Harriman State Park, the second largest state park in New York, with more than 46,000 acres filled with 31 lakes and 200 miles of hiking trails, is the perfect destination for a weekend trip outside of New York City. For climbers in the state, the Mohonk Reserve offers more than 1000 different climbing routes that can keep you busy from an afternoon to several days in the mountains. The Mohonk Reserve is located in the Shawangunk mountain region, about 2.5 hours north of New York City, and is dedicated to keeping the land accessible for visitors to enjoy. You can access the area by taking the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central Terminal and transferring to the UPL line to New Paltz.
You'll need to call a taxi to take you to the reserve, which is about 2.5 kilometers from the train station. This 150-acre Chinese-style garden offers a wide variety of landscape architecture that corresponds to Chinese landscape design. A short 2-hour drive north of the city will take you to the Innisfree Garden, which was established in 1930 and inspired by the garden of Wang Wei, an 8th-century poet and painter. You'll enjoy waterfalls, streams, retaining walls and terraces that are based on Chinese designs.
Lake Tyrell, located within the gardens, is a 40-acre lake that adds beauty and majesty to the area. The garden is open from Tuesday to Sunday until the third week of October. To get to the garden, you can take advantage of the city's car rental agencies, such as ZipCar, Enterprise, or Hertz, or you can take the North Hudson metro line from Grand Central to Poughkeepsie station and then call a taxi. There's a reason the Adirondack Mountains are so popular with people all over the country.
This incredible mountain range is located in the northeastern part of the state and is about 5 hours from the Big Apple. The area is also known for its many hiking trails, vineyards, waterfalls and water sports. Those looking for a quiet getaway will appreciate the relaxing stand-up paddleboarding available, while those seeking excitement will enjoy extreme whitewater rafting. Visitors to this area will also find excellent opportunities for mountain biking and rock climbing.
Located about 3 hours from New York City, Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for all New York Yankees and Mets fans. The facility is visited by more than 250,000 people each year and is a great way to learn more about the sport's rich history. You'll find baseball fans all over the city, as well as baseball-themed stores and restaurants that have been overcome by a love for the United States' national pastime. You can buy a custom bat and visit the Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum to learn more about the great players who made a difference in the game.
Located in the southern region of the state, the Catskill Mountains offer plenty of opportunities to get back to nature after a short 3-hour drive north from New York City. The short line bus provides direct service to the area from the Port Authority Terminal. The Catskills are part of the largest Appalachian mountain range and are defined as the mountains that border the 700,000 acres of Catskill Park, a forest reserve. Much of the land that is considered part of the Catskills is a dissected plateau and not an actual mountain range.
Visitors can enjoy many different Catskills festivals and events, as well as find outdoor adventures such as mountain biking and hiking. There are plenty of ways to enjoy a fresh farm-to-table meal in the region, as well as plenty of huts that will give you a break from busy city life. The Catskill Mountains are a point of interest for anglers who also explore the area, which is known for its fly fishing opportunities. New York is brimming with ways to experience the peaceful and rejuvenating aspects of nature.
Enjoy numerous outdoor sports opportunities in the Catskill, Adirondacks, or Breakneck Ridge mountains, as well as the epic rock climbing trails at Mohonk Preserve. Watkins Glen State Park and the Innisfree Garden are ideal for families who also want to get out in nature. Nor can any baseball fan miss a weekend trip to Cooperstown for a fun-filled weekend of baseball. Either of these options is a great way to get back to nature for a weekend getaway out of town.
Although there are dozens of trails in Minnewaska State Park, this simple tour takes you along beautiful Lake Minnewaska. It's one of the most photogenic places to exist on a clear day, the calm waters are so deep blue that they could be your own Instagram filter. You'll enjoy the best of both worlds with this exhausting tour along the Shawangunk Ridge, which passes halfway through Lake Minnewaska before traveling through diverse terrain with spectacular cliffs, giant rock formations, dense evergreen forests and breathtaking views. If you're looking for an active weekend getaway from New York, perhaps one that combines rock climbing and enjoying local beer, wine, and spirits, the locals recommend New Paltz.
If you want to plan your weekend getaway to New York on a tight budget to New York City, plan a camping trip to beautiful Bear Mountain. Take advantage of the many outdoor spots that are just a few hours away from New York City, such as a weekend getaway to a cabin in the woods. Beacon Mountain looms over the city, making it the perfect weekend getaway if you're looking for a small-town scene with great hiking. .
