New Yorkers are blessed to be in a very well-rounded travel city with the best reach to Europe from the United States. Since there are bountiful international destinations, there is also a vast array of short domestic destinations. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for locals in the Tri-state area within a 3 hour flight. More importantly, these trips are all possible without having to take a vacation day (for you M-F 9-5'ers), it just depends what you want to do.
Before reading, be sure to note four important airport identifiers in this post:
JFK refers to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Need a ride to JFK? Consider using Islip Car Service - JFK Car Service!
LGA refers to LaGuardia Airport
EWR refers to Newark Liberty International Airport
ISP refers to Long Island MacArthur Airport
Miami, Florida (MIA, FLL) - 3 Hour Flight
Why go?
Beaches, outdoors activities, clubs, restaurants, culture. As a current resident in Miami, this is at the top of the list of weekend trips from NY! I just ask that you please please please venture out beyond Miami Beach.
When to go?
Any time of the year, but best is October - February for perfect weather.
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK, LGA, EWR - See flight deals
Southwest from LGA, ISP - See flight deals
Spirit Airways from LGA - See flight deals
Frontier Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $100+
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
Visit the following neighborhoods to step away from the "typical Miami": Wynwood, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Midtown, Edgewater.
Orlando, Florida (MCO) - 2.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
Disney, Universal, Space Center, etc.
When to go?
Any time of the year, but best is October - February for perfect weather.
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Spirit Airways from LGA, EWR - See flight deals
Frontier Airlines from LGA, EWR - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $100+
Where can you stay?
Nassau, Bahamas - 3 Hour Flight
Why go?
Turquoise waters, friendly people, and close proximity to Florida make the Bahamas a popular destination.
When to go?
December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.
May to August to avoid crowds and surcharges.
November to February to avoid the summer heat.
Who can fly you there?
Delta from JFK - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $300+
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
Rent a car! Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road.
Portland, Maine (PWM) - 1.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
Seaside villages and towns with incredible restaurants and a thriving art scene.
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
AA from LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $150+
Where can you stay?
Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) - 1 Hour Flight
Why go?
Great city for history buffs and seafood enthusiasts.
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA, EWR - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $100+
Where can you stay?
Toronto, Ontario (YYZ, YTZ) - 1.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
Food, people, cleanliness, Hockey Hall of Fame.
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
AA from LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
Air Canada from LGA, EWR - See flight deals
WestJet from LGA - See flight deals
Porter Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $100+
Where can you stay?
Montreal, Quebec (YUL) - 1.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
More restaurants per capita than any other North American city.
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
Air Canada from LGA, EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $100+
Where can you stay?
Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) - 1 Hour Flight
Why go?
Fresh seafood, winding beaches, cozy BnBs, and loads of summer activities.
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
AA from LGA - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Cape Air from JFK - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $200+
Where can you stay?
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY) - 1 Hour Flight
Why go?
Rolling hills, towering bluffs, cultural events, and loads of summer activities.
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
AA from LGA - See flight deals
Delta from LGA - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $200+
Where can you stay?
The Poconos, Pennsylvania - 2 Hour Drive
Why go?
Hiking, winter sports, and heart-shaped jacuzzis. Great Wolf Lodge is a great resort for families.
When to go?
Year-round
Where can you stay?
Ocean City, Maryland - 4 Hour Drive
Why go?
Shopping, fishing, free beaches, boardwalk and, seafood.
When to go?
Summer
Where can you stay?
Atlantic City, New Jersey - 2 Hour Drive
Why go?
Casinos and comedy shows.
When to go?
Year-round
Where can you stay?
Washington, DC (IAD, DCA) - 1.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
Museums, walking tours, great mass-transit and cherry blossoms. Fly to DCA for convenience.
When to go?
Year-round (spring season for cherry blossoms)
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR, LGA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $100+
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
For avid runners, pack your running shoes and go for daily runs around the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 2 Hour Drive
Why go?
History, sports, cheesesteaks
When to go?
Summer and Fall
Where can you stay?
Chicago, Illinois (ORD, MDW) - 3 Hour Flight
Why go?
Food, bars, sports, rivers!
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
AA from LGA, EWR - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from LGA - See flight deals
Spirit Airways from LGA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $75+
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
For bourbon enthusiasts, visit Untitled Supper Club on W Kinzie for an incredible speakeasy experience.
Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) - 3.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
BBQ! BBQ! BBQ!
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Delta from LGA - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $200+
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
Visit the Power & Light District for a unique nightlife experience & go to Arthur Bryant's for BBQ.
Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
Brew pubs, art, nightlife, Mexican food.
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
AA from LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA, EWR - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
Frontier Airlines from LGA, EWR - See flight deals
Spirit Airways from EWR - See flight deals
Southwest Airlines from LGA - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $100+
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
Walk some of the BeltLine.
Bermuda (BDA) - 2.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
Pink sand beaches and diving.
When to go?
Year-round (might want to avoid hurricane season)
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK - See flight deals
Delta from JFK - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $300+
Where can you stay?
Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
History, culture, family-friendly attractions, and watersports.
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $150+
Where can you stay?
Newport, Rhode Island - 4 Hour Drive
Why go?
Cliff Walk, music festivals, boutique stores and inns.
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Where can you stay?
Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) - 2.5 Hour Flight
Why go?
Music (not just country), endless bars, brewpubs, hot chicken.
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
Southwest from LGA, ISP - See flight deals
Spirit Airways from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $200+
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
Stay in the Gulch or near printer's alley.
Raleigh, North Carolina (RDU) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
Outdoors activities, restaurants, college sports, booming tech sector.
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
AA from JFK, LGA - See flight deals
Delta from JFK, LGA, EWR - See flight deals
Jetblue from JFK - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $150+
Where can you stay?
Asheville, North Carolina (RDU) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
Art, craft beer, and the Smoky Mountains.
When to go?
Spring, Summer and Fall
Who can fly you there?
AA from LGA - See flight deals
United Airlines from EWR - See flight deals
How much will it cost to get there?
Airfare: $200+
Where can you stay?
The Hamptons & Montauk, New York - 1 to 4 Hour Drive
Why go?
Beaches, quaint towns, and summer activities.
When to go?
Summer and Fall
Where can you stay?
North Fork Long Island - 1 to 4 Hour Drive
Why go?
Wine tours
When to go?
Summer and Fall
Where can you stay?
Pro Tip:
Be responsible and take a bus for a wine tour from various locations throughout Long Island and NYC.
