4 Weekend Getaways from New York | Tracy Kaler's New York Life .... — tracysnewyorklife.com

Cape May, NJ 4 Weekend Getaways from New York City  A host of attractive vacation spots are within a few hours’ drive of NYC, so there’s no excuse for ignoring your chance to seize some R&R. Whether you prefer the beach, mountains, or a quaint country town, weekend trips from the city that never sleeps are plentiful and diverse. Here are four weekend getaways from New York City, sure to give you the opportunity to relax and recharge. New Hope, PA /Lambertville, NJ As one of Bucks County’s most charming towns, New Hope is about 90 minutes from the city, barring any crazy traffic conditions. Lined with antique shops, restaurants, cool boutiques, and home of the popular Bucks County Playhouse, you’ll always find something to do in this arty enclave in a bucolic setting.Just a 10-minute walk over the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge –– which spans the Delaware River –– lies, you guessed it, Lambertville, a town populated with Federal townhouses and Victorians, and as picturesque as its neighbor. Lambertville offers an abundance of terrific stores, dining options, art galleries, and the Golden Nugget Antique and Flea Market, one of the largest on the East Coast.Stay in a cozy bed & breakfast in either town; grab a cocktail at the rustic Boat House, and take advantage of one of the BYOB restaurants for dinner. Horseback riding is for the more adventurous, but I highly recommend this as a fun activity for a few hours one afternoon. Manchester, Vermont Less than a 4-hour trip by car, Manchester offers a true country escape from the hurriedness of the city. Although Vermont is widely regarded as a skier’s paradise, summer in the state is lovely too.A true shopper’s destination is the Manchester Designer Outlets in the heart of town, so expect to spend at least part of your Vermont excursion browsing or buying.  Stay in a charming inn; swim in the Emerald Lake; and visit a local working farm like Taylor Farms. Rent a bicycle to tour the area; drive to the top of Mount Equinox for an incredible view of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Bring your credit cards for the shopping and your camera for the photos ops. Cape May, NJ At the southern tip of the Jersey shore is Cape May, a town of majestic painted ladies, sugar sand beaches, and idyllic scenes at every turn. The character of this town is a draw–– the seaside city was declared a national historic landmark in 1976, with the one of the largest collections of 19th-century framed buildings in the country.Cape May’s pristine beaches were voted one of the top ten in the US by the Travel Channel, so you shouldn’t mind the daily $6 beach tag fee per person. After catching some sun, walk the promenade and peruse the local businesses; people watch; grab an ice cream, rent a kayak or jet ski, and take yoga on the beach. Or forget your city instincts and wander aimlessly, soaking up all this lovely beach resort has to offer. Travel time to Cape May should be about three hours if you leave early in the morning or late at night, but be prepared for a longer trip (probably four or more hours) at prime times during the summer season. Greenport, NY One of the largest towns on the North Fork of Long Island, Greenport is former fishing village and whaling port, and now attracts city vacationers as well as visitors from around the world. The area boasts a prosperous food scene, both casual and upscale, with diners who flock from surrounding hamlets as well as the South Fork.Greenport’s waters are home to eight lighthouses. Take a lighthouse cruise through the East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation from June through October. Ride the antique carousel at Mitchell Park, an activity for the whole family. And for oenophiles, sip local bottles at one of the dozens of wineries, located only minutes from town. Or just chill out and enjoy a magnificent sunset, instead.

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