There’s never a bad time for a restorative getaway. Honestly, a temporary escape should be a basic right for every city dweller and it’s not impossible to make that a reality especially when you can get to so many great escapes via public transit. As such, we scoured New York State and the surrounding region for the dreamist destinations for touching some grass, putting your phone on Do Not Disturb, and leaving New York City behind for a little while.

From a bomber jacket factory converted into inspiring artistic lodgings right outside of NYC to riverside vintage campers in the Catskills, these 10 retreats have something for everyone—plus, no driver’s license required.

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A new clutch of hotels with modern treehouses, day spas and award-winning restaurants make the classic New York getaway more appealing than ever.

Ah, upstate. That sylvan stretch of land two hours north of Manhattan, where New Yorkers traditionally go to learn how to light a fire, roast marshmallows, leaf peep, go for walks we call 'hikes,' suddenly decide flannel is fashion, and pretend we know how to relax.

In the mid-20th century, this was the Borscht Belt, a popular vacation spot for Jewish families from New York City, evoked in the television series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. When that golden era ended, the region reverted to moonshine mountains with bare-bones lodging. There were no new age spas, no pressed flower pottery, no mocktology classes, no guided goat hikes, and absolutely no one wrote home about the food... But in the past two years, a few ambitious hoteliers have managed to recast old, overgrown rustics in a shiny new patina with ‘luxury wellness retreat’ price points.

Here’s where to stay this fall:

The Chatwal Lodge | New treehouses, outdoor adventures, all-inclusive

The Chatwal Lodge is an all-inclusive hotel built on the banks of the Toronto Reservoir on a 100-acre site. It opened in 2022 with 11 suites and cottages, and recently added three new modern treehouses, which sleep four  

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Nothing tops a stellar mountain town for adventure seekers. Our lofty favorites feature the best hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, paddling, and local microbrew found at any altitude.

Best Quick Urban Escape: Roscoe and Callicoon, NY

The Sullivan Catskills may be close to New York City, but you’ll feel like you’re on another planet in Roscoe—just 123 miles north of Gotham. Kittatinny Campgrounds is the place to go for an active day, either via whitewater raft or 3,000 feet of dual racing zip lines. Fly fishing enthusiasts will also enjoy the many offerings of nearby Trout Town (Beaverkill is top notch), which houses an entire museum devoted to the sport.

Cap off your getaway by riding the singletrack at Pearson Park on Walnut Mountain to whet an appetite for round two of tastings at Roscoe Beer Co. or Tuthilltown Distillery, the maker of buzzy Hudson Whiskey. When comfort carbs are calling, there’s always Grizzly Bagels, for scratch-made bagels and various schmears.

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There are many misconceptions about the 1969 Woodstock festival, but for something as safely installed into popular culture myth as this, a little fallacy and legend is sometimes a good thing. After all, if you can remember the Sixties, you weren’t really there, man. Then there are the misunderstandings that need to be set straight. First of all, the Woodstock festival was not in Woodstock. Secondly, the festival was not the end of the hippy dream – we’ll leave that to The Rolling Stones (with a little help from the Hells Angels) at Altamont Speedway some months later. Thirdly, it wasn’t an absolute catastrophe of organisation… well, not at first, anyway. Organisers told local authorities to expect about 50,000 people. Privately, they expected 100,000. One and a half million tried to get in; 450,000 succeeded. The toilets stopped working on the first day, and the relief trucks were unable to access the site. OK, so maybe the third “misunderstanding” was true. Myths mostly busted, 55 years later, I touched down at New York’s JFK with the intention of driving upstate to see if any residue of hippiedom still resides. Does “peace, love, and music” still echo among the rolling hills of the Catskills?

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It is not often that a beloved century-old hotel launches a completely new type of lodging — and even rarer that the dwelling is as charming as a grove of tiny A-frame homes in a 23-acre forest.

But Callicoon Hills, which opened to travelers in the 1940s, is one such spot. The property has long been a destination for city dwellers searching for a nature-filled escape, offering a resort-style stay in the picturesque foothills of the Catskill Mountains in New York. (Callicoon Hills is just over two hours from New York City by car.)

Guests can stay in the original 1905 boarding house outfitted with upgrades that include air conditioning and large picture windows with views over the grounds. There's also a pet-friendly pool house and ridge rooms. The standalone cottage, which is set near the creek, is a great private option.

But for the traveler who truly wants to be immersed in nature, nothing compares to the new A-frame cabins, which are set away from the other lodging on the backside of the property. Each standalone cabin has floor-to-ceiling windows so you won’t miss passing wildlife and luxuries like a queen-size bed, WiFi, and electricity. Simply put, they are rustic but comfortable.

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Livingston, NY Boheme Retreats is a Black-owned company started by Keva Niver and her husband Rudel Felicien. The two adventurers offer a way to camp without “roughing it.” From May through October, guests can stay in one of their vintage campers in Livingston Manor, NY. Here, you can do all the natural things—fishing, hiking, and seeing beautiful waterfalls. Plus, check for some of their events, like a Waterfall Picnic Experience. But the icing on the cake may be their retro inspired campers. The campers all have signature names paying homage to Black female legends from Rosa to Fannie, Shirley to Leona, and Zora to Maya. Take your pick. We love the Fannie, a 1964 Franklin, which is pet-friendly and can accommodate a family of 4 plus 1 child. The cost starts at $450 per 2-night stay. bohemeretreats.com  

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This wine-themed road trip will take you into the heart of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, and through adorable mountain towns like Phoenicia, Mount Tremper, and Ellenville. It’s a drive that allows you to explore the area’s scenic byways and attractions entirely at your own pace.

Kick off your trip at The Vineyard at Windham in the northern Catskills. Their four-acre property offers views overlooking Windham Mountain Club. The cozy tasting room is outfitted with plenty of windows so you don’t miss a moment of those views. While you’re basking in the scenery, sip on their merlot, Riesling, or rosé, or try a wine they’ve sourced from within New York State.

Next, put on some good driving tunes and head south through the Hudson Valley to Christopher Jacobs Winery at Pennings Vineyard. Sample their award-winning wines while enjoying fresh air and mountain views. June marks the start of their Summer Live Music Series every Friday and Saturday from afternoon-sunset.

You’ll swing back into the Catskills on your next and last stop at the adults-only, dog-friendly Bashakill Vineyards. Their wines are vegan, made by hand, and organic or low-spray, and they specialize in wines aged in French and American oak barrels. You’ll remember you’re in the wilds of the Catskills with wine names like Red Fox, Coyote, and Black Bear. You’ll probably be ready for dinner by this time and can sample bites from Bashakill's rotating menu of fresh ingredients.

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Glamping tents, decked-out tree houses, vintage R.V.s: A handful of new or updated U.S. accommodations puts you in the middle of nature without stinting on comfort.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

The Catskills (Bethel, N. Y.)

This longstanding performance venue and site of the Woodstock festival in 1969 has begun offering glamping for eventgoers on its bucolic grounds, delivering a dose of nature and a quick walk to concerts at the Pavilion amphitheater. The luxury glamping tents come in three sizes for one to six guests. They have beds, bathrooms with showers, Wi-Fi, electricity, fans, portable heaters and outdoor decks. You’ll also receive free entry to the Museum at Bethel Woods, where you can travel back in time through exhibits about the legacy of Woodstock and the culture of the 1960s. In addition to the luxury tents, there are basic glamping bell tents (for one to two guests) with beds and power strips. Shared restrooms and showers are nearby. Other Pavilion camping options include bringing your own tent or checking into one of the property’s “stay-put RVs.” (There’s also a separate camping area called Best Road Camping for all types of vehicles and tents, less than half a mile from the Pavilion.) Prices for the new glamping tents are from $335 a night. To book, begin by clicking on your preferred concert on the website’s camping page.

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Nestled just 120 miles north of Manhattan, New York’s Catskills beckon with rolling storybook farmland, dome-shaped mountain peaks, and enchanting towns steeped in both history and creativity. The region is vast and magnetic thanks to scenic vistas, cascading waterfalls, and ever-evolving havens for city escape artists and nature enthusiasts alike. Here, purpose-driven farms offer roadside stands, while chic lodges blend seamlessly with historic villages revitalized by artistic flair. Galleries and small boutiques dot the landscape, showcasing a creative scene fueled by urban transplants and locals alike. Hotels, too, carry the region’s tradition with hearty fare crafted from locally sourced ingredients; Tannersville's Hotel Lilien reflects the region's commitment to sustainable and delicious dining experiences. In Callicoon, the Seminary Hill (and especially its Tasting Room) rounds out the journey with a seasonal menu that showcases the bounty of the Delaware River Valley, inviting diners to savor flavors deeply rooted in the Catskills' agricultural heritage.

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