Of course, it’s an immense privilege to be planning cottagecore and cabin retreats, or even use “weekend” as a verb, in These Strange and Uncertain Times. So as we carefully plan weekend trips to nearby towns with our friends, lover(s), or fabulous selves for a one-person getaway, it's still crucial to travel in accordance with the CDC’s evolving Covid-19 guidelines.
The following nine upstate towns offer top-rated experiences in art, culture, and good eats — and lodging is plentiful on sites like Airbnb, TripAdvisor, Plum Guide, and VRBO. We’ve also made a point of plucking the best accommodations, from the affordable to the hyper-luxe, to offer a wanderlust-worthy backdrop for a truly relaxing weekend.
What are you waiting for? Your IRL Hallmark movie set awaits. Only with fewer 2000s-era infinity scarves, more scenic views, and high-powered WiFi.
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Ithaca Falls, NY
According to one helpful person in the R29 comments, "it's practically a crime not to include Ithaca in the upstate town roundups!" So, we're doing just that. This town is home to over 150 waterfalls and is a great place to stop by if you're on your way to Niagra Falls. Ithica is also is known for its unique shopping and dining options at the Ithica Commons.
What to do:
From apple picking to challenging waterfall hikes with stunning views, Ithaca is far from boring. Once you're back from the outdoor festivities, rest your feet at one of the town's must-see wineries and breweries, or peruse the town's best shops.
Where to stay:
Airbnb: For couples and dynamic duos, check out this cozy studio with a mesmerizing view of the Cascadilla Gorge. Not only does it deliver refreshing nature vibes, but it's also located just a quick drive away from downtown and the Ithaca Commons.
VRBO: For parties of four or less, we suggest the 1,000 square-foot, stylishly renovated Park Place House in the heart of Ithaca. With Italian design accents and a great location, this spot is perfect for a weekend getaway.
Hotel: The William Henry Miller Inn carries an impressive 5-star rating and 330 reviews on Trip Advisor. Book this place if you're in the mood for some local, down-to-earth accommodations for your trip. Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Lake Placid, NY
In New York state's Adirondack Mountains lies the historic winter Olympic village and refreshing nature escape known as Lake Placid. From majestic views to crisp, fresh air, this village is the perfect escape from the stressful and boisterous city buzz.
What to do: For the adventurers, feel free to go ziplining over Olympic ski jumps, paddle away on Mirror Lake, and climb some of the town's highest mountains for breathtaking views. For the less daring, Lake Placid also offers enriching museums like the free Olympic Museum that transports visitors "into the iconic past of the region."
Where to stay:
Airbnb: For families looking to get away, check out Valerie's retreat cabin that's nestled on Dewey Mountain and sleeps up to nine guests.
Hotel: Lake Placid's award-winning Crown Plaza resort is a great place for slightly fancier folk. It houses 245 guest rooms and suites (many decked out with jacuzzis), plus a 45-hole golf course, six tennis courts, and many more luxe amenities.
VRBO: If you're looking for a more intimate stay with your significant other, might we suggest The Haus on Mirror Lake? With modern design, waterfront views, and a full-sized kitchen, you might not even want to leave your suite. Photo: Courtesy of Lakeplacid.com
Kingston, NY
Cobblestone streets. Tempeh Rueben sammies. Homesteading for beginners, and artisanal stores for even the pickiest shoppers. Kingston is the historical town where city millennials love to put up their feet on the proverbial milking stool, and it’s just two-ish hours north of NYC.
What to do: Explore the Uptown Historic District as you poke into mom-n-pop shops, and pet the farm animals at Forsyth Park. Munch at concept businesses like the Outdated Café, which is a hybrid antique shop and vegetarian restaurant that could’ve rolled right out of a Nancy Meyers movie. Finally, don’t miss the Four Corners: the only intersection in the U.S. whose four corners’ buildings were built pre-Revolution.
Where to stay:
Airbnb: The Bau Guesthaus is a beautifully restored 1890s townhouse with airy, artful interiors. It sleeps up to four guests, and is smack across the street from the Old Dutch Church.
Hotel: The Church des Artistes is the dream project of a self-described “composer and artist couple who live in a large renovated church hall in the Rondout section of Kingston, and have created a unique bed and breakfast featuring stained glass windows, freshly pressed linens and comfy beautiful bedrooms.”
VRBO: Try this cozy, one-bedroom cottage nestled in the heart of Kingston’s downtown district for a romantic couple's retreat.Photo: Getty Images.
Beacon, NY
As is tradition with NYC’s greener, hippie-denizen environs, Beacon is heaven for art buffs. At just an hour-and-a-half from NYC by car or train, it’s a great spot for a culture trip, even if you only have 24 hours.
What to do: Dia Beacon is one of the premier museums for modern and contemporary art in the United States, housed in a beautifully converted Nabisco box-printing factory. Check out more intimate shows by BAU: Beacon Artist Union, a collective of Hudson artists, and make a sip stop at Denning’s Point Distillery as you saunter around the quaint downtown shopping area.
Where to stay:
Airbnb: This sunny, intimate cottage has a private backyard and is a 5-minute walk to Beacon’s bustling main street.
Boutique hotel: The Chrystie House Bed and Breakfast is five-star-rated, “fully restored nineteenth-century Federal-
style mansion with four acres of historical garden.”
VRBO: This intimate lakefront cottage, which sleeps up to two guests, has a panoramic view of the lake, and is near wineries and some nice hikes. Photo: Johannes Schmitt-Tegge/picture alliance via Getty Images.
Saugerties, NY
Peace, quiet, and a 151-year-old lighthouse that could make Wes Anderson swoon? The village of Saugerties is often bypassed by travelers for bigger towns like Beacon or Woodstock, but holds its own amongst upstate escapes for its nature reserves, culinary scene, and cultural treasures.
What to do: In addition to lighthouse swooning, check out the Opus 40 sculpture park, which houses the lifetime work of Bard College artist Harvey Fite, the Falling Waters Preserve along the Hudson, and the groovy Woodstock Museum. There’s a smorgasbord of tasty restos to pick from, but don’t miss Alleyway Ice Cream, whose dairy and vegan scoops have been crowned “the absolute best ice cream in New York State” by Eat This.
Where to stay:
Airbnb: Stay in The Waterfall Cottage, a modern, cozy three-guest home 15 minutes from downtown Saugerties that backs up to an actual waterfall.
Boutique hotel: The Homestead is nestled into an 80-acre, over 200-year-old animal sanctuary. "[Rooms] feature original wide-plank floors, exposed brick walls, gorgeous fireplaces, and tasteful furnishings."
Plum Guide: Try Drifting On By, a riverfront palace with sweeping views of the Hudson River.Photo: Getty Images.
Red Hook, NY
No upstate town does pastoral romance quite like Red Hook (not to be confused with Red Hook, Brooklyn). The sleepy little town is the perfect place to watch the leaves change color in the fall, and a way to find yourself in pin-drop silence nature about two hours away from NYC.
What to do: Visit insta-darling boutiques like Vaux Vintage, and then go for a stroll in your new linens in Poets’ Walk Park, established in 1850 as a self-declared “series of ‘outdoor rooms’ separated by stands of trees and stone walls — created for the owners of two neighboring estates.” (You can bet Washington Irving was a fan.) Once you’ve written the Next Great Novel, pull up a chair at the Historic Village Diner, a dreamy 1920s stand-alone diner.
Where to stay:
Airbnb: This Relaxing Lake House sleeps up to six guests, and is perfect for an isolated getaway.
Hotel: The Grand Duchess wears its namesake well. The Victorian B&B has retained all of its period charm, inside and out, “from the vintage formal parlors to the privacy of your stylish and charming rooms.”
VRBO: This modern glass house was fully renovated in 2012, and sits on the banks of the trout-filled Roeliff Jansen Kill River.Photo: Getty Images.
Hudson, NY
The pull of this town is not a local secret no more – hell, Vogue recently proclaimed it “the Brooklyn of the Hudson Valley” – but then again, it’s always been a poster child for three staples of upstate exploring: antiques, eccentric architecture, and innovative eats. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City, and perfect for the weekend.
What to do: Go on an architectural bender. Start with Olana State Historic Site, the whimsical 19th century home of the great Hudson River School painter, Frederic Edwin Church, then soak up the rest of the town's Queen Anne mansions (even the Hudson Library is a looker). Plop yourself on Warren Street for the top-notch boutique shopping, and bite into the latest sourdough darling bakery, Breadfolks.
Where to stay:
Airbnb: An immaculately kept renovated townhouse equipped with a private garden is the perfect place to relax, with easy access to Hudson’s restaurant-filled downtown.
Boutique hotel: The Inn at 34 is a 19th-century hotel rooted in homegrown hospitality. “The concept is really quite simple,” reads its website, “As in times past, the owners live and work at the inn. Herbs and vegetables are grown in the garden, bread and pastries baked in our ovens. Our breakfast menu is based on availability from our own garden and neighboring farmers.”
Plum Guide: Gallic Americana is a chateau-inspired apartment that sleeps up to six people. It is walking distance from the shopping and dining district on Warren Street, and feels more like an opulent Parisian apartment than an upstate New York retreat.Photo: Getty Images.
New Paltz, NY
Lest you think this hamlet is merely a crunchy college town, know that it’s actually a mega-historic locale that was settled by the Huguenots in the late 1600s (and inhabited by the Lenape Esopus tribe for centuries prior to that). It has convenient proximity to a vast network of breathtaking state parks and preserves, making it a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast.
What to do: While the town’s main drag is dotted with excellent eateries from across the cuisine spectrum (everything from the authentic Italian fare at A Tavola to pub fare at Garvan’s), the real draw is the outdoors. From north to southwest, the Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska State Park, Awosting Reserve, and the Shawangunk Ridge form an indescribable expanse of nature that offers hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, swimming holes, and scenic views.
Where to stay:
Airbnb: This "Historic Huguenot House," resides in the heart of New Paltz and is the perfect place to return to after a long day of exploring.
Hotel: It’s pretty pricy, but it’s all about location: not only has the historic Mohonk Mountain House has been accommodating guests since 1869, but it’s also located within the Mohonk Preserve, giving you front-row access to the region’s incredible geography.
VRBO: This expansive modern home and its high ceilings are reminiscent of an urban loft circa 1988, yet it offers easy proximity to Minnewaska State Park.Photo: Getty Images.
Narrowsburg, NY
Think all the action happens along the Hudson? Think again. This tiny-but-mighty hamlet is a surprisingly stylish destination nestled along the Delaware River, close to the Pennsylvania border, and boasts creature comforts like boutique shopping and farm-to-table restaurants along with outdoor diversions like tubing and hiking.
What to do: Narrowsburg’s miniature main drag is home to a variety of high-end boutiques — including Mayer Wasner, a multi-brand shop that stocks apparel from Lauren Manoogian and Raquel Allegra; the store and showroom of jeweler and sculptor Pedro Boregaard; and Madame Fortuna, an ornate treasure trove of vintage furniture and findings. (You can recharge over wood-fried pizzas at the Laundrette while taking in breathtaking river views.) Finally, make sure to return home via Route 97 — according to Escape Brooklyn, “a portion of this drive is called The Hawk’s Nest and it’s considered one of the most scenic drives in New York State.”
Where to stay:
Airbnb: This chic sanctuary is within walking distance from the scenic Delaware River, nestled deep in the woods and along a creek for maximum peace and solitude.
Hotel: The Lothian House is a restored Victorian estate decorated with antiques and oddities from throughout time.
Plum Guide: The Floating Farmhouse, located 9 miles from Narrowsburg proper, is a restored 1820s manor that has been featured in shelter bible Dwell. It can sleep up to 10 guests and sits on the bank of an isolated swimming creek.Photo: Getty Images.
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