Ask any true New Yorker and they could easily rattle off ten reasons why New York City is the best city on earth, and it won’t even take them a “new york minute” to do it. We all know that the excitement of living in a city that is brazen enough to call itself the “capital of the world” is not easily matched, but (brace yourself) - there is a world beyond her borders and for some of the most exciting weekend trips out of the city, read on.

Now we do have to remind you (just in case you’ve forgotten) that we are still in the throes of a global pandemic, so before you plan any travels make sure you check out the government’s advice on travel during this period and always reconfirm travel with your airline if you’re planning on flying anywhere.

So, here we go and in no particular order…

#1  THE HAMPTONS

OK, the fact that the Hamptons just happens to be on this list’s number 1 spot is entirely coincidental (or maybe not that much).  This favorite of New Yorkers for decades still takes pride of place for busy city dwellers who need a quick jaunt out of the city, if not for the whole summer (if you’re part of that set of course), and no matter if you’ve been once or dozens of times, the Hamptons still holds some breathtakingly beautiful scenes along gorgeous coastlines.  You can go home spotting to see which of the billionaire’s row houses you’ll be putting on your “vision board” or enjoy the surf at Cooper’s beach or just hang out at the Montauk Salt Cave, there is still so much to see and do here and tons of great hotels to stay in while you’re doing it.  You can take in a show at the Suffolk Theater, go wine tasting, drive the Dune Road and sample beer at the Boardy Barn.  We say “sample” but we may actually mean “consume in very large quantities”.

#2 THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE

“Philly” as she is affectionately known is a mere 1hr and 40-minute drive from the city, but it could just as well be in another country, and to many New Yorkers, it is.  But this city holds a very special place in the heart of the United States and there are dozens of attractions to keep your interest piqued for a weekend away.  There is so much more to the city than cheesesteaks and the “Liberty Bell”, but you’ll absolutely want to do the “Rocky Run”.  Live concerts are back and a staple of the city is the “Live Nation” concerts.  You’ll want to do those.

To head off the beaten track, check out Bartram’s Garden, Zagar Mosaics, Shofuso Japanese Garden, and take in the Mural Arts Tour.

#3 THE CATSKILLS

At a little over 2 and a half hours, the Catskills present a stunning opportunity to leave the concrete jungle behind and embrace tons of activities in absolutely gorgeous surroundings.  There’s the Hunter Mountain Skyride, Pratt Rock, Zoom Flume Water Park, and Catskill Park and that’s just scratching the surface. You can “posh” it up or get back to nature and go camping at over a dozen different sites all taking in the outstanding natural beauty of the area.  This is something of a right of passage for New Yorkers and if you have not done it yet, it should be yours too.  So get some outdoor gear at EcoGearFX.com, and hit the road.  You’ll be SO glad that you did. The world’s largest kaleidoscope, Balsam lake mountain fire tower, Hanah mountain resort, and country club and Ahokan high point are some of the lesser-known attractions around the Catskills but some that you should definitely add to your “to-do” list.

#4  MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE

A 1 hour and 50-minute drive through some amazing scenery, gets you to Mohonk.  It’s hard to describe this place to people who have not seen it yet. Something of a Victorian castle that yet blends into the natural environment, the hotel is a destination in and of itself.  Enjoy heartstoppingly gorgeous views over the lake and then take hikes, go swimming (if you’re brave) or visit nearby parks. The 1994 movie starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, “The Road to Welville” was filmed here and if you fancy kicking it up a gear, book one of the effortlessly stylish suites at around $3000 a night.  Take your camera, leave behind your big city attitude.

#5 CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY

Just 2 and a half hours away from New York City, Cape May offers a stunning coastline to rival anywhere else in the United States.  Friendly locals, wonderful gastronomic culture, and loads of kid-friendly activities that your whole family will love.  Check out the 7-mile brewery, aqua trails, and parasailing club to get your heart racing but whatever you do, don’t pass up the opportunity to take in the last of the season’s sun on that gorgeous beach. Cape May offers something for everyone and you’ll love the vibrant but relaxed night scene too.  To try out a few of the hidden gems of Cape May, check out the Alpacas on the Jersey Shore, visit the Wildwood Aviation Museum and the Willow Creek Winery.

At the end of the day, there’s no place like home and sometimes to truly appreciate how lucky we are to call New York City home, we have to turn our eyes away from the bright lights, even if only for a smidge.  The beauty of New York is that fabulous destinations in just about any direction are within our reach within a couple of hours and so it pays to get online and have a sniff about, after all, time is of the essence and you don’t want to waste your precious hours away getting lost or wondering what to do when you get to wherever you’re going.

When you’re back you’ll have Central Park, the Whitney, and Times Square rolling out their best red carpets to welcome home.