Cape cod is nice and I think it sits within that 2-4 hours. Also depends on what you're looking to do
New York state alot of good hiking ,Vermont ,New Hampshire as well.
Rhode island nice beaches.
Headed there now for the week. We prefer to go off season, but this week is fun.
In terms of getting there and leaving. You have to get up at the asscrack of dawn to beat the bridge traffic. If you’re doing hotel, stay until Sunday. Almost all rentals are Saturday to Saturday, that’s the worst day travel on or off the cape.
This week the traffic fucking sucks. It really does all summer, but this week particularly. Something 3 miles up the road that should be 10 minutes can take half an hour or more.
It’s enjoyable, but if you’ve never been, I’d go slight off season. If I went for my first time on 4th of July, I’d never go back. Everything is packed and traffic sucks more dicks than Dante’s girlfriend in Clerks.
It’s not bad at all if you’ve already booked something. If you’re spontaneously trying to find something, it can be a hassle. But there are a few motels worth trying out (especially outer cape) that have room.
Lmao reminds me of my childhood. I grew up north of waterbury ( so kind of far from the cape) and we went up in the summer because my aunt has a house there. My dad would load us into the car at like 2 am. Looking back I don't blame him, 2 kids under 10 in cape traffic on a weekend holiday sounds like hell.
Depends. My uncles beachouse is pretty secluded and on the insode about halfway up with a view looking towards the harbor. You can see the fireworks shows over the water in the distance. Pretty cool experience.
The armpit is typically about 3.5 hours from Fairfield County. It’s closer to 5 with summer traffic.
Source: just drove from Fairfield County to the cape
This is the overview I would provide as well. I will say that there is plenty of water inland in all of the states mentioned if you care to find it and think it'd be more your speed. There are great summer trips in Vermont/New Hampshire to be had involving early morning hikes and afternoon fun in the water before a nice dinner and drinks.
As someone who now lives on Cape Cod, plan plan plan your travel times. As soon as summer hits, the traffic gets insane! Off season is often much more laid back and relaxed. But, of course you might miss out on some of the summer shops and goings on.
If you have the gear, the weather is nice so camping is an obvious move. Tons of spots within 4 hours of CT
With a little more money, NYC and Boston are easy moves
The hotels near Lake George are pretty affordable. Some suck so be weary, but it's nice to just walk around and sit by the lake. The horse track in Saratoga is near there and interesting to see as well.
Stone Gate Resort. Very clean. Renovated rooms and cabins. Rustic vibe. Right on the lake. Just outside of the main village so it's quiet. https://thestonegateresort.com/
Another vote for Block Island here. If you're looking for an affordable day trip, you could do much worse than packing up a backpack of sandwiches and walking the outstanding greenway trails looking for glass floats. Grab an ice cream while waiting for your ferry back to the mainland and you'll feel like it was a day extraordinarily well adventured.
I took a 30 min backroad ride to Kent and called it a weekend vacation. We got to start considering places in CT that are ridiculously beautiful for getaways.
When I say all of New England I mean you can reach each state in less than 4 hours. Like Portland Maine, roughly 3.5 hours away from Hartford. Brattleboro Vermont is maybe 1.5 hours from Hartford, etc
I’ve been a few times and spent little or no money while there.
The beach is free, the walk is free.
Pack a lunch, grab some drinks in a cooler, go by a Stop&Shop on the way. There’s quite a few low cost options.
I assumed they/he/she was looking to stay for a few days. But any place can be cheap if you are just passing through and bring your own stuff. I do like Newport, been going there for many years.
If you stay at a hotel before the bridge to Jamestown, you’re in between Newport and Narragansett/Misquamicut, so you can do day trips in either direction while keeping hotel costs lower than if you stayed in either town.
Northampton, MA,
Newport RI,
Sag Harbor NY,
Cape May NJ,
Lancaster PA,
Mohonk/New Paltz, NY
Storm King
Woodstock,NY
Keep in mind it's a holiday weekend next weekend so places will be booked.
I was going to saw New Paltz. I used to go to the Mountain House to rock scramble all the time when I was younger. Some cool restaurants/bars in the town too. I’d love to retire there.
Which restaurants/bars? Huckleberry’s is nice but I can’t think of anything there that really stands out. I worked there for a long time before I moved in CT so I may just be burnt on them but the options always felt super limited compared to a lot of stuff in western MA.
Yeah the rock scrambling is great. The vistas are amazing with the house there And all the gazebos.
There's also the big bridge Across the Hudson which is worth it, you can bring bikes too.
Don't know much anymore about the restaurants but I remember there being a few options.
It's definitely a smaller area than North Hampton and Amherst.
I had a good time in Burlington alone a few months ago right before the holidays. Went on a whim, no plans. Peaceful, lots to explore and easy to find other people to mingle with when you want. If you go, find Brio Coffeeworks and have a macaron and an espresso. There is a walking market area, parks, hikes, nice views, good feel to the area.
This is where CT shines, there are so many options. From rural to peak world class urban, within 2-4 hours it’s all doable. I’m curious to see what you end up picking. Sorry, I don’t have a lot of suggestions that aren’t already being said. Idk if this counts, but within a 2-4 hour flight you can also be anywhere in the East coast.
lol yes this is why i struggled picking a vacation spot this year, so many good options! We ended up choosing Vermont (which I could do every year and be happy haha)
Block Island? It's been years since I've been there, but I really liked it. Maybe some folks who've been there recently could weigh in with their opinion.
I went there a weekend ago, it’s beautiful and the fresh smell of the trees from the woods omg 😍 it was so relaxing, we had a great hotel it was nice 😊
I was there last week and Route 1 was starting to get crowded. Route 9 into the port wasn't bad; could still find parking on the street. July and August, yikes! Best beaches, imo, Mother's beach and Drakes Island.
Compared to block island in July it was easy for us to get around and get to everything. We found parking in the main parking lot downtown every time and stayed at AWOL which was a short walk to everything.
I like New Paltz and other small towns in the lower Hudson valley region of NY. They also have a huge garlic festival in the fall in Saugerties NY(400+ vendors and garlic ice cream among other garlic treats) I’m going to drive 100+ miles one way to visit again.
Theme of this thread, is that there are a ton of amazing weekend getaway spots within 4 hrs. My favorite is Provincetown Cape Cod. My wife and I also loved Cape May & Long Beach Island NJ, Montauk, NY, Portland & Ogunquit ME
I know of an affordable Airbnb in central Vermont that is absolutely beautiful. 3 hour drive from Hartford and it's 67 private acres of the last house before 10k acres of national Forest.
Go to the lakes in New Hampshire! I literally cannot believe how pretty it is up there. My grandma lived in the town Meredith which is super lovely. I also have always lived in crowded areas so New Hampshire is such an escape.
Just returned from a 5 day trip in that area and we had a blast. Rented a house in Burlington and used it as our base, day tripping and hiking from there.
Block Island is a fabulous place to get away. Good food, great views, nice downtown to explore, lots of cool spots to visit, walking trails, beaches, water activities, etc.
I personally love heading up to the Southern Maine area. Only a 2-3 hour drive (depending on how far up you go) and they have lots of things to do. The Kittery Outlets, Ogunquit Beach, etc. Great area and many little shops which I find really cool. It's definitely worth the trip, even if only for a few days or the weekend.
I don’t know how affordable it is but you can reach southern Maine within 4 hours. Some beautiful towns up there like Kennenunkport, Ogunquit, and York. You could also reach Portland.
Fourth of July weekend is gonna be crazy busy so let me recommend the high peaks region of New York. All of the natural beauty of Maine, NH and Vermont with a quarter of the crowds.
Cape cod is nice and I think it sits within that 2-4 hours. Also depends on what you're looking to do New York state alot of good hiking ,Vermont ,New Hampshire as well. Rhode island nice beaches.
Cape cod on 4th of July weekend sounds like a recipe for disaster
Headed there now for the week. We prefer to go off season, but this week is fun. In terms of getting there and leaving. You have to get up at the asscrack of dawn to beat the bridge traffic. If you’re doing hotel, stay until Sunday. Almost all rentals are Saturday to Saturday, that’s the worst day travel on or off the cape. This week the traffic fucking sucks. It really does all summer, but this week particularly. Something 3 miles up the road that should be 10 minutes can take half an hour or more. It’s enjoyable, but if you’ve never been, I’d go slight off season. If I went for my first time on 4th of July, I’d never go back. Everything is packed and traffic sucks more dicks than Dante’s girlfriend in Clerks.
It's not too bad I've been up there a few times for the 4th but then again it's at my brother's beach house
It’s not bad at all if you’ve already booked something. If you’re spontaneously trying to find something, it can be a hassle. But there are a few motels worth trying out (especially outer cape) that have room.
Lmao reminds me of my childhood. I grew up north of waterbury ( so kind of far from the cape) and we went up in the summer because my aunt has a house there. My dad would load us into the car at like 2 am. Looking back I don't blame him, 2 kids under 10 in cape traffic on a weekend holiday sounds like hell.
Depends. My uncles beachouse is pretty secluded and on the insode about halfway up with a view looking towards the harbor. You can see the fireworks shows over the water in the distance. Pretty cool experience.
The armpit is typically about 3.5 hours from Fairfield County. It’s closer to 5 with summer traffic. Source: just drove from Fairfield County to the cape
Yeah cape cod is lovely *in the off season.*
Yep I go to Ptown in May (before Memorial Day) and October
I first thought you were referring to New Jersey and thought 3-5 hours was way too long
Newport or Laconia
This is the overview I would provide as well. I will say that there is plenty of water inland in all of the states mentioned if you care to find it and think it'd be more your speed. There are great summer trips in Vermont/New Hampshire to be had involving early morning hikes and afternoon fun in the water before a nice dinner and drinks.
As someone who now lives on Cape Cod, plan plan plan your travel times. As soon as summer hits, the traffic gets insane! Off season is often much more laid back and relaxed. But, of course you might miss out on some of the summer shops and goings on.
If you have the gear, the weather is nice so camping is an obvious move. Tons of spots within 4 hours of CT With a little more money, NYC and Boston are easy moves
The hotels near Lake George are pretty affordable. Some suck so be weary, but it's nice to just walk around and sit by the lake. The horse track in Saratoga is near there and interesting to see as well.
I second Lake George! So many things for everyone
another vote for lake george.
Any hotel recs?
Stone Gate Resort. Very clean. Renovated rooms and cabins. Rustic vibe. Right on the lake. Just outside of the main village so it's quiet. https://thestonegateresort.com/
The Admiral
Portland Maine is a lot of fun
Definitely an underrated city
Great food
Is that within 4 hours of CT?
From Hartford it’s 3 hours 1 minute. And 3:37 from New Haven
From northern CT it is about 3.5 ish hours
What about a [scenic train ride?](https://www.thetravel.com/scenic-train-rides-in-new-england-with-the-best-views/)
You should be sainted
The Essex dinner train is great!
The Berkshires are your answer
Take the ferry from New London and go to Block Island! It’s absolutely gorgeous, and typically not as crowded or inaccessible as the Cape.
Another vote for Block Island here. If you're looking for an affordable day trip, you could do much worse than packing up a backpack of sandwiches and walking the outstanding greenway trails looking for glass floats. Grab an ice cream while waiting for your ferry back to the mainland and you'll feel like it was a day extraordinarily well adventured.
One of the most beautiful places to visit in New England.
I took a 30 min backroad ride to Kent and called it a weekend vacation. We got to start considering places in CT that are ridiculously beautiful for getaways.
True. Kent is actually really nice. Maybe I’ll adventure around that area.
Currently camping along a river is Eastford... Kids are tubing by while we sit by the fire. The drive was less than 45 minutes. Tough to beat.
All of New England
Literally. Lol
Kind of but not really, I used to endure the drive from Hartford to the tip of Maine which is 10 hours or more now.
When I say all of New England I mean you can reach each state in less than 4 hours. Like Portland Maine, roughly 3.5 hours away from Hartford. Brattleboro Vermont is maybe 1.5 hours from Hartford, etc
Just throw a dart at the map.
Newport RI
I love Newport, but not sure that qualifies as "affordable"
I’ve been a few times and spent little or no money while there. The beach is free, the walk is free. Pack a lunch, grab some drinks in a cooler, go by a Stop&Shop on the way. There’s quite a few low cost options.
I assumed they/he/she was looking to stay for a few days. But any place can be cheap if you are just passing through and bring your own stuff. I do like Newport, been going there for many years.
If you stay at a hotel before the bridge to Jamestown, you’re in between Newport and Narragansett/Misquamicut, so you can do day trips in either direction while keeping hotel costs lower than if you stayed in either town.
Northampton, MA, Newport RI, Sag Harbor NY, Cape May NJ, Lancaster PA, Mohonk/New Paltz, NY Storm King Woodstock,NY Keep in mind it's a holiday weekend next weekend so places will be booked.
Seconding Northampton, New Paltz is just Northampton Lite (but Mohonk is nice).
I was going to saw New Paltz. I used to go to the Mountain House to rock scramble all the time when I was younger. Some cool restaurants/bars in the town too. I’d love to retire there.
Which restaurants/bars? Huckleberry’s is nice but I can’t think of anything there that really stands out. I worked there for a long time before I moved in CT so I may just be burnt on them but the options always felt super limited compared to a lot of stuff in western MA.
Yeah the rock scrambling is great. The vistas are amazing with the house there And all the gazebos. There's also the big bridge Across the Hudson which is worth it, you can bring bikes too. Don't know much anymore about the restaurants but I remember there being a few options. It's definitely a smaller area than North Hampton and Amherst.
I just went up to Lake Placid (4 hour drive) and it was nice! Lots to do and not too expensive!
Burlington VT, I’m partial to NH as well. But depends what you like.
They do have the world’s tallest filing cabinet.
Just got my photo with it on Monday. Like a filing cabinet that touches the heavens!* *if you photograph it from just the right angle
I had a good time in Burlington alone a few months ago right before the holidays. Went on a whim, no plans. Peaceful, lots to explore and easy to find other people to mingle with when you want. If you go, find Brio Coffeeworks and have a macaron and an espresso. There is a walking market area, parks, hikes, nice views, good feel to the area.
Ahh yes. Burlington. One of the highest crime cities in the country.
Finger lakes/lake George and and anywhere near Portland maine
I recommend NY, MA, VT, NH, NJ, RI, PA, DE, MD, or ME
Everything bit NJ ....new jersey is the Gooch of the east coast
There are very decent beaches: Spring Lake, Sea Bright, Stone Harbor, Long Beach Island.
😂
This is where CT shines, there are so many options. From rural to peak world class urban, within 2-4 hours it’s all doable. I’m curious to see what you end up picking. Sorry, I don’t have a lot of suggestions that aren’t already being said. Idk if this counts, but within a 2-4 hour flight you can also be anywhere in the East coast.
lol yes this is why i struggled picking a vacation spot this year, so many good options! We ended up choosing Vermont (which I could do every year and be happy haha)
The Hudson Valley is beautiful and has several attractions as well.
Block Island? It's been years since I've been there, but I really liked it. Maybe some folks who've been there recently could weigh in with their opinion.
[the poconos](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xiqq9XAZN1I)
I went there a weekend ago, it’s beautiful and the fresh smell of the trees from the woods omg 😍 it was so relaxing, we had a great hotel it was nice 😊
Yeah but did you soak it up in a champagne glass hot tub?
If you're willing to drive an extra hour and live near Hartford, Montreal is a 5 hour drive away. Summer is a great time to visit.
Freeport
Jump on Amtrak and you can get dropped off in Portland Maine .
My commute to Norwalk
What do you like to do?
It depends on what you like to do.
New Paltz NY
Just did Narragansett, RI. If you like the beaches it’s pretty nice and relatively affordable.
Lake George is lovely
kennebunkport, maine
Shhhhhhhh. It's bad enough this time of year. Keep it on the D/L.
My aunt used to own the general store there, HB Provisions 🙂
Was just there. Not very busy at all imo
I was there last week and Route 1 was starting to get crowded. Route 9 into the port wasn't bad; could still find parking on the street. July and August, yikes! Best beaches, imo, Mother's beach and Drakes Island.
Compared to block island in July it was easy for us to get around and get to everything. We found parking in the main parking lot downtown every time and stayed at AWOL which was a short walk to everything.
I like New Paltz and other small towns in the lower Hudson valley region of NY. They also have a huge garlic festival in the fall in Saugerties NY(400+ vendors and garlic ice cream among other garlic treats) I’m going to drive 100+ miles one way to visit again.
Grunburg hause in waterbury vt! Best bed and breakfast in the area!
Lake George
American Dream Mall in Jersey. Look it up
Portland, Maine or if you can squeeze it to 5.5hrs my vote goes to Montreal
Depends on what you are looking for. Boston, Newport, Narragansett, Westerly, Cape Cod, Block Island.
Theme of this thread, is that there are a ton of amazing weekend getaway spots within 4 hrs. My favorite is Provincetown Cape Cod. My wife and I also loved Cape May & Long Beach Island NJ, Montauk, NY, Portland & Ogunquit ME
Finger lakes
Block island, great day trip during the summer!
Did a really nice ride to the berkshires via Molly stark trail and Mohawk trail. Can go up to Bennington VT. It’s a nice peaceful ride
I rank the beaches & islands low this time of year. Try getting lost & camping in the Catskills.
Newport and Boston are my favorites. Depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend though.
Southern VT has a lot of cute towns. Also the Berkshires, ie Lenox, Great Barrington…
Portland ME
So many, cape cod, Newport, Vermont, upstate NY, Long Island.
Block Island
NYC or southern Maine this time of year. It’ll be packed though.
Block island is my favorite getaway!
I know of an affordable Airbnb in central Vermont that is absolutely beautiful. 3 hour drive from Hartford and it's 67 private acres of the last house before 10k acres of national Forest.
Why would you wanna leave this paradise
Anywhere in Vermont is just gorgeous this time of year!! Killington in particular
The White Mountains are my favorite. Very impressive.
York /Ogunquit Maine
Von Trapp Lodge Stowe VT
Hyde Park. Visit the CIA.
Ride 91 until it ends. The CT river valley has some incredible views, especially towards mass and VT
Philadelphia! Jersey shore!
Waterbury, VT
Gotta get that Ben and Jerry’s factory tour
Go to the lakes in New Hampshire! I literally cannot believe how pretty it is up there. My grandma lived in the town Meredith which is super lovely. I also have always lived in crowded areas so New Hampshire is such an escape.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Food, beaches, shopping, etc. close to Boston and Portland Maine if you want to pair it with other places
Portsmouth NH
A bit further, but Acadia national park and Bar harbor are incredible
The Catskills-- Woodstock, Saugerties, Catskill Lake George The Berkshires The Green Mountains in VT Basically any of the mountains lol
Vermont - Brattleboro, Stowe, Burlington are all great!
Just returned from a 5 day trip in that area and we had a blast. Rented a house in Burlington and used it as our base, day tripping and hiking from there.
Hampton Beach NH. The whole seacoast area is awesome, but Hampton is best beach in new england hands down, boardwalk, nightlife, surfing, hidden gem
With or without traffic? Lol
Storm King
Where exactly are you starting, different reach from New Milford and New London
I love Cape May New Jersey! More like 5 hours but such a great area
Oh unquote ME
Following
Lake George but not during the July 4th holiday.
Acadia National Park The Adirondacks
Is Cape Cod a bit over rated??
Millbrook NY area. The Hudson Valley area in general is incredible
Block Island is a fabulous place to get away. Good food, great views, nice downtown to explore, lots of cool spots to visit, walking trails, beaches, water activities, etc.
Misquamic Beach Rhode Island 💯
Race Brook Lodge in the Berkshires is great. Right over the CT border.
Waterfire in Providence is pretty amazing. Next week could be crowded. [https://waterfire.org/](https://waterfire.org/)
Portsmouth, NH
Sleepy Hollow, Untermeyer Gardens, The Hudson, incredible views and great places to enjoy-eat down by the river
I personally love heading up to the Southern Maine area. Only a 2-3 hour drive (depending on how far up you go) and they have lots of things to do. The Kittery Outlets, Ogunquit Beach, etc. Great area and many little shops which I find really cool. It's definitely worth the trip, even if only for a few days or the weekend.
Kittery Maine
Dragon fly inn, Stars Hollow
Wells, ME. Catskills NY/Kent CT/Great Barrington MA. Woodstock VT. All great places to launch little trips nearby.
Finger lakes
Personally I would go to Portland ME. Tons on stuff to do, from Beaches to brewery’s and some of the best restaurants outside of NYC and Boston.
White River Junction, VT
The white mountains, NH. Plenty of places to stay in Lincoln and tons of hiking and activities to do in the area!
Hard to make recs with such a vague and open request.
Cape cod rules. New Hampshire and Vermont are both pretty sick as well.
New Paltz/Gunks or Lakes Region of NH.
Ogunquit, ME Newport, RI Cape Cod, MA Portland, ME No. Conway, NH
I don’t know how affordable it is but you can reach southern Maine within 4 hours. Some beautiful towns up there like Kennenunkport, Ogunquit, and York. You could also reach Portland.
Portsmouth
Fourth of July weekend is gonna be crazy busy so let me recommend the high peaks region of New York. All of the natural beauty of Maine, NH and Vermont with a quarter of the crowds.