How New Yorkers Are Escaping the City Without Wasting the Weekend
New Yorkers are notoriously obsessed with their own city…and honestly, who could blame them? New York is like a little universe unto itself: it contains multitudes (literally). This almost mythologised city isn’t the topic of love songs, films, theater and art for nothing, after all.
While all of this remains true, even New Yorkers can concede that occasionally, just occasionally, mind you, a break from the city can be restorative. But where does one go when you already live in the best city in the world? What can one do that stacks up to a life that comes straight out of a Fellini movie? Well, surprisingly, you’ve got options! Step out of the NYC mindset and into a pair of Hunter boots or Birkenstocks for the weekend. Try on a new lifestyle for a few days: will it be Coastal Grandmother, Leaf Peeper, or Girl With A Bike Basket
Travel Like A New Yorker
Just because you’re leaving the city doesn’t mean you stop being a New Yorker, and that means traveling smart and traveling speedy. Whether you’re planning on stopping by one or more of the locations on our weekend wishlist, you need to make the most of your time, and that means choosing to travel in the most practical, comfortable way you can: by helicopter charter. Soar above the city for one last goodbye (don’t worry, you’ll see each other soon) and a flawless view of the skyline that will soon become rolling valleys or jagged coasts. You’re on your way.
Bon Voyage
Beginning with the Hamptons, these destinations are listed in order of the closest to furthest from New York City.
The Hamptons
Flight time from NYC: 25-40 minutes
Refined but relaxed, less glossy socialite and more barefoot sophistication, the Hamptons are an institution in the world of luxe escapes. The hydrangea-lined lanes, shingle homes weathered by their years in the sun, and rustic farm stands selling fresh local produce let you know that you’ve arrived, but it’s the long seafood lunches (paired with a crisp glass of white, naturally), the Atlantic beaches that stretch away into golden hour, and the boats bobbing in the harbor that make you want to stay.
Lean into the charter experience with a charter yacht out of Sag Harbor for a champagne-forward sunset cruise. Pamper yourself with ritual Japanese-inspired self-care at Shou Sugi Bam House. Taste the finest local wines at Wolffer Estate Vineyard and then retreat to your private oceanfront sanctuary somewhere like Topping Rose House.
Hudson Valley
Flight time from NYC: 30-40 minutes
Allow us to introduce you to New York’s countryside alter ego. The Hudson Valley is home to grand estates and lush rolling farmland. Here you can lose yourself in the cramped, inviting recesses of antique stores, wander thoughtfully through contemporary art galleries, and stroll through the forested hills after dinner. Hudson’s appeal doesn’t wane in the summer months, but it’s most whimsical and fiery when the leaves begin to turn in the fall. Crisp apples are waiting to be picked, fireside glasses of wine to be sipped, and country lanes begging to be explored.
Check into the design-forward Glenmere Mansion: a Gilded Age estate where formal gardens, two eateries, a hammam, and bath house await you. When you can tear yourself away, arrange a Hudson River cruise that provides you with a spectacular view of the sunset over the Catskills. Embrace the Valley’s pervasive foodie culture with bespoke farm-to-table dining experiences and indulge in the sweet and the savory, all of which are produced or grown on site. This is slow living at its best.
The Catskills
Flight time from NYC: 45-60 minutes
A little more moody, a little more untamed, and a little more about the design of it all, the Catskills are where luxury gets comfortable. Cedar cabins tucked away into the folds of the mountains, morning mist, swimming holes that look like they belong in a photo book, and crackling fires await. Architecture and design are at the forefront here: less log cabin and more Japandi meets rugged wilderness; interiors are reflected outside, and the outside is brought in with unique choices that craft homes that are actually art.
Retreat to Piaule Catskill, where the forest views, minimalist architecture, and spa bring calm and comfort to the mountains. Stay with the wilderness and book a forest-to-table dining experience. Get up close and personal with your surroundings by taking a hike (literally) with a guide or naturalist and follow that up with a fireside picnic. The Catskills will stay with you long after you have returned to the city…the juxtaposition of wild and welcoming is something you won’t soon forget.
Vermont
Flight time from NYC: 1h15-1h45
There’s a different kind of calm in New England, and Vermont is one of the places where this is best embraced. Quietly luxurious, slow with zero self-consciousness: Vermont’s charming covered bridges, long-standing stone farmhouses, and mountain views want you to wrap yourself in cashmere, sit back on the porch of your cabin, and disappear for a weekend. The vibe in Vermont is less “see and be seen” and more about stepping away and looking inward. In the summer, it’s time to hike, bike, and indulge in farm dinners, but when the weather turns, put on your ski boots and bank up the fire for a day indoors.
Another helicopter charter is in order, but this time it’s to take in the foliage from above. Book a culinary tour of farm-to-table eateries in the area: think cheese, maple syrup, and cider tastings. Take to Lake Champlain on a private boat for a little peace by the water.
Cape Cod
Flight time from NYC: 1h15-1h30
The quintessence of a New England summer is a weekend spent “down the Cape”. Here come the lobster rolls eaten in bare feet on the deck of a sailboat; here come the galleries in Provincetown and the sunset cocktails on the beach; here come the seafood tastings fresh from the Atlantic; here comes the sophisticated “beach town made good” charm of Cape Cod.
Book into one of the many beautifully restored, elegant old inns on the coast and then soak up the sun on a private beach. Source your own food by booking a private session with a lobster fisherman or clammer. Stroll along the beachfront and pop your head into the many charming small businesses housed in historic buildings, and don’t forget to snap a few pictures while you do.
The Weekend Awaits
No, we don’t mean the artist. We mean a weekend trip from New York that you’ll want to repeat as soon as you’re home. We mean an experience that will bring a feeling of rejuvenation and freshness to your life. Try it, and you’ll see.
