offManhattan

Fall is a great time of year to re-energize with a spa weekend. On your next relaxing retreat, stay at one of these five eco-friendly spas—be it in a city, by the sea, by a lake or in a quaint village—without the hassle, expense and environmental hazards of driving. Check out our list of spa getaways near NYC for ideas.

What: The 3rd annual New Haven Food & Wine Festival

Where: Pilot Pen Tennis at Yale, New Haven

When: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 from 5:00–7:30pm

Why: Mingling with tennis champions like Caroline Wozniacki and Marcos Baghdati—plus a box seat to watch them in action—while devouring delicious gourmet food. Tennis fans and foodies alike will indulge in some of the most inventive cuisine of the Northeast and see for themselves why New Haven is garnering such a stellar culinary reputation. Hosted at one location on campus, this year’s event features 20 diverse and inventive restaurants serving up a shnibble of their most famed menu items. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet one of America’s most renowned chefs, Jacques Pepin.

A free association with “New England” conjures up summery images of tall sailboats, wooden docks, and lobster rolls. Mystic, CT has all the rigging of a quaint seaside village, minus the transportation hassle of a trip to Cape Cod. The greater Mystic area—we’ve included Stonington, a nearby town just as pleasant, if not more, than Mystic itself—is a merry place to visit during the summer months, with enough to do to satisfy your need for a day-trip or weekend adventure.

Calling all foodies. Beginning this weekend, celebrate the bounty of summer with six drinking and eating (hello, garlic lovers!) day trips near NYC—from a Grand Tasting in Greenport to a culinary walking tour in New Haven—that are sure to entice even the most refined palate.

What: Foxwoods is teaming up with offManhattan and Peter Pan Bus Lines to provide a bus from NYC to Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Where: Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket, CT. Less than three hours from NYC.

When: Special round-trip charters: July 17, July 24, July 31, and August 7, departing at 12p.m. (Call Carmilisse Farrell at 860.312.3448 or email cfarrell@foxwoods.com to make your reservation!)

Why: Because this is North America’s largest casino and it’s now easier to get to—and more affordable—than ever before. The Emerald City of the U.S., Foxwoods will be the most fun, stress-free weekend getaway you’ll have all summer. And these seats will sell out fast—especially with the meal voucher and great discounts on performances included with your ticket—so follow the yellow brick road to 34th Street, and enjoy the ride! (For more info about the destination, read offManhattan’s review. For reservation details and the entertainment at Foxwoods, read on.)

Rising from southeastern Connecticut’s rolling green hills, a few short hours from New York City, is an unrivaled entertainment destination. Foxwoods Resort Casino is North America’s largest casino with 340,000 square feet of gaming space in a complex that covers 4.7 million square feet. The property comprises over 30 restaurants, 24 retail shops, nightclubs, spas, and numerous world-class performance venues. And that’s not all.

One summer weekend, find yourself sitting on a new exclusive offManhattan-Foxwoods charter on Peter Pan Bus heading to an oasis in Mashantucket that is both calming and exhilarating. It’s where Frank Sinatra christened a theater, and Tom Collichio now celebrates seasonal cuisine.

If  New York’s long list of spring events are all fine and dandy but you’re looking for a little outer state adventure this season—in anticipation of long obligatory summer weekends in the Hamptons, we know the drill—we’ve got seven spring events near NYC that are sure to reawaken winter-trodden spirits.

From bacon and beer festivals to a recycled art exhibit to a family hike week and an outdoor artisan market that rivals the Brooklyn Flea, you will be anything but bored this season.

Even the most devoted pet owners admit that one of the prices of puppy love is a less spur-of–the-moment lifestyle. Booking kennels and finding dog-sitters can put a damper on last minute getaway plans.

Fortunately, we have found seven weekend destinations that welcome you and your pooch so you can still indulge in that spontaneous trip out of town. Metro North, New Jersey Transit, and LIRR accept small domestic pets on board, but they don’t specify a weight or size limit. Your dog needs to be in a carrier for the journey, so this is an excuse to use that chic, over-priced doggie-bag that you hoped would come in handy.

1. Audrey’s Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast, Wallkill, NY

Human Instincts: This five-room, 1740′s inn feels like your very own country home. Nestled in the foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains, this meticulously-restored bed and breakfast is a great place to cozy up around the fireplace. On-premise owners take care of all of your whims, and room rates include a five-course breakfast. Relax in the outdoor Jacuzzi year-round, and dip in the pool in warmer months. You are welcome to use the spacious communal kitchen to prepare meals and snacks. Just a short stroll from Audrey’s is the Bruynswick Inn, where Brittany-born chef Jean Boulidor will delight you with a memorable dinner. For reservations, call 845.895.1147.

Pooch Package: Charming owners Don and Audrey estimate that 85% of guests bring their dogs, so every package is pet-friendly. There are bound to be other dogs to meet and greet, so make sure that your pet is well socialized. The inn has an off-leash policy, so dogs are encouraged to explore every nook and cranny of the farmhouse and its five acres of woods and lawns. Food and water bowls are provided and bedtime treats are the rule. A two night minimum stay is required.

How to get there: Take Metro North Hudson line to Poughkeepsie, where you will transfer to the Ulster-Poughkeepsie Link bus to New Paltz. Call Don and he will pick you up at the bus station in New Paltz: 845.895.3440.