5 Easy Summer Weekend Road Trips From NYC

We all know that travel has drastically changed because of Covid-19, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it at all.

Since I’m hunkered down in Brooklyn right now and thinking about my own summer escapes, in this post, I’m sharing with you 5 easy, summer weekend road trips from NYC.

These 5 destinations are easily reachable from NYC by car, and some by train (if the trains are running). They are also destinations that encourage a lot of outdoor activities. This is key because it’s exactly what we want in the summertime, and outdoor activities are also considered safer right now with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

So, start putting together a good playlist and get your bag packed, because the open road is calling your name!

And one caveat here before we dive into these weekend road trips from NYC. While I love to travel and support all of us slowly getting back out there to explore, we also need to do it in a responsible and compassionate way. That means, if we are visiting a town that is not where we are from, we need to be respectful of the laws and guidelines in place regarding COVID-19.

Wear a mask, limit the number of supplies you buy at the grocery store (or even better, bring your groceries with you so you don’t deplete the local supply) and understand that the local community is also trying to enjoy the nearby hiking trails, lakes, parks, beaches, etc..

5 Weekend Road Trips from NYC

The Catskills, Upstate NY

If you want a weekend road trip from NYC that includes a scenic drive, head upstate to the Catskills.

The Catskills are an easy drive from the NYC area and the best part is that it’s a destination worth visiting year-round. The scenery is part of the draw here so plan on activities that allow you to soak it all up, whether it’s a leisurely hike, a lazy afternoon in a hammock with a good book, or canoeing and kayaking out on a lake.

Normally, I would gush about all of the adorable towns to check out in the Catskills, including Woodstock and Phoenicia. But these days, I’m not sure what shops and restaurants will be open, so you might be better off sticking to outdoor activities.

That said, things are opening up much sooner in Upstate NY then down in NYC, so if restaurants are open for business (or take-out), these are a few of my favorites:

Peekamoose Restaurant and Tavern for dinner and Yum Yum Noodle Bar for lunch.

If you want a deeper dive into everything about the Catskills, check out my Catskills Weekend Guide for more tips and recommendations.

North Fork, Long Island

Another easy weekend road trip from NYC is the North Fork of Long Island, which I consider to be the laid back and unpretentious counterpart to the Hamptons, which occupies the south fork of Long Island.

A weekend trip here is great because the area has a bit of everything. There’s the coastal charm, historic harbor towns, vineyards, and loads of farm to table food.

If hotels are open, I recommend staying at the North Fork Inn or American Beech hotel. Alternatively, rent a home through Airbnb or Vrbo. If a lot of businesses are closed, then renting a house might be your best option, because you can just show up with a big bag of groceries (and a couple of bottles of wine, because you are in wine country), and settle in for the weekend.

A weekend agenda on the North Fork should include bike riding, strolls along the rocky beaches, wine tasting (check to make sure the vineyards are open), and feasting on fresh seafood.

For a complete list of my go-to favorites on the North Fork check out my North Fork Travel Guide.

St. Michaels, Maryland

One of the most romantic weekend getaways my husband and I have experienced in recent memory was our road trip down to St. Michaels, Maryland.

This historic harbor town, located on the Chesapeake Bay, oozes charm. From the red brick sidewalks to the colorful Victorian homes, everywhere you look there’s so much character!

The location is great for outdoor activities. Go for a sail in the bay or a bike ride through town. You can also kayak if that’s more your speed.

If hotels in the area are open, I highly recommend staying at the Inn at Perry Cabin which is part of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the hotel club for travel lovers. Situated right on the waterfront, the hotel is a short walk from town. While the Inn at Perry Cabin is a bigger resort with 70-plus rooms, it has the feel of a cozy B&B and chic, nautical-themed décor.

The town itself is well-appointed with cute shops. There’s also a winery, brewery, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, restaurants serving fresh seafood on the harbor front, and a mom-and-pop ice-cream shop that had 20+ flavors to choose from.

Of course these days, remember to check ahead to see what will actually be open.

For more info about this charming town, check out my full St. Michaels Travel Guide.

Cape Cod

While a road trip to the cape is certainly a bit longer from NYC than the other locales mentioned in this post, it’s a road trip worth taking. Why? Because Cape Cod has everything you need for a quintessential summer weekend.

The ocean? Check. White sand dunes. Check. Cute harbor towns. Another check. Some of the best seafood in the world? Double-check! (The lobster and oysters can’t be missed.)

The Cape’s rugged beauty is captivating. It’s many towns, each with a distinct personality, are charming. And the relaxed vibe that places more value on simple pleasures than the trend of the moment is all the more reason to visit.

Plus, there are so many outdoor activities you can do on the Cape. There’s everything from whale watching, biking, sailing, fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and hiking, to name a few!

Not sure which towns to visit or where to stay? Personally, my favorite towns are located on the outer Cape – Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. But there are great options further south as well.

If you want to learn more about everything to see and do here, check out my Cape Cod travel guide.

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, is one of the most underrated cities in the Northeast. Not only does it have history and charm, gorgeous period architecture, and museums. The city also includes parks and zoos, plus, it’s home to two major colleges, Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

But what might come as the biggest surprise is that Providence also has a booming food scene. It makes sense that Providence is a foodie’s paradise. It’s home to Johnson & Wales University, one of the top culinary schools in the country. Plus, it’s situated near the water, which means fresh seafood year-round, and it’s not far from local farms offering their seasonal bounty.

That said, if you’re planning a weekend road trip here, I’m sure the food scene in Providence right now (and all over the country) looks drastically different than it did a few months ago.

While many restaurants and eateries might not be open right now because of Covid-19, I urge you to support the ones that are, especially in this quaint city. It would be a shame to see so many great eateries close down permanently because of this pandemic. And you don’t have to dine in to make a difference. Many restaurants are also doing take-out, which is a great way to support a local business while staying safe at the same time.

So grab a bite to go at one of Providence’s many famed eateries, and tour the city on foot. With a central historical district, It’s easy to do so and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.

If you’re curious to know more about Providence’s great culinary scene, check out my Providence travel guide for foodies.

Bonus Road Trip: Asheville, North Carolina

And now, here’s a bonus road trip idea for you!

Yes, I know that you can’t really drive to Asheville, North Carolina from New York City for the weekend. But if you have a week’s vacation, I highly recommend you consider Asheville.

First, the setting, among the Blue Ridge Mountains, is magnificent. Second, in addition to the world-class hiking, there’s a burgeoning food and brewery scene. (Per capita, there are more breweries in Asheville than anywhere else in the country). Third, there’s the Biltmore Estate nearby, where you can get your daily dose of history and culture.

In addition, there’s a plethora of outdoor adventure activities, great antiquing, and a popular downtown arts district. So basically, there’s something for everyone here!

Check out my Asheville travel guide for a complete list of all of my recommendations, including many outdoor activities you can do to keep you and your family safe. And remember to call ahead to find out which restaurants, bars, and breweries are open for business.

Are You Ready for a Road Trip from NYC?

If like me, you live in the NYC area, I hope you found this post helpful. There are so many great places to visit that are a short road trip away, I couldn’t possibly list them all here, but these are a few of my favs for sure.

If you have recommendations for great road trips from the NYC area that I didn’t mention in this blog post, please comment below, because I love getting recommendations as much as I love giving them!

And, let’s remember this.

While a weekend road trip might not feel nearly as exciting as jumping on a plane for our next far-flung and exotic adventure, (especially now, when none of us has traveled in months), sometimes, venturing to the places that are closer to home, is exactly the kind of adventure we need.

And who knows?

Maybe you’ll get lost, and in the process, discover something new.

The open road is waiting.