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

Montauk in Winter

2009-11-29T09:15:00-08:00

We're a big fan of Montauk in any season, but the tip of Long Island can be a particularly relaxing, sedate getaway in the dead of winter. (It's cheaper to stay out there too.) And did you know there's ice-skating at the lighthouse?

We did a bit of research into Montauk in the cold months and found some helpful sites for you.

General Background:
Trip Advisor Forum: Montauk in Fall & Winter
Montauk Online Guide

Lodging:

On Montauk -- search available properties.
Montauk Manor -- Tudor-style resort with lots of character
Long Island Host Directory -- Nice list of Montauk hotel options

Excursions:
Article on winter cod fishing excursions from Montauk

Must Visit:
The Montauket Restaurant and Bar We flag this as a must visit for the great coast and sunset views and highly recommend visiting for at least a drink, if not dinner one night. The decor is a bit divey, but the character and the views more than make up for this.

Video:
Here's a some footage detailing one local's love affair with Montauk in winter.

Need more suggestions? We have a few:

More NYC area winter getaway tips here.

Ashram Getaways From New York City

2009-08-28T13:46:00-07:00

It seems Ashram getaways are becoming a "trend" for a certain segment of New Yorkers. We just stumbled across a Gawker post on "Ashram Getaways are the New Spa Getaways."

Looking for a weekend mini-vacation that focuses on the rigorously spiritual? While doing the communal dinner dishes and not speaking to anyone all weekend may not be our own personal idea of fun, we can see the appeal for overworked and over-stimulated city-dwellers looking for a more authentic experience for their disposable time and income. To that end, we've assembled some helpful links to get you started:

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch, Woodbourne. This ashram, founded in 1976 on the principles of hatha yoga, offers four hours of yoga a day in this style. It also has special programs, including family weeks and juice fasting.

Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, Woodstock. The mornings here start at 5 AM with meditation and chanting followed on weekends by Buddhist teachings. In the afternoon, a similar schedule is repeated.

Ananda Ashram, Monroe. This retreat holds several kinds of yoga lasses, including hatha, anusara and vinyasa, and has a theater that shows dance performances and plays. Late risers will appreciate the 8 a.m. start time to most days.

Dai Bosatsu Zendo, Livingston Manor. Everyone is required to follow this Ashram's 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls, work, practice and silence.

Zen Mountain Monastery, Mount Tremper. Guests can visit this 230-acre property on most Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings for an introduction to meditation and Buddhism. Standard weekend reatreats are also offered.

Blue Cliff Monastery, Pine Bush. A Vietnamese Buddhist monastery opened in summer '07 in a converted conference center. The food is 100% vegan, and students and those 65 and older get a discount on overnight stays.

Vivekananda Retreat, Ridgely, Stone Ridge. Twice daily meditation sessions anchor the retreat schedule and yoga classes are offered on sutras or Vedantic scriptures. Four hours of unstructured time each day is built into the schedule.

Labor Day Weekend Getaways, Fall Weekend Trips, And Beyond...

2009-08-11T00:15:23-07:00

Looking to get away from New York City this Labor Day weekend and perhaps later in the Fall? We've been doing some research into bargains, quirky getaway packages, unknown vacation gems, long distance trips, weekend B&B excursions, and more. Below, find links to some of the Labor Day and Fall 2009's most appealing travel options around and beyond NYC.

The New York State Tourism Board's blog has a round up of interesting Adirondack weekend vacation packages, including B&B specials, hiking excursions, and couples massage-themed escapes.
LINK: [Adirondack Fall Vacation Packages: The Beat]

If the previous link appealed to you, consider following the NY State Tourism board on Twitter: LINK: [@I_LOVE_NY]

Interested in kayaking? Rapids are shooting up at a variety of recently-closed old dams in the Tri-State area. The NYT has the scoop.
LINK: [As Dams Go Down, Kayaking Rises]

Here's a classic NY Mag piece on last minute Labor Day escapes from the city, including lesser-known gems in Nantucket, Lake Placid, and the Berkshires.
LINK [Last Minute Getaways - Four Nearby Options for Labor Day Weekend]

For last minute airfare out of town, you'd do well to check Side Step, Travelocity's last-minute deals, as well as the Airfair Watchdog's New York section.
LINK [Airfare Watchdog's NYC Airfare Page]

Also, keep in mind that the cheapest airfares of the year usually occur between Labor Day and the end of October, so if you're looking to take a jaunt away from the Eastern seaboard, the early Fall is the time to do it.
LINK [You'll Find the Cheapest Airfares Now Through October 30]

New York City Beach Getaway Options: Beaches Close to NYC

2009-06-28T00:45:00-07:00

As the thermometer just keep rising, 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 beach suggestions...

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]

4th of July Getaways From New York City: Flee NYC on Independence Day Weekend 2009

2009-06-14T17:08:42-07:00

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 weekend page. 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...

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 events in NYC 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!

Summer Getaways From NYC: Escaping the New York Heat

2009-06-12T01:20:00-07:00

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 to find the best summer getaways and escapes 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]

Vacationing Along The Canals of New York State

2009-05-25T14:06:15-07:00

Though it may seem like an ancient relic of elementary school songs and a bygone era of manufacturing, the Erie Canal and many waterways like it still exist and even thrive. And, lately, the canals of New York State have been attempting to reinvent themselves as vacation destinations.

We just discovered a very interesting travel website - NyCanals.com. It's dedicated to promoting vacations, daytrips, and recreation along the Erie Canal and several other New York State canals.

According to the site:

Canal cruising, a European-style holiday, is truly a vacation filled with adventure. ... From new canal harbors and waterfronts, to more than 220 miles of Canalway Trails along its waterline, no matter how you float it, boaters enjoy 524 miles of surprise after surprise.

“Most people still do not realize that the New York Canal System offers boaters an alternative to cruising the ocean or lakes,” said Matthew Behrmann, Director of the New York Canal Corporation. “Traveling along one of the Canals is a wonderful boating trip because each mile is filled with new adventures.”

Owned and operated by the New York State Canal Corporation, the 524-mile New York State Canal System is a network of navigable, inland waterways that take travelers to nearly every major city in New York State – a necklace of more than 40 communities.

The site has a ton of history relating to the canals, as well as tips on plum sections of the system that have been converted to recreational or entertainment use. You'll also find tips for chartering a canal cruise or renting your own houseboat and seeing the state under your own power.

If we had a week to spare this summer, this might be something we'd look into!

LINK: [Vacationing on The Canals of New York State]

Last Minute Memorial Day Weekend Getaways For New Yorkers

2009-05-18T23:46:38-07:00

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 eing 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.

Fleeing New York For The Weekend or Longer? Here's The Latest on Interesting Options.

2009-05-08T09:20:06-07:00

The New York Post's travel section is running a great series this year on getaways to all 50 states. [50 States, 50 Stories - NYP]

New York Magazine has some tips on the plummeting cost of a luxurious weekend in Miami. [5-Point Weekend Escape Plan: Upscale Miami]

Want to Flee New York in New York? Why not make plans to do something no one's done in eight years? The Statue of Liberty's Crown is will again on July 4. [New Yorkology: Statue of Liberty Crown Reopening]

Curious about our ugly step-sister to the South? The New York Times spent a weekend exploring the latest interesting stuff in Philadelphia. Their assessment? "Philadelphia's evolution from day trip to destination city is such that you can spend a long weekend there without visiting any 18th-century sites, and not even miss them." [36 Hours in Philadelphia - NYT]

And this is probably the most useful link of all. Check out this comprehensive list of websites that the NYT's "frugal traveler," Matt Gross, uses to do his travel research. There were a couple interesting sites on the list we hadn't seen before, such as Oanda.com -- a one-stop shopping spot to compare the latest foreign exchange rates. [Research: The Traveler's Best Friend - NYT]

New York Travel and Getaway Blog Roundup

2009-04-01T23:09:25-07:00

This is a pretty good find. Four different bed and breakfasts in Ithaca are offering a free night's stay this Spring to hybrid drivers. Why not rent a Prius and enjoy a cost-effective weekend upstate? [I Love NY Blog]

Check out 111 New Yorkers talking about where they'd like to escape to ... and why. [NY MAG]

Is Buffalo a realistic Spring getaway destination? The New York Post thinks so! [NY Post]

With the recession on, Atlantic City is offering deeper discounts than ever before. [NY Daily News]

Find out how Twitter is helping travelers the World over -- with timely advice from strangers. [NYT Frugal Traveler]