When you live in a place like New York City, you are constantly taking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With something new on every street corner, it can feel overstimulating at times, and you may need to take a break to recharge. Luckily, now is the perfect time to start making some spring or summer plans. And if you only have a few days to spare or are simply searching for a quick weekend trip, you've come to the right place.
Ahead, we're spotlighting some of the best weekend getaways from NYC, with travel times of three hours. Whether you're staying in a renovated barn featuring textiles by designer John Robshaw, soaking up a few days by the beach, or immersing yourself in a glamping experience, we guarantee that these mini vacay ideas will have you daydreaming of a sweet escape.
Woodstock, New York
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House Beautiful's Assistant Shopping Editor found the perfect family-friendly destination at the Mountain View Barn House. "The entire barn transported my family to another world," shares Angela Belt. The owner, Jon Kaufman built a whimsical home whose interiors feature cozy linens (and pajamas and robes) designed by John Robshaw. And there really wasn't a reason to leave the property with a jacuzzi, sauna, gym, and a tiny house," Belt says. "Plus, there were a ton of activities for the kids and adults. With a scavenger hunt over the entire house, a disco ball, and a retro Pac-Man machine every day was filled with something to do all in one place."
Amagansett, New York
Want to get away from the crowds hitting up the Hamptons? The Reform Club, located in the heart of East Hampton, is the place for you. It's a secluded, tranquil inn offering accommodations that range from a four-bedroom home to stunning suites all featuring luxurious decor including contemporary artwork, top-notch Duxiana Swedish beds, and more. It's only a quick walk to the main part of town and to the beach. And there are bikes available for hotel guests which makes it even easier to get around. If you want to unwind, relax, and get away from it all, that's exactly what you'll get here.
Governors Island, New York
Technically this destination is still in the Big Apple, but it certainly won't feel that way. The Collective's Governors Island property is a less-than-ten-minute ferry ride from Manhattan. There are three different glamping-style accommodation types: the Journey Tent, Summit Tent, and Outlook Shelter. "Each has plush beds, WiFi, electricity, air conditioning, heat, private bathrooms with rain showers and full flush toilets, and private decks with unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty and city skyline," chief hospitality officer Vanessa Vitale explains. In short, it's glamping at its best.
Designer Cassie Novick was inspired by the island's nautical history to add "maritime nods like vintage oars, model boats, and rope materials" to the property. "Like all our retreats, it was important that each room naturally lent itself to indoor/outdoor living," she says. Some tents feature a more classic rustic design you'd associate with camping, while the new tiny house shelters take a more Scandinavian approach with furnishings from Danish design company Hay.
Rockaway Beach, New York
The Rockaway Hotel is exactly what New Yorkers have been waiting for—a beachy getaway that doesn't force you to sit through the hours of traffic. This property is the first full-service lifestyle hotel in Rockaway Beach! And you don't even have to leave Queens—it's just a quick ferry, subway, or car ride away. Once you've arrived, you'll never run out of stuff to do. "We offer year-round cultural programming from live entertainment to surfing lessons as well as fitness and wellness classes, festivals, film screenings, and public art initiatives," Michi Jigarjian, partner and chief social impact officer at the hotel says. Situated on 84,000 square feet with 53 guest rooms and eight extended-stay bungalows, every room looks out onto phenomenal views of either the Atlantic Ocean or Jamaica Bay with the Manhattan skyline.
The Rockaway Beach Hotel
As for the design of the hotel, you can expect a happy hybrid of the laidback beach lifestyle of the locale mixed with the luxury of the area's glam past. "Morris Adjmi Architect paid tribute to the grand 19th-century hotels that once graced the Rockaway Beach boardwalk," Jigarjian says. Meanwhile, Curious Yellow Design spearheaded the interior design. Each room features meaningful art. including many prints and photographs acquired in support of non-profit visual art organizations, where 100% of proceeds from sales were donated to Elmhurst Hospital in Queens to support frontline workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chloe Pollack-Robbins, designer at Curious Yellow Design tells us.
Fun fact: Anna Cappelen of Curious Yellow Design says the rooms feature bubblegum-pink resin tables "as a nod to the lyrics from The Ramones song Rockaway Beach: 'Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum, The sun is out and I want some, It's not hard, not far to reach, We can hitch a ride, To Rockaway Beach.'"
West Stockbridge, Massachusetts
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Ultra-chic and ultra-unique, The Filomena is a private home outfitted by Arthur's Design. It is the ideal backdrop for special occasions and larger events. Complete with six stylish bedrooms, the rental can accommodate up to thirteen guests. The recently renovated 19th-century Italianate Rectory is made even dreamier by its location in the Massachusetts Berkshires.
So, given its edgy, contemporary design, old bones, and historied past, plus the remote location, it's a perfect escape for creatives who appreciate both cosmopolitan taste and unpretentious, whimsical-meets-quirky and retro-inspired style. Plan your big weekend in advance because The Filomena tends to book up quickly (and you can see why just with a quick glance at the photos).
St. Michael's, Maryland
When you're looking for a classic resort but within a more intimate and private environment against a romantic backdrop, book a stay at Inn at Perry Cabin. Nestled in Maryland's scenic Chesapeake Bay, the property offers 30 suites and 48 guest rooms, all designed by renowned designer Alexandra Champalimaud. In each space, French doors lead to private decks, patios, and verandas so you can enjoy the perks of indoor/outdoor living (like waterfront of garden views) without leaving your room. That being said, you'll definitely want to leave so you can enjoy golf and tennis, yachting, and sailing (The ASA accredited Sailing Academy offers everything from the basics through multi-day sailing certification courses with seasoned sailing instructors), the spa, and more.
The property, which began as a farm after the War of 1812, is now a resort that combines casual luxury with the delights of an escape to the Eastern Shore. The hotel feels fresh and contemporary, as design updates have been made, but the essence of the original home remains, and the stylistic touches nod to the past. It's a 90-minute drive from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and just over three hours from New York City.
Windham, New York
A city getaway guide wouldn't be complete without a Hudson Valley or Catskill Mountains escape. There are tons of trendy places to choose from, but when it comes to low-key, stylish, and rustic stays, our pick is Eastwind Hotel & Bar, located in Windham, New York. You'll have sweeping views of the valley and river while enjoying the fairytale backdrop of the woods. There are ski trails, biking paths, and plenty of cool shops and eateries to check out in the area.
The hotel was created in 2018 when a group of NYC friends came across the property and decided to revamp it with Scandinavian style. As such, it's very much run like a family-owned bed and breakfast, but with the accommodations and amenities you'd expect from a luxury hotel.
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Hadley Mendelsohn is the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House. When she's not busy writing about interiors, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, researching ghost stories, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again. Along with interior design, she writes about everything from travel to entertainment, beauty, social issues, relationships, fashion, food, and on very special occasions, witches, ghosts, and other Halloween haunts. Her work has also been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, Man Repeller, Matches Fashion, Byrdie, and more.
Isis Briones is House Beautiful’s Senior Shopping Editor, she’ll find the best items for your home at every price point. She also loves to travel, so don’t be surprised if she hooks you up with some travel deals. Find more of her work published in Complex, Architectural Digest, Teen Vogue, and more.
Angela Belt is the contributing Assistant Shopping Editor at House Beautiful. She's also an interior designer and is the host of her own podcast, The Mood Board. When it comes to design, she's an esteemed expert with some of her work also appearing in HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens, The Washington Post, and more.
