What Are the Best Weekend Getaways From NYC in 2026?
The best weekend getaways from NYC in 2026, with official travel times and train, bus and ferry options: the Hudson Valley, Fire Island, the Hamptons, Cape May, the Delaware Water Gap and Philadelphia, plus how to book hotels and vacation rentals on Expedia, Hotels.com or Vrbo through ShopBack for Cashback.
Short answer. The best weekend getaways from NYC in 2026 are the ones you can reach in about two to four hours: the Hudson Valley, Fire Island, the Hamptons, Cape May, the Delaware Water Gap and Philadelphia, so pick one, then book through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. Hyde Park in the Hudson Valley is about a 1.5 hour drive from New York City, according to the National Park Service, and Cape May is 3.5 to 4 hours by car, according to CapeMay.com. Book your stay through ShopBack on Expedia, Hotels.com or Vrbo so part of it comes back as Cashback.
ShopBack is a free app and website that gives you Cashback when you shop or book online at thousands of stores, including Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. You open the booking site from ShopBack, book as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash. New members can join free at shopback.com/signup.
Sources. National Park Service pages for Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Vanderbilt Mansion, Fire Island National Seashore, Delaware Water Gap, Gateway and Independence National Historical Park; Walkway Over the Hudson; CapeMay.com; Hampton Jitney; and New York State Parks, at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not list hotel prices, because they change daily.
What are the best weekend getaways from NYC?
Pick a getaway by how you want to travel and how long you are happy to spend getting there. Here is a quick comparison:
| Getaway | Getting there from NYC | Car-free? | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson Valley (Hyde Park, Poughkeepsie) | About a 1.5 hour drive to Hyde Park (NPS); Amtrak and Metro-North stop at Poughkeepsie | Yes, by train plus taxi | History, river views, hiking, fall color |
| Fire Island | Long Island Rail Road to Bay Shore, Sayville or Patchogue, then a passenger ferry (NPS) | Yes, in ferry season | Beaches, car-free villages |
| The Hamptons and Eastern Long Island | Hampton Jitney runs between New York City and Eastern Long Island | Yes, by coach | Beaches, wineries, small towns |
| Cape May, NJ | 3.5 to 4 hours by car (CapeMay.com) | Mostly by car | Victorian town, beaches |
| Delaware Water Gap | Martz-Trailways bus from New York City to Delaware Water Gap, PA (NPS) | Yes, by bus | Hiking, river trips |
| Philadelphia | Interstates 95 and 676; downtown served by SEPTA and PATCO (NPS) | Yes | History, food, museums |
Whichever you pick, booking works the same way: pick your dates, compare flights and hotels, go through ShopBack to the booking site, then pay with a travel card.
Weekend getaways from NYC by train: the Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley is the easiest car-free weekend from NYC for many people, because Amtrak and Metro-North both stop at Poughkeepsie.
According to the National Park Service, Hyde Park sits about 5 miles north of Poughkeepsie on Route 9, midway between New York City and Albany, and is about a 1.5 hour drive from either. Two national historic sites are there:
- Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, on the east bank of the Hudson River.
- Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, also in Hyde Park.
The NPS says taxi service is available at Poughkeepsie station, and local bus service is limited, so plan your rides in advance if you are not driving.
Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie is a good half day. According to Walkway Over the Hudson, it is 1.28 miles long from gate to gate, stands 212 feet above the river, is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to sunset (weather permitting), and is free to use during regular hours.
For hiking, Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Kerhonkson, run by New York State Parks, is on the west side of the valley; you will need a car to get there.
Where to stay. Poughkeepsie works for a car-free trip because it is on the train line. With a car, inns and rental cottages further up the valley give you more space. Search both hotels and vacation rentals, since a small house can cost less per person for a group.
Weekend getaways from NYC to the beach: Fire Island, the Hamptons and Cape May
For a beach weekend, Fire Island and the Hamptons are the closest options, and Cape May is the longer drive with a bigger town to explore.
Fire Island. The National Park Service says that from mid-May to mid-October, many visitors drive or take the Long Island Rail Road to ferry terminals on Long Island, then take passenger ferries. According to the NPS:
- Take the train to Bay Shore for Fire Island Ferries to the Fire Island Lighthouse and western communities.
- Take the train to Sayville for Sayville Ferry Service to Sailors Haven, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines or Water Island.
- Take the train to Patchogue for Davis Park Ferry service to Watch Hill or Davis Park.
- The Fire Island Lighthouse and Wilderness Visitor Center can be reached by car year-round.
The Hamptons and Eastern Long Island. Hampton Jitney, a coach company, runs between New York City and Eastern Long Island, so you can go car-free if you stay in a walkable village.
Cape May, NJ. According to CapeMay.com, the total driving time from New York is 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic, and the town sits at the southern end of the Garden State Parkway. Most people drive, so a hotel or rental with parking matters here.
Sandy Hook. Part of Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook in Monmouth County, NJ, can be reached by car or ferry, according to the NPS. It works as a day trip or as part of a Jersey Shore weekend.
Weekend getaways from NYC for hiking: the Delaware Water Gap
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is the closest big hiking area you can reach from NYC by bus. According to the National Park Service:
- Martz-Trailways provides bus service from New York City to Delaware Water Gap, PA.
- Shortline provides bus service from New York City to Milford, PA.
- The Monroe County Transit Authority runs county-wide buses, with stops in Delaware Water Gap and Bushkill, PA.
The park spans the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the river. For a full weekend, a cabin or rental house near the park gives you a kitchen and room for gear; see our guide to finding a good weekend cabin rental.
Weekend getaways from NYC for a city break: Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a common city-break pick from New York, and its historic center is easy to cover on foot. The NPS says Independence National Historical Park is served by Interstates 95 and 676 and by SEPTA and PATCO transit, and recommends starting your visit at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets. For a city weekend, a hotel within walking distance of the historic area saves on rides.
Weekend getaways from NYC best deals in 2026: how to pay less
The best weekend deals usually come from comparing the total price for your exact nights, booking a flexible rate, and going through ShopBack before you pay. A routine that works:
- Pick your dates first. Weekend nights in peak season usually cost more than Sunday to Thursday. If you can leave Friday morning or come back Monday, compare those nights too.
- Compare the total, not the nightly rate. Add taxes, resort fees, cleaning fees and parking so you compare like with like.
- Prefer free cancellation if offered. Cancellation rules are set by each property and rate. A refundable rate lets you rebook if prices drop, though it can cost a little more.
- Check two or three booking sites. The same hotel can show different prices or room types on Expedia and Hotels.com, and Vrbo lists whole homes you will not find on hotel sites.
- Go through ShopBack to the booking site, then pay with a travel card.
Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash that comes back. Check the live rate on the booking site's ShopBack page, because it varies and changes over time.
Hotels.com vs Vrbo for weekend getaways from NYC: price comparison
Hotels.com usually suits couples and solo travelers who want a hotel room; Vrbo usually suits families and groups who want a whole house.
| Hotels.com | Vrbo | Expedia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you book | Hotels and other stays | Whole vacation homes | Hotels, vacation rentals, flights, cars and packages |
| Best for | Couples, solo trips, short stays | Groups, families, longer weekends | Combining a stay with transport |
How to compare a hotel and a rental fairly. Work out the total cost per person for the whole weekend. A four-person group might pay less per person for a house on Vrbo than for two hotel rooms, once you add cleaning fees to the rental and resort fees or parking to the hotel. For two people, a hotel is often simpler.
Hotels.com, Vrbo and Expedia: booking your NYC weekend through ShopBack
Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. The routine for a weekend booking:
- Open ShopBack (app or website) and search for Expedia, Hotels.com or Vrbo.
- Check the rate shown on that page.
- Tap through to the booking site, search your dates and book.
For more on how this works across hotels and flights, see our guide on how to earn Cashback on travel bookings.
Why Cashback works like a discount
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Once it confirms, you can withdraw it.
Paying with a travel card: what to check
A travel credit card usually earns its own rewards on the amount you are charged, separate from ShopBack. Card rewards are set by your card issuer, so check your card agreement for how hotel and travel bookings are categorized and whether a booking site counts as travel.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best weekend getaways from NYC?
Good weekend getaways from NYC include the Hudson Valley (Hyde Park is about a 1.5 hour drive, per the National Park Service), Fire Island and the Hamptons on Long Island, Cape May at the Jersey Shore (3.5 to 4 hours by car), the Delaware Water Gap and Philadelphia. Pick by travel time and whether you want to go car-free, then book through ShopBack.
What are the best weekend getaways from NYC without a car?
The Hudson Valley, Fire Island and the Delaware Water Gap all work without a car. According to the National Park Service, Amtrak and Metro-North stop at Poughkeepsie near Hyde Park, the Long Island Rail Road reaches the Fire Island ferry terminals at Bay Shore, Sayville and Patchogue, and Martz-Trailways runs buses from New York City to Delaware Water Gap, PA.
How far is the Hudson Valley from NYC?
Hyde Park, home of the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Vanderbilt Mansion national historic sites, is about a 1.5 hour drive from New York City, according to the National Park Service. It sits about 5 miles north of Poughkeepsie, where Amtrak and Metro-North trains stop. Nearby, the Walkway Over the Hudson is free to walk during opening hours.
Can you visit Fire Island for a weekend from NYC?
Yes. The National Park Service says many visitors drive or take the Long Island Rail Road to ferry terminals on Long Island, then take passenger ferries, mainly from mid-May to mid-October. Take the train to Bay Shore for the western communities and the lighthouse, Sayville for Sailors Haven and Cherry Grove, or Patchogue for Watch Hill and Davis Park.
How long does it take to drive from New York to Cape May?
According to CapeMay.com, the total driving time from New York to Cape May is 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. Cape May sits at the southern end of the Garden State Parkway, so most people drive. For a two-night weekend, leaving Friday afternoon or early Saturday usually leaves enough time on the beach and in town.
Hotels.com vs Vrbo: which is better for a weekend getaway from NYC?
It depends on who is going. Hotels.com suits couples and solo travelers who want a hotel room with front desk service, while Vrbo suits families and groups who want a whole house with a kitchen. Compare the total price for two nights including taxes and fees, then go through ShopBack before you book either one.
How do I find the best deals on a weekend getaway from NYC?
Pick your dates, compare hotels and rentals across two or three booking sites, look at the total price with taxes and fees, and choose a free cancellation rate if one is offered so you can rebook if prices drop. Then go through ShopBack to the booking site before you pay, so part of the booking comes back as Cashback.
Can I use a coupon code and ShopBack on the same hotel booking?
No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay.
How does ShopBack Cashback work on a weekend getaway booking?
Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Open ShopBack, tap Expedia, Hotels.com or Vrbo, and book. Cashback usually confirms after your stay. Each site's live rate is on its ShopBack page.
Is Cashback the same as hotel or travel card points?
No. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Hotel loyalty points and travel card rewards are separate programs with their own rules, so check each one's terms.
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About this guide
Travel times, transport options and site details come from the National Park Service, Walkway Over the Hudson, CapeMay.com, Hampton Jitney and New York State Parks. Hotel prices and Cashback rates change often, so this guide points to the live rate on each site's ShopBack page instead of quoting one.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Travel times, schedules, ferry seasons, opening hours, prices, cancellation rules and Cashback eligibility vary and are subject to change. Check transport operators and attractions before you travel or book. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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