If you’re up for an exciting escapade over the next few months, you’re not alone. Everyone is looking for their excuse to get out and about now that the weather is starting to heat up. Planning ahead can make it easier to book everything you need on your preferred dates.
The staff at Skytop Lodge understands that your free time is sacred to you, and choosing where to go to get away from the everyday stresses of life is an important decision. The good news is that NYC is brimming over with possibilities, whether you want to get out or stay in the city. Here are some of the top suggestions on where to go if you are in or near New York City.
Getting out on a roadtrip offers you the chance to take a break from the hectic pace of city life or explore a new city or town with entirely different flavors than NYC. Friendly faces and new routines await those willing to take a chance in a new place. Here are our top destinations if you’re ready to leave town for a while.
If you’re looking for hotels that combine luxury with adventure, you can’t do any better than Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains. Known for our stunning array of activities, including rock climbing, ziplining, and rope courses, the experience is the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure.
Just over two hours away, Skytop Lodge has nearly every amenity you can imagine, and is known for accommodating people from every walk of life. It’s equally perfect for a young family with plenty of kids as it is for a couple on their honeymoon. Anyone who wants to experience the welcome relief of the Poconos will feel right at home with us.
Go through the Catskill Mountains for just four hours and you’ll end up in one of the best places for cycling. Check out Glimmerglass State Park and spend the day exploring some truly scenic terrain. You can also visit nearby Roxbury if you’re looking for a charming place to decompress after giving it your all on a bike. The Catskills offer everything from trails to golf courses, creating an environment that could satisfy nearly every traveler.
If hiking is more your speed, check out Keene Valley for trails like the Giant Mountain. The peak towers over the Valley, making it one of the more attractive views in the region. This is a popular hike, meaning the parking lot fills up pretty quickly. Around 4.5 hours away, it makes for a good weekend trip — even if you’re not taking any time off.
The good news is that Keene Valley puts you close to all of the highest peaks in the Adirondacks, so you’ll have plenty of choices if you want to try something less populated. This destination makes it easy to set up an excursion if you’re looking to burn off a little pent-up energy. While it may be more well-known for its ski facilities, you might be surprised at how much fun you have during the off-season.
Known for the Maid of the Mist, the famous boat that takes you into the heart of the falls, Niagara Falls can be more than just an out-and-back tour. If you want to get your heart racing, try a jet boat ride through some of the more challenging rapids of one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Niagara Falls is a great place to put the spring back in your step, even if it is one of the longer roadtrip ideas at about 7.5 hours of drive time.
There’s nothing wrong with staying where you are, so long as you make arrangements before you actually take time off or get the weekend started. (It’s all too common for staycations to turn into just laying around the house.) Staycation summer ideas have to include mixing up your routine.
If you’re staying right where you are, the Hudson River is a white water rafting adventure sitting right on your doorstep. With miles of some pretty adventurous rapids (up to Class V), the thrill of this route is that it can go from quick to slow and back again. The variety makes this summer staycation idea one you’ll always remember.
If you don’t quite have the skills to tackle the white water, try paddling the Hudson River alongside the skyscrapers of Manhattan. There’s something about seeing the city from a different perspective that adds a little extra spice to your adventurous staycation. (If you’re tired of the Hudson, try Croton Point Park or Rockaway Bay instead).
You might not think of Central Park as a place to test out your climbing skills, but you can actually try your hand at bouldering right in the heart of NYC. Chances are you won’t be alone either, as plenty of climbers will come to have an adventure without having to rent a car. It’s a good place to ask for tips and see if you can get to the next level for your next trip to the mountains.
Not all adventures have to be outdoors. The Basilica of St. Patrick’s is a stunning feat of architectural talent, and it’s also the resting place of some famous Americans throughout history. Just standing in this bastion of America’s past can be a thrilling experience, particularly if you picture the crypts below you. (Please note that guided tours for this famous site in NYC may not be available this summer.)
There are numerous ways to see the city from on high, and a helicopter ride can be well worth the cost if you’re not going to spend it on hotels. You might just find yourself appreciating all your favorite places a little more after seeing them from a new height.
The residents of NYC already know that living in the city is an adventure in and of itself. But sometimes life calls for a new challenge. Now that the pandemic has finally started to ease a little, there’s no better time to step a little outside your comfort zone. Adventurous people come in all shapes and sizes, so don’t think you have to be an expert athlete or survivalist to get a little dirty this season. Should you make Skytop Lodge your destination, our team will be happy to set everything up for you so you can have a truly thrilling vacation.