For adventurous travelers drawn to desert seclusion—without sacrificing good food, thoughtful design, or small-town amenities—Joshua Tree offers a compelling escape in Southern California. The nearby communities of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Twentynine Palms function as natural bases for exploring the park and the surrounding high desert, shaping a trip that balances wide-open landscapes with lived-in local culture.
This collection of five 19th-century homes with charming interiors, plus walk-to-everything ease, can host groups up to thirty people in Livingston Manor, NY.
This modern motel is take on a classic Catskills getaway. With a blend of vintage character and contemporary comfort, the laid-back Graham & Co. offers a nostalgic nod to the region’s heritage while delivering all the essentials for a stylish and simple escape.
Near both Windham and Hunter Mountains, The Moon Cabin is a thoughtfully designed log home surrounded by forest, hiking trails, and a private pond. One of our lodging picks for Windham, NY, featured in a few of our guides, the rustic-luxe log home surrounded by forest, hiking trails, and a private pond.
Set between the Rio Grande Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos carries a mix of rugged landscape and deeply rooted creative culture. The shifts in light define the place: long shadows stretching across the mesas, soft winter sun on adobe walls, and a muted palette that feels distinct to northern New Mexico. Though compact, town life moves at an unhurried pace: coffee at a local hub, wandering through art galleries, an afternoon hike above the river, and dinners in cozy, mountain-adjacent spaces.
With the Catskills and Adirondacks both within five hours, it’s easy to the get to the slopes for day trips, weekends and extended holidays from NYC. Inside, find six Upstate ski getaways, including mountains paired with EB’s picks for coziest places to stay nearby.
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.
As autumn settles over the Hudson Valley, it’s the perfect season to trade city streets for river views, crisp air, and a quiet cafe Upstate. Whether it’s a first foray north of the city or a return to a familiar haunt, these five destinations offer an easy escape — all reachable by train, no car required. From design-minded getaways in Cold Spring and Beacon to the storied charm of Sleepy Hollow, this guide highlights five effortless day trips from NYC.
Tarrytown and neighboring Sleepy Hollow make for one of the Hudson Valley’s most accessible escapes – less than an hour-long, scenic Metro-North ride from Grand Central. The villages sit side by side on the river, tied together by their literary history as the home of Washington Irving and his iconic Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Cold Spring, NY is one of our favorite day trips from NYC. An hour on the MetroNorth puts visitors 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 boutiques and restaurants nearly packed in a row — made even more appealing by its surrounding mountain backdrop. The area is also home to some of the Hudson Valley’s most scenic hikes and cultural landmarks. The combination makes it an ideal day trip: spend the morning in nature, then relax with lunch, shopping, and cultural exploration in one of the region’s most charming river towns.