Photography © Jimcintosh
Manhattan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. Not only do thousands of commuters pour into the city via Grand Central every day, but city-dwellers take advantage of our trains for weekend getaways to some of the most beautiful beaches and notable destinations. Whether we travel by air, train or car, Manhattan is just a few hours away to several great getaways.
Beautiful Beaches
New Yorkers can hop on the train from Penn Station and be in Long Beach or the Hamptons on Long Island from 45 minutes to a little over three hours. Long Beach has three miles of white-sand beaches and is a popular spot–you’re there via the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) in 45 minutes from Penn Station to the train station in Long Beach. No need for a car–you can walk a few blocks to the beach.
The LIRR also travels to the Hamptons, including the the farthest tip of Long Island, Montauk. Visit some of the Hamptons’ quaint towns, stop by some of their fine wineries or visit New York State’s oldest lighthouse on Montauk Point. There’s quaint B&B’s and some of the most beautiful homes in the United States flanking these beaches. Remember the movie Something’s Gotta Give? The beach house featured in the movie is in Southhampton. National Geographic named Main Beach in East Hampton as one of the top ten beaches of 2011.
During the summer, the Hamptons Reserve Service offers a premier express train to the Hamptons on Fridays called the Cannonball.
Mystic, Connecticut and Rhode Island
This beautiful, small seaport town became even more popular when the movie, Mystic Pizza was filmed there in the 1980s. From Penn Station, you can board Amtrak and spend a day touring this picturesque town filled with speciality shops and a gorgeous harbor. It’s about three hours away by rail or car. Further up, is Providence, Rhode Island, home to Brown University. A short drive away is Newport, home to the renown Newport Mansions where you can tour some of the most historical and beautiful homes in the U.S.
Washington, D.C.
About four hours away via Amtrak from Penn Station; an hour and a half by air and four hours by car. There’s car rentals at Union Station, so it’s a matter of stepping off the train and picking a car up on the Mezzanine level at D.C.’s Union Station , near the heart of our nation’s capital.
Boston, Massachusetts
About four and a half hours via car, but air or rail is the best bet (heavy, heavy traffic at times!). Amtrak will get you into South Station in about four hours. From there, it’s a quick subway ride to Cambridge where you can tour the beautiful Harvard campus. Or rent a car and drive (you’ll want to stop by the Boston Commons–their park) and tour Beacon Hill and the elegant Newberry Street, their version of New York City’s Park Avenue! Boston is a history buff’s dream.
The Adirondacks
Board Amtrak from Penn Station in the morning and be in Montreal, Canada for dinner. Best for a very long weekend trip as you’ll be on the train for about 10 hours, but you’ll see some of the most beautiful countryside that the East Coast has to offer! The trip, voted as one of “Top 10 Most Scenic Train Trips in North America” by Conde Nast Traveler, you’ll see the lush landscape of the Hudson Valley.
If you have more time, make a stop halfway through the journey at Ticonderoga, New York and stay in one of their elegant B&B’s before heading up to Montreal. From Montreal, you can take Via Rail Canada and be in Quebec in about three hours. Fall is the perfect time to make this spectacular trip.
Many Manhattanites don’t own a car, so our rail system provides a way to journey to so many destinations within a few hours. Grand Central Station takes New Yorkers to great one-day trips; from wine festivals in the Hudson Valley to Sheffield Island in Connecticut or a quick trip to Dobbs Ferry in Westchester County to bike along a car-free bike path, the Croton Aqueduct. There’s small village towns to tour with the Hudson River as a backdrop–begins in October.
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New York City is the most populated city in the United States, with over 8 million people. With a reputation of being the “city that never sleeps,” we’ve acquired a label of being very rushed and driven. We are, to a certain extent, but we’re also welcoming city, offering any that choose to live here, incredible opportunities.
Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to buy or invest in Manhattan. The neighborhoods that make up Manhattan each have a distinct personality with access to world-class cultural venues and to some of country’s most beautiful destinations.
Where are your weekend getaways where you live? What’s your favorite? Leave a comment and let me know!
Check out these websites for more information about weekend getaways and how to get there from here.
Grand Central Station One-Day Getaways.
New York Magazine’s Weekend Getaways. http://nymag.com/travel/guides/52weekends/
(You’ll note I’ve included some KW agents within these areas. Click on the links within each area or below!)
Helen Piovesan, Long Beach, New York. http://www.kw.com/kw/agent/yourhouseisyourcastle
Julie Costa, Newport, Rhode Island. http://204878.yourkwagent.com/
Shane McCullar, Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas. http://shanemccullar.yourkwagent.com/
Tony Olajide, Ottawa Canada. http://www.kw.com/kw/agent/yourhouseisyourcastle
Keller Williams Canada. http://www.kellerwilliamsrealty.ca/kwca/canadian_leadership.html
