Flee New York: Weekend Getaways, Day Trips, Vacations and More (Beta)

Memorial Day Weekend Getaways From NYC - 2012

Memorial Day weekend is a choice block of time to extricate yourself from the insanity of the city of New York.  Well, actually any weekend is a great time to do that, but Memorial Day has the benefit of being a three-day-weekend.  An excellent place to start planning your trip is the Weekend Travel Ideas site's list of suggestions geared toward the budget-conscious but tasteful traveler: Memorial Day Getways From NYC. 

When the weekend of May 25 - 29, 2012 rolls around, tour options are as varied as your desire to slip the surly bonds of the subway and the constant drone of 1010 wins.  

Other avenues for exploring your various options for Memorial Day weekend abound. If something more refined appeals to you, the Hudson Valley could be a good choice.  Or if you're in the mood for some more downscale celebrating, then the Jersey Shore is just starting to heat up at the end of May.  Of course, these are just the destinations withink driving distance.  Last minute airfare and hotel packages far out of town are another excellent option for making the most of the long weekend.

Below, find our list of top resources for fleeing New York on Memorial Day. They range from comprhensive guides for self-directed research to our hand-selected fare off-the-beaten path gyms around the tri-state area.  

The New York Times has a reliable link guide for trips out of town. [NYT]

Time out New York is a rich source of travel ideas for the urban sophisticate. [Time Out NY]

Priceline is already up with their promo page for last minute Memorial Day Weekend deals. [Priceline]

Really want to get random? Yes, there's such things as the Adirondacks polka festival. [Dance Gypsy]

Feeling the original patriotic intent of Memorial Day? The Jones Beach Airshow on Long Island might be just the event for you. [NYAS]

If you're in the mood for some beach excitement and have a Jet Blue frequent flyer account, then you might consider checking out the Urban Fiesta weekend in San Juan, Puerto Rico. [Urban Fiesta]

NYC Getaway Roundup Spring / Summer 2012

The prime time for getaways is upon NYC once again - that sweetspot from May to October when the weather is ideal for all manner of fleeing New York - from cabin rentals upstate to beach lounging on Long Island - late spring to early fall is the time the denizens of NYC look to slip the surly confines of the five buroughs and seek much greener, more peaceful pastures.  For inspiration, there are a variety of recent suggestion roundups - the gold standard remains New York Magazine's 52 Weekends feature.

The feature has been continuously updated over the years and now features a beautiful interactive design highlighting destinations from Ithaca to the Catskills to the Delaware Water Gap to Puerto Rico and far beyond.  [NY MAG 52 Weekends]

Also worth checking out is that most unlikely of sources - L.A. Magazine. 

L.A. Mag is like the New York magazine of the West Coast's largest metropolis, except with a quarter of the journalist firepower and a more food-focused bent. At any rate, their recent suggestion for 52 weekend getaways has some great gems that New Yorkers might not be aware of, so it's worth checking out.  

Unfortunately, L.A. Magazine's 52 Getaways feature is print only, but they've also copiled a helpful gear guide that's available online.  Check out their 52 Great Weekends Gear article. 

Also worth checking out is National Geographic's roundup of the World's best summer trips.  If you can't be in the greatest city in the World, then why not jet off to an exotic locale in West Central Africa or someplace even more exotic?  What else do you earn that investment banking money for any? [National Geographic Best Summer Trips] 

Finally - if you're in the mood for something steamier, Travel and Leisure has an interesting roundup of the 7 Best Summer Romantic Trips.  Morroco and Italy are a few of the suggstions, which skew from the surprisingly affordable to the scandalously expensive. [T&L Romantic Getaway Suggestions]

 

Last Minute Memorial Day Weekend Getaways From NYC

One solid place to start for Memorial escape suggestions is the Weekend Travel Ideas round of NYC-specific destinations for New Yorkers looking to make a hasty and budget-friendly escape from Gotham.

Weekend Travel Bloggers: Memorial Day Getaways Round Up

If a three-day weekend of sin sounds like your idea of a relaxing Memorial Day holiday, then Atlantic City, or even Las Vegas are still both very much on the table.  The two entertainment capitals have never been more affordable.  In fact, New York Magazine's just completed a comprehensive feature about where to find the best deals.  [Las Vegas - Sinning on the Cheap]

For last minute deals to Atlantic City, Vegas, or elsewhere, you'll want to check our Travelocity's "Last Minute" packages.  It's also worth trying sidestep.com and kayak.com to search for discounted airfare and hotel packages. 

Looking to rent a cabin, house, or secure a room in a bed and breakfast?  You can search Vacation Rentals by Owner and find out what's still available for the weekend.  (Probably not much - but it's worth a try!) [VRBO]

Looking to plan a last-minute Memorial Day trip around a random, special event in New York State?  The State Tourism board's blog has a roundup of Memorial Day Events being held around the state, including fun at Bellaeyre Mountain, special lectures at The Franklin Roosevelt Presidential Library, and a quilting convention in Sackett Harbor, NY.  [Memorial Day Weekend Events in New York State]

Of course, you have the option of planning a "Stay-cation" and making the best out of exploring what the city has to offer.  For suggestions on this strategy, check out our "Flee New York in New York" section.  And if you've never checked it out, the local "New Yorkology" blog has some decent suggestions for NYC stay-cation options.

Summer Getaways From NYC: Escaping the New York Heat

The humidity (really, we can't stand it) is spiking, the days have grown long, and the L.I.E. between New York and the Hamptons is a freaking zoo from Thursday to Monday.  You've got to get away, and where else but the Internet can you turn for leads and suggestions on how best to escape your own personal music video hell of "Hot Town: Summer in the City."  Flee New York is here for you: Check back all summer long for a regularly updated list of where, when, and how to find the best summer getaways, escapes, and other weekend summer travel suggestions from NYC. 

LISTS

The L Magazine's list includes six great suggestions ranging from Hudson River Tubing to Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel in the Catskills. 
[Summer Weekend Getaways: Escape NYC]

New York Magazine's 52 Weekends page is an absolute gold mine.
[52 Weekends out of NYC]

All Getaways has a list of 77 straightforward suggestions...
[New York Weekend Getaways]

Gridskipper has lots of slightly off-center Hamptons coverage and tips.
[Gridskipper Hamptons page]

NYC Pulse has a list of 10 top beaches in the NYC area.
[NYC Summer Beaches]

UTILITY

Airfare Watchdog keeps a close eye on flights out of town.  Some of their discounts are astonishing.
[Airfare Watchdog NYC list]

Travelocity's last-minute packages can sometimes be a good option for getting you up to Maine or Canada.
[Last Minute Packages]

VRBO is a great place to start looking for house and cabin rentals upstate and everywhere else.
[Vacation Rentals By Owner Online]

NYC Spring Getaways, Vacations & Daytrips Near New York City

Spring has descended on New York City, and a New Yorker's thoughts naturally turn towards day trips out of the city and weekend getaways away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and the five boroughs.  Flee New York can recommend some excellent resources for planning Spring escapes - whether it's a daytrip or an extended Spring vacation.   

A drive out to Long Island can yield great, pre-Memorial Day hotel rates, while a trip to Atlantic City offers special pricing as well.  It's also a good time to explore upstate NY - with prime hiking season in effect in the Catskills and Adirondacks. 

A good place to start your Spring getaway research is the official New York State tourism board.  They have a ton of hotel and lodging specials and side trip suggestions to destinations all around NY State. [Official NY Tourism Board]

The New York Daily News has a rundown of solid Spring destinations. [NYDN Travel]

The New York Times travel section has good suggestions and resources as well -- especially on the day trip front. [NYT Travel]

New York City Beach Getaway Options: Beaches Close to NYC

As the thermometer rises, how can anyone be expected to get through the summer months without a trip to the beach?  Well, they can't, which is why Flee New York is putting together an ongoing list of convenient beach getaway options within close range of Manhattan Island.  Check back for more suggestions...

Here is a general rundown of [Beaches Near NYC: Weekend Travel]

We defy you to read this New York Times article on Sandy Hook Beach and not want to immediately take the half hour ferry ride from Manhattan.  [Sandy Hook Beach: New York Times]

Check out this video: It's a great introduction to beaches close to NYC that are accessible by public transportation: These include Rockaway Beach (A Train), Coney Island (F Train), and Jones Beach (L.I.R.R.)

For that matter, remember that Long Beach and several other Long Island destinations are available via the Long Island Railroad. [L.I.R.R. Long Beach Timetable]

Here's a fairly informative discussion board with the subject "Beaches Close to NYC." [Ask a New Yorker]

And for you East Coast surfers, be sure to check out the New York Surfrider website for inside info on the best breaks and beaches for surfers. [Surfrider NYC]

And, for those of you who can't resist the siren call of the Hamptons Beaches - as well as investing in upscale Elliman Long Island Real Estate Properties.

NYC Getaway and Weekend Trip List

Here at Flee New York, our philosophy is strictly utilitarian.  Never mind the editorializing, we mean to put useful information straight in front of you.  (Then you can take it or leave it!)  Here is our ongoing list of great web resources to plan getaways and weekend trips out of New York City.  If we're missing a great resource, please leave a comment!

Additionally, there a host of resources around the web that should be consulted when planning your escape from the city.  There's advice on everything from romantic cottages for two in the Hudson Valley to intensive hiking and mountaineering in the Adirondacks and Catskills. Depending on what you're looking for, deals can be had by booking way in advance or even waiting until the last minute. It depends on the needs for your trip. 

NY Mag: A weekend trip for every week in the year... [52 Weekends]
Trip Advisor: Page devoted to NYC Getaways [Weekend Getaways From New York]
L Magazine: Save gas, stay put in the city, enjoy... [Great Piece on Getting Away Locally]
NY Mag: Turn up the romance [Romantic Weekend Getaways]
Long Island.com: Official L.I. travel site. [Long Island Vacation Site]
Flee NY: Garden State getaway options... [New Jersey Getaways]

4th of July Getaways From New York City: Flee NYC on Independence Day Weekend 2011

Still haven't made your plans to get out of town on the weekend of July Fourth?  Relax -- you're not alone and the areas surrounding New York offer plenty of options.  There's still time to line up a trip to places like the Hudson Valley, the Delaware Watergap, the Jersey Shore, or even, God forbid, the Hamptons. 

Cabin?  Looking for a cabin or house rental in a quaint town far from Manhattan's maelstrom?  Check out VRBO's New York page.  You can search for still-available rental properties and they're usually pretty good about letting you know if a cabin or guest house remains up for grabs for the current weekend. 

Different Big City? Try Travelocity's last minute weekends section. You should be able to find flight/hotel deals for about $250 or so to a several decent spots.  If you want to watch fireworks over a different skyline this is a reasonable way to make it happen.  Just keep in mind the deals will be better to places like Pittsburgh or Milwaukee, than they will to more desirable getaways like Denver or Portland, Maine etc... The Weekend Travel Ideas website also has some good suggestions for July 4th Getaways From NYC.

Hunker Down?  Or you might just choose to ride it out here in the city.  In that case, you'll find New York Magazine's guide to July 4th in New York indispensable.  

Old standby? Pick someplace you've been and enjoyed before and get in touch with the proprietor of the bed and breakfast or hotel you stayed in.  If they don't have vacancy, chances are they'll be able to refer you to one of their colleagues.  We once had good luck with this when planning a last-minute trip to the Jersey Shore's Long Beach Island -- incidentally a great place to spend Independence Day Weekend!

Bed and Breakfasts in Upstate New York and Pennsylvania: NYT List

Looking for a relaxing getaway upstate where your chief order of business is doing absolutely nothing for the weekend?  The New York Times can help you out.  They just published a new travel story featuring 6 bed and breakfasts in upstate and Pennsylvania.  All the featured inns sound like great places to hole up for a weekend and recharge in cozy comfort. 

Link: "All Nothing All The Time"

Here are the 6 B&Bs mentioned in the article:

THE INN AT LAKE JOSEPH 162 Saint Joseph Road, Forestburgh, N.Y.; (845) 791-9506; www.lakejoseph.com; 15 rooms, $200 to $405.

ECCE BED AND BREAKFAST 19 Silverfish Road, Barryville, N.Y.; (845) 557-8562; www.eccebedandbreakfast.com; five rooms, $150 to $285.

RIVER RUN BED AND BREAKFAST 882 Main Street, Fleischmanns, N.Y.; 845-254-4884; www.riverrunbedandbreakfast.com; nine rooms, $89 to $169.

GLASBERN COUNTRY INN 2141 Pack House Road, Fogelsville, Pa.; (610) 285-4723; www.glasbern.com; 35 rooms, $145 to $460.

SWISS WOODS BED AND BREAKFAST 500 Blantz Road, Lititz, Pa.; (800) 594-8018; www.swisswoods.com; seven rooms, $150 to $205.

Spring Showers Power Nigara Falls

With the onset of a rainy Spring season, it's important to remember that this precipitation brings not only May flowers, but water for our rivers, streams and reservoirs, and of course our state's colossally popular tourist attraction.  The rain got you down?  Enjoy this video of the Niagara Falls in action. 

If you're looking to get away to Niagara for the weekend, you can find some really good deals at hotels.com if you book a little in advance.