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If you think a summer vacation needs to be a large-scale production full of flights booked months in advance, pricey hotels, and detailed itineraries, you're wrong. New York has plenty of weekend getaway options that can be just as fun, rejuvenating, and luxurious as you want them to be without wasting time on travel. Whether you're looking for a quick trip to rekindle romance (try wine and oysters in North Fork), a getaway with your college friends (yes, you will have fun in Atlantic City) or just want to nap on the beach (take the ferry to Fire Island and escape Coney Island's crowds), here are ten locations to help you get the most out of the summer Fridays, holiday weekends, and personal days before the ominous return of sweater weather.
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Rockaway
How to get there: Take the A train towards Far Rockaway and get off at Beach 67 St or switch the S at Broad Channel and get off at Beach 98 St. Hopefully it won't take you more than an hour!
Where to stay: Playland Motel, D Piper Inn
Good for: Beaches, group getaway
A spot you can get to with your Metro Card might not sound like the ultimate vacation destination, but thanks to staples like Rockaway Taco and the brand spankin' new Playland Motel, the end of the A-line can actually be pretty appealing. The boutique hotel has 12 rooms, each of which has its own theme (there's one with a Room 237/The Shining vibe and another with a teepee bed, for starters) as well as a tavern with weekly DJ performances and a rotating selection of cocktails. You can also head to Rockaway Beach Surf Club (their summer kickoff party is June 14) for a casual bite, art exhibit or dance party, depending on the time an day. Otherwise, keep it classic with surfing lessons or just a beach towel and a cooler.
Fire Island
How to get there: Take the two-hour Long Island Railroad ride to Patchogue and then head over to the ferry terminal (or take a taxi to the Bayshore or Sayville terminals nearby) to get to the island. But if you have the money, an ExcelAire seaplane from Manhattan's skyport will get you here in just 25 minutes.
Where to stay: The Palms Hotel, Dune Point
Good for: Group getaway, beaches, relaxation
You don't need a timeshare or to split a vacation rental between eight people to enjoy Fire Island. With plenty of hotels on the beach ranging from the more luxurious Palms Hotel to $99 studio rentals at Dune Point you can don't have to miss a day of work to spend time on the island. When you're not at the beach, head to Island Mermaid for its signature Rocket Fuel (a dark rum pina colada with Cruzan 151 and a pool of Amaretto on top) or grab a seafood lunch at Maguire's, where their annual Lobsterpalooza (a three-course meal including 1 1/4 lb lobster or prime rib for just $30 a person) kicks off June 20. Spend the next day alternating between biking the island and hitting the bars, just make sure to get a photo by the historic lighthouse before you leave.
Atlantic City
How to get there: There are a number of buses that will get you straight from NYC (or Brooklyn!) to AC in a little over two hours. You can up the ante by taking the Hampton Luxury Liner or hire a Limo To Atlantic City (yup, that's what the company is called), which can cost $190 to $350, depending on your ride of choice.
Where to stay: The Chelsea, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Good for: Group getaway, nightlife, beaches, food and wine
Despite what Vegas wants you to believe, this Garden State city has plenty of casinos, restaurants and clubs to rival any on the Strip while maintaining some of that historic Boardwalk Empire allure. You can get away with not even leaving hotels like Borgata and Revel, which have sprawling casino floors and some of the city's hottest clubs, pool parties and restaurants (Revel has Marc Forgione's American Cut and Borgata is home to Bobby Flay Steakhouse). For those who want to explore, make sure to head down to the boardwalk mainstays like Tropicana and Trump Taj Mahal, take a dip in the ocean, check out the kitschy shops or even head over to the Absecon Lighthouse to escape the crowds for a bit. If your trip is more couple's retreat than bachelor party, check into a luxury boutique hotel like The Chelsea, book a few spa treatments and head to Chef Vola's for an intimate, hearty Italian dinner—just remember to bring cash, your own wine and make a reservation weeks in advance.
The North Fork
How to get there: You'll want a car to get around the region so either drive straight from New York (about two hours) or take the Long Island Railroad to Greenport and rent a car in nearby Southold.
Where to stay: Fig & Olive Bed and Breakfast, Silver Sands Motel
Good for: Food and wine, romantic getaway
You don't have to save the North Fork for autumn apple picking and pumpkin patches. With elegant wineries, seafood spots and chartered boat tours, Mattituck, Greenport and the area's surrounding towns make for a perfect summer getaway. Head there after work for one of Shinn Estate Vineyards Friday evening events or dinner at Noah's. You can spend the rest of the weekend touring wineries such as Croteaux Vineyards (go for the rosé) or just make a quick pit stop at the Sherwood House Tasting Stand. When it comes to food, oysters are a must whether it's lunch at Blue Canoe Oyster Bar & Grill or an East End Charters boat tour to an actual oyster farm. If you're uncomfortable spending a whole weekend drinking and eating (what's wrong with you?), then squeeze in some kayaking or paddle boarding through Eagle's Neck Paddling Company.
Skylands
How to get there: Your best bet is to drive since you'll want a car to navigate the area anyway. Just take the George Washington Bridge to NJ-4 and NJ-208 and you'll get to the Skylands region in a little over an hour.
Where to stay: The Castle at Skylands Manor, Alpine Haus Bed and Breakfast Inn
Good for: Outdoors, food and wine
If city life has you itching for the great outdoors, do you know that it's actually waiting for you in Northwest New Jersey? In the Skylands region you can spend a weekend kayaking, hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking the 10-mile long Ringwood Trail. For the less adrenaline inclined, walk through the gorgeous Botanical Garden, right by the historic Skylands Manor where you can actually book a room, visit the Lakota Wolf Preserve or book a hot air balloon ride, depending on how you feel about heights. The area is full of endearing bed & breakfasts or awesomely over-the-top inns like Bernard's Inn and Skylands Manor where you can unwind for a day full of activities by sipping on local wines or indulging in hearty Sunday suppers.
The Hamptons
How to get there: On a good day you can get to the Hamptons by car in just under 90 minutes. Otherwise take the Jitney, Long Island Railroad or, if you have $525 to spend one-way, book a charter flight and you'll get there in a flat 45 minutes.
Where to stay: The Capri Hotel, The American Hotel
Good for: Beaches, food and wine, group getaways, nightlife
For a luxurious Long Island experience, head to Southampton and East Hampton where you can party, dine or simply relax through the weekend (just watch out for pesky Kardashians.) If you're there to play, check into a buzz-y hotel like The Capri or Sole East Resort, both of which boast poolside DJs and parties throughout the summer and spend the day in the sun before heading to Sienna Restaurant or Georgica, which features a brand new menu, for dinner. The day of the week will dictate where you spend the rest of your night this summer with Saturdays in full swing as regular weekday hot spot Georgica will be taken over by LDV Hospitality, Finale will host weekly #IHEARTSUMMERSATURDAYS parties and The Capri will boast beach parties hosted by Travis Bass. Also check the calendar for Travis Wild's Animal Party dates and the return of The Box's Hamptons outpost. If you're aiming for a rejuvenating weekend away, bypass the parties for a little shopping. Check out the Parrish Art Museum or just hit one of New York's most gorgeous beaches until dinnertime at Nick and Toni's or The Plaza Café.
Montauk
How to get there: About three and a half hours by car (or a little longer if you take the Old Montauk Highway scenic route), you can also take the Hampton Jitney from various points in the city or the Long Island Rail Road.
Where to stay: Gurney's Inn, The Surf Lodge
Good for: Beaches, group getaways, nightlife
Between the surfers, yogis, and the New York's declared influx of hipsters, there's something from everybody at The End. Stay at the new and improved Gurney's Inn or trendy Surf Lodge and spend the day in the water at Ditch Plains (lessons through Sunset Surf Shack run about $60 an hour) or browsing through various vintage boutiques in town. In the evening, grab dinner at open-air Hideaway or one of the season's pop up restaurants, head to Ruschmeyer's or The Sloppy Tuna for drinks and then nurse your hangover with Lucky J's Chicken and Waffles in the morning, or sweat it out at a Hot'auk Yoga Bikram class.
Catskills
How to get there: It's best to just rent a car and drive two hours north, up the Palisades Parkway to NY-17 to enter the Catskills region. Otherwise, Adirondack Trailways operates daily buses out of Port Authority that will get you to several towns including Woodstock and Hunter.
Where to stay: The Roxbury, The Graham & Co.
Good for: The great outdoors, quick getaway, relaxation
The Catskills have always been cool, but they're coming back into fashion as a go-to getaway for New Yorkers thanks to a number of new top-notch restaurants and boutique hotels. The Roxbury, for example, features rooms modeled after 1960's discos or wizard's lairs, while Graham & Co. feels distinctly hipster with its free bikes and nightly bonfires with outdoor movie screenings. While it might be tempting to hole up at The Roxbury's bar or Graham & Co.'s outdoor pool, the area boasts dozens of hiking trails of ranging intensity and incredible views as well as plenty of scenic drives to get you from breakfasts at old school diners like Mama's Boy Café to dinner at Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room.
Wildwood
How to get there: From June 21 to September 1 you can catch daily buses from Port Authority that will get you here directly in about three hours. During other dates you'll have to transfer at the Atlantic City bus terminal.
Where to stay: Port Royal, Oceanic Hotel
Good for: Group getaways, nightlife, beaches
Do your part to keep New Jersey strong and head to the shore for a wonderfully cheesy—and super fun—experience. With over a hundred rides and attractions along the boardwalk's 2-mile stretch, there's something for thrill seekers and your 8-year-old nephew alike. At Morey's Pier you can ride The Great White rollercoaster or, for the more adventurous, the Skycoaster where you're pretty much swinging by a string 100 feet in the air. Take a break at Stubborn Brothers Beach Bar & Grill before heading to the beach (for a Monster Truck ride, parasailing, jet skiing or just a nap) or a waterpark in the afternoon. Hit the arcade or mini golf at night before hitting one of the town's Irish bars or Club Shakers for more of an MTV-style Jersey Shore experience.
Beacon
How to get there: Hop on the Metro North at Grand Central and take the 90-minute train ride directly to Beacon. From there you can walk around or take a taxi to your destination.
Where to stay: The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls, The Swann Inn of Beacon
Good for: The arts, shopping, romantic getaway
A quaint and super-convenient destination for the art-inclined, this Hudson Valley town has several small galleries on top of the sprawling modern DIA: Beacon museum or the historic Van Wyck Homestead Museum. You can take an easy hike to Mt. Beacon, catch a Hudson Valley Renegades baseball game (the home opener is June 13), or just browse the shops and restaurants along Main Street, which stay open late the second Saturday of every month to coincide with various musical, dining or art events. Make sure to stop by The Hop to sample one of their 150 craft beers paired with mouthwatering meat and cheese plates or homemade sausages, terrines and pâtés.