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Little Island in New York City \/ Photograph by Michael Grimm<\/p>\n
From city bustle to nature-filled escapes, the Empire State has a little of everything, no matter how you travel. Here\u2019s where to spend a long weekend right now.<\/p>\n
New York City
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Lounge on Pearl at the Wall Street Hotel in New York City\u2019s Financial District \/ Photograph courtesy of the Wall Street Hotel<\/p>\n
Best for:<\/strong> Urban adventures<\/p>\n When\u2019s the last time you splashed out in New York City? Our perpetually-in-motion neighbor to the north is always calling with something new. Let\u2019s start with the cultural scene. Fresh off a renovation, the Frick Collection<\/strong><\/a> reopened in April with expanded public galleries. Across the East River, the Brooklyn Museum<\/strong><\/a> is celebrating its 200th anniversary \u2014 don\u2019t miss \u201cMonet and Venice,\u201d beginning October 11th. In 2026, the Hip Hop Museum<\/strong><\/a> will debut in the Bronx, dedicated to the history of the movement that was born in the borough in the 1970s. And Broadway Week<\/strong><\/a> brings two-for-one tickets to top shows from September 8th to 21st.<\/p>\n The \u201cPorcelain Garden\u201d installation at the Frick Collection \/ Photography by Joseph Coscia<\/p>\n Stroll over to the art-filled Little Island<\/strong><\/a>, a park atop the Hudson River with pollinator gardens and vendors selling made-to-order thyme lemonade. Want something buzzier? Head to Lounge on Pearl<\/strong><\/a>, a martini-themed bar inside the Financial District\u2019s Wall Street Hotel<\/strong><\/a>. And speaking of \u2014 for a city that never sleeps, hotel options are endless. The newly reinvigorated Four Seasons Hotel New York<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $1,750) affords Central Park views from its lofty perch above 57th Street. Stay at the Surrey<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $1,295) to immerse yourself in the tree-lined land of dapper doormen and designer boutiques; the renovated Upper East Side retreat is also home to stylish restaurant Casa\u00a0Tua<\/strong><\/a>. The Fifth Avenue Hotel<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $995) in NoMad transforms a former Gilded Age mansion into a hideaway with jewel-toned interiors. And the grande dame of the hospitality scene, the Waldorf Astoria<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $1,500), fully opens this month after an eight-year restoration. The dining landscape here can feel infinite, so begin with the essentials: a table at celebrated chef Kwame Onwuachi\u2019s Tatiana<\/strong><\/a> at Lincoln Center. No res? Queue up at Penny<\/strong><\/a> just before 5 p.m. for a seat at the seafood counter, and don\u2019t skip dessert \u2014 the ice cream sandwich on brioche alone is worth the trip. \u2014 Regan Fletcher Stephens<\/p>\n Island Hopping Ellis Island \/ Photograph by Dominik Gryzbon<\/p>\n NYC\u2019s nearby isles deserve equal billing.<\/p>\n Governors Island<\/a><\/p>\n Here, you can spend your day kayaking, biking scenic trails, or swimming at the outdoor QC NY Spa<\/a>. Or spend the night \u2014 Collective Retreats<\/a> (rooms from $249) offers glamping with a backdrop of the city skyline.<\/p>\n Roosevelt Island<\/a><\/p>\n Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park (designed by Philly architect Louis Kahn) and the Blackwell Island Lighthouse are highlights of this island in the East River. Extend your stay at the Graduate New York<\/a> (rooms from $442).<\/p>\n Ellis Island<\/a><\/p>\n Visit the National Museum of Immigration<\/a>. Walk through restored halls and search family records at the American Immigrant Wall of Honor. And get an up-close look at Lady Liberty via a tour by Statue City Cruises<\/a>.<\/p>\n City Island<\/a><\/p>\n This slice of land sits in Long Island Sound. Start at the City Island Nautical Museum<\/a>, pop into art galleries, then tuck into fried shrimp and frozen pi\u00f1a coladas at picnic tables overlooking the water at Johnny\u2019s Reef<\/a>. \u2014 R.F.S.<\/p>\n The Adirondacks Sagamore Resort at Bolton Landing in the Adirondacks \/ Photograph by Don Riddle Images<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Family-friendly fun<\/p>\n Lake George \u2014 one of more than 3,000 bodies of water in Adirondack Park \u2014 is tops for a family looking for the perfect balance of adventure and nostalgia. Hang your hats at the Sagamore Resort at Bolton Landing<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $289). The circa-1883 property offers a laid-back but luxurious experience with lake views, multiple dining options, and activities for all ages, including movie nights, s\u2019mores, basketball, and a climbing wall. Savor coffee and pastries at Bear\u2019s Cup Bakehouse<\/strong><\/a> in Bolton Landing. For souvenirs you won\u2019t find anywhere else, check out Local<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 a Lake George lifestyle\u2013inspired apparel brand \u2014 and Happy Jack\u2019s<\/strong><\/a>, part surf shop, part gift shop. The kids will get hooked on the Super Hero flavor at Cate\u2019s Creamery<\/strong><\/a>, and Mrs. Whizzy Fizz Popp\u2019s Candy Shop<\/strong><\/a> has crave-worthy sweets.<\/p>\n Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course \/ Photograph by Tom Lyons<\/p>\n Book a ropes course and zipline experience at Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course<\/strong><\/a>. There\u2019s a tree-top course option for everyone in your party, with routes for kids and adults and even a low-rider (closer to the ground) for newbies. Get out on the water with the Lake George Kayak Company<\/strong><\/a>, or take a trail ride with a local horseback riding company. And Pinnacle Preserve<\/strong><\/a>, established to help protect the land and the lake, offers two moderately difficult hiking trails leading to panoramic vistas; each can be completed within an hour. The Blue Trail<\/strong><\/a> to Bradley\u2019s Lookout, considered the easier of the two, is six-tenths of a mile to the summit. Set aside an afternoon to explore the town of Lake George<\/strong><\/a>. The boutiques, souvenir shops, and arcades add to its retro, kitschy charm. Phases<\/strong><\/a>, a creative jewelry and gift store, will draw the attention of any gemstone-loving moon child in your party. Hit Around the World Miniature Golf<\/strong><\/a> to (vicariously!) traverse the globe; each hole represents a landmark. Or head to Leonelli\u2019s Playland Arcade<\/strong><\/a> and Funa\u2019rama Fun Park<\/strong><\/a> to see who can win the most tickets. Kids will love cashing them in for prizes, while parents will love how far a jar full of quarters will go. \u2014 Catherine Smith<\/p>\n The Finger Lakes Where to drink wine in the Finger Lakes \/ Illustration by Chanelle Nibbelink<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Exploring new tastes<\/p>\n Your guide to the wines of Keuka and Seneca lakes:<\/p>\n \u2460 McGregor Vineyard<\/a><\/p>\n The Georgian Saperavi grape established its first American roots at this Keuka Lake stalwart. After McGregor pioneered the red fruit-driven, tannic wine, it became their signature. They excel in other styles, like the Rkatsiteli, with its mellow stone-fruit undertones. But nothing beats a comparative tasting of Saperavi \u2014 paired with chocolate.<\/p>\n \u2461 Domaine LeSeurre Winery<\/a><\/p>\n Six generations of French wine-making go into every glass at this estate, thanks to owners C\u00e9line and S\u00e9bastien LeSeurre, who both grew up on vineyards in France. Among the wife-and-husband duo\u2019s offerings are a dry Riesling with subtle notes of pear and a floral ros\u00e9 perfect for midday sipping. Try a macaron pairing too.<\/p>\n \u2462 Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery<\/a><\/p>\n For 68 years, this family-run winery has been a trailblazer in the Finger Lakes\u2019 vinifera movement, planting some of the region\u2019s first European varie\u00adties. Though its reds are robust, the shale-based soil lends itself to crisp whites with textured minerality. And the lineup of sparkling wines is what most come here for.<\/p>\n \u2463 Living Roots<\/a><\/p>\n Australian winemaker Sebastian Hardy and his wife, Colleen, serve playful riffs on signature Finger Lakes styles. The wild-fermented Red Rizza ages Riesling with Cab Franc skins to produce a fruity, lightly tannic wine. The couple also has a winery in the Adelaide Hills, so folks on both sides of the planet can compare the terroir of New York with that of southern Australia.<\/p>\n \u2464 Boundary Breaks Vineyard<\/a><\/p>\n Co-owner Bruce Murray has produced some of the best bottles in the state, if not the country, if international accolades are any indication. The flagship, the Riesling Dry #239, has been lauded by various publications. So if you try only one dry Riesling in the area, make it this one.<\/p>\n \u2465 Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars<\/a><\/p>\n Cabernet Franc\u2019s rise to prominence has been drawing national attention lately. That\u2019s especially true at Lamoreaux, where the T23 unoaked and dry ros\u00e9 iterations have been deemed the best wines of 2024 in their respective categories by VinePair.<\/p>\n \u2466 Atwater Vineyards<\/a><\/p>\n A funky, unfiltered P\u00e9t-nat; an effervescent Vignoles with notes of honeysuckle; and a Blaufr\u00e4nkisch with fruity, peppery aromatics are among Atwater\u2019s robust repertoire of low-intervention creations. Reserve a guided tasting or swing by the Vista Bar for a casual glass while you take in the sunset over Seneca Lake. \u2014 Kae Lani Palmisano<\/p>\n The Catskills INNESS in the Catskills \/ Photograph by Adrian Gaut<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> A little bit of everything<\/p>\n Check in to INNESS<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $899), a 220-acre resort in Accord that boasts a 12-room farmhouse and 28 cabins; a full-service restaurant with house-made pasta and locally sourced ingredients; a nine-hole golf course; seasonal pools and tennis and pickleball courts; and a new 7,000-square-foot spa, complete with a hammam-style bathhouse and a gym. Spend at least one afternoon savoring the regional bounty: flavorful Filipino cuisine at James Beard finalist Harana Market<\/strong><\/a>, crisp beer from Arrowood Farms<\/strong><\/a> and cider from Westwind Orchard<\/strong><\/a>, and handcrafted treats at Catskill Chocolate Co.<\/strong><\/a> To get you (and the kiddos, if you have them in tow) moving, Rail Explorers<\/strong><\/a> takes you pedaling along abandoned railroad lines and through wooded areas for a scenic adventure, while roller rink Skatetime 209<\/strong><\/a> will bring you back to the skating discos of the \u201980s and \u201990s. For skiing in the colder months, drive about an hour north to Hunter Mountain<\/strong><\/a>, and stop by \u2014 or stay overnight at \u2014 Scribner\u2019s Lodge<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $245). The property\u2019s winter skating rink and year-round restaurant are open to the public. \u2014 Laura Brzyski<\/p>\n The Hudson Valley Bannerman Island in New York\u2019s Hudson Valley \/ Photograph by Mike Wilkinson<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Solo escapes<\/p>\n Few things are as calming as paddleboarding alone on a creek, with only the sound of your paddle swooshing through the water breaking the silence. It\u2019s the kind of experience a solo trip can afford, and the Hudson Valley is an ideal destination. Start with a guided tour of Bannerman Island<\/strong><\/a> in the Hudson River, accessible by boat from Beacon between May and October. The property (a former summer home and munitions storage site) is being restored, and visitors can walk through the gardens or the castle, and watch live theater. (September brings a Dracula rendition.) Nearby, trek across the Walkway Over the Hudson<\/strong><\/a>, the world\u2019s longest elevated pedestrian bridge. (It\u2019s just under 1.3 miles from Highland to Poughkeepsie.) The views are superb \u2014 particularly at sunrise or sunset. Post up in Rosendale, home to the new Six Bells Hotel<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $350), a cottagecore boutique inn that asks guests to suspend their disbelief and step into an imaginary town. Expect themed rooms (like Mildred\u2019s Plum), a gift shop, and a restaurant, where you can tuck in to dishes like oven-poached hake. Get going early to hike up Joppenbergh Mountain<\/strong><\/a>, whose trailhead is walkable from Rosendale, or take a SUP excursion on Rondout Creek via A Day Away Kayak Rentals<\/strong><\/a>. Pop over to the farmers market (through October) for apple cider doughnuts, and fuel up at the Big Cheese<\/strong><\/a>, which has a market and a Mediterranean menu, plus vintage apparel. In fact, Rosendale is flush with retro stores. Clubhouse Vintage<\/strong><\/a> has Levi\u2019s and kiddo gear from the \u201960s. Kingston also has plentiful shopping, as well as the Hudson River Maritime Museum<\/strong><\/a>, the departure point for tours inside the Rondout Lighthouse<\/strong><\/a>. In the 1850s, Catherine Murdock became the keeper, a title she held for 50 years. Grab snacks and wine at Well Nice<\/strong><\/a>, a few doors down from the Six Bells. (You might hear the town gossip.) Before you leave, go on a guided climbing expedition in the Gunks<\/strong><\/a> (a.k.a. the Shawagunk Mountains). But if you just want to curl up at the Six Bells, that\u2019s fine too. \u2014 Kristen Schott<\/p>\n The Hamptons Seafood-centric fare at gigi\u2019s in the Hamptons \/ Photograph by Thomas John Agoglia<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Off-season getaways<\/p>\n Meet us in Montauk. Gurney\u2019s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa<\/strong><\/a> (rooms from $1,217) is open year-round, meaning you don\u2019t have to wait until summer for a jaunt to the Hamptons. The oceanfront property recently underwent renovations, including the opening of a new restaurant, gigi\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 there are seafood towers and tableside-prepared pasta \u2014 and an all-day cafe. Take in the natural landscape with a visit to the iconic Montauk Point Lighthouse<\/strong><\/a>, New York\u2019s first lighthouse and a National Historic Landmark, and its accompanying museum. LongHouse Reserve<\/strong><\/a> in East Hampton is a sculpture garden home to more than 60 pieces of outdoor art, which you can admire during all four seasons. Drive to Southampton for the Elizabeth Alexandra Morton National Wildlife Refuge<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s great for bird-watching year-round \u2014 there\u2019s even a Wild Birds Nature Trail \u2014 plus snowshoeing in the winter. When you\u2019re ready to refuel, head to waterfront restaurant Bell & Anchor<\/strong><\/a> for seafood delights and creative cocktails. (The zero-proof menu is impressive.) If drinks are on your agenda, spend an afternoon sipping reds, whites, and ros\u00e9s with Hamptons Wine Tours<\/strong><\/a>. The company will chauffeur you to various wineries, including W\u00f6lffer Estate Vineyard<\/strong><\/a> and Channing Daughters Winery<\/strong><\/a>. Picking apples and pumpkins at Seven Ponds Orchard<\/strong><\/a> and Hank\u2019s Pumpkintown<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 both in Water Mill \u2014 is a must in the fall. (Hank\u2019s also offers wagon rides, a corn maze, slides, and a jump pad.) And when you need some time to unwind, spa and wellness center Shou Sugi Ban House<\/strong><\/a> connects you to the natural world with massages and body treatments inspired by the elements, facials integrating eco-friendly products, grounding sound-bath sessions, and meals made with ingredients grown on-site. Visit for the day or stay overnight. \u2014 L.B.<\/p>\n Chasing Waterfalls Illustration by Chanelle Nibbelink<\/p>\n Yes, Niagara Falls is spectacular. But here are some others to check out.<\/p>\n Taughannock Falls<\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s a saying in these parts, emblazoned on T-shirts and stickers: \u201cIthaca is gorges.\u201d Nowhere is that truer than at Taughannock Falls State Park, which features the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rockies. Finger Lakes.<\/p>\n Kaaterskill Falls<\/a><\/p>\n After all the hiking, you\u2019re probably thinking, Can I actually swim at any of these places? Try this Catskills hideaway, with two swimming areas. Looking for thrill? Try standing directly under the 167-foot falls. Catskills.<\/p>\n![\"new](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NY-KIA-Guide_03.jpg\")
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Driving time:<\/strong> Take the train! Amtrak gets you there in an hour and a half.<\/p>\n
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Driving time:<\/strong> Five hours.<\/p>\n
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Driving time:<\/strong> Four and a half hours.<\/p>\n
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Driving time:<\/strong> Three hours and 45 minutes.<\/p>\n
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Driving time:<\/strong> Three hours.<\/p>\n
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Driving time:<\/strong> Four and a half hours.<\/p>\n
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