4 Cheap Weekend Getaways from NYC

Even though there are plenty of fun affordable activities in NYC, sometimes you just need to get away from it all. Because of it's fantastic East Coast location, there are dozens of cheap weekend getaways within just hours of the bustling metropolis of New York. Sea lover, book reader, city dweller, or country mouse; these four top weekend jaunts are just what the doctor ordered for a little NYC rehab.

Cheap Weekend Getaway: Philadelphia, PA.
Just about 3 hours by car or bus, New Yorker's can take a break from the Big Apple and stay at 5-star hotels like the Ritz Carlton or chic boutiques like Kimpton's Hotel Palomar. You won't want for local beers at friendly neighborhood pubs before emptying your wallet in Rittenhouse Row. While Philly has the same caliber cultural institutions, restaurants and shopping as New York City does, it also has a bohemian flair that makes it a cozy home for artists and fantastic street fashion. Join the great cheese-steak debate and take a ride through the City of Brotherly Love.

Cheap Weekend Getaway: Mystic, CT.
Landlubbers need not apply! A short drive from New York City you can find a cheap weekend getaway with plenty of sand, sun and surf n' turf. Mystic Seaport is a great destination for family fun while the nearby village is a great place for munching on popcorn, taffy and other homemade treats and relaxing by the water. After you get your fill of lobster from any of the dozens of fantastic fresh seafood restaurants, and have a little after-dinner treat at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream, pamper yourself Vegas-style. Just 40-minutes away you'll find a slew of casino's with top-tier hotels.

Cheap Weekend Getaway: Woodstock, NY.
Things have changed considerably since the 1960's, but you'd never know being in Woodstock. This artists' community in the Catskill Mountains is the perfect place for anxious city dwellers to get away from it all. Take in a show at any of the community theaters then grab a bite at the Bear Cafe, known for it's wine list, or the Red Onion, a local favorite for it's eclectic menu ambiance. Before returning from your cheap weekend getaway, enjoy a peaceful slumber at the Woodstock Country Inn, Twin Gables or one of the other adorable B&B's in town.

Cheap Weekend Getaway: New Haven, CT.
Home of Yale University, New Haven definitely has that old collegiate feel. After ordering a burger at Louis' Lunch, the rumored birthplace of the modern hamburger, or a slice at Frank Pepe's stop in at any of the book, coffee or antique shops along the square. You'll find lots of great museum and art spaces here, many of them free, as well as amazing architecture on the buildings across Yale's campus. Finally, The Study is a great hotel stay for those immersed in the Ivy league experience; its amenities include a small library, comfy lounge chairs and a coffee house.

Photo by mcclave on Flickr.