Our Favorite Weekend Getaway Destinations In the U.S.

While planning a quick weekend away might sound easier than planning a long vacation because there are fewer days to fill, the truncated timeline might actually make it more difficult to nail down an itinerary. Deciding how to spend a precious few nights out of town is a lot of pressure. If you get it wrong, you’ll have no buffer days to turn things around. Plus, options aren’t as limited as you’d think — there’s probably more to see within a few hour’s drive from your hometown than you ever thought! 

A few of us here at Katie Couric Media were reminded of this during a recent company retreat to Cedar Lakes Estates in Port Jervis, New York. It was only 90 minutes away, but a completely new experience to many attendees (aside from Katie, who’d been there for her daughter Ellie’s wedding in 2022). And it didn’t disappoint: With charming, luxe accommodations; unbelievably impressive farm-to-table food; and camp-like activities on the vast property, we were all reminded of how many gems are within our reach. Safe to say, we’re all hoping for the opportunity to return. (Luckily, it operates as a hotel a few months out of the year.)  

To help you plan a guaranteed-to-please getaway, we asked our staff for their favorite easy-to-access destinations around the country. Depending on where you’re based, you might not even need to book a plane ticket to commence your relaxation — but some of these will be worth a flight if you’re open to it. Whether you’re looking for a summer vacation or an escape for a long weekend, here are our favorite hideaways.

Best Easy-To-Access Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

Callicoon Hills, NY

This destination in the Catskills is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City, three-and-a-half hours from Philly, and four-and-a-half from Boston, but it delivers a true escape from the hustle and bustle. The resort embodies glamping in all the best ways: There are rooms outfitted in rustic-chic decor and stocked with Malin + Goetz products, or go the minimalist route in one of their A-frame cabins. On site, you can swim, do yoga, take a steam in one of the Scandinavian saunas, indulge in nightly s’mores by the firepit, or simply wander the 23-acre grounds and immerse yourself in nature. If you want to go off the resort, hiking trails, skiing options, and cute towns like Callicoon and Jeffersonville to explore await. –Sara Levine, Managing Editor of Newsletters

Atlantic City, NJ

Perhaps a hot take, but when I want a Vegas-style getaway on a beer budget, I hit up Atlantic City. It’s about two-and-a-half hours driving (or by bus, if the Greyhound is your speed) from midtown Manhattan, and even quicker from Philadelphia — less than an hour and a half by car. This all makes it a solid weekend trip option (which I think is the ideal length of stay for AC anyway). There’s no shortage of hotels to stay in, but my go-to is the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Between the excellent restaurants (American Bar & Grill and Angeline by Michael Symon are my favorites), the concert venue and nightclub, plus numerous pools, a beer garden, and of course the casino, I can do everything on my agenda without leaving the hotel. –Sara L.

Wilmington, VT

There’s never a bad time to visit Vermont. While winter has an obvious appeal for skiing, the spring, summer, and fall are also fantastic times to travel to the green mountain state. Most people don’t realize that Southern Vermont is actually less than a 4-hour drive from New York City, and many parts of the state are less than 4 hours from Boston. While there are tons of tiny towns to tour (like Bennington, Brattleboro, and Putney), my favorite is Wilmington. About a 10-minute drive from Mount Snow (Vermont’s southernmost big mountain), the town’s compact village center is full of independently owned shops, inns, and restaurants (many of which offer mouth-watering farm-to-table meals). Speaking of inns, The Wilmington Inn is a delightfully charming bed-and-breakfast that is the picture of tranquility. In the summer you can rent kayaks or boats and explore Lake Whitingham, or trade in your oars for clubs and swing away at one of the numerous golf courses. Most importantly, you can stock up on your maple syrup and cheddar cheese. –Mary Agnant, Senior Video Producer

Roscoe and Livingston Manor, NY

Perhaps this is cheating since I spend about half my time upstate anyway and my partner lives in Roscoe, but I’m a huge fan of the small towns Roscoe and Livingston Manor, NY. Both are about a 3-hour drive from NYC (or a 4-hour bus ride, which is what I usually do), making it easy to access for a quick weekend trip. Roscoe is full of amazing restaurants for its small size, including one at The Yarra, which is also a bed and breakfast, and chances are you’ll find my partner and I enjoying a cocktail and inhaling a fried chicken sandwich at The Junction bar if you ever swing by. In Livingston Manor (or “The Manor” as tourists lovingly call it), I recommend stopping by Sunshine Colony for a glass of wine and amazing conversation with regulars and the staff there, and be absolutely sure to stop by The Walk In for a breakfast biscuit. When it comes to places to stay, I highly recommend The Arnold House for an upscale weekend in the woods or The North Branch Inn if you’re in the mood for a modern B&B experience with a nearby spa. There are also plenty of breweries to visit within the area (like Catskill Brewery and Upward Brewing), which are also close to hiking trails if you want to fill your lungs with some fresh air after a brew or two. –Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor 

Santa Cruz, CA

If you’re in Northern California and aren’t in the mood for Bay Area city hopping or wine country, a visit to Santa Cruz might be right for you. This college town is home to exquisitely laidback NorCal vibes, gorgeous hiking trails, and — most importantly —  a theme park. But not just any theme park; the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (“in the warm California sun” — if you know, you know) is an amusement park with a distinctly vintage feel. It’s got a wooden roller coaster, a glow-in-the-dark cave train ride, and a carousel that’s been around since 1911. Plus, it’s directly on the beach, which means you can take a break from rides and games to hang out in the water. Oh, and they filmed The Lost Boys there. Stay at the Chaminade Resort and Spa for a massage, a dip in a hot tub, and a moonlit dinner. Need I say more? — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

Fredericksburg, TX

An approximately two-hour drive from Texas’s capital of Austin brings you to this charming town in the heart of Hill Country. If you really want to have a one-of-a-kind trip, stay at Barons Creekside — a unique cabin resort with expansive rolling acres and access to two creeks. Fredericksburg is crawling with wineries, so there’s plenty of vino to enjoy, whether you’re a certified oenophile or just happy to drink whatever’s in front of you. If you don’t imbibe (or just need a break), the area has an adorable downtown strip with lots of shopping and restaurants. The culture of the German immigrants who founded the town in the late 19th Century is still evident today, so it’s a great place to enjoy schnitzel, spätzle, bratwurst, and beer. And it’s a special treat during the holidays when the streets are decked out with cozy decorations for Christmas. — Ryan Buxton, Features Director

Vail, CO

Two and a half hours west of the Mile High City you’ll find a charming ski town named Vail. While most people think of Colorado as the majestical snowy escape, it also hosts some of the most incredible spring and summer foliage. Whether you enjoy mountain biking and hiking or shopping and dining, there’s something for everyone in this little slice of heaven. The summer days are warm and sunny and evenings chilly and refreshing. In the summer, some of my favorite activities are horseback riding in the mountains followed by some time with the iconic goats of Vail Stables, and then a late lunch at Mountain Standard. Their warm pimento cheese and a glass of bubbles while watching the river is truly what dreams are made of. Afterward, head over to your hotel and get in an afternoon nap, ideally at The Four Seasons overlooking the mountains. If you’re more of a winter wonderland type of person, the mountain has excellent skiing and an even better Apres scene (which we all know is the most important). Nothing beats the fresh mountain air to reset the soul. – Samantha Olguin, Account Executive

Fire Island, NY

I’ve been going to Fire Island for over a decade, and my mom did the same when she was my age. A former flame introduced me to this special slip of land and I could never quite shake the hold it’s had on me — even after the relationship ended. I’ve been back with my husband and I’m about to go for my sister’s 40th birthday. Fire Island is where those who can’t Hampton go. And by can’t, I mean, don’t want to. Fire Island isn’t inexpensive by any means, but the vibe is more laidback and friendlier than other vacation destinations on Long Island. Even though you have to take a ferry to get there, I actually think it’s a better journey than plowing through traffic to get to the East End. You can take the Long Island Railroad from NYC to the ferry and hop on a quick boat ride. There are no cars allowed on Fire Island, which contributes to the magic. And you’ll soon see why — the roads are very much made for walking. They’re narrow and sandy, and you can get from the bay to the beach in about eight minutes. All the towns are enticing but Ocean Beach is the liveliest one, while Fair Harbor might be the most family-friendly and Fire Island Pines is famous for its LGBT scene. Everything in your town of choice will be a short walk away, and if you want to explore more, you can take a water taxi. It’s truly a dream. —Maggie Parker, Deputy Editor

Lenox, MA

It pleasantly surprised me to learn that you can get from Manhattan to Lenox, MA without a car — a Peter Pan bus travels directly from Port Authority to several towns in the Berkshires in about two-and-a-half hours — though you’d probably want a car to get around once you get there. (It’s also two-and-a-half hours from Boston and a quick 45 minutes from Albany, NY.) Lenox has an adorable Main Street section where you can walk around and explore shops and restaurants — my favorite was Pizzeria Boema, which offers delicious, wood-fired pizzas in an airy space. It’s also a quick drive or bus ride on the BRTA Bus to the outlets in Lee. Final recommendation: To really maximize the vibe, stay at The Constance, a charming inn in a prime location (with a pretty impressive breakfast spread). –Sara L., Newsletter Editor

Cape Cod, MA

I’ve been going to Cape Cod with my family since I was a tot, and it’s well worth the four-hour drive from NYC. There are also buses from NYC to the Cape. And it’s only 90 minutes and very easily accessible from Boston. If you wish the Hamptons had a little more grit and a little less obvious affluence, Cape Cod is calling. The houses are just as beautiful, but the accents are different and crowds aren’t as trendy, in the best way possible. You can see whales, sharks, and palatial estates with presidential history, especially if you hop on a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or Chappaquiddick. —Maggie P., Deputy Editor