Romantic Weekend Getaways from NYC

As the most densely populated city in the US, New York City is a fantastic destination that many people can’t wait to visit again. You can stay in a historic hotel or live the high life in one of the many luxury properties throughout the city, but there’s still something to be said for the places locals go for a relaxing weekend away. Here’s our selection of great escapes perfect for a future romantic getaway from New York.

Our hot tip here is to visit Salem, but stay in Boston. The sleepy town famous for historic witch trials is a cute destination worth spending a fair amount of time in, but to make the most of a weekend getaway, find a place to stay in Boston. The cities are only 3o minutes apart by train, and easy to reach by road, too. There’s a great museum in Salem that will respectfully tell you everything you need to know about the traumatic events from the past that have shaped the reputation of the town. Halloween is also a big tourist attraction here, but in reality it can all get a bit too rowdy around that time.

Portland, the largest city in the state, boasts some unusual attractions alongside classic favorites. The Old Port is where you really want to spend time, as it’s geared for tourists without feeling too commercial. Nineteenth-century red brick buildings still have a lived-in feel (probably because they are still lived in) and the cobblestone streets are perfect for romantic walks at sunset.

Coastal town New Haven was one of the first planned residential areas in America. The layout of its center still resembles the simple, yet practical original grid layout. Yale University is located here, but the student vibe isn’t overbearing and there are some great cultural attractions. New Haven is also one of the top foodie destinations in America, and you could easily spend a delicious weekend going from restaurant to restaurant before returning home.

Now we’re going to give you an idea of the sheer size of New York, and also discover why locals go to great lengths to differentiate the city from the rest of state. The Catskills is the wonderfully named region around the Catskills Mountains that is proud of its old frontier heritage. In winter you can head to the slopes for some skiing action, whereas the forested areas provide an excellent summer retreat for in-the-know Manhattanites. The drive here from New York City takes less than two hours, so you don’t have to stress about a lengthy journey, and the reward is a wonderful slice of rural America.

It might seem odd to go from one major city to another when looking for a romantic getaway, but Philadelphia has such a unique charm that we had to include it on this list. It’s similar to Boston, in terms of history rubbing shoulders with modern urban cool pretty much everywhere you look, and the diverse make-up of the city makes for a cultural getaway you’ll want to get your teeth into. After a day stepping back in time and sampling some of the best food in America, you’ll feel justified in retiring to one of the city’s superb hotels on your Philadelphia romantic getaway.

Looking for more accessible escapes from the Big Apple? Our guides to the most affordable family getaways and warm weather destinations have you covered, with hotels and accommodation bookable on Culture Trip.