Sometimes I love New York so much it hurts — the energy, the noise, the everything. But then Friday rolls around, and all I want is a bit of silence, trees instead of taxis, and a sky that isn’t fighting with skyscrapers. Over the past few years, I’ve found a few favorite weekend getaways that always reset me. They’re close enough for a spontaneous trip, yet far enough to feel like another world.
In this post, I’ll share my go-to weekend escapes — from cozy upstate towns to coastal walks — with real impressions of what’s worth your time, what’s overrated, and how each place fits different moods.
Hudson, New York — Antique Shops and Easy Beauty
Hudson has that perfect mix of small-town charm and city-like taste. Just a two-hour Amtrak ride from Penn Station, it’s ideal for when I want to slow down but still sip good coffee. Warren Street is the main artery — full of art galleries, vintage shops, and restaurants that take “local ingredients” very seriously.
I usually stay in a converted loft or one of the older bed-and-breakfasts near the station. Mornings are for walking along the riverfront; afternoons for browsing the Hudson Farmers Market or the antique stores that feel like treasure hunts.
Why I keep coming back: Hudson feels creative without trying too hard. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to start painting or baking bread again.
The Catskills — Forest Cabins and Firewood Dreams
The Catskills are my definition of the perfect New Yorker escape: trees, quiet, and Wi-Fi that’s just unreliable enough to force you to disconnect. I’ve stayed in both cozy cabins and tiny A-frames hidden by the woods.
Days start with coffee by the fire and a long hike — Kaaterskill Falls and Overlook Mountain are my two favorites. Evenings are for cooking something simple, drinking local cider, and watching the sky turn from blue to black through tall pines.
Best season: Late September to mid-October — when every leaf looks hand-painted.
Beacon — Art, Mountains, and Good Coffee
Beacon is like Brooklyn with more hiking. DIA:Beacon is a must — a museum inside a former Nabisco factory with massive minimalist art pieces that make you rethink space and silence.
I usually hike Mount Beacon early morning before it gets crowded. The view of the Hudson River is worth every step. Later, I grab lunch at Homespun Foods and browse local shops that sell things I don’t need but somehow buy anyway.
Insider tip: If you go by Metro-North, grab a seat on the left side — the river view is unbeatable.
Montauk — Salt, Wind, and Ocean Light
When I crave the ocean, Montauk is the place. It’s the farthest point of Long Island and feels like the edge of the world. In summer it gets crowded, but off-season — May or September — it’s magic.
I love staying in small motels near the dunes. My routine is simple: morning walks by the lighthouse, afternoon naps, and seafood dinners with ocean wind in my hair. It’s quiet in a way that makes you hear yourself again.
Pro tip: Pack layers — Montauk wind has opinions about your outfit choices.
Cold Spring — The Perfect Day Trip
Cold Spring is my favorite “I need a break but not a full vacation” destination. Just over an hour from Grand Central, it’s the easiest train escape you can make.
There’s a cute main street with antique shops, a great riverside view, and enough small cafes to fill a lazy Saturday. If you’re feeling active, hike Breakneck Ridge — though the name is not a joke. I did it once and came back both sore and proud.
Perfect for: Solo resets or low-effort romantic weekends.
Woodstock — Music Spirit and Mountain Air
Woodstock is a name that already carries a kind of myth. The real town still holds that free-spirited energy — old record stores, vegan cafés, and people who genuinely smile at strangers.
There’s great hiking around Cooper Lake and good local art everywhere. Evenings often turn into small live shows or impromptu bonfires. It’s the kind of place that reminds me why people fell in love with the idea of “upstate New York” in the first place.
Why I love it: It’s nostalgic without being stuck in time.
My Verdict
Weekend getaways from NYC are more than just trips — they’re pressure valves for the city’s intensity. Hudson resets my creativity, the Catskills reset my mind, Montauk resets my body, and Cold Spring resets my patience with crowded subway platforms.
If you live in New York, escaping it once in a while isn’t betrayal — it’s maintenance. These trips remind me that peace doesn’t always mean far away; sometimes it’s just a two-hour train ride north.
Written and experienced by Chi Tran for 123Review.net.
Affiliate links may earn a commission, but opinions are my own.
Author Bio
Chi Tran is a tech and lifestyle reviewer based in New York City, exploring how simple tools make urban life smarter.
