The days are getting longer and the weather warmer, meaning that it’s time to plan those summer vacations. And as the East Coast’s major cities heat up during the summer, the mountains are the perfect place to cool off, get away from the urban hustle and bustle, and enjoy the great outdoors. The East Coast is home to some of the best mountain getaways in North America. Best of all, many of them are a relatively easy drive or train ride from some of the East Coast’s biggest cities, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Below, we share some of the best mountain getaways near the East Coast’s biggest cities.
East Coast Summer Mountain Getaways Near Major Cities
Getaways Near Boston
Boston is the gateway to some of the East Coast’s most celebrated mountains, as evidenced in our article highlighting all the great nearby ski areas. You’ll find it all near Boston, from the idyllic Berkshires in Western Massachusetts to the rolling Green Mountains in Vermont to the rocky White Mountains spread across New Hampshire and Maine. We start off in North Conway, New Hampshire, which we named one of the best ski towns to live in and USA Today readers voted as the best ski town in America in 2024. North Conway is a gateway to a number of classic New England ski areas, some of which, including Cranmore, offer fun activities like mountain biking and scenic gondola and lift rides.
The region is a hub for tons of other outdoor adventures, including access to hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. Diana’s Bath Waterfalls, Kancamagus Scenic Highway, and Echo Lake State Park are a few of the headlining destinations for outdoor lovers. For those who prefer to burn their calories while shopping, they’ll find more than 70 stores at Settlers Green. Many skiers like stopping into the New England Ski Museum to take in the area’s ski history. North Conway is just two and a half hours from Boston.
Just 40 minutes northwest of North Conway is one of New England’s most iconic mountain resorts, the Omni Mt. Washington Resort and Spa. It’s the basecamp for skiers and riders at Bretton Woods during the winter. During the summer, however, the Omni Mt. Washington and surrounding mountains really open up. It’s home to an award-winning golf course, tennis courts, a pool, a world-class spa, numerous restaurants and bars, and much more. The surrounding White Mountains are a playground for hiking, biking, climbing, and more outdoor activities. Head to the top of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the East, either by foot or by train via the historic Cog Railway.
The region is home to another great retreat we’ve previously written about, Lumen Nature Retreat. This is for those who want something that’s between a hotel and camping. Located in Woodstock, New Hampshire, Lumen Nature Retreat features 35 Nordic cabins and A-Frame luxury tents spread over 20 acres. Loon Mountain Resort, home to the largest bike park in the White Mountains and a number of other fun summer activities, is just 8 miles away.
Vermont has unparalleled natural summer beauty for those wishing to adventure in the Green Mountains. The Mad River Valley, home to Mad River Glen and Sugarbush Resort, is around a three-hour drive from Boston and has some of the area’s best hiking and mountain biking. Both these resorts have a complete lineup of other summer activities and events, too. The Mad River Valley Trail Network is a good starting place for both hikers and mountain bikers.
We’ll end this section in Western Massachusetts, where you’ll find the picturesque Berkshires. Just over two hours from Boston, the Berkshires is a wonderful mix of culture, beautiful landscapes, and fun outdoor activities. Shop the boutiques of Lenox, hike up the tallest peak in Massachusetts at Mount Greylock, visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, take a stroll across the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls (currently closed through 2025), and much more. The Berkshires are dotted with charming boutique hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts. Additionally, the Berkshires are a great destination for New York City residents, who can get there in just over three hours by car.
Getaways Near New York City
Many of the best getaways near New York City are a short drive or train ride away in the Hudson Valley, including the historic town of Cold Spring, conveniently just an hour and a half north by train or car. Take in the beautiful views from the village square gazebo, go antiquing at any number of shops, or enjoy a plethora of outdoor adventures along the Hudson. Moo Moo’s Creamery is considered the best ice cream shop in town, and the perfect reward after finishing the Breakneck Ridge Trail, one of the most challenging hikes in the area. Make an entire weekend of it thanks to great lodging options like the cozy Pig Hill Inn or The Thayer Hotel, which boasts views of West Point Academy along the river.
Cold Spring is one of many incredible getaways in the Hudson Valley that are an easy drive or train ride from New York City. Beacon (just north of Cold Spring), Rhinebeck, Kingston, and New Paltz are just a few of the Hudson Valley’s most beloved towns. New Paltz is home to one of the most unique hotels in New York, Mohonk Mountain House, which is a Victorian castle resort on Mohonk Lake with rooms that face the Catskill Mountains. A National Historic Landmark, which dates back to the 1800s, Mohonk Mountain House features an award-winning spa, heated indoor pool, fun culinary experiences, signature events, and a complete lineup of outdoor activities that you won’t just find anywhere, like archery and ax throwing.
We’ve previously written about Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway), which has outposts near cities across America. They have three glamping outposts in New York, including Postcard Cabins Eastern Catskills, which is just two and a half hours outside of New York City. Situated on 85 private acres surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests of oak, spruce, and pine trees, the tiny cabin outpost has 56 glamping cabins. Guests can explore nearby natural wonders like North-South Lake’s scenic hiking trails and the 260-foot Kaaterskill Falls, the highest cascading waterfall in New York. Stop into the Catskill Taproom, located in the old Daily Mail printing facility, after a day of adventures.
Philadelphia
Some of Pennsylvania’s top winter ski resorts double as great summer mountain getaways. Located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, Camelback Mountain Resort is a four-season destination that has just about every activity you could think of, including hiking and biking trails, ziplining, UTV tours, summer tubing, and Pennsylvania’s only mountain coaster. Camelback’s Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark we named one of the best indoor waterparks in America. It has tons of waterslides, a wave pool, adventure river, and much more. Camelback is conveniently about 100 miles from both Philadelphia and New York City. Great Wolf Lodge, just down the road from Camelback, is another great option for families. Great Wolf Lodge’s Pocono Mountains destination consists of a 120,000-square-feet indoor water park, a ropes course, arcade, and a variety of accommodations, including expansive suites and three-bedroom villas.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort is even closer to Philadelphia, just 60 miles away. The mountain’s skiing and cross-country trails convert into hiking and mountain biking trails over the summer, while other activities include archery, disc golf, axe throwing, outdoor yoga, and a full-service spa. Both Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Camelback Mountain Resort are perfect for urban families looking for a fun destination resort that’s close to the city.
The Rex is one of the newest, most popular getaways in the Pocono Mountains. Started by the founders of outdoor brand United By Blue, The Rex sits in the heart of the Poconos right next to Promised Land State Park. Guests of the micro hotel are mere steps from the Boundary Trail, where guests can then head into the park to access any number of other trails, spend the day on the beach, or go kayaking on one of the two lakes in the park. Come back to The Rex after a day of adventures and gather around the fire underneath the starry night sky.
We’ll end with The Lodge at Woodloch, an adults-only destination spa resort in the Poconos. The serene, luxury lodge has 59 rooms and suites, each with their own private veranda, where you can watch the sunrise over the lake or enjoy a peaceful evening under the stars. TREE is the lodge’s signature restaurant and bar, featuring naturally-raised meats and fish and organic, locally grown veggies, many of which comes from the property. All overnight package stays include three meals per night of the stay, plus snacks offered throughout the day. The Lodge at Woodloch Spa is a destination in and of itself, featuring a co-ed lounge, activity pool, soaking pools, outdoor horizon-edge whirlpool, 27 treatment rooms, and separate men’s women’s saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools. This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Getaways Near Washington, D.C.
There are tons of unique mountain getaways in the Blue Ridge Mountains that are within a few hours of Washington, D.C. None are more unique than Fort Lewis Lodge and Farm. Set to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, on a 3,300-acre mountain farm, the historic Fort Lewis Lodge and Farm is a one-of-a-kind getaway featuring on-property hikes, fly fishing, kayaking, tubing, swimming, a wood-fired sauna, and much more. Each day begins and ends at the Lewis Mill Restaurant, where guests enjoy a seasonally-inspired breakfast and dinner. Many of the ingredients and food come directly from the farm.
Just south of Fort Lewis, in Hot Springs, is the historic Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, considered America’s first resort. It’s home to one of the best golf courses in Virginia, an expansive spa, a two-acre pool area, and multiple restaurants. There’s great outdoor access beyond the resort, including 43 miles of trails and a 50-acre lake at Douthat State Park. One of the most unique opportunities for guests is the Cascades Gorge Hike, which is only accessible via guided hikes. The guided hiking trip takes guests through a series of 13 beautiful waterfalls along the Allegheny Mountain Gorge Trail. Both Fort Lewis Lodge and Farm and the Omni Homestead Resort & Spa can be reached in 3-4 hours.
Postcard Cabins has two Virginia outposts, both of which are near Shenandoah National Park and just a couple hours from Washington, D.C. Guests can enjoy breathtaking forest views, nature trails, and waterfalls while staying in one of the tiny cabins surrounded by forest. The cabins are designed to provide a comfortable yet minimalist experience, blending seamlessly with the area’s natural beauty. For guests of the Shenandoah outpost in Stanardsville, explore famous hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park or relax on the two miles of onsite trails that wind through lush landscapes with views of towering sycamores, cedars, and pines. Revelation Vineyards is a great spot for sipping local wines on a nice summer day. The Shenandoah North location, in Basye, Virginia, is surrounded by old-growth forest and scenic nature trails in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
May 20, 2025
