ESCAPE BROOKLYN TRAVEL GUIDES & STORIESSEE ALL TRAVEL & USE OUR GETAWAY PLANNER
10+ of Upstate’s Coziest NY Bars + Restaurants
Thirteen of Upstate NY's coziest bars and restaurants – from the Hudson Valley to the Catskills. Think bars and restaurants that master winter ambiance with wood stoves, candlelight and fireplaces — plus thoughtful cocktails and soul-warming food. Good for chunky sweaters, winter boots, couples and friends trips.
Planning a Date Night Upstate? These Hudson Valley and Catskills Bars + Restaurants Bring the Vibes
Ten of Upstate's most intimate, vibey spots that are perfect for date night – from the Hudson Valley to the Catskills. Think intimate spots for date night with tables for two, girls night, or solo spots to ignore the couples around you with a book… with strong drinks, dim lighting, quiet atmosphere, sharable plates, and an excuse to dress up.
Wellness & Spa Getaways in Upstate NY
A collection of our favorite getaways with saunas, hot tubs, and heated pools that help you shake the winter chills. Scattered throughout the region, this list dives deep into the Catskills, as far east as the New York/Connecticut border, and as far north as the Adirondack High Peaks.
Seminary Hill in Callicoon, NY: Orchard, Tasting Room, Cidery and Boutique Hotel
120 miles from NYC, Seminary Hill is many things: an enchanting boutique hotel, with 17 units across eight apartments – whose charm earned it a MICHELIN Key; a certified organic orchard, with more than 60 varieties and 1,500 trees on 12 acres; and an eco-friendly cidery meeting PassivHaus standards; and a tasting room and restaurant where ciders are paired with fresh, local food.
RECENT STAYS & BLOGSEE MORE
The Henderson in Hankins, NY
Victorian grandeur meets Catskills charm at The Henderson in Hankins, NY. 120 miles from NYC, guests are greeted by the soothing sounds of Hankins Creek below the home, plus architectural details of a bygone era. This grand Victorian home was a boutique hotel in the 1860s, and now offered as a unique escape from the city, with a custom stone hot tub, outdoor kitchen and shower, fireplace and more.
Wellness & Spa Getaways in Upstate NY
A collection of our favorite getaways with saunas, hot tubs, and heated pools that help you shake the winter chills. Scattered throughout the region, this list dives deep into the Catskills, as far east as the New York/Connecticut border, and as far north as the Adirondack High Peaks.
Audrey’s Farmhouse: Four Dreamy Upstate Wedding Venues + Boutique Hotels
The collection of Audrey's Farmhouse event venues is growing. Read on to meet four of these incredible properties.
Old Quarry House in Catskill, NY
In the woods of Catskill, NY, Old Quarry House offers a unique retreat with a private swimming hole, dual outdoor fire pits and one cozy indoor fireplace. This modern home features oversize windows and glass doors throughout for a sun-drenched getaway — perfect for chilly seasons when brisk weather keeps you indoors. During summer, enjoy the home’s private swimming hole on Kaaterskill Creek: pack a bag and head down to the water, enjoying meals at the designated picnic area with table, grill and bonfire — or to the swimming area, with flat rocks that seem to float above the surrounding water.
Canopy Hill House in Roxbury, NY
Perched high on a hill with incredible views of the mountains, Canopy Hill House is an exceptional Airbnb in Roxbury, NY. The modern farmhouse exudes both tranquility and character, with thoughtful touches for guests like its noteworthy coffee setup, plus Made In and Melsen supplies in its remarkably beautiful kitchen. To help guests relax, bath salts and yoga mats are provided.
Two Good Cabins in Roscoe, NY
Just over two hours from NYC, these lakeside cabins are located on a peaceful, non-motorized lake in the heart of the Catskills. Accommodating up to seven guests in five bedrooms, two cozy cabins offer just the right amount of space and privacy for groups of friends and family.
ESCAPE BROOKLYN DESIGNSEE MORE
An Abandoned Cider Mill Gets a New Life. Before & After: North Branch Cider Mill in North Branch, NY
A husband and wife team – serial renovators and home builders – take on their biggest project yet: an abandoned cider mill. "A charming, historic, mess." That's how Tom Roberts describes the condition – and the irresitable allure – of the North Branch Cider Mill when he and his wife Anna Åberg were passed the torch in late 2022. “It wasn’t for sale, but it wasn’t in use. So we pestered the owner for 18 months until he sold it to us.” Fast forward to nearly a year since its re-opening in November 2023: an incredible amount of work has been done, made possible by the colossal vision and talent from their parent company/design studio, Homestedt. Its charming and historic parts remain, but this diamond in the rough has been polished back to its original glory. Below, Escape Brooklyn interviews the design-savvy duo who share stories from the renovation, plus give us the scoop on future plans at the North Branch Cider Mill.
From Mood-Board to Move-In: Customizable New Build Homes by Welcome
Looking to build a brand-new, personalized home? Based in Upstate and Westchester, New York, Welcome promises that homebuyers can go from mood-board to move-in with just a few clicks. Armed with a mood board and a color palette, we worked with Welcome’s designers to easily create an Escape Brooklyn-inspired dream escape — seen below — within Welcome’s Modern Cabin 3.
With many active build projects along the East Coast, Welcome has taken the homebuilding process entirely online, and has streamlined into just a handful of simple steps. Here’s how it works:
- Use their interactive map to choose your perfect plot of land. All plots have been analyzed by Welcome’s proprietary AI land-vetting technology, so you know they’re conducive to a build!
- Use their interactive digital design studio to design your home. For any given Welcome home, there are over 200,000 design combination options. No “cookie cutter” vibes, ever.
- Make an offer on the land and construction costs. This offer secures your home, as well as a builder. Once your offer is accepted, you sit back, relax (in a cabin somewhere, perhaps?), and let them handle everything else – from permitting, all the way through move-in day.
Whether you’re seeking a forever home, a weekend getaway, or an investment property, check out Welcome to see some of their active build projects in the Upstate and Westchester areas. To play around in the digital design studio as we did, head to welcomehomes.com/models — just proceed with caution, because it’s a little addictive.
For transparency, Escape Brooklyn is a real estate advertising service and may have been paid for this ad. We carefully curate potential paid advertisers; all features are hand-picked and thoughtfully considered.
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.
CURATED REAL ESTATE LISTINGS OUTSIDE OF NYCSEE MORE
The Lakeledge in Kenoza Lake, NY + Beechwoods Knoll in Callicoon, NY
Less than 120 miles from NYC, The Lakeledge and Beechwoods Knoll integrate modern style into the mountainside towns of Kenoza Lake and Callicoon in the Western Catskills. Despite following the same blueprint, these two homes – crafted by the team at Western Sullivan Properties – utilize distinct exterior elements and features of their grounds to create two unique Catskills retreats.
Black Bear Cottage in Livingston Manor, NY
115 miles from New York City in Livingston Manor, Black Bear Cottage offers a quintessential Catskills getaway. Inside this thoughtfully renovated 3-acre retreat, nautical finishes like porthole windows and shiplap paneling add charm and texture to Black Bear Cottage’s open layout and modern amenities.
Millbrook Modern in Glen Spey, NY
Tucked into the trees of Black Forest, Millbrook Modern offers a private, contemporary retreat less than 100 miles from NYC. This newly-built home, fabricated by the minds at Wishbone Design-Build, combines modern architecture with mid-century aesthetics, creating a unique and noteworthy design.
Quarry Creek House in Catskill, NY
Two and a half hours north of NYC, tucked into the serene woods of Catskill, NY, lies Quarry Creek House — a modern home crafted by the minds at Blackstone Builders. Its thoughtful design seamlessly blends modern and rustic styles, merging interior and exterior spaces with organic materials, oversized windows, and large glass doors that offer panoramic views from the inside.
Winter Rental at Mountaintop Cottage in Livingston Manor, NY
Perched above the town of Livingston Manor in the Catskills, this cozy 2-bedroom home is available for the winter and spring of 2025, February 1 through April 30.
2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home | 1,700 square feet | Outdoor shower | Stone fireplace & 2 outdoor fire pits | Home office with large desk and printer | Cell service & strong WiFi | Hot tub | Fully equipped kitchen new dishwasher, new electric stove, Breville Nespresso machine | Freshly renovated bathroom in 2024 | Washer/dryer | Detached garage with home gym | Asking $3,500 per one month rental, or $3,200 per month for entire term
For more information or inquiries, contact shandeleemountaincottage@gmail.com.
This mountaintop home has been optimized for relaxation and work from home ease. The main floor has two bedrooms, one of which is currently being used as a home office. An additional bedroom is upstairs in the finished attic space with vaulted ceilings, great for kids or visiting friends. The plant-filled house gets plentiful natural light throughout winter, especially during the morning when the direct sun hits the couch (perfect for cozy morning fires) and afternoons at the dining table (a great WFH spot.) The house is pet friendly, but suited best for medium and small animals.
Inside the home office is a sliding door leading to a private deck with a hot tub and grill, overlooking a fenced-in garden – one of three at the house – which grows specialty flowers including sunflowers, poppies, and dahlias; plus herbs and vegetables. During harvest season, pull from the garden for an array of lettuces and tomatoes for fresh salads. On the side of the house, a beautiful outdoor shower is perfect for rinsing off after a hike. Year-round, a hot tub located just steps from the back door is a quick escape and perfect spot for stargazing.
The property sits atop a mountain with a stunning view a field where hay was once grown and harvested. Today, the deck overlooks the field, where you’ll spot neighboring horses and cows graze their days away in the distance, along with lots of wild rabbits, deer, turkeys, and other wildlife. (Keep an eye out for bald eagles, too!) A stone fire pit area was installed in 2024, perfect for days outdoors. Firewood will be provided.
On a warm day, make use of the screen door on the front of the house and let the Catskills air breeze in. In chilly weather, the super-cozy living room is an ideal place to unwind, with a wood-burning fireplace and custom, extra-deep couch, and tons of blankets and pillows to cozy up in. Netflix, HBO, Amazon, HBO and Hulu available streaming on the TV. A large dining table fits up to 6 guests.
The kitchen and bathroom were gutted to the studs in 2018; everything in the bathroom has been updated with new fixtures, including shower/tub with a view to the outdoors. The kitchen is also well-equipped, with a new fridge, …
The Up Studio: Modern Architecture in the Hudson Valley
Take a tour of Twisted Ridge, the newest project from The Up Studio. This NYC-based architecture firm takes on design projects including custom homes and hospitality – plus provides educational tools for all.