Overlooked Towns Outside NYC You Need to Visit

It ’s no secret that a unadulterated antidote to a foresightful workweek is a small town with a pile of charm , a outstanding nutrient & drink scene , and some oddball claims to fame . While there are plenty ofgreatescapesjustoutsidethe city , these 10 midget towns near NYC have somehow escaped detection , which means you get to enjoy a weekend loose of crew and gamy costs . Whether you want to relax on a secluded beach on the Jersey Shore or make a great catch in Trout Town USA , each of these quaint retreat in the Tri - State Area is less than three time of day from the city , but could n’t sense farther from home .

Roscoe, NY

Highlands, NJ

50 miles / one hour from NYCWhy you demand to go : The seashores in Highlands are pristine and uncrowded , even in the summer . Waterfront restaurants likeBahrs LandingandWindansea– where the Tiki bar fit is kin to a slice of Miami , minus the glitz and Zika – provide eyeshot as great as the food for thought . You ’ll see locals along the car - free coastline bike paths who still consider their township to be the well - kept closed book in Jersey ( sorry).Why it is n’t more pop : Though only a breezy hour - long Seastreakferry ride($27 one - way ) from Manhattan , Highlands gets overshadowed by its more natural process - load down neighbor likeAsbury Parkand Atlantic City . The one affair you must do : impose theTwin Lights Lighthouse , cuddle on the highest natural head on the mainland of the Atlantic Coast , where it ’s been since 1828 . Have a child’s play overlook the outstanding panorama of Sandy Hook , Raritan Bay , and the Atlantic Ocean . Or , join Bike New York ’s annual Twin Lights Ridein the fall for a scenic spin through New Jersey that end with a rewarding fiesta in Highlands .

Essex, CT

110 mile / two hours from NYCWhy you require to go : It’ll be the easiest category mean solar day stumble you ’ve ever plan . It ’s also a perfect den for when you require to do nothing but drink a beer and check the sailboats . you’re able to take a schooner sail with theConnecticut River Museum , or bait back in time on a riverboat and locomotive tour with theValley Railroad companionship . After that , the move is to head toMarley ’s Cafefor a Cubano sandwich orAbby ’s Placefor a lobster curl – and that woolgathering maritime expanse . Why it is n’t more popular : The scene skews more Medicare than millennial ( which can actually be kind of refreshing ) . The deficiency of direct train or bus service is another reasonableness why masses are n’t flock to Essex . The one thing you must do there : When in the Constitution State , you ’ve got to have a rummy - and - berry infused Liberty Lemonade atThe Griswold Inn , make while the Declaration of Independence was being drafted .

Athens, NY

127 Roman mile / two time of day from NYCWhy you need to go : Athens just got its first this - could - be - Brooklyn bistro in July ( make that its first bistro ever ) , so do n’t wait for the town to become far more than that departure you pass on one of yourupstate road head trip . Rive Gauche ’s eggs Benedict is only one of many “ a - ha minute ” you ’ll encounter in this artsy under - the - microwave radar hamlet set on the west bank of the Hudson River . you’re able to also slip into the Athenian life style bystand - up paddleboarding($25 / hour ) ; stocking up on fudge , fresh - sunbaked pies , and fruit atBlack Horse Farms ; drink in an Outrage IPA or Black Rock Stout atCrossroads Brewing Company ; and strolling through the sunny village , which looks like Eden for Instagrammers and has over 300 construction on the national and state historical registers . Why it is n’t more popular : The town of Hudson hogs the limelight like a shot across the river . ( Somehow people still do n’t eff that hopping theferry to Athensis one of the coolest things you’re able to do in Hudson.)The one matter you should do : Attend a weekend concert atHappy Jakesat The Stewart House .

Stratford, CT

65 miles / one hour from NYCWhy you ask to go : place to the world’sfirst whirlybird ascent , this humble town tucked away on Long Island Sound deliver on the nautical spell , but it ’s the unexpected nutrient vista that make Stratford so exciting . Order a 9 in live blackguard atDanny ’s Drive - Inand a pint of Honeyspot Road IPA atTwo Roads Brewing Company . Have a sundowner and fish tacos atOutriggers Restaurantor one of the best Italian meals you ’ve had in a while atBiagio Osteria , making certain to save way for a doughnut , er , make that a box ofDonut Crazy’sconcoctions . Why it is n’t more pop : Greenwich is tight . The one affair you must do : Marvel at the outlandishBoothe Memorial Park , the oldest homestead in America .

Tivoli, NY

113 naut mi / two hours from NYCWhy you need to go : For a heavy dose of historic Hudson Valley magical spell without all the Brooklynized pretension , take a walk down Tivoli ’s blink - and - you’ll - miss - it main street . Its gelidity vibration , trek - worthy nutrient , and idyllic context near more popular places – from aesthetic internet site likeOlanato the comparatively bustling settlement of Red Hook and Rhinebeck – make it a rare destination that wo n’t retain its unsung splendor for long . eternal rest at the bohemian B&BHotel Tivoli ; stroll Broadway ’s Viscount St. Albans - scented thoroughfare to the tune of crickets humming ; tread into the 19th - century church forMurray’sgiant $ 4 egg sandwich on larder quinoa bread ; and linger onThe Cornerrestaurant ’s porch to people - watch and enjoy original cocktails , homemade alimentary paste , and a Dusty Miller Sundae ( with a surprise inside).Why it is n’t more popular : The Ithiel Town ’s teensy stature and lack of direct public transit service from the city make it sluttish to overlook . Plus , there ’s that possible confusion with Copenhagen ’s entertainment park Tivoli Gardens … or , you eff , Tivoli , Italy . The one affair you must do : No self - respecting New Yorker would miss a sojourn toBard College , home to the seemingly secret Blithewood Garden and the Frank Gehry - plan Fisher Center ’s consistently stellar ethnical batting order .

Clinton, NJ

53 mile / one hour from NYCWhy you need to go : A day in Clinton constitute the weekend feel right smart longer . It ’s only an hour from Manhattan , get out you tidy sum of time to see and eat everything here . After range New Jersey ’s most compact Main Street and shoot the breeze theRed Mill Museum– light above a falls , and one of the most photographed construction in America – snaffle lunch atThe Clean Plate Kitchenand an meth pick cone atJ.J. Scoops , and spend a sublime good afternoon research Spruce Run recreation country on astand - up paddleboard . count on when you go , there might be aRubber Ducky Raceon the Raritan River , which runs through Downtown . Why it is n’t more popular : Too many Clintons to keep track of these 24-hour interval . ( Also , you ’d have to Zipcar it.)The one matter you must do there : Order the brisket and mac & cheese atThe Real Deal BBQfood hand truck to taste the best BBQ in the United States Department of State .

Stonington, CT

139 miles / two hours , 20 minutes from NYCWhy you ask to go : Can we start a request for Stonington to take on the “ well-chosen billet on terra firma ” shibboleth ? reconcile in 1649 , Stonington study postcard - perfect to Modern levels with its well - preserved row of historical home , watering hole likeBreakwaterandDog Watch Cafe , and colorful dental plate of farm - fresh food for thought at just about any restaurant in Ithiel Town ( we ’re fond toMilagro Café ’s ceviche and fish tacos ) . A trip here is n’t pure without a chicken feed of rosé atSaltwater Farm Vineyardand akayak excursionaround Little Narragansett Bay . Why it is n’t more pop : holidaymaker run to flock to neighboring Mystic Seaport , and there ’s no direct public transit service of process from NYC to Stonington . The one thing you must do there : Bring home a distich derriere of Dogs & Boats , a double India Pale Ale with Citra and Mosaic hop , fromBeer’d Brewing Co , the salutary trivial craft brewery in Connecticut .

Frenchtown, NJ

65 miles / one hour from NYCWhy you need to go : You ’ll feel like the sole holidaymaker in this town , which could double as a Western moving-picture show set with its main drag of colorful colonial - panache buildings . Fuel a day oftubing the Delaware Riverand pedal the ten thousand covered bridges and scenic towpaths with a short stack of banana nut pancakes atFrenchtown Cafeand classic American fare on the front porch atThe Frenchtown Inn . Why it is n’t more pop : settle between the bustling Pennsylvania township of Bethlehem and New Hope , Frenchtown is well-situated to miss . The one affair you must do there : Have an Old Fashioned atThe Rathskellerbar ( circa 1851 ) at the National Hotel , a former sporting house and stagecoach layover .

Chester, CT

113 miles / two time of day from NYCWhy you ask to go : Cockaponset State Forest is pure seventh heaven for slew and cyclocross rockers , with over 20 miles of fantastical technical unmarried - track trails . But even if you ’re not jaunt on two wheels , this Nantucket - y township and state diachronic turning point is full of culinary surprisal that alone are worth the trip , fromOtto Pizza , which is justly up there with Pepe ’s , toRiver Tavern ’s striptease steak and umber soufflé . Why it is n’t more pop : It ’s not the most approachable place , as there ’s no train station . The one thing you must do there : Take theferryacross the Connecticut River to seeGillette Castle State Park’smedieval fortress , because it ’s the faithful you ’ll get to living out yourGame of Thronesfantasy .

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Gillette Castle