We’re all getting antsy to reconnect with nature—maybe you’ve noticed the trees blossoming or have taken to eating your lunch outside to bask in the sunlight. If you’re feeling ready for a break from the hustle-and-bustle of Manhattan, we have some recs—for the granola girls and lap-of-luxury ladies alike.
Why do we love Asbury Park? It’s rich with history, electrified by diversity and a youthful atmosphere, and has attractions beyond shopping and beach-going.
How you’ll get there: If you have a car, you can take the Garden State Parkway south—it’s about an hour and fifteen straight shot. If you don’t have a car, don’t fear! NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line stops directly in Asbury, and conveniently boards at New York’s Penn Station.
Where you can stay: The Berkeley, St. Laurent, The Empress, or The Asbury are hotel options if you want to stay close to the city’s downtown and beach. If you’re interested, there are also a variety of AirBnB options, which might have more character and charm.
Activities: Although it might be a bit chilly for beach weather, Asbury’s eclectic history, supernatural tendencies, and unique attractions still make for a stellar weekend getaway. You’ll want to walk on the legendary Asbury boardwalk, see a concert at the Stone Pony, and stop at Laylow for cocktails. Cookman Avenue—which is the “downtown” area of Asbury—has restaurants, boutiques, and unique shops if you’re searching for retail. We encourage you to ask the locals for recommendations: more likely than not, they’ll guide you towards a unique (and not necessarily “touristy”) site, like Madame Marie’s Psychic Booth or the Paranormal Museum.
Why do we love Hudson? There are opportunities for hiking, cultural immersion, delicious food, and diving into waterfalls—all within a few miles. You’ll find fellow NYC-ites that brought with them the flavor and richness of the city, albeit without the chaos of street noise, traffic, or shoulder-to-shoulder sidewalks.
How you’ll get there: Amtrak’s Empire Service runs through upstate NY, beginning at Penn Station and spanning up to Albany. The Hudson station is where you’ll exit; the trip takes about two hours total. If you have a car, the duration is approximately the same.
Where you can stay: If you’ve got your own supplies, we recommend camping: there are gorgeous state parks, tranquil campgrounds, and ample scenes of nature. You’re here to escape city living, so might as well take advantage of Hudson’s seclusion! We recommend Treetopia Campground (which has rental options, too) and Wild Hudson Valley campground. Wild Hudson Valley offers nature-immersive workshops, scenic trails, and in-house educators seeking to connect you to the land.
Activities: You’re at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, so there’ll be hiking opportunities nearly everywhere, but Kaaterskill Falls is one of our favorites: the trail leads you to a waterfall/swimming hole, which is open for swimming. We recommend using AllTrails to find trails and assess their feasibility. If you’re not into the hiking scene, Hudson’s downtown is home to unique coffee shops (MOTO Coffee), bookstore-bar hybrids (Spotty Dog Books & Ale), art galleries (Carrie Haddad & Shakespeare’s Fulcrum) and a plethora of antique stores.
Why do we love Philly? She’s the under-appreciated sister city of New York: she’s gritty, persistent, meaty, textured—she’s got soul. If you’re looking for nature, good eats, cultural immersion, architectural beauty—Philly’s your girl.
How you’ll get there: You could drive, but we seriously suggest taking the train—parking is decently expensive and is hard to come by. Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian line will take you to Philly’s 30th Street Station, which is about an hour and a half trip. The 30th Street Station is about a 10 minute subway ride from Center City.
Where you can stay: The Franklin on Rittenhouse, Hotel Palomar in Center City, and Hyatt Centric are highly rated boutique hotels; plus, they’re close to the attractions we’ll discuss next. If you’re more budget-conscious, there are several chain hotels (think Marriott, Holiday Inn Express) both within the city and directly outside.
Activities: If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to check out Old City—that’s where the Declaration of Independence was signed, where Independence Hall is located, and was the largest area of government, commerce, and finance in the country. If the art scene is more your speed, you can check out the Philadelphia Museum of Art and then head over to South Philly’s Magic Gardens. While you’re in South Philly, you can check out the classic Italian market on 9th Street. Of course, you’re going to have to get a cheesesteak, but forget Geno’s or Pat’s—Steve’s Prince of Steaks is our favorite, and it’s revered by locals.
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