Hit The Road: Your Guide To Leaving Long Island For A Fun and Easy Weekend Getaway
Is there anything more American than a good old-fashioned road trip? Setting out to tame the mighty open highways that connect our country is a rite of passage that has existed about as long as the automobile itself, and it still stands as the one true way to take in all the countless sights, sounds, people, and experiences that make America what it is.
Of course, it’s not always easy to find the time for a cross-country trek, and not everyone is built to tackle 10 hours worth of road in a single go. But that doesn’t mean Long Islanders can’t at least get a little taste of the great American road trip without risking both their job and their sanity. There are plenty of off-island trips you can tackle in a single weekend if you know where to look.
If that sounds interesting to you, then take a look at some of these road trip suggestions for Long Islanders looking to fulfill their daydreams and still be home for work on Monday.
Hudson Valley Splendor in Bear Mountain, New York
You don’t have to travel all that far north of New York City to begin enjoying the sprawling natural beauty of New York State. Nestled in the Hudson Valley, Bear Mountain is only a little more than an hour north of Manhattan, and yet it can feel like a universe away.
This popular weekend road trip destination is centered largely around outdoor activities, so be sure you’ve got an agreeable weather forecast if you decide to take a ride up there this winter.
What to Do
Most of the excitement you’re going to find in this area of the Hudson Valley will be at Bear Mountain State Park (Palisades Parkway or Route 9W North, Bear Mountain, NY, 845-786-2701, parks.ny.gov/parks/bearmountain). There you’ll find all kinds of hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities for people of all skill levels. You can even walk along a short section of the legendary Appalachian Trail.
Bear Mountain State Park also contains the Trailside Museums and Zoo (Seven Lakes Pkwy, Appalachian Trail, Bear Mountain, NY, 845-429-2960) where you can learn about the area’s natural and human history and meet some of the beautiful creatures that call it home. Admission is free but a $1 donation is suggested.
For some classic winter fun in a gorgeous natural setting, stop by the Bear Mountain Ice Rink (3020 Seven Lakes Dr., Tomkins Cove, 845-786-2701, bearmountainicerink.org). They offer several public skating sessions from Friday to Sunday, weather permitting.
What to Eat
One of the best things about taking a weekend trip up to Bear Mountain is that you’ll have all the activities, accommodations, and eateries you need right in one convenient place. After a long day out in the park, you’ll have Restaurant 1915 (3020 Seven Lakes Dr., Tomkins Cove, 845-786-2731) waiting for you right there at the base of the mountain. The eclectic menu is full of fantastic options and the Adirondack atmosphere offers a pitch-perfect ambiance.
Where to Stay
If you’re planning on staying the weekend, then your best bets are the Bear Mountain Inn (99 Service Rd., Tomkins Cove, 855-548-1184, www.visitbearmountain.com) or the Overlook Lodge (55 Hessian Dr., Highland Falls, 855-548-1184, visitbearmountain.com). These historic overnight stops are located right at the base of Bear Mountain itself. They’re super convenient, absolutely gorgeous, and full of all the amenities you’d like.
Winter Family Fun in Tannersville, Pennsylvania
There are a ton of great spots in the Pocono Mountains that are worth your consideration the next time you’re planning a weekend road trip. If you’re looking for an area that offers all the best aspects of this beautiful region and won’t require a lengthy car ride, then Tannersville is a fantastic option.
The lovely mountain town is about 2.5 hours from the Nassau/Suffolk border. There, you’ll get to enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of the Poconos region, some top-flight winter activities for the whole family, and some amazing shopping and dining experiences.
What to Do
The main attraction in Tannersville is without a doubt Camelback Mountain Resort (301 Resort Dr., 570-629-1661, camelbackresort.com). This popular destination is best known for the world-class skiing and snowboarding experience it offers, but even if the slopes are of no interest to you there’s no doubt you’ll have plenty to do during your stay here.
Camelback Mountain Resort offers a fantastic snow tubing experience that the whole family can enjoy, along with rock climbing, laser tag, a giant arcade, bumper cars, indoor ropes courses, a virtual reality (VR) experience, an escape room, and their Aquatopia Indoor Water Park.
If you’d prefer to take in the beauty of the Poconos on trails rather than slopes, there’s a ton of hiking to be done at Big Pocono State Park (980 Camelback Rd., 570-894-8336, poconomountains.com/listing/big-pocono-state-park/1189), located atop Camelback Mountain. And if you’re interested in some retail therapy, then the Pocono Premium Outlets (1000 Premium Outlets Dr., 570-629-4650, premiumoutlets.com/outlet/pocono) is a can’t-miss stop.
Where to Eat
Camelback Mountain Resort has more than a dozen places to grab a bite to eat, but if you’re looking to venture out into Tannersville for a meal then you’ve got some great options there, too.
If you’re looking for some seafood, stop by Smuggler’s Cove (2972 Route 611, 570-629-2277, smugglerscove.net). They’ve got a menu full of items sourced from both land and sea that can suit just about any culinary mood.
For something quick, easy, and absolutely delicious, check out Zack’s Taco Shack (145 Camelback Rd., 570-664-8282, zackstacoshack.com). They offer a simple menu of both traditional and unique Mexican options.
Where to Stay
The number one place to stay in Tannersville is easily the Camelback Mountain Resort (301 Resort Dr., 570-629-1661, camelbackresort.com). If you’re looking a more affordable option that’s within close proximity of all the excitement of Camelback mountain, consider the Best Western Plus Poconos Hotel (2647 Route 715, 570-629-4100).
A Ferry Ride to Newport, Rhode Island
No guide to Long Island road trips would be complete without an option that involves the storied tradition of boarding a ferry and crossing the Long Island Sound to New England. This route opens up a whole world of road trip possibilities. One of the best and yet more underrated of those possibilities is a visit to Newport, Rhode Island.
Depending on your departure point, you may just want to drive around, but the further east you are on Long island the more sensible (and fun) it is to board the ferry from Orient Point and head towards your destination by sea. All told, you can get to Newport in around 3.5 hours or less.
What to Do
The city’s seaside location should make it feel like a home away from home for many Long Islanders. You can enjoy some gorgeous views and unforgettable sunrises by simply spending some time near the picturesque coast. The Cliff Walk (34 Ocean Ave.) is the best place to do just that. On this 3.5-mile trail, you can take in both the vast beauty of the New England Coast and an array of sprawling Gilded Age mansions, which can also be seen up close and personal on a mansion tour.
In keeping with the road trip theme of your weekend getaway, you can also take a ride down the 10-mile stretch of breathtaking coastline on iconic Ocean Drive. This stunning seaside drive begins on Bellevue Avenue and takes you past both Fort Adams State Park (80 Fort Adams Dr. 401-847-2100, fortadams.org) and Brenton Point State Park (Ocean Drive, 401-849-4562, 401-847-2100, www.fortadams.org).
Newport is also known for its world-class selection of vineyards and breweries. For the amateur sommelier, there’s Newport Vineyards (909 E Main Rd., Middletown, 401-848-5161, newportvineyards.com), Greenvale Vineyards (582 Wapping Rd., Portsmouth, 401-847-3777, www.greenvale.com), and Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard (162 W Main Rd., Little Compton, 401-635-8486, sakonnetwine.com.
For craft beer enthusiasts, there are about a dozen local breweries to choose from. Start out with Newport Craft Brewing Co. (293 JT Connell Hwy., Newport, 401-849-5232, www.newportcraft.com) and Rejects Beer Co. (124 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 401-619-8200, www.rejectsbeerco.com) and go from there.
Where to Eat
Newport is packed with great restaurants but 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille (22 Bowen’s Wharf, 401-841-8884, 22bowens.com) and The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar (1 Sayers Wharf, 401-846-2260, mooringrestaurant.com) are among the best of them. Both eateries offer fantastic waterfront views to match their spectacular seafood-forward menus.
For a unique winter experience, check out the heated pop-up igloos offered by Diego’s Newport (11 Bowens Wharf, 401-619-2640, diegosnewport.com) and The Reef (10 Howard Wharf, 401-324-5852, thereefnewport.com). They offer cozy, private, not-so-outdoor dining with great views and fantastic food.
Where to Stay
Your overnight accommodations in Newport will be another big highlight of the weekend. You’ll find unique and absolutely gorgeous inns, hotels, and resorts all throughout the city. For starters, take a look at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina (49 America’s Cup Ave., 401-847-9000, newporthotel.com), The Attwater (22 Liberty St., 401-846-7444, larkhotels.com) and Wellington Resort (551 Thames St., 401-849-1770, wellingtonresort.com)
