Drive a couple hours from New York City in any direction and you’ll find mountains, charming towns and natural beauty. While there is a lot to do in NYC in the winter, it’s one of the best seasons to explore the surrounding areas. Cure the cold weather blues with a weekend trip to one of these ten winter getaways from New York City.

Hudson, NY

Located 2.5 hours from NYC, Hudson feels like a taste of Brooklyn in upstate New York. It’s one of the most vibrant towns in The Hudson Valley. Stay at the cozy Rivertown Lodge (the lobby has a fireplace and board games) or the newly opened and very fashionable The Maker Hotel. Warren Street, the town’s main street, is full of eclectic boutiques, antique stores and delicious restaurants (my favorites are Backbar and Wm. Farmer Sons). This is a great town for shopping and cafe hopping, or visit a local brewery- Suarez Family Brewery is a popular stop.

The Catskills, NY

The Catskills is a mountain region in southeastern New York. This area is a winter wonderland with multiple ski resorts, hip hotels and plenty of hiking. If you’re into winter sports Windham Mountain and Hunter Mountain are great options for tubing, skiing and snowboarding. The area is experiencing a “hipster” renaissance of sorts and offers a variety of design focused hotels, two favorites are Kenoza Hall and Scribner’s Lodge. There’s great dining in this area including Brushland Eating House and Phoenicia Diner. The town of Woodstock (yes, that Woodstock) is also located in The Catskills and it’s full of unique restaurants. There are endless hiking opportunities in this area, but a great option (with a waterfall!) is the hike at Kaaterskill Falls Trail.

New Hope, PA

This charming town in Bucks County is perfect for the art lover. Located on the Delaware River, New Hope is a beautiful and historic town that’s a true hidden gem! In fact, George Washington stayed here before he struck against the British, an action that led to America’s independence. New Hope’s main street is full of art shops, restaurants and boutiques. The area is also very LGBTQ+ friendly and is home to a large pride parade each year. The art scene is booming in New Hope and I recommend checking out the theater at Bucks County Playhouse and the local art galleries.  If you’re visiting for an overnight stay I recommend booking a room at The Ghost Light Inn and making a reservation to dine at some of the town’s hot spots, including Nektar and Stella.

Skaneateles, NY

This beautiful lake town is located in The Finger Lake region of New York. There are many great towns in The Finger Lakes (check out my full guide here) but this is my favorite. While lake towns are typically regarded as summer getaways, and Skaneateles is home to one of the cleanest lakes in the country, it’s a great destination year-round. The town’s main street runs along the water and is picture perfect. It’s especially gorgeous in winter when it looks straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie! Skaneateles holds an annual Dickens Christmas festival with actors dressing up like characters from the story and walking around town. A stay at the gorgeous Mirbeau is a must and I highly recommend booking a treatment in their award winning spa.

Cape May, NJ

Cape May is another traditional summer destination that makes a great winter respite from NYC. This Victorian Era town is situated along New Jersey’s shore. Located at mile marker 0, it’s the farthest south shore town in NJ! Winter is off season, and some businesses do close, but it’s a great time to take advantage of low hotel rates and fewer crowds. Congress Hall is the coolest hotel in town that’s also home to some great restaurants including Blue Pig Tavern. Winter is a great time to visit because Cape May goes all out for Christmas! The town’s gingerbread Victorian homes deck out with decor and the Holiday Lights Trolley Ride takes visitors on a carol-fueled tour of Cape May’s most festive sights.

Philadelphia, PA

While you may imagine a charming town or a ski resort as the ideal winter vacation from NYC, Philly is an excellent destination. The Philly food scene has exploded in recent years, so take advantage of winter’s low crowds to get reservations. Some of the city’s top restaurants are Pizzeria Beddia, Barbuzzo (the salted caramel budino is a not-miss), Wm. Mulherin Sons, and Suraya. Reading Terminal Market is another foodie favorite. This indoor market is full of food stands and grocery merchants that carry every type of cuisine on the planet. When you’re done eating your way around the city, experience some American history by viewing The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Morris, CT

This small New England town set in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills is home to a stellar luxury resort. Winvian Farm is an award-winning resort comprised of 15 elegant cottages, each with its own whimsical design. Winvian isn’t the type of place you leave, and the resort offers a variety of activities including a spa and on-site dining. If you’re really looking to relax from city life, this is the getaway for you!

Lake George, NY

This beautiful town tucked in the Adirondack Mountains comes alive in the winter. Lake George is perfect for the winter sport lover and offers many activities including skiing at Gore Mountain and snowshoeing and cross country skiing on nearby trails. If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience stay at The Sagamore, a gorgeous and historic hotel located right on the lake. The Sagamore has a spa and offers a variety of fun winter events, like The Glacier Ice Bar that’s crafted out of 18,000 pounds of ice!

New Paltz, NY

This Hudson Valley town is home to a SUNY university and offers an interesting mix of artsy college town and historic luxury. It’s only 90 minutes from NYC, so it’s an easy weekend getaway. If you’re looking to indulge, book a room at Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian era resort housed in a 150-year old castle (and historic landmark). It’s located on a huge nature preserve and overlooks Lake Mohonk. Mohonk offers 85-miles of hiking trails and activities are included in the room rate. If you’re looking to explore outside of Mohonk, I recommend visiting Minnewaska State Park. One of the best hikes in the park is Awosting Falls, a short but rewarding walk to a waterfall. New Paltz is also home to some great orchards that make their own cider. Brooklyn Cider House and West Wind are great options.

Skytop, PA

Skytop is located in the Pocono Mountains, which sit between New York and Pennsylvania. Skytop Lodge is the star here. This luxury resort sits on 5,000 acres of beautiful nature preserve and offers ice fishing, ice skating, skiing and snow tubing. The lodge can also arrange for a dog sledding experience with Huskies through Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours.