hiking

A Guide to Saugerties, NY

By |2025-08-07T17:07:27+00:00August 1st, 2025|Weekend Guides|

Saugerties sits where Esopus Creek meets the Hudson River, offering a quiet village atmosphere framed by water and woods. Known for its blend of historic charm and creative energy, the town’s walkable center is filled with vintage shops, boutiques, and cozy cafes set into old brick buildings. Just beyond the village, forested trails and tidal marshes open into riverside views and sculpture parks, creating a balance between small-town ease and outdoor adventure. Today, Saugerties quietly draws artists, makers, and independent businesses – a community that honors its past while shaping a thoughtful, design-minded identity. Read on for our guide to Saugerties, with recommendations on where to hike, eat, shop, and stay.

A Guide to Hudson, NY

By |2025-08-20T21:45:53+00:00July 10th, 2025|Weekend Guides|

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 New Paltz, NY

By |2025-07-14T15:28:06+00:00April 24th, 2025|Weekend Guides|

At the base of the Shawangunk Ridge, New Paltz brings together scenic trails, historic architecture, and a lively downtown rooted in its college town energy. Just 90 minutes from New York City, it’s a place where access to some of the Northeast’s best hiking and climbing sits just minutes from cafés, restaurants, bars, and local shops. Known for its creative streak and outdoorsy edge, New Paltz moves comfortably between nature and culture. Mornings can mean ridge-top hikes or farmers markets; evenings, live music and small plates on Main Street. Plan your visit with our guide to the best hikes, kayaking spots, restaurants, and places to relax in and around New Paltz.

A Guide to Catskill, NY

By |2025-08-14T15:07:04+00:00April 18th, 2025|Weekend Guides|

Catskill, NY, balances small-town charm with a vibrant, creative pulse. The village invites visitors to start their day with coffee and local art at Citiot, then wander Main Street’s thoughtfully curated shops and galleries, where slow fashion, vinyl records, and experimental art blend effortlessly. As the afternoon unfolds, Catskill’s taprooms and breweries showcase a commitment to craft, from dry local ciders to inventive small-batch ales, all served in inviting, modern spaces. Evenings here hum with energy at venues like The Avalon Lounge, where live bands and DJs keep the village’s lively spirit well into the night. Whether exploring the arts scene, savoring a cocktail, or hunting for unique finds, Catskill offers a refreshingly authentic Hudson Valley experience grounded in creativity and community. Read on for our full guide to this thriving arts-focused town.

Upstate NY’s ‘Severance’ Filming Locations

By |2025-04-02T14:22:07+00:00April 1st, 2025|BLOG & RECENT STAYS|

Here at Escape Brooklyn, we’re pretty big 'Severance' fans. As lovers of suspense and beautiful cinematography – plus half our team being based in Kingston, NY – our enthusiasm for Severance comes as no surprise. We've compiled a selection of notable locations featured throughout both seasons. And with summer approaching, true to Escape Brooklyn form, we're also highlighting some favorite spots for lodging, dining, shopping, hiking, and more to assist with planning a Severance-inspired getaway.

A Guide to Gardiner, NY

By |2025-07-14T14:59:33+00:00March 21st, 2025|Weekend Guides|

At the foot of the Shawangunk Ridge, Gardiner, NY offers a rugged-meets-refined Upstate escape. Here, dramatic hikes give way to bourbon tastings, orchard views pair with wood-fired pizza, and spa treatments come with sweeping mountain backdrops. Home to some of New York’s most iconic hiking trails, including The Lemon Squeeze and the West Trapps cliffs, Gardiner draws climbers, hikers, and outdoors-minded travelers looking for high-impact views and low-key recovery. Whether you're scaling the ridge, relaxing in a cedar sauna, or settling in with a glass of small-batch bourbon, Gardiner delivers a grounded but elevated upstate experience. Read on for our full Gardiner area guide — including what to hike, where to sip, and the best places to eat and unwind.

Seminary Hill in Callicoon, NY: Orchard, Tasting Room, Cidery and Boutique Hotel

By |2025-02-04T20:24:26+00:00January 14th, 2025|Weekend Guides|

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.

A Guide to Portland, Maine

By |2022-07-12T22:45:41+00:00July 6th, 2022|Destination Guides|

Just over 300 miles from NYC, a trip to Portland, Maine is likely just how you picture it... which is, filled with lighthouses and lobster rolls. This historic sea town marries the old world and the new world — from its cobblestone downtown streets to a bustling dining scene, ...

A Guide to Promised Land State Park in the Poconos, PA

By |2025-02-24T17:49:55+00:00October 5th, 2021|Weekend Guides|

One hundred miles from New York City (and ~125 from Philadelphia) lies Promised Land State Park. Located in the Poconos region, famous for its natural scenic beauty and 150 lakes, this somewhat-undiscovered gem of a park boasts 50 miles of hiking trails, winding country roads and a new boutique hotel that’s completely upped the game in the local hospitality scene. 

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