Four Hudson Valley Fall Getaways
It’s fall — that means school’s back in session, the days are getting shorter, and there’s less time for a faraway vacation. But, you don’t actually have to go very far to enjoy a getaway this season. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, making up for lost time with friends, or looking for some simple family fun, these four getaways are close enough for a quick trip, while still providing a memorable retreat.
The Girls’ Trip
Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa
220 North Rd., Milton | buttermilkfallsinn.com
Milestone birthdays, bachelorette parties, and overdue get-togethers are all great reasons for a spa trip with the ladies (as if an excuse is really needed), and this inn and spa has everything to make it a getaway to remember. Stay in guest rooms with modern amenities, cozy decor, and scenic views of the Hudson River, or keep the group together in a Guest House — the Riverknoll House, for instance, offers three bedrooms, a full modern kitchen, and a wood-burning fireplace. At the spa, soak your worries away in a heated pool or detoxify in the dry sauna or eucalyptus steam room. Enjoy a midday spa lunch in between body and facial treatments, or treat yourself to manicures, pedicures, and various massage therapies from hot stone to shiatsu.
A Catskills Getaway
Mountain Brook
57 Route 23C (Hill St), Tannersville | hotelmountainbrook.com
Whether you’re looking to get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet or take in all that the Catskills has to offer, this Adirondack-style lodge in Tannersville offers a faraway woodsy feel that’s actually close to the town’s restaurants, bars, and shops. Enjoy a quiet night sipping wine by the dining room fireplace before heading upstairs to your room, or take in the night air from the porch of your own rustic cabin. For those who’d prefer to get out and explore, in just a short drive from the lodge you’ll find hiking and ski trails, spas, antique shops, a brewery, cafes, and more.
The Five-star Resort
Mohonk Mountain House
1000 Mountain Rest Rd., New Paltz | mohonk.com
If you’re looking for the most luxurious local getaway, Mohonk Mountain House is arguably the best. A stunning Victorian-style resort set beside a lake in the Shawangunk Mountains, Mohonk offers luxurious rooms with scenic views, an award-winning spa, farm-to-table dining, guided hikes within the Mohonk Preserve, a Scottish-inspired golf course, boating, and more. This fall, the resort is offering a Mountain Mini-Cation package, allowing 10% off spa treatments when you book three nights or more; your stay includes three meals daily, hiking and boating access, yoga and fitness classes, nightly entertainment, and other amenities.
Family Fun
Rocking Horse Ranch
600 State Route 44/55, Highland | rockinghorseranch.com
Reward the kids for doing well at school with a family weekend at this Wild West-themed resort. During fall, the Ranch offers apple picking, horseback riding, mountain tubing, indoor rock climbing, live entertainment, and other activities. Apple picking begins September 5, and special themed events take place on Rocking Horse Ranch Family Fun Day (to benefit the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley) and during Columbus Day Weekend. For Halloween fun, Ghost Town weekends — which include a haunted house and fall treats — take place every Saturday starting October 6.