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Your Guide to Upstate NY Skiing: Six Mountains, Plus Cozy Places to Stay Nearby
With the Catskills and Adirondacks both within five hours, it’s easy to the get to the slopes for day trips, weekends and extended holidays from NYC. Inside, find six Upstate ski getaways, including mountains paired with EB’s picks for coziest places to stay nearby.
5 Easy Day Trips from NYC – No Car Required
As autumn settles over the Hudson Valley, it’s the perfect season to trade city streets for river views, crisp air, and a quiet cafe Upstate. Whether it’s a first foray north of the city or a return to a familiar haunt, these five destinations offer an easy escape — all reachable by train, no car required. From design-minded getaways in Cold Spring and Beacon to the storied charm of Sleepy Hollow, this guide highlights five effortless day trips from NYC.
Tarrytown + Sleepy Hollow, NY
Tarrytown and neighboring Sleepy Hollow make for one of the Hudson Valley’s most accessible escapes – less than an hour-long, scenic Metro-North ride from Grand Central. The villages sit side by side on the river, tied together by their literary history as the home of Washington Irving and his iconic Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
A Guide to Cold Spring, NY
Cold Spring, NY is one of our favorite day trips from NYC. An hour on the MetroNorth puts visitors right in the heart of town and its scenic, walkable Main Street. Though it’s only about half a mile long, Cold Spring’s Main Street packs a punch, with boutiques and restaurants nearly packed in a row — made even more appealing by its surrounding mountain backdrop. The area is also home to some of the Hudson Valley’s most scenic hikes and cultural landmarks. The combination makes it an ideal day trip: spend the morning in nature, then relax with lunch, shopping, and cultural exploration in one of the region’s most charming river towns.
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TOURISTS Welcome: a Reimagined Motor-Lodge in North Adams, MA
Tucked between the Berkshires and the Hoosic River, TOURISTS Welcome is a 46-room riverside lodge that reimagines the classic American roadside motel through a design-forward lens. Inspired by 1960s motor lodges and the area’s industrial past, the low-slung buildings feature warm white oak cladding, contemporary interiors, and expansive windows that blur indoor and outdoor space. Rooms are spare but intentional, with custom-built furnishings, built-in benches, and woven textiles that nod to regional craft. Trails begin on site and meander into forested hills, while a saltwater pool, fire pits, and art sculptures add a layer of quiet luxury to this outdoorsy retreat.
Piaule: a Landscape Hotel + Spa Getaway in Catskill, NY
Tucked into the forest just outside the town of Catskill, Piaule is an architecturally ambitious retreat that redefines the idea of a nature hotel. Designed in collaboration with Garrison Architects and founded by two friends from the design world, the 50-acre property is a masterclass in quiet luxury — where clean lines, muted palettes, and intentional materials blur the boundary between indoors and out.
Willow Treehouse: an Architectural Hideaway in Willow, NY
Suspended among the trees above a tranquil pond in the Catskills, the Willow Treehouse is a cozy, design-forward escape for two. Built on a 34-acre property just 15 minutes from Woodstock, this architectural hideaway was designed by Antony Gibbon and constructed using salvaged cedar and pine to blend seamlessly into its forested surroundings.
Rowley House: a Scandinavian Cabin with Sauna in Eldred, NY
A design-forward, three-bedroom cabin in the woods of the Delaware River Valley, Rowley House was fully renovated by SOON Architecture Studio and thoughtfully furnished with pieces from local makers and boutique shops. Set across three levels, the home blends minimalist Scandinavian style with cozy, lived-in charm — and includes a private sauna, gym, and expansive outdoor deck.
The Graham & Co.: a Boutique Catskills Hotel in Phoenicia, NY
A modern take on the classic Catskills getaway, The Graham & Co is a 20-room boutique hotel nestled at the base of Hunter Mountain in the hamlet of Phoenicia. With a blend of vintage character and contemporary comfort, this laid-back retreat offers a nostalgic nod to the region’s heritage while delivering all the essentials for a stylish and simple escape.
Mountain Terrace: a Modern Mountainside Home in Parksville, NY
Tucked into the mountains of Parksville, NY, Mountain Terrace is a thoughtfully designed vacation rental that seamlessly connects comfort, style, and nature. Surrounded by trees with sweeping ridgeline views, the property offers a serene and highly private setting, ideal for restful weekends or extended creative escapes. With three bedrooms and an open living plan, it’s well-suited for families, couples, or a small group of friends.
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Upstate New York’s Michelin Key Awarded Hotels – Catskills, Hudson Valley + Beyond
In 2024 the MICHELIN Guide introduced its hotel-award system — the Michelin Keys — to honor stays that excel in design, service, and sense of place. Across Upstate New York, ten properties have received this distinction, from Adirondack resorts to modern Hudson Valley retreats.
10 Architect-Designed Getaways & Boutique Hotels in Upstate New York
New York-based design lovers don’t need to look far for inspiration beyond the city: in recent years, the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and Berkshires have become home to some of the most architecturally striking getaways in the Northeast. From minimalist cabins to reimagined industrial landmarks, these properties combine thoughtful design with unforgettable settings; you'll find each of them on Escape Club, our lodging directory/web app that specializes in memorable, design-forward hospitality.
Old Quarry House in Catskill, NY
In the woods of Catskill, NY, Old Quarry House offers a unique retreat with a private swimming hole, dual outdoor fire pits and one cozy indoor fireplace. This modern home features oversize windows and glass doors throughout for a sun-drenched getaway — perfect for chilly seasons when brisk weather keeps you indoors. During summer, enjoy the home’s private swimming hole on Kaaterskill Creek: pack a bag and head down to the water, enjoying meals at the designated picnic area with table, grill and bonfire — or to the swimming area, with flat rocks that seem to float above the surrounding water.
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The Stone Cottage at Mill Brook in Glen Spey, NY
Set within Black Forest on six wooded acres, the Stone Cottage at Mill Brook blends the permanence of stone construction with the thoughtful precision of modern design. Its cottage-like exterior leads into a 3,400-square-foot home where vaulted ceilings, generous proportions, and carefully chosen finishes define each space. The home’s design balances lodge-like warmth with meticulous detail, from stone masonry and exposed beams to globally sourced finishes and integrated systems. Through the main entrance, the home opens into an airy living area rising under vaulted ceilings and rustic exposed beams. To the right, a sitting area centers around a grand stone fireplace framed by arched windows and a circular candlestick chandelier. To the left, the kitchen and dining areas offer a space for gathering: marble countertops, gold-toned accents, a six-burner Ilve range with griddle, and an oversized eat-in island. Three tall, narrow doors open directly to the wraparound deck from the kitchen, while the adjacent dining area features built-in cabinetry and a flat archway that reconnects to the foyer.
The Lodge in Parksville, NY
Once the heart of a 1960s sleepaway camp, this former dining and dance hall, known as Lodge #1 at Elko Lake Camp, carries forward the warmth and character of its past. Set on a wooded ridge just outside Catskill Park, The Lodge offers single-floor living surrounded by sweeping nature in every direction, with traces of its camp-era origins visible in every beam and plank.
1880’s Queen Anne Victorian in Glen Ridge, NJ
Set on a gentle rise beneath mature trees, this 1885 Queen Anne Victorian conveys a quiet sense of presence. Its wraparound porch, asymmetrical lines, and meticulously restored millwork hint at the craftsmanship found throughout. Inside, rich wood tones, sculptural lighting, and carefully considered modern updates bring warmth and refinement to every room, merging the home’s Victorian architecture with a clean, modern approach.
Bear Run in Narrowsburg, NY
Set on 18 wooded acres outside Narrowsburg, Bear Run is a sculptural retreat from the creative team behind Major Jacks and Wishbone. Its angular form and natural palette give the home a grounded presence in the landscape, bridging artful design with untamed surroundings. Every line and material feels intentional, creating a home that balances architectural rigor with livable warmth. Enter through the gallery-style foyer and up a low-slung lighted staircase to the upper-level great room, where white oak floors and a wall of windows frame the surrounding forest. A dual-sided fireplace clad in fluted tile anchors the space, its textured surface adding warmth and visual delight. Across the room, the color-blocked kitchen pairs maple, gray, and soft green cabinetry with a curvy eat-in island beneath reimagined vintage street lamps, and a perforated shroud above the range nods to Norwegian fjords. The home’s design motif continues in the patterned cutouts of the catwalk-style hallway, which connects the upper-level spaces. A bedroom occupies one end of the hallway, while a half bathroom with locally hand-glazed custom tiles and sconces sits at the opposite end.
Six-Unit Victorian With Hudson River Views in Newburgh, NY
Built in 1870 and located within the East End Historic District, this six-unit Victorian home pairs timeless architecture with modern performance. Once derelict, it has been reimagined by its current owner as both a neighborhood landmark and a fully stabilized income property, preserving historic character while embracing contemporary design and comfort. Behind its shingled façade and wraparound porch are six distinct apartments, each thoughtfully restored. Period millwork, leaded-glass windows, arched doorways, and tiled fireplaces recall the home’s 19th-century craftsmanship, while modern kitchens, updated baths, and custom finishes bring the building firmly into the present. Notable highlights include mirrored octagonal rooms with oversized windows, marble countertops and eat-in islands, French doors between living and sleeping areas, and a top-floor unit with a deep soaking tub and balcony with sprawling Hudson River views. Currently configured as five long-term rentals and one high-performing short-term unit, the property has a proven history of strong income and operational flexibility. A separately deeded, non-buildable lot across the street is included in the sale, preserving panoramic river views for the long term. With its combination of architectural integrity, financial strength, and prime positioning on one of Newburgh’s most picturesque bluff streets, this historic home presents the opportunity to own one of the city’s most distinctive riverfront properties.
Nook House in Narrowsburg, NY
Set on six private acres with deeded Ten Mile River access, Nook House is a 1940s hideaway reimagined for modern living. Behind its rustic stone entry and storybook exterior, this three-bedroom retreat blends craft, comfort, and Catskills character in a way that feels both grounded and design-forward.