A nice NYC hotel and enjoy Gotham as you never have!

I like Lake Wallenpaupack in Hawley, PA. About a 2 1/2 hour drive. Nice quiet town in the northern Poconos, great Bed and Breakfast at the Settlers Inn (book in advance). The lake is beautiful, the people are nice with some quaint shops, restaurants (Overboards my favorite) and just the right mix of things to do (or not). I go there several times a year for a quick recharge.

Dan Schwartz

The Emerson Resort and Spa in Mt. Trempor, NY.....just past Woodstock. About 2 1/2 hr drive, as well....Think log cabin with Asian theme, but modern.....Ask for a junior suite.....I like room 190, which is bi-level.....Good food, great spa, yoga classes, hot tub, shopping...

There's nothing better than going to Hudson, NY. Amazing restaurants, scenery, piece and quiet!

There's nothing better than going to Hudson, NY. Amazing restaurants, scenery, piece and quiet!

Belmont Vermont. In summer there is music on the green and I can ride my motorcycle. In winter I can walk to country store and meet and hang out with neighbors. Also ski and snowshoe.

Fort Lee, New Jersey is nice. If you don't mind the traffic.
-Chris Christie

Obviously if you like to Ski places within a few hours exist but rely on others for that. Shelly and I built a weekend some years ago when Poco was not touring close to NYC around their concert in Sellersville PA. To justify the ride and staying a few night, I of course needed to so some intell on what else exists. So finding we'd be staying in Bucks County (named after the author of course but who knew then), we visited the Pearl Buck Homestead and James Michener (Art Museum) as well as dine with friends during which we enjoyed a pre-concert visit by Poco members. There is a nice restaurant adjoining the theatre. I even touched on the weekend in a column I wrote about noise (http://coreybearak.com/columns/2003-12-25_Boro_residents_deserve_improved_noise-control_laws.pdf)
If maybe a rented limo was involved, a wine country tour on LI's north fork or the Hudson Valley could be nice. I would probably stay in Greenport in I were using a hotel but we have family nearby in Southold. In Greenport, you need to visit Uncle Pete's used bookstore, The Book Scout (http://northfork.patch.com/listings/the-book-scout).

Vegas baby! You can renew your vows with Elvis at the Graceland Chapel.

On the way down from the college drop-off this year, we spent the weekend in Corning NY. It was so much nicer than I expected. Great galleries and restaurants. And great wine and wine tours of vineyards of the Finger Lakes region. And, for the tourist in you (and in Bill) the glass museum was pretty cool too.

You want charm? Great food? Ambiance? Go to the Birchwood Inn in Lenox, Mass. The proprietress, Ellen Chenaux, is the ultimate innkeeper, the breakfast is over-the-top amazing, and the rooms are sumptuous. Get used to being coddled, delighted and surprised. Lots to do in the area: Antiquing (if that's your thing), grand house tours, wonderful dining (Alta, in Lenox village is THE place to go-- walkable from the Birchwood Inn), museums, hiking plus lots of other attractions within a short drive. We go once a year for a long weekend in May. www.birchwood-inn.com 800-524-1646 There's just nothing like the Berkshires for a weekend getaway... If you do go, please send my best regards to Ellen.