Weekend out of NYC

My husband and I will be returning to NYC for our third time in mid May. This time we would like to take a weekend trip out of the city. We are willing to rent a car or take the train. We would be interested in must see sights, scenic coastal areas, golf, shopping and good food.We have been to Niagara Falls on a recent trip to Toronto.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Weekend out of NYC

Yours is a popular query. I put ';getaway outside NYC'; in the search box and got these, with great recos:

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To get away from the city, many NYers have gone ';to the mountains'; for decades. That%26#39;s the Catskills, The Shawangunks and the Woodstock area.

But, we do have beaches, too. Scenic coastal areas to research:

Jersey shore

Cape Cod

Mystic, CT

Rhode Island

Newport, CT

The Hamptons

Montauk

But, they might be empty or partially closed. Also, it still might be chilly. The season doesn%26#39;t really start until Memorial Day weekend.

Weekend out of NYC

The Culinary Institute in Hyde Park near Poughkeepsie is one idea for good food.

http://www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/

There are some of the beautiful mansions in the Hudson Valley along the way including Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate. Kykuit also houses Stonehill at Stone Barns restaurant. I think you could easily pass Woodbury Commons outlet mall along with way if you%26#39;re interested.

The Hamptons/Montauk on Long Island is another option and in mid May would not be high season. There%26#39;s a public 9 hole golf course in Sagaponack and an 18 hole public course in Montauk. Boutique shops, some decent restaurants... and lovely beaches. There%26#39;s also an outlet mall in Riverhead which could be on the way to or from for shopping.

Spring Lake, NJ and another option. Charming Victorian village on the ocean. There%26#39;s also some outlet shopping on the way there as I recall.

Here are 2 popular weekend destinations from NYC, both would be good if the weather is decent, but not as good if you have a colder, wet weekend in May. Either one would be about a 2-1/2 hour car ride from Manhattan.

1. Eastern Long Island including East Hampton, Sag Harbor, and Montauk. Although this area peaks as a tourist destination in July and August, May in the Hamptons is less crowded and can be great for a weekend of shopping, golf, great food, and beautiful beach strolls, although the cold water temperature will mean you%26#39;ll need a sweatshirt for the beach. If money is no object, stay at the Maidstone Arms in East Hampton, which is a beautiful country inn on the edge of the village of East Hampton, a town famous for high end shopping and restaurants. Other nearby towns to explore by car which are less pretentious include Montauk and Sag Harbor. All are very scenic coastal towns with lots of atmosphere and good shopping.

2. Coastal Eastern Connecticut, including Mystic and Stonington. This is a much more affordable alternative. Stay at the Steamboat Inn, right on the harbor in the village of Mystic. Mystic is a small quaint village with several interesting restaurants and some shopping, although it is quite a contrast to what you wil find in high-end East Hampton. Area attractions include Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, and nearby golf. There are also 2 casinos within 20 minutes by car, in case you want some night life: Foxwoods ad Mohegan Sun.

The North Fork of Long Island also offers a nice, truly outside-the-city experience: a drive through the area will include pretty scenery and good dining options - not to mention wineries!