STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Living in New York City, you don’t have to travel far to get away from it all.
There are plenty of options within a few hours of Staten Island that can provide a respite from the every day, with some lovely scenery and a desperately needed change of pace.
Whether it’s an historic inn in Lambertville, N.J.,, or a luxury guest suite in Bear Mountain, N.Y., there are plenty of options less than five hours from the borough. And most are within a three-hour drive.
Here’s a look at our top picks for a quick weekend getaway:
1. Lambertville, New Jersey
Distance from Staten Island: 75 miles
The charming town of Lambertville features antiques shops, the Music Mountain Theater, several galleries and a few museums, including the Holcomb-Jimison Farmsead Museum and the Howell Living History Farm.
It’s located a stone’s throw from Pennsylvania, and great lodging can be found in the area.
The Lambertville House is an historic hotel featuring 26 suites and rooms, each uniquely decorated. Guests can select a room with a gas fireplace or private balcony, and all rooms include complimentary bathrobes and bottled water. It also has a restaurant and a bar, and the front porch features tables for watching the world go by.
Other hotels nearby include Homewood Suites in Doylestown, Pa., The Ghostlight Inn in New Hope, Pa., and the Chimney Hill Estate & Ol’ Barn Inn in Lambertville.
2. Cape May, New Jersey
Distance from Staten Island: 151 miles
Visitors will be delighted by the charming Victorian setting in historic Cape May, N.J. Located on an island in the southernmost tip of New Jersey, Cape May can be accessed by car (there’s a bridge), boat or public transportation.
Enjoy the Victorian setting at the Emlen Physick Estate, or plan an outdoor adventure at Nature Center of Cape May along the harbor. The Cape May Stage and the East Lynne Theater Company will entertain, as well as a few hours at Fisherman’s Wharf. And, of course, there’s always the beach.
Cape May has two miles of oceanfront bathing beaches, and features year-round community, recreational and entertainment events at its beachfront Convention Hall.
When it comes to accommodations, Cape May has a variety of choices. The Grand Hotel of Cape May features an oceanfront location with prime beach access, indoor and outdoor heated pools, a professional fitness facility, bike rentals, a restaurant and a lounge. The hotel features two-level accommodations and plenty of activities for children while parents unwind.
Another great choice is the Carroll Villa Hotel, a nationally registered historic building built in 1882 and just a half of a block from the beach. The romantic hotel is also home to The Mad Batter Restaurant -- routinely awarded one of the best restaurants in town.
Each of the 19 guest rooms is uniquely decorated and modernly accented with a touch of luxury.
If you’re looking for a bed and breakfast, visit the Bedford Inn. Built in 1883, the inn features 10 guest rooms with period antiques, crisp white linens and newly renovated private baths.
Gourmet breakfasts highlight local produce, as well as fresh fruits and herbs grown in the inn’s garden. It’s located within walking distance of the town’s activities and its two large verandas are the perfect place to relax and unwind.
3. Vernon, New Jersey
Distance from Staten Island: 66 miles
Vernon is great place to spend a summer weekend away, in the natural surroundings of the Appalachian Mountains. Nearby is the Mountain Creek Waterpark, with more than two dozen rides, slides and pools. The town is just 47 miles from New York City, but feels a world away.
There are plenty of choices for accommodations in Vernon, but the Minerals Hotel and Spa in Crystal Springs Resort offers luxury and proximity to the waterpark and mountain sights. Guestrooms include a spacious multi-room suite or the palatial Grand Villa, and feature expansive spaces and high-end amenities, like Jacuzzi-style tubs, gourmet kitchens, in-room laundry, private balconies and outdoor fireplaces.
Looking for a bed and breakfast? The Alpine House is just $125 to $158 per night, and is close to the farms, trails and waterpark.
4. Bear Mountain, New York
Distance from Staten Island: 70 miles
For an escape from the bustle of New York City, Staten Islanders can make it to Bear Mountain in the time it takes to cross the borough during rush hour.
The Bear Mountain State Park sits in the mountains rising on the western bank of the Hudson River, offering hiking and biking trails, picnic groves, a lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool and a zoo.
The Bear Mountain Inn, originally built in 1915, once played host to Harry Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower. It has been recently renovated and now includes 15 luxury guest rooms, a restaurant and a spa.
5. Cooperstown, N.Y.
Distance from Staten Island: 214 miles
Cooperstown has a lot more to offer than baseball. It’s also known for its breweries — it has four right in town — and its historic hotel, The Otesaga. There’s also shopping galore in a charming downtown.
Located in the foothills of the Catskills Mountains, its filled with quiet streets and charming old homes, sitting right smack in the middle of beautiful Otsego County. The area is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the National Soccer Hall of Fame, the Glimmerglass Opera and the Fenimore Art Museum. One brewery, Ommegang, is located on 135 acres and offers tours of its hops farm.
For lodging, you can’t beat The Otesaga Resort, overlooking majestic Lake Otsego and providing exceptional accommodations in an elegant atmosphere. The resort, built in 1909, is located just steps from Cooperstown’s main attractions. Other options include August Lodge and The Inn at Cooperstown.