times both ways.
What’s the ideal weekend rhythm?
One timed anchor in late morning or late afternoon, a neighborhood/main street stroll, and a golden-hour walk or viewpoint.
How We Pick & Update This Guide
We prioritize transit-friendly bases, reliable seasonal appeal, and routes our editors actually run on weekends.
Our Criteria
- Under ~4 hours from NYC (train or drive)
- At least one standout anchor (hike, museum, lighthouse, tasting)
- Walkable core or short rideshare gaps
- Clear shoulder-season sweet spots
Update Policy
We refresh this page seasonally and after major service changes (rail schedules, trail closures, ferry updates) to keep advice accurate.