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Sullivan County, NY! The Catskills lives on in a new incarnation.

It's become culturally funky, attracting lots of actors, writers and musicians and it still has the cool, clean lakes and breezy pine trees.

Lots of comfortable b&bs, inns and guesthouses.

There's Day to be Gay (google it), WJFF public radio, organic farmers markets,The Trout Parade in Livingston Manor, local pancake breakfasts, avant garde and mainstream theater, antiques, classical music, and yard sales.

Great biking with actor sightings (my husband passed Richard Gere going uphill!) Loads of kayaking, inexpensive golf on beautiful mature courses. If you like big arena concert venues, Bethel Woods (on the site of the original Woodstock festival)is gorgeous.

It may sound a bit inane, but Governor's Island is free. If you can get a small group it can feel like a day in the country. The only sounds are nature and the occasional passing boat. Very relaxing and so close.

A day out of the city in its own backyard for cyclists... try the Brooklyn Queens Greenway. Runs from Coney Island to Fort Totten, the majority of which through parks is a beautiful, diverse and free escape.
They have a full guide online that provides full on descriptions of the areas traveled through, suggestions for places to eat and rest stops.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/facilities/images/Brooklyn_Queens_GreenwayGuide.pdf

The WAVE GATHERING in Asbury Park, June 19-20-21, 2009. Over 175 bands and music acts in venues all over the town for three days.

Lots of free events, including a free concert on Saturday, June 20th, from 12 to 6 PM on newly refurbished Cookman Avenue (which will be closed to traffic).

It's a Jersey SXSW! Asbury Park is coming back and it's better than ever. Just a train ride away from NYC.

More info at http://www.wavegathering.com/

For the last two years, we've made a weekend getaway of Old Greenwich, CT. You hop on Metro North, swing by the civic center to grab your beach pass and head to the Old Greenwich Beach. It's walkable (only about 2-3 miles from the station) and even more fun if you bring your bike (a bike pass for metro north is $5.) It's an easy day trip but we've made it longer by staying at the Old Greenwich Hyatt who can help you get cabs to the civic center and beach if you need them.

Friends with beach houses. Enjoy the perks with none of the maintenance costs by hanging on the beach with your pals.

I recommend the Blue Iris BB in Cutchogue New York, run by Jerry and Lorry Siani. Sleep in a plush bed and wake up to the sound of roosters. 4 course breakfast, wine vineyards every 20 ft, and wonderful, countryside. Visit Greenport and Jamesport nearby. Plan in advance, weekends fill up quickly.

Brain, there is a kind of provincialism that native New Yorkers display. I know you think your snarky remarks about Pamyra and Watkins Glen are funny but it just displays alack of awareness of a world bigger than Queens.

We are heading up to the Catskills next weekend for a overnight backpack trip. Can't wait!

Pleasantville Music Festival- walk from metro north- July 11- Back Door Slam and others

WARWICK, NY the garden tour is this Saturday!

First of all, my brother-in-law & his partner have a place in Vermont & ALWAYS attend the "Strolling of the Heifers" - we haven't been yet, but they say it's lovely campy fun! This weekend, we will spend lots of time here in Red Bank at the Jazz & Blues Festival - FREE, great music; good food; beautiful riverside location; direct train service from NYC; lots of dining choices all w/in walking distance - come & enjoy!

madison is on long island sound not the atlantic.

try a bike ride over gw bridge and along river road.

cheers,
ted

WARWICK NY. 60 minutes from NYC. Warwick Valley Garden Tour. Self-guided, drive to 7 homes with beautiful, creative gardens in the quaint and lovely town of Warwick.

Big Hudson River festival this weekend to celebrate 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's sail. Amazing events at various spots along both east and western shores -- music, ship watching (historic flotilla will take place tomorrow). See web sites for Tarrytown, Irvington, etc. for further info.

Newport Chowderfest
June 6
Yum!

My wife and I went on a 24 hour getaway to Flushing last weekend. It was great - nice, cheap hotel, amazing food everywhere you turn. We actually felt like we were on a vacation, and the feeling lingered because it wasn't ruined by fighting Memorial Day traffic on the way back to NYC.

I have to say Kaiju Big Battel, Saturday June 20th. Think of it as Giant Monsters and wrestling combined.

brian,
but there's still a ton of europeans coming

what about day trips??

The All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival in Philadelphia (a quick and cheap bolt/chinatown bus trip away)! It's 4th of July weekend, it's only $5 for all the ice cream you can stuff in your face, AND the money goes to help kids with leukemia. How could you NOT go?

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS164054+06-May-2009+MW20090506

Somewhat ironically, it's a better time to travel now than ever, due to all the deals (and the somewhat decreased volume of fellow travelers).

Nothing is set in stone yet, but I think I'll be hitting up Colonial Williamsburg for the first time, and I can't wait!