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Introducing: the Escape Club by Escape Brooklyn
Escape Brooklyn is thrilled to introduce our monthly newsletter: the Escape Club. Each month, subscribers will get access to discounts and giveaways to some of our favorite Upstate hotels, Airbnbs, restaurants, shops and more with loads of discounts and perks, exclusive to our Escape Club members. Looking to buy Upstate? Every month, we interview a Catskills/Hudson Valley real estate professional to share their unique perspective on the market. They’ll leave us with some insightful tips, too. Last, keep up to date with all the exciting new openings, plus the best best events, in Upstate NY. Escape Brooklyn is powered of a tiny team of women freelancers, led by Founder & Creative Director Erin Lindsey. Currently Escape Brooklyn is funded by advertisers, but by charging a small amount monthly to our very large audience, it expands our bandwidth to bring much more content to your fingertips – including discounts, giveaways, and Upstate insider information you won’t find anywhere else. Your financial support is much appreciated, and 1% of our profits go directly to battling climate change. Click Here For More Info, or to Join the Escape Club
A Guide to Hudson, NY
Hudson, NY is the perfect town for your maiden voyage upstate — in fact, it was ours! This once "sleepy town" now brands itself the "downtown of Upstate" with 200 independent establishments including antique and boutique shops, hotels, art galleries, restaurants and bars, mostly along Warren Street. Visually, this charming town is a treat, delighting visitors and aesthetes with its stunning and Wes Anderson-esque architecture. The restoration of some 300 historic buildings in two square miles makes it one of the historically richest, and most diverse architectural cities in New York State.
A Guide to Cold Spring, NY
Cold Spring, NY is one of our favorite daytrips from NYC. An hour on the MetroNorth puts you right in the heart of town and its scenic, walkable Main Street. Though it's only about half a mile long, Cold Spring's Main Street packs a punch, with its cute boutiques and restaurants nearly packed in a row, made extra special by the scenic backdrop of its surrounding mountain landscape. Cold Spring is also home to one of the best and most famous Hudson Valley hikes, Breakneck Ridge. The combination makes it the perfect day trip: spend the morning hiking, then indulge in the shops, restaurants, and services that Cold Spring has to offer. To get to Cold Spring, NY take the Hudson Line on the MetroNorth. If you’re going straight to town, get off at Cold Spring station; hikers can continue on to the Breakneck Ridge stop, which drops steps from the trailhead. (Note that you'll need to catch specific trains for this stop, which only run on weekends and holidays. If not, you can rent a bike, or catch a cab.) What to Do in Cold Spring, NY: Shop Main Street, Hike a Mountain, Visit a Design Legend’s Home The Cornish Estate Ruins are incredibly accessible, just a 1.8 mile round-trip trek from the parking lot. All photos by Erin Lindsey/Escape Brooklyn. One of Cold Spring’s biggest draws is Breakneck Ridge. The very popular trail, named for its short but steep scramble at the beginning, gives way to incredible views of the Hudson Valley. Despite its 10/10 difficulty rating, the trail is always crowded on weekends, though if you continue past the overlook it clears out considerably. Take the time to continue along the trail instead of heading back down — the views are totally worth it. (2021 update: new trails have been built this year to make the ridge’s peak ascents easier to access!) Another nearby trail of interest is the Cornish Estate Trail, only 2 miles long and one of the coolest, most interesting hikes in the Hudson Valley. The short trail leads hikers to the ruins of a massive stone estate dating to 1910. Areas to explore include the house’s dramatic stone and brick remains (including stacks of fireplaces), and various structures including a swimming pool, greenhouse, a laundry facility, and a pump house. For a more leisurely way to take in Mother Nature, visit Manitoga, the home, studio, and woodland garden of design legend Russel Wright. After the 90-minute tour, visitors are free to roam the three trails on the 75-acre property. All the outdoor spaces were designed by Wright himself, from the tree and boulder placements to the mossy forest floor. It’s a ten minute cab ride from Cold Spring, and tours are $20. Cold Springs' very attractive Main Street – easily accessed from the MetroNorth - ...
A Guide to Milford, PA
70 miles from NYC in the Pocono Mountains, Milford, PA is the embodiment of small town, American charm. For many New Yorkers — including myself — its treelined Main Street will spark nostalgia. As a transplant from Ohio, it was hard to put my finger on why Milford seemed so familiar; then I realized that Milford is emblematic of the many small towns that so many of us left behind when they turned to the Big Apple. (And if the recent population influx is any indication, a lot of people are heading back, too.) The familiarity and comfort of Milford’s thrift and antique shops, seasonal yard sales, greasy spoon diners and mom-and-pop shops won’t be lost on visitors. Neon signs hanging in shop windows date back to a time well before neon's “hipster" renaissance. During the holidays, festive decorations abound, and trees are cheerily strung with Christmas lights as far as the eye can see. Just add some snow, and the whole town transforms into a set straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Small-town charm aside, Milford is rich in history. It’s also home to the birthplace of the American Conservation Movement. Both of these legacies are evident both in the well-preserved historic buildings throughout town, as well its vast green conservation areas for the public to enjoy. One doesn’t need to travel far for hiking, biking, waterfall exploring, or other outdoor adventure. Tucked just minutes from the Delaware Water Gap, Promised Land State Park, and the Pocono Mountains, Milford is a perfect base to explore this outdoor wonderland that’s closer (and far more affordable) than the Catskills and Hudson Valley. Read on for our guide to Milford, PA and the area surrounding. This guide was created in collaboration with PoconoMountains.com; all views and recommendations are our own. Where to Stay in Milford, PA: Luxury Boutique Hotel or Storybook Cottages Keep cozy by the fire pit at Babbling Brook Cottages in Dingmans Ferry, PA. Though there’s a swath of traditional inns and motels in the area, the best choices for lodging are the cozy accommodations at Babbling Brook Cottages, or the more chic and modern Hotel Fauchère. On the traditional side, the very lovely Hotel Fauchère offers 16 luxury guest rooms in the heart of Milford, on Main Street. Each guest room features a luxurious bathroom designed with Carrera marble, locally-mined bluestone floors with radiant floor heat, heated towel bars, Frette bath linens, and beauty products by from Molton Brown. Rooms begin at $229/night; floor plans and features vary from room to room, but the suite notably includes a glassed-in sitting room. All guests (and non-guests) can enjoy two onsite-restaurants, comprised of the Delmonico Room for traditional fine dining (currently serving brunch only), and the intimate basement bar, Bar Louis for cocktails and casual dining. Those looking for a more nature-immersive lodging experience will prefer Babbling Brook Cottages, located 15 minutes ...
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Catskills Cloud House in Phoenicia, NY
This gorgeous farmhouse has just been renovated into the perfect rental – especially for those wanting a quick, easy getaway without a car. Hop on the Trailways Bus and arrive into the small town of Phoenicia, where the house is just a 5 minute walk from Main Street. Walk into town for meals, or prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner in the beautiful kitchen and dining area. The trailhead for the Tanbark Trail is walkable from the house, as is the beautiful Esopus River for fishing, tubing, or just taking a cool-off dip.
Blue Hill House in Youngsville, NY
Tucked into the woods, the home is a tranquil sanctuary that’s just perfect for unwinding — or make it your homebase to exploring the trendy town of Livingston Manor or the very cute town of Jeffersonville, both minutes from Blue Hill House.
Cedar Brook House in Eldred, NY
This very cute house in Eldred, NY sleeps six guests — plus your four-legged BFF — in an idyllic setting overlooking a private pond.
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Love Lamb: Cruelty-Free Sheepskins Made by Hand in Delaware County, NY
Visit an upstate home, and odds are you’ll see a sheepskin elegantly draped over a chair or bench. They’re everywhere, and for good reason: warm, soft, and organic, they’re an easy final touch for the Upstate hygge vibe we all covet.
Before & After: Camp Caitlin
Caitlin Cowger, owner of Camp Caitlin, has a piece of advice when it comes to buying your Upstate dream home: “Don’t look for the house of your dreams. Renovate the house of your dreams.”
DIY: Picture Frame Wainscoting
I recently moved upstate into a house with Very Boring Walls: bare except for the baseboards and some generic moldings around the doors and windows. The walls were beige and mint, and looked cookie-cutter and boxy, which — in this early aughts saltbox pre-fab — they were. They needed personality. So, with no previous experience and having never before used a saw, I decided to add some wainscoting. I had a tiny budget and no professional help, but installation was easy enough. The finished effect gave the walls texture and allowed for more color, pattern, and finishing options for each room. In short, they look incredible, and now the rooms practically beg for martini hour.
CURATED REAL ESTATE LISTINGS OUTSIDE OF NYCSEE MORE
Riverview Manor in Milton, NY
90 minutes from NYC, welcome to Riverview Manor, a classic Hudson Valley estate. This historic yet modern estate features a gracious tri-level Victorian home, oversized 2-story garage, antique barn, and in-ground pool on 5 acres of rolling lawns with sweeping river views.
Four bedroom, four bathroom home | 3,553 square foot home on 4.80 acres | Hudson River views | Legal 2-family dwelling | Heated saline pool | Mini splits installed throughout | Primary suite with ensuite bathroom | Antique barn | Oversized 2-story garage | Asking $1,150,000
View the virtual tour. Listed by MJ Collum at Country House Realty. For inquiries or showings, email mj@countryhouserealty.net or call/text (917)753 – 3181.
Approached from a leafy and secluded driveway amongst an enclave of other waterfront estates, you arrive at this bucolic homestead. Set on a verdant bluff with mature trees and plantings, enjoy stunning vistas from vantage points both inside and out.
The stately historic home seamlessly mixes original character and details — like two decorative fireplaces, hardwood floors, and never-painted wainscoting and mouldings — with a long list of updates. Enjoy cleanly-designed bathrooms and recent efficiency upgrades, like improved insulation and new mini splits throughout. Front and back parlors, two staircases, numerous bay windows and a wraparound porch with original ornate woodwork all speak to the grand style now imbued with a warm and laidback vibe, perfect for weekend or full-time living.
A new owner has room to make their own mark with a kitchen update that, depending on need, could easily expand into the existing sunroom area. The third floor of the house features a large accessory studio with full bathroom, that could be converted back to a rental unit by restoring the kitchen (plumbing hookups still in place). Additional living space might also be created on the second floor of the two-car garage or inside the charming two-level red barn.
A heated in-ground saline swimming pool also enjoys the river view, as does the firepit close by — and don’t miss the putting green on the far end of the grassy lawn!
Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa, with well-known farm-to-table restaurant Henry’s, is just down the road — as is the Locust Grove Farm & Brewing Co, open on weekends with a rotating lineup of craft beverages and food trucks. Enjoy shopping and dining options in New Paltz, just 20 min away — and the burgeoning scene in nearby Highland (recently featured in the NY Times), with access to the Walkway over the Hudson, just 10 minutes north.
A perfect access point for all the best of the Hudson Valley, yet just 90 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan and 15 minutes to the MetroNorth station in Poughkeepsie, this is a unique opportunity to land a classic Hudson River house and setting, with easy access …
Big Wolf Estate in Tupper Lake, NY
In the Tupper Lake region of the Adirondacks, Big Wolf Estate is an eco-friendly Great Camp located on secluded Big Wolf Lake. Located on 9.6 wooded acres, this seven building compound is the ultimate private estate, featuring a beautiful sandy shoreline with over 650 feet of lake frontage, towering white pines, and exceptional views.
Seven building estate | 650 feet of sandy lake frontage on Big Wolf Lake | Rare 9.6 acre setting on a 1,000 + acre lake | 14 total bedrooms with 11 total bathrooms | Historic details throughout | Dual docks, one equipped with 3-slip boathouse |
Asking $2.5 million. Co-listed by Kris Wheeler & Marie Wigger Morgan at Merrill L. Thomas, Inc. For showings or inquiries, contact Kris by email kwheeler@adirondackestates.com, phone (518) 524-2631 or Marie by email jfminc@roadrunner.com or (518) 524-6757.
Big Wolf Lake comprises a 1,100 acre lake (65-70 feet deep) with 65 exclusive and private camps, all of which are a part of the Big Wolf Lake Association. This beautiful community is 45 minute drive from Lake Placid, or 40 minutes from the Adirondack Regional Airport, offering daily flights in and out of JFK.
Don’t let the word “camp” fool you: in the Adirondacks, “camp” refers to grandiose family compounds of cabins built in the early 19th century, where the wealthy owners could relax, host or attend parties, and enjoy the wilderness. Luxury abounds, but not without its touches of rustic Adirondack details that defines this region’s unique style. Speaking of style, interior designer Anthony Baratta’s vision for the Big Wolf earned recent features in both Country Living and House Beautiful Magazine.
Enter through a private entrance to the Big Wolf Lake Association, pass the grand Clubhouse, private beach and tennis courts – and drive along the easterly shore of beautiful Big Wolf Lake. Upon entering, the entrance to Big Wolf Estate divides: to the right is the private driveway to the “Winter Camp,” and to the left is the private driveway to the “Summer Camp.”
The summer camp is a remarkable log structure built in the early 1900’s with exposed log beams, stone fireplace, large screened porches, a full kitchen and a half bath. Next door is a 3-season, seven bedroom, three bath guest cottage.
The largest building – Winter Camp – was designed for year round use, and features a stunning two-story great room with a fireplace. A chef’s kitchen and dining room overlook the waterfront, while five bedrooms and four bathrooms affords lots of space for guests to spread out.
Lake life is truly next level at Big Wolf Estate, with jaw-dropping views of the lake, surrounding mountains and towering pines. Big Wolf Camp is equipped with two docks and a boathouse, which features three slips, a vaulted Douglas fir interior, mahogany decking, structural steel boat lift and …
Curiosity Lane Modern in Weston, CT
Just 55 miles from NYC, this stunning Mid-Century modern home is tucked down a private lane and set among the trees. 16 Curiosity Lane strikes at once as a very special residence wherein nature and style convene.
