Flee New York: Weekend Getaways, Day Trips, Vacations and More (Beta)

Time Out New York's Excellent Weekend Getaways List

Earlier this summer Time Out NY published a great list of weekend getaways from the NYC areas, and we somehow missed it! 

If you've missed it too, you'll definitely want to take a look.  They've organized the list by fairly humorous categories ranging from short day trips to whimsical train rides to full-fledged drives up and down the East coast.

Categories include:

• Staycations
• Metro North getaways
• Hamptons destinations
• Eastern seaboard stops
• Day trips
• God's Hideaways

The list is playfully voiced, but includes some gems we hadn't heard of yet -- like the world's "smallest church" in Oneida and and the "small boat shop" in Norwalk.  And that's just the small stuff!  Head over and check out the list if you're in need of some weekend trip suggestions you can't find here on Flee New York.

LINK: Time Out NY's Weekend Getaways List

20% off Amtrak and 5% Off Enterprise Cars This Summer for NYS Metro North and Amtrak Destinations

We just stumbled across an interesting special from the New York State Tourism board.  As part of a New York State "Larger Than Life Summers" promotion, Amtrak, Enterprise, and Metro North are offering discounted fares to destinations like the Hudson Valley, Saratoga, the Adirondacks, and more.

The best part: Enterprise will pick you up at any one of 23 different Amtrak or Metro North location!

Here are some details:

Enjoy a 20% Discount on Amtrak to NYS destinations. Then have Enterprise pick you up at the station and save an additional 5% on your rental car! If you ride Metro-North, you can also save 5% with the Enterprise/Metro-North discount.

All the details are available on a special website:

LINK: [I Love NY Larger Than Life Summers]

A New York City "Staycation?"

Gas prices and airfare putting a cramp in your plans to get out of town?  We just read in The New York Observer that, starting today, the city's tourism board will be passing out flyers and giving locals special incentives to enjoy some leisure time right here in the city.  We've pasted the entire announcement from Nycvisit.com/golocal below!

NYC & COMPANY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS LOOKING TO VACATION THIS SUMMER

TO ‘GO LOCAL’

—Six-Week Initiative Highlights Activities Across the Five Boroughs to Help Residents Explore One of the World’s Top Travel Destinations and Off-Set Vacation Costs during Recession—

—Weekend of July 25 events include Governors Island Folk Music Festival, Rockaway Beach Sandcastle Contest, and the Latino Film Festival—

New York, NY (July 23, 2008)—As part of the recently announced ‘Go Local’ campaign, NYC & Company—New York City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization—will kick off a six-week initiative, beginning tomorrow, encouraging local residents to discover the City’s five boroughs this summer. Growing economic concerns and rising gas prices has made travel difficult, but ‘Go Local’ will help New York City residents still get the most out of their summer with weekly itineraries on the top activities taking place across the five boroughs. Over the next six weeks, the NYC & Company campaign will encourage residents to explore the City they live—a city widely recognized as the media, culture, dining, sports, and arts & entertainment capital of the world. Campaign elements will include print advertising, up-to-the-minute online information at nycvisit.com/golocal and street teams at locations across the city including Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford Avenue subway stop in Brooklyn.

“With rising gas prices and an uncertain economy, our goal is to make New York City accessible and appealing to locals and visitors alike–regardless of their budget,” said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company. “While some may find traveling difficult this summer, they should not feel like they have to compromise their normal getaway plans. Nearly 12.5 million people from around the world are expected to come and experience the excitement and vibrancy of New York City this summer—our residents have a tremendous opportunity to do the same. There is an abundance of activities across the five boroughs, many costing little to no money, and everyone—from our citizens to our 46 million visitors—should take the opportunity to explore them.”

New York City forecasts an estimated 12.5 million visitors between June and August this year, up from 12 million visitors in 2007. Hotel occupancies remain strong, with the month of June reaching an 89 percent occupancy rate with an average daily room rate of $325.

This week’s top highlight: Governors Island, one of New York City’s most historically interesting yet undiscovered attractions, offers one of the best vantage points for viewing The New York City Waterfalls, as well as numerous free outdoor activities including free Bike Fridays (govisland.com), which allows visitors to borrow a bike entirely for free on Fridays. Also on Governors Island, on Saturday, July 26, folk-blues balladeer Eric Bibb will perform as part of the Governors Island Folk Music Festival (folksontheisland.com), which takes place every Saturday at Colonel's Row through August 2. The free folk music festival features outdoor concerts beginning at 1.30pm. Traveling to and from the Island is free and easy with the frequent ferry service which leaves for Governors Island from the Battery Maritime Building at the corner of South and Whitehall Streets in Lower Manhattan

Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:

Manhattan

Ideal for “summer-Fridays”, locals should take the opportunity to enjoy the new Dali exhibit currently on show at The Museum of Modern Art (moma.org) while admission is free on Friday evenings from 4-8pm. Additionally, on Friday, July 25, RiverFlicks for Kids (nyc.gov/parks.org) will show the classic film E.T at Pier 46 at Charles Street. The free outdoor screening will begin at 8:30pm and includes free popcorn. Continuing the theme of cinema under the stars, on Saturday July 26, Los Paquetes de Paquita will be screened outdoors as part of the Latino Film Festival (nylatinofilm.com/events/under_stars) at Thomas Jefferson Park. Festivities begin at 6pm and will include a special guest appearance by legendary actress and singer Maria Victoria.

Brooklyn

For a perfect view of The New York City Waterfalls (nycvisit.com/waterfalls/ nycwaterfalls.org) at night, locals should walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy spectacular views of the illuminated monumental-scale public art installation as well as stunning views of the City that residents often overlook. Worth the walk alone, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory situated at Fulton Ferry Landing Pier serves delicious ice cream and is open from noon until 11pm Thursday - Sunday throughout the summer. Reachable by the number 2,3,4 and 5 and B and Q subway lines, on Friday, July 25, world-renowned composer Philip Glass and his ensemble will perform with Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Marta Topferova to avant garde visuals chronicling cultures around the world at Prospect Park Bandshell as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn! (briconline.org) 30 summers of free performances festivities, and on Sunday, July 27, the free JellyNYC (jellynyc.com) pool party suitable for all ages will take place at McCarren Pool from 2pm – 7pm.

Queens

Located on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockaway,_Queens Rockaway, Queens">Rockaway Peninsula of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens Queens">Queens, Rockaway Beach is America’s longest municipal beach totaling seven and a half miles, and is a great place to cool off from the summer heat. Lifeguards are stationed on the beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day and visitors can enjoy the only surfing in New York City, as well as basketball and handball courts, roller-hockey rinks, sitting areas and playgrounds along the boardwalk and adjoining areas. On Sunday, July 27, the 13th annual Sand Castle Contest (nyc.gov/parks.org) will take place from noon – 2pm. Visitors should bring buckets and tools, and for easy access, New York Water Taxi (nywatertaxi.com) operates a weekend ferry service costing $6 each way, between Pier 11 in Manhattan and Riis Landing at Gateway's Breezy Point District in Rockaway.

Staten Island

A new addition allowing visitors to easily explore Staten Island is the Gray Line Discover Staten Island Tour (NewYorkSightseeing.com) hop-on, hop-off bus service with hourly departures every day. Tickets cost just $15 and the tour includes stops at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Zoo, the Forest Avenue Shopping District, Clove Lake Park, Fort Wadsworth and the St. George Ferry Terminal. Visitors can reach Staten Island via the free Staten Island ferry (siferry.com) where refreshments (including beer) may be purchased on board.

The Bronx

One of the borough’s most popular attractions, the Bronx Zoo (bronxzoo.com), which recently opened its newest exhibit, Madagascar, at a cost of $62 million, is part of NYC & Company’s ‘Summer in the City’ savings program and visitors to the zoo can enjoy discounted entry by visiting nycvisit.com/summerinthecity and accessing the 2008 Saving Pass which features close to 200 special savings offers throughout the five boroughs. On Fridays access to the Bronx Museum of the Arts (bronxmuseum.org) is free and visitors to the borough should combine their visit with a trip to Orchard Beach (nycgovparks.org). Referred to as the “Bronx Riviera”, the mile-long crescent beach located at Pelham Bay Park, is ideal for soaking up the sun and there is a boardwalk for people-watching, as well as a band shell where weekend concerts are held and tennis, paddleball and basketball courts.

For more information about staying in NYC this summer go to nycvisit.com/golocal

New York City Beach Getaway Options: Beaches Close to NYC

The Fourth of July holiday is behind us and after the balance of a hot July come the dog days of August in New York City?  How can anyone be expected to get through these summer months without a trip to the beach?  Well, they can't, which is why Flee New York is putting together an ongoing list of convenient beach getaway options within close range of Manhattan Island.  Check back for more beach suggestions...

We defy you to read this New York Times article on Sandy Hook Beach and not want to immediately take the half hour ferry ride from Manhattan.  [Sandy Hook Beach: New York Times]

Check out this video: It's a great introduction to beaches close to NYC that are accessible by public transportation: These include Rockaway Beach (A Train), Coney Island (F Train), and Jones Beach (L.I.R.R.)

For that matter, remember that Long Beach and several other Long Island destinations are available via the Long Island Railroad. [L.I.R.R. Long Beach Timetable]

Here's a fairly informative discussion board with the subject "Beaches Close to NYC." [Ask a New Yorker]

And for you East Coast surfers, be sure to check out the New York Surfrider website for inside info on the best breaks and beaches for surfers. [Surfrider NYC]

July Fourth Last Minute Getaways From NYC? There's Still Time to Flee New York.

Let's face it, if you're surfing the internet this week frantically looking for someplace outside of NYC to spend this Fourth of July weekend, you're probably not a very good planner.  It's one of the New York region's biggest tourist weekends and you haven't had the foresight to book a room somewhere?  Oh brother.  Don't be discouraged, though, we're just as bad and there are still plenty of good options for enjoying the long holiday weekend outside the city.

Option 1:  If you haven't heard of it, surf over to VRBO's New York page.  You can search for still-available rental properties and they're usually pretty good about letting you know if a cabin or guest house remains up for grabs for the current weekend. 

Option 2: Try Travelocity's last-minute weekend page. Right now, it looks like there are flight/hotel deals for about $250 or so to Boston, Nashville, Cleveland, and Fort Lauderdale.  If you want to watch fireworks over a different skyline this is your best bet.  And hey -- beggars can't be choosers if they've left fourth of july weekend planning to the last minute!

Option 3: Pick someplace you've been and enjoyed before and get in touch with the proprietor of the bed and breakfast or hotel you stayed in.  If they don't have vacancy, chances are they'll be able to refer you to one of their colleagues.  We once had good luck with this when planning a last-minute trip to the Jersey Shore's Long Beach island -- incidentally a great place to spend Independence Day Weekend!

Summer Travel From NYC Heats Up

With the first day of summer officially past us, it's time to make plans for fleeing the city and beating the heat and humidity.  You'll find tons of suggestions here at Flee New York -- take a look at our left sidebars and click around.  We've got information about hiking, biking, camping, rail travel, and a whole lot more.  In the meantime, here are five of the great places to start if you're looking to leave Manhattan in the steam and pop out of town for a day, for a weekend, or even longer.

• Head for the tip of Long Island at Montauk.


• Go on an upstate or Canadian lark and visit Niagara Falls.


• Take a day trip on Metro North.


• Drive a short distance and then go hiking near NYC.


• Abandon yourself to air conditioning, slot machines, and beach access and visit Atlantic City.

Happy summer!  And check back with us regularly for more suggestions and updates on day trips, weekend getaways, and vacations from the New York City vicinity.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Rail enthusiasts keen to explore the Adirondacks locomotive-style are in luck!  Be sure to check out the Adirondack Scenic Railroad this summer.

This private railroad offers upscale rail trips on a line that runs from Utica up to Lake Placid.

The rail line invites travelers to "Relive the golden age of railroading, a time when wealthy entrepreneurs like Vanderbilt, Carnegie, J.P. Morgan and Collis P. Huntington built fabulous wilderness estates in the heart of the Adirondacks. The Adirondacks played host to the rich and famous on their way to these Great Camps."

The railroad just finished a wine tasting and train ride promotion for the month of May; they're now running a dinner train during the summer months.  For a complete schedule and tons more information, you can visit their website at the link below.

LINK: [Adirondack Scenic Railroad]

Summer Getaways From NYC: Escaping the New York Heat

The humidity is spiking, the days have grown long, and the L.I.E. between New York and the Hamptons is a freaking zoo from Thursday to Monday.  You've got to get away, and where else but the Internet can you turn for leads and suggestions on how best to escape your own personal music video hell of "Hot Town: Summer in the City."  Flee New York is here for you: Check back all summer long for a regularly updated list of where to find the best summer getaways and escapes from NYC. 

LISTS

The L Magazine's list includes six great suggestions ranging from Hudson River Tubing to Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel in the Catskills. 
[Summer Weekend Getaways: Escape NYC]

New York Magazine's 52 Weekends page is an absolute gold mine.
[52 Weekends out of NYC]

All Getaways has a list of 77 straightforward suggestions...
[New York Weekend Getaways]

Gridskipper has lots of slightly off-center Hamptons coverage and tips.
[Gridskipper Hamptons page]

NYC Pulse has a list of 10 top beaches in the NYC area.
[NYC Summer Beaches]

UTILITY

Airfare Watchdog keeps a close eye on flights out of town.  Some of their discounts are astonishing.
[Airfare Watchdog NYC list]

Travelocity's last-minute packages can sometimes be a good option for getting you up to Maine or Canada.
[Last Minute Packages]

VRBO is a great place to start looking for house and cabin rentals upstate and everywhere else.
[Vacation Rentals By Owner Online]

Hiking Within Range of NYC

We just came across a great site with information on 25 great day hikes within fairly easy driving range of NYC.  If you're looking for some weekend exercise and don't want to travel too far to get it, be sure to check out New York City Day Hiking's website.  Another great resource is the Local Hikes website located on our left sidebar.

LINK [New York City Day Hiking]

Water Taxi Beach: Flee New York in New York

It's June and the summer heat is descending on Manhattan and the other four boroughs of NYC.  And sometimes, you don't have the time or money to make a proper getaway or day trip outside the confines of the Big Apple.

If you're looking for a quick, affordable 4-6 hour respite from the city pavement, you might do well to hop on a city water taxi and head to Long Island City.  Abutting the taxi landing is a real sand beach and bar -- complete with a volleyball court, picnic tables, DJs, and of course frozen margaritas --  it's known as Harry's Water Taxi  Beach and offers a great spot to watch the sun set over Manhattan while enjoying yourself in a beach-style atmosphere.  It's popular with the hipster set, but if you go during a weeknight, you can avoid some lines and get a quiet, perfect view of the skyline at sundown. 

To get there, just take any water taxi to the Long Island City, Queens stop and you're as good as there!

LINK [NYC Water Taxi Beach]