I’ve lived in the NY/NJ area since 2008, and the Hudson Valley and Catskills are where I go when I need a break from the city without getting on a plane. I’ve done these trips in different seasons and over different years, winter at AutoCamp, summer at Dia Beacon, late summer at the wineries, so this isn’t a leaf-peeping report. But every one of them is an easy drive from NJ, and I’d happily do any of them again with fall color as a bonus.
AutoCamp Catskills: a quiet weekend, dogs included
If you want a weekend where you actually disconnect, this is the one. I went in winter with my two small dogs, and the whole place is fully dog-friendly. The accommodations were comfortable and clean, but what I loved most was the main lodge area. It’s cozy, with a fire going, a happy hour, food and drinks, snacks, and firewood for sale. We grilled, sat by the bonfire, and just zoned out, which was exactly the point. It would be just as fun with a group of friends or family, and they have bigger cabins for larger groups.
One tip if you’re bringing dogs: book a bigger unit or a cabin. You’ll appreciate the extra room. There are trails nearby if you want to hike, and the drive from NJ or NYC is under two hours.
AutoCamp is also close to Woodstock, a cute small village that’s great for walking around and eating out. Shelter Woodstock, SILVIA, Oriole 9, and Yum Yum Noodle Bar are a few of the spots on my list.
For the full stay, with more on traveling there with dogs, read my AutoCamp Catskills review.
Howe Caverns, with a winery stop on the way home
Howe Caverns is one of those places that sounds a little touristy until you’re actually 156 feet underground. The guided tour takes you down into the cave and winds through limestone corridors and huge chambers until you reach an underground river, and then you get on a boat. All in, it’s about a 1.25 mile walk plus a quarter mile boat ride.
A few things to know before you go. There are 139 stairs throughout, so wear real shoes, and the cave isn’t wheelchair or stroller accessible. Tickets are prepaid, nonrefundable, and tied to a specific tour time, so everyone in your group needs to book the same slot. I’d recommend it for families with kids who are old enough to follow a guide for the full tour.
The drive is around three hours from NJ, which is a lot for a day trip, so don’t do it straight through. On the way back we stopped at a small winery with the coziest tasting room. This was years ago and I honestly can’t remember the name, but it was my favorite part of the day. If you want to recreate it, Middleburgh Winery is a small family farm winery just down the road from the caverns with a tasting room overlooking the vineyard. I haven’t been there myself, but it’s the first place I’d try next time. Cave in the afternoon, a glass of wine somewhere warm after: that’s a date plan I’d happily repeat.
Millbrook Vineyards and Winery: bring a picnic blanket
If you want one Hudson Valley winery that works for almost anyone, this is my pick. It’s in Dutchess County, about an hour and a half from the city, and the property is huge, with rolling vineyards, lawn space, and plenty of room to spread out. They sell BBQ and other street food on site, so you don’t even need to pack lunch, though you can’t bring your own wine.
The tasting was great. Millbrook focuses on dry wines, think Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Riesling, and the tasting happens in an old restored barn. You also get to keep your wine glass, which is a small thing but makes it feel a little special. We went in late summer and spent most of the afternoon outside. I’d love to go back in the fall, when those hills turn.
Mohonk Mountain House: the splurge day trip
Mohonk is the kind of place you go to feel a little fancy for a day. We did it as a day trip and spent most of it eating, lounging, and walking the grounds, which are gorgeous, with the lake right in front of the Victorian Mountain House. We went paddleboarding on the lake and joined their lunch BBQ event, which ended up being a highlight.
The one thing that trips people up: you can’t just drive up and walk around. Day visitors need a dining or spa reservation to get into the Mountain House and grounds. There’s a cheaper hiking pass for the 85 miles of trails, but it doesn’t include the Mountain House or any food. One more heads up if you’re a dog person like me: pets aren’t allowed on the property, so this is a humans-only day.
Staying overnight is expensive, but it covers a lot, including golf, tennis, and pretty much everything else on site. If you’d actually use it all, it can be worth it. We didn’t hike this time, so that’s what I’m saving for my next visit.
Dia Beacon: an easy art date
Dia Beacon is under an hour and a half from NJ, and it’s one of my favorite date spots. The museum is in an old Nabisco box printing factory on the Hudson, and the whole place is lit by skylights, so the art sits in natural daylight. The pieces are huge, some fill an entire room, with work from artists like Richard Serra, Louise Bourgeois, and Andy Warhol. It’s a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and give yourself at least two to three hours.
A few practical notes: it’s only open Friday through Monday, parking is limited on busy weekends, and there are free guided tours on weekends if you want some context for what you’re looking at. If you’re coming from the city without a car, Metro-North from Grand Central gets you to Beacon in about 90 minutes, and the museum is a short walk from the station. Afterward, walk over to Beacon’s Main Street for food and shops and make a full day of it.
Which one should you pick?
If you’re traveling with dogs or just need to unplug, go to AutoCamp. For a date, Dia Beacon or the Howe Caverns plus winery combo are hard to beat. Millbrook is the easy, low-effort afternoon, Howe Caverns is best with kids, and Mohonk is the treat-yourself day. Whichever you choose, fall weekends up there fill up, so I’d book sooner rather than later.