Although we helmet heads are grateful for the 600 miles of designated bike lanes in NYC, let’s face facts: to most New Yorkers, biking in the city conjures up harrowing images of way-too-close encounters with agitated motorists and cabbies.

As an alternative, we recommend these three refreshingly bike-friendly, multi-level rides, which involve free beer, pizza and routes that weave throughout farms, vineyards, and the sea—all near NYC and accessible without, you guessed it, a car.

The Farm Ride | Saturday, August 14- Sunday, 15th | thefarmride.com
By August, it is more than likely you will have had enough of summer in the city. Catch up on some much needed fresh country air with the Farm Ride, a two-day tour of Amherst’s backcountry roads. Participants will “dorm” at the University of Massachusetts; three different types of accommodations will be provided, depending on your taste and budget. Saturday’s ride will be followed by a Saturday Night Dorm Party, and in true college form (thanks to Harpoon Brewery) free beer will be on hand all weekend.The tour promises to be mostly flat, with a few hills here and there, with routes suitable for beginner to expert riders. The trip is priced roughly around $250 per adult.
Optional Transportation: Round-trip transportation is offered for the Farm Ride in buses and charter vans. Two departure times are offered on Friday, August 13th, at 8:30am and 5:00pm, from 10th Avenue between 31st and 32nd Streets. A light meal will be served during the ride. Your bike will be escorted separately in a private truck that utilizes an exclusive bike safe system.

The North Fork Century Ride | Sunday, August 29th | norforkcentury.com
“Flat, Flat, FLAT,” goes the quote about the biggest draw of the North Fork Century Ride—aside from the scenic Hampton views and salty sea breezes. There are no significant hills to speak of on the 25-, 50-, or 66-mile routes (you can chose according to your ability and endurance), and only a few short ones on the 100-mile route. The ride will wind along low-traffic, quiet country roads through farmland and wineries around the coast of the Sound. Whether you opt for the shortest or the century route, free beer from Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. will be waiting at the finish line. Adult registration is approximately $79, and children 12 and under bike for free.
Optional Transportation: The optional transportation for this ride leaves from 31st Street and 8th Avenue at 4:30am the morning of the ride. The return buses will drop-off at 10th Avenue between 31st and 32nd Street.

Note: Registration for both rides can be completed online (see respective websites for details) or in-person, and prices do increase the closer you register to the ride date.

Pedal for Pizza | Gino’s Pizzeria, 548 Flatbush Ave. | pedalforpizza.com
Self-dubbed the “Pizza Pedalers,” a few good Brooklyn men started a weekly ride around town with two objectives in mind: train for a 100-mile trip in the fall and eat the best-rated NYC pizza. Past stops have included Il Porto, Totonno’s, and Nonna Apa. Anticipate a beginner-intermediate ride with a mid-way snack that isn’t “packaged in bar or gel form.” Rendez-vous point is at Gino’s at 7:00p.m. every Thursday.
Transportation: Bring your bike onto the Q train—or over a bridge—at Union Square towards the Prospect Park stop. Head southeast on Flatbush Ave until you reach 548.

Photo: Courtesy of mitja

You can only learn so much watching The Food Network. Put down the remote control and pick up a whisk at one of these culinary destinations near New York City—from the Culinary Institute of America in the Hudson Valley to a quaint bed and breakfast-hosted food and wine pairing in New Jersey. You may just find your inner Julia Child. Even if your soufflés fall and your cookies crumble, a good time (and a new take-home chef’s hat) is all but guaranteed at one of the following six gastronomical getaways–all accessible without a car, of course.

1. Le Petit Chateau Inn, Hyde Park, NY

Why: The Inn’s four rooms have all the modern amenities you need, while maintaining an elegant charm. This B&B is located on forty magnificent acres, which include a private pond. If the weather is fine, give in to temptation and sneak in a pre-breakfast row. Just make sure that you don’t miss breakfast because it is a treat. The Inn’s chefs are all Culinary Institute of America graduates or advanced students (it is just one half mile away), and prepare everything from scratch. Wine lovers are well tended to here, with complimentary afternoon sips poured freely. The Francophile innkeeper has named each suite after a different wine-producing region of France, and tokens from her favorite country can be found throughout the Inn. Check–out the in-room collection of wine-related books and guides.

Culinary Packages: Two cooking classes are offered. A CIA trained chef will privately teach you and your lucky guest to prepare a meal from start to finish. The Gold Package will have you preparing a lunch menu, and costs $175 per couple midweek or $195 on weekends. A chef will show you how to concoct a customized dinner menu for $195 mid-week or $225 on weekends with the Platinum Package. All menus feature Hudson Valley ingredients. If you are looking for hands-on training in a casual setting, consider Le Petit Chateau Inn.

How to get there: Metro North Hudson line to Poughkeepsie. Call the adorable owner, Valerie, who will be glad to pick you up at the station. (39 West Dorsey Lane, Hyde Park, NY, 845.437.4688)

2. The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

Why: This is the goliath of American cooking schools, and many of the most respected chefs in the country have graduated from the CIA’s rigorous and highly respected programs. If you don’t have several years to spare, have no fear, the CIA offers several options for non-professionals.

Culinary Packages: Attending the CIA, the dream of many passionate home cooks, can be a reality. The Weekends at the CIA programs focus on a specific technique or cuisine. You will be preparing dishes in a beautiful CIA kitchen, learning from talented chef-instructors. Novices and seasoned kitchen-mavens alike will acquire new skills and gain confidence. If you have even the slightest interest in food or cooking, this is a must-do experience to add to your bucket list. Your classmates will be fellow foodies, who provide an encouraging atmosphere and a sense of camaraderie. Classes cost $250 and run five hours. You are given an apron, chef’s hat, and a cookbook as take home souvenirs. Classes include The Italian Table, The Flavors of Asia and Spain and the World Table, but the list of offerings is extensive, so there is something for all tastes.  Baking enthusiasts are not left out, and offerings include Cake Decorating and Artisan Breads. (Gift certificates are available, if you are looking for a special something for your top-chef.)

If you want to take it up a notch, try Boot Camp, which gives you an intensive immersion into the world of food. Culinary Boot Camp Vacations last from two to five days. The Boot Camp immersions start at $995.

How to get there: Metro North Hudson line to Poughkeepsie, 10 minute taxi to the CIA in Hyde Park. If you choose to stay overnight, Le petit Chateau Inn would be a convenient resting place. The Holiday Inn Express in Poughkeepsie has a shuttle that will drive and pick you up from the CIA. (1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, NY, 845.452.9600)

3. The Emerson Resort and Spa, Mount Tremper, NY

Why: Nestled in the lush Catskill Mountains, this resort boasts a great spa, and an Inn with 26 premium suites, and five duplex loft suites, all with a 24-bottle in-room wine selection. 27 family-friendly suites are located in the rustic yet elegant lodge. The location provides a range of outdoor activities, from on-premise ice-skating in winter, to mountain biking and hiking during the warmer months.

Culinary Packages: The Emerson Signature Cooking Class is a two-hour private class for you and that lucky someone. A chef will take you thru the paces as you prepare a soup or salad and a pasta entrée. Sip complimentary wine as you learn to create delicious dishes to add to your repertoire. The cost is $250 per couple, and includes a culinary-inspired gift to take home. The class needs to be booked with two weeks advance notice, and can be customized to accommodate your interests.

How to get there: Adirondack Trailways from Port Authority to Kingston. Not all Kingston bound buses continue on to Mount Tremper, so check when you purchase your ticket.  The driver will drop you off at the Emerson upon request. (5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY, 877.688.2828)

4. Main Street Manor Bed & Breakfast, Flemington, NJ

Why: Innkeepers Donna and Ken Arold run a B&B that couldn’t be any quainter. Their accommodating attitude and genuine hospitality make this Inn special. There are five distinctly decorated rooms and a comfy front porch, complete with rocking chairs. Breakfast and tea feature seasonal organic produce, locally sourced.  Don’t skip the desserts and cookie jar treats, lovingly baked by Donna’s mom Grace.

Culinary packages: Hunterdon County, New Jersey is making a name for itself as a wine-producing region, and what better way to experience it than through the Inn, which will arrange a Wine Tasting and Touring Package for $80 per person. Spend the afternoon being driven to the areas finest wineries, where you will taste their best blends. When you return from your tour, the Inn will provide you with a gift bottle of local wine. Main Street Manor runs periodic food-oriented tasting events in their gorgeous Victorian parlor. The recent Wine and Chocolate tasting event sold-out, so a Beer and Chocolate tasting event is in the works for later this spring. Check the Inn’s website for dates and times. Tasting events cost $35.

How to get there: Trans-bridge bus gets you from Port Authority to Flemington in 90 minutes. From the Liberty Village stop, walk to the Inn is under 5 minutes. (194 Main St., Flemington, N, 908.782.4928)

5. La Cucina at the Market, Reading Terminal, Philadelphia, PA

Why: Food lovers from around the east coast flock to Philadelphia’s historic farmer’s market. Well known for its Amish specialties, many ethnicities are represented here. In the middle of it all sits La Cucina at the Market, housed in a sleek demonstration kitchen, full of the most modern appliances. Philly native Anna Florio runs the show.  Her love and knowledge of Italian cuisine is genuine, having spent childhood summers in her parent’s native land. Luckily, Anna aims to share her expertise, teaching us the secrets of La Cucina Italiana. A respected line-up of local chefs headline a variety of classes.

If you are not stuffed after all this cooking and eating, head over to 17 and Sansom Street and try chef Guillermo Tellez’s take on American cuisine, liberally infused with the flavors of his native Michoacan, Mexico. Square 1682 is getting a lot of well-deserved buzz, and if you sit in the lower level of this duplex space, you will get to see the chef at work in the open kitchen.

Culinary package: Hands-on classes include homestyle vegetarian on April 27 and homemade pasta on June 15, but La Cucina’s schedule is loaded with interesting offerings.  Classes usually run two hours and start at $45.

How to get there: MegaBus stops at Independence Hall, on 6th and Market. The Reading Terminal Market is on 12 and Arch, a 10-minute walk. (51 North 12th St., Philadelphia, PA, 215.922.1170)

6. The Four Seasons Hotel, Boston

Why: Executive Chef Brooke Vosika’s upscale comfort food is so delicious, trust us, you will want to learn his secrets. He holds monthly, themed group cooking classes for novices as well as savvy semi-pros. Brooke’s guidance, the convivial atmosphere of the Bristol Lounge and the youthful, after-work crowd make for an informative and creative evening.

Culinary packages: The two-hour hands-on classes start at 6:30 p.m., and cost $125 per person, including light fare and wine. Upcoming classes include Chef’s challenge cook-off on Wednesday, May 12, and Summer barbecue favorites on Tuesday, June 15. Be on the look out for fall classes that incorporate the best fresh products of the season, along with Chef Vosika’s skill as a wine and cider maker. September features a grape crushing class. In October, local varieties of apples are used to make a first press cider. The number of participants is limited, and classes fill-up quickly.

How to get there: BoltBus and MegaBus both go to South Station. If the weather cooperates, you can walk across the Common to the hotel in minutes. (200 Boylston St., Boston, MA, 617.338.4400)

·

· The Massachusetts Tourism Board has launched MA Green, a new website dedicated to tourists, businesses, and natives interested in an eco-friendly getaway, from the green certified hotels to how to get around without a car. [MassVacation]

· Element Hotels are offering guests a free night during Earth Day Weekend when they bring in 10 plastic bottles to recycle. [HotelsMag]

· A 21-film retrospective—including La Grande Illusion and La Marseillaise—of director Jean Renoir is now showing at BAMcinématek. [BAM]

· A peak into the future of sustainable transportation. [PlanetGreen]

· New York City is taking over Governors Island, where 275,000 people ferried to last summer. [NYT]

· Speaking of Governors Island, mark your summer calendars (and get tickets sooner than later) for the 4th Annual Brewfest on June 19—use code THRILL10 for $20 off. [Thrillist]

· On April 27, slurp oysters, drink Brooklyn Beer, and nibble on Saltie‘s sweets at the Evening of Dinner & Lectures about NYC’s Food at the Brooklyn Kitchen; ticket proceeds go to the City Reliquary museum. [BrooklynBased]

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.

Connecticut

New Haven | On June 12, the International Arts and Ideas Festival returns for its 15th year. Expect a full program of talks, theater, tours and themed bike rides similar to last year to occupy you any day of its nearly two-week duration.

Stamford | See Brooklyn-based guru of recycling, Steve Gerberich’s Gadgetry exhibit chronicling a 25-year career in making old stuff new again at the Stamford Museum.

In April, get the whole family to enjoy the outdoors during Stamford’s Family Take a Hike Week. Experience a weekend of eco-filled activities engaging the five senses with themed hikes like; “bug and beasts” “for the birds”  and “wild edibles.” Call 203.322.1646.

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia | In May, walk a car-free Walnut street during Philadelphia’s annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival. Join 50,000 visitors from the Delaware Valley to eat, stroll, and shop the best of the brotherly city.

Philly’s week long Beer Festival is slated as America’s biggest beer event. Head out on an Amtrak train to see what all the tap talk is about.

Massachusetts

Boston | There’s nothing like Boston’s Old Brick Power Station hosting the town’s first Bacon and Beer Festival, Sunday, April 24th. Enjoy pairings of bacon-themed dishes with beer from New England’s top breweries.

Beginning May 15th, get ready to loiter, eat, and shop local in the South End at Boston’s SOWA market—the only open weekly artisan market of its kind.

When foodies next look to be spoiled outside the five boroughs, they should consider a trip north, where Boston has the historical culinary edge. After all, it was the home of Fannie Farmer, America’s first lady of cooking and author of the “Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.” She pioneered the American food scene decades before Julia Child moved to Cambridge and took over the leading role. This borough of beantown hosts the popular Boston Restaurant Week held for two weeks each March—2010′s edition runs March 14-19th and the following week, March 21-26th—with two-course lunches for $15.10, three-course lunches for $20.10, and three-course dinners for $33.10 at Boston’s top dining establishments.

In addition to the prix-fixe hot spots, when you decide to skedaddle spontaneously this spring, consider putting one of these seven Boston hotel restaurants on your dining out list.

One area where Boston can flex its culinary muscle is the hotel-dining scene. The trinity of New England cuisine, chowder, baked beans, and clams are alive and well, but there is a lot more depth to Boston hotel dining then these venerable classics. Hotels around town are dishing up a mix of American favorites and innovative cuisine in a variety of elegant settings, all easy to reach by foot in this relatively compact city. Most are located just off the Freedom Trail, Boston’s famous “follow the line of red paint” on the sidewalk that links 16 sites, so you can get a sense of the city’s historic relevance to matters other than culinary, too. Although hotel dining doesn’t come cheap, you may be able to splurge if you book a bargain-priced Megabus seat to Back Bay Station.

Omni Parker House | 60 School Street | 617.227.8600 | omniparkerhouse.com
If you’re tired of Nouvelle Cuisine and want to get back to basics, you’ll have no trouble finding hotel dining rooms that are steeped in tradition. The Omni Parker House Hotel is where Parker House rolls and Boston cream pie were invented in the 19^th Century. As the oldest continuously operating hotel in America, its history is apparent in its menu’s commitment to classic New England cuisine. Specialties include nursery-style dishes, like baked scrod and clam chowder, prepared with local seafood. It is served by an entertaining yet professional staff who enjoy wowing guests with a list of who has dined there (think Kennedy’s), and who has worked there (Malcolm X and Ho Chi Minh).

The Fairmont Copley Plaza | 138 St. James Ave. | 617.267.5300 | fairmont.com
Boston’s other dining grande dame is the Fairmont Copley Plaza. Its Oak Room serves up a great steak in a timeless, wood-paneled setting, and the adjacent and equally clubby Oak Bar has a creative Martini list and a terrific raw bar. If it’s mirrors and marble you are after, you’ve come to the right place. This somewhat quirky Boston hotel even has its own in-house dog that guests can book to take for a walk.

The Langham | 250 Franklin St. | 617.451.1900 | boston.langhamhotels.com
It is not all chintz and crystal at Boston hotels. The Langham serves its Metropolitan Tea each afternoon in a cavernous space that used to be Boston’s Federal Reserve Bank vault. The hotel’s Café Fleuri serves a chocolate-themed extravaganza brunch each Saturday, from September till June. 85 chocolate desserts are available, all baked in house, and served in an unlimited buffet. Chocoholics from around the East coast make regular pilgrimages to The Langham for this over the top treat.

Millennium Bostonian Hotel | 26 North St. | 617.523.3600 | millenniumhotels.com
A modern flair is also present at the Millennium’s North 26 Bar and Restaurant. Its light wood décor and clean style is a welcome respite from the chaos found next door at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. It is popular with those looking for a break from the throngs of shoppers and tourists. The menu, classics prepared with a light hand, does not disappoint.

The Ritz-Carlton | 10 Avery St. | 617.574.7100 | ritzcarlton.com
The Ritz–Carlton is home to the Jer-Ne Restaurant and Bar, which is bathed in morning light, making it a favorite spot for power breakfast meetings. Its modern décor is stunning, but it is no competition for Chef Ludwig’s innovative breakfast-take on the New England classic, lobster. He serves it in an omelet bursting with succulent, rosy lobster meat, with just enough egg to hold it all together. You get all the pleasure and none of the work that usually comes with the often clumsy and laborious lobster eating experience.

Four Seasons Hotel | 200 Boylston St. | 617.338.4400 | fourseasons.com
The Four Seasons Hotel’s Bristol Lounge offers postcard views of the Boston Public Gardens from its floor-to-ceiling windows. The Bristol is the place to be on Wednesday nights for its “Burgers and Burgundy” themed menu. You can pair one of the restaurant’s Bristol burgers with a glass of Burgundy wine for a casual and well-priced bite. The Bristol Lounge also offers cooking classes on select evenings, a decadent Viennese dessert buffet from nine-till midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, and live jazz each evening.

Mandarin Oriental | 776 Boylston St. | 617.535.8888 | mandarinoriental.com/boston
The recently opened Mandarin Oriental’s M Bar and Lounge is a great place to have a nightcap. Three hundred vintages are available from its wine wall, which can be paired with artisan cheese from the climate controlled cheese room. The soothing color palate is relaxing after a busy day of sightseeing.

Wherever you choose to dine, you won’t go hungry in Boston and you just might increase your appreciation for comfort food, New-England style.

What: Martha’s Vineyard Gourmet Getaway

Where: Harbor View Hotel, Edgartown, MA

When: Monday through Thursday, until April 15

Why: This is a smart, sneaky time of year to visit Martha’s Vineyard. Built in 1891, the Harbor View Hotel is located near an old whaling port and brings a modern sensibility to a classic New England aesthetic–one that you can’t normally enjoy for less than $315 on a peak season night if you’d like a room with breathtaking water views. Going into the shoulder season, Harbor View is offering $109 rates and a welcome basket with spa goodies to boot. And while the Hamptons may still seem closed up, Edgartown is a vibrant, hospitable slice of the vineyard that’s best visited before its narrow streets are swarming with tourists.

As part of the “Gourmet Getaway” package, guests can taste Chef Levon Wallace’s three-course dinner for $28 per person. The menu features locally-sourced ingredients and fresh produce from the island and New England farmer’s backyards. It should make for a pleasant change of pace on a weekday evening; order the Edgartown Bay scallops with lobster, leeks, and house-cured bacon, ease into the cozy elegant setting of the dining room, and let the salty ocean breezes move over your face.

How to get there: For your end of winter getaway, take a Peter Pan or Greyhound bus from Port Authority to Woods Hole, and anticipate brief layovers in Providence or Bourne, Massachusetts. Take the ferry from the Steamship Authority in Woods Hole to either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. (Harbor View Hotel, 131 North Water Street, Edgartown, Mass., 800.225.6005, harbor-view.com)

Harbor view, photo by tuvshin

Harbor View Hotel guest room

Harbor View Hotel porch

Harbor View Hotel living room

Harbor View Hotel pool

Dining room at Harbor View

Edgartown

Houses in Edgartown

Harbor View Hotel by Rich Bruchal

Harbor View Hotel

Dear Valentine, Thanks so much for the charming (sappy) poem, the lovely flowers (that have now wilted), and the box of chocolates (after three that tasted a little like silly putty). Sincerely, and much love, your Valentine

Or this year, ditch the expected and celebrate Valentine’s Day by celebrating your valentine, with one of these six titillating, duo adventures.

Take in Some Tunes On the Water
Picture it: a floating barge, under the glow of the Brooklyn Bridge, across from the twinkling lights of Manhattan. Champagne, chocolates, and the sweet strains of violins, just you and your Valentine. Oh, and Schubert, Mozart, and Dvorák. The concert at Bargemusic plays Saturday, February 13 at 8 pm and Sunday, February 14 at 3 pm. The $50 per person admission fee includes complimentary champagne and chocolates.
How to get there: Take the A or C train to the High Street station in Brooklyn, the F train to York Street, or the 2 or 3 train to Clark Street station. You can also take the WaterTaxi to Fulton Ferry Landing.

The Anti-Valentine’s Day Meal
Whether you’re unattached and looking to gift yourself with some V-Day fun, or paired up and looking for something out of the ordinary, the Forking Fantastic Anti-Valentine’s Day Meal is an excellent alternative to an overpriced candlelit dinner. Learn how to confit duck legs and roast radishes, and laugh a little at Brooklyn Kitchen’s zany teachers while you’re at it. And hey, the class is February 11 (at 6:30 pm), so you and your Valentine (current or met at the class) can stay inside and try out your new kitchen tricks when the big day arrives. The class costs $50 a person and takes place at the Brooklyn Kitchen.
How to get there: The Brooklyn Kitchen is located at 100 Frost St. Take the L to Lorimer and exit at Lorimer and Mertopolitan. Go North on Lorimer, right on Meeker Ave., and right on Frost St.

Check Out (and Check In)
Take a trip. Across the river. The sleek yet lavish Ravel Hotel is a perfect escape without really escaping. Enjoy a decadent meal in the rooftop restaurant, then, if it’s not too cold, retire to the outside bar to enjoy a late tipple and a view of the skyline, and end the evening in an extravagant, whitewashed hotel room. Rooms are currently just $99 a night.
How to get there: The hotel offers shuttle service from various locations in Long Island City. Take the  N, W, or 7 to Queensboro Plaza, the E,V, R, G to Queens Plaza, of the F to 21 Street/Queensbridge. From any of these stops you can walk, or there is shuttle service upon request, ravelhotel.com

Lap Up Some Luxury
If you’re making up for past offenses, or if you just have a special someone who deserves a little something special, the Be My Valentine Package—complete with a decadent dinner for two and rose-petal turndown service in a strokable room at The Fairmont Copley Plaza—has everything you could ask for in a romantic getaway. The $349 price tag sounds steep, but think what it includes: an overnight stay in a rose-petal-strewn room, dinner for two with sparkling wine in the award-winning Oak Room, and breakfast in bed. Plus, uh, there’s all of Boston to be explored. . . if you ever make it out of the hotel room. The package is available February 12, 13, and 14, and reservations should be made 72 hours in advance.
How to get there: Several bus companies including Boltbus (boltbus.com) and Fung Wah (fungwahbus.com) offer scheduled service between New York and Boston. Bus rides typically take 4.5 hours depending on traffic. Amtrak has scheduled train service to Boston from New York. Train trips take 3.5 hours on Acela Express and about 4 hours on other trains. Consult offManhattan’s Boston Transportation Guide for more travel details. For more information on Boston, visit Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau or call 888.733.2678.)

Stay In (After Going Out)
Yes, we all know there is a local food movement in Brooklyn, and we all agree that it’s brilliant. Now you can enjoy all (or a lot) of it in one night, with one easy pick up. Red Hook Lobster Pound has joined forces with some of Brookyln’s favorite food purveyors to create a nirvana for foodies, Alt.Brooklyn, Valentine. The package includes two 1.5 pound lobsters (boated in fresh from Maine) in a 15 quart lobster pot/steamer (that you keep), plus pickles from Rick’s Picks, chorizo from the Meat Hook, Crop to Cup coffee, and treats from Liddabit Sweets. It costs $115, or $140 if you want a bottle of vino along with your feast. You can pre-order and pick up on February 13 or 14. Sure, it’s not exactly an excursion, but it is the best of Brooklyn, and hey, while you’re out in Red Hook, how about taking your honey on a stroll along the Valentino Park and Pier; the gritty old shipping port is nice for a romantic stroll and a great vantage for Statue of Liberty gazing.
How to get there: Hop on a water taxi from Wall Street, Pier 11 by South Street Seaport to the IKEA Terminal in Red Hook ($5 Monday-Friday; free on weekends. Schedule here.) Alternatively, take either the B61 or B77 bus to Van Brunt Street.

Let There Be Light
What’s not romantic about a lighthouse? Have a unique experience this Valentine’s Day: dance the night away in the glow of New Jersey’s historic Absecon Lighthouse, sampling the catered aphrodisiacs on each level, as you climb to the top for views of the Atlantic City skyline. “An Evening of Romance & Renewal.” Takes place on February 13 and February 14, from 7-10 pm. Married couples are even welcome to renew their vows. The tickets are $125 per couple and can be purchased by calling the lighthouse at 609.449.1360.
How to get there: Take the NJ TRANSIT Atlantic City Rail Line to Atlantic City; use bus routes No. 501, 502, 504, 505, 507, 508, 509 and 554 travel within walking distance of the Absecon Lighthouse.

Boston may best be known for its history, including quite a few historic hotels, but over the past several years it has seen an explosion of chic, New York-style boutique properties. As you might guess, they come complete with chic, New York-style pricing.

But Boston’s high winter vacancy rate means many of these rooms are available this season at about half of what warm-weather travelers will pay this summer. Combine that with free Megabus tickets through March and the upcoming Winter Restaurant Week, and right now is looking like the best time all year to visit Boston. Here’s a look at five of the newest hotels in town.

Liberty Hotel | 215 Charles Street | 617.224.4000 | libertyhotel.com
From a former Charles Street Jail to one of the more expensive stays in Boston, the Liberty’s original venue operated until 1990. Now, holding cells have been converted into guestrooms; the drunk tank is now a bar (certain locals have been known to pop in for a drink and say, ‘hey wait a minute…I’ve been in here before’); and guests can take a breather outside in “the Yard.” It might all sound a little gimmicky, but they’ve pulled it off well. The massive open lobby, lined with original brick walls and historic catwalks, is pretty wow-inducing. Given all that, the Liberty draws a decidedly non-orange jumper suit crowd and peak rates of $550. But in the height of winter, rooms are around $275.

Ames Hotel | 1 Court Street | 617.979.8100 | ameshotel.com
Set in another historic downtown building, Boston’s newest hotel blends preserved details like Romanesque windows and original fireplaces with a sleek new David Rockwell design. Woodward, a classic cocktail lounge on the first and second floors, is quite the hotspot with locals. (Note: If you’re trying to sleep, you may want to request a room on a higher floor.) Speaking of rooms, they’re definitely going for the modern, sexy vibe here, complete with glass-paneled showers set right beside the beds—potentially thrilling for a romantic weekend; definitely awkward if traveling with your sister. Rates, which hit $335 in the summer, are now as low as $170.

W Boston | 100 Stuart Street | 617.261.8700 | whotels.com
Boston’s first W is set in the once seedy, now happening Theatre District. Rooms in the glass-façade building offer impressive views across town, and the hotel’s restaurant, Market by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is probably the most affordable place anywhere to sample the famed French chef’s cooking. For example, to taste one of his signature dishes like sea scallops with caramelized cauliflower and a caper-raisin emulsion, you’d have to shell out $98 for the three-course prix fixe at Jean Georges in Manhattan; here it’s available à la carte for 14 bucks. Similarly, guest rooms that go for $389 during peak season are now about $189.

Nine Zero | 90 Tremont Street | 617.772.5800 | ninezero.com
While not quite as new as the other hotels on this list, Nine Zero is worth a look for its great location smack in the middle of downtown—if you want to be able to walk to all the big tourist sites, this is a best bet. The up-close views of Boston Common from front-facing guestrooms don’t hurt either. Local celeb chef Ken Oringer helms the kitchen at on-site restaurant KO Prime, which while a little pricey, also has $5 happy hour bites like pressed prime rib sandwiches and skirt steak tacos, available at the bar from 5pm to 7pm and again from 9pm to 11pm. Weekend rooms right now are as low as $189, down from $289 later in the year.

Fairmont Battery Wharf | 3 Battery Wharf | 617.994.9000 | fairmont.com
Set right on Boston’s newly developed harborfront, this is the place to book a water-view room and curl up with a loved one for a winter weekend. But even though it feels somewhat secluded from the crowded downtown area, it’s also easy to stay here and do Boston without a car—from the hotel’s front door you can walk right out onto the new HarborWalk, where it’s a quick stroll to the New England Aquarium, restaurants in the North End, or the newly hip Fort Point neighborhood. Winter rates start at $209, off from $399 in summer.

How to get there: Consult offManhattan’s Boston Transportation Guide for multiple options from NYC to Boston.

Brendan Spiegel is the editor and co-founder of Endless Simmer. His food and travel writing has appeared in the New York Times, New York magazine and Budget Travel, among other publications.

Liberty Hotel

Nine Zero hotel

W Boston

Ames Hotel

Fairmont Battery Wharf, Boston

Last Thursday, we gave thanks for many things, like family and friends, and New York City’s mass transit system. But it’s really the latter that we’re most grateful for as we enter December and a month packed with snowy frivolity and the coolest holiday events throughout the East Coast—all easily accessible by bus and train from Manhattan.

In addition to yours truly, 12 other NYC bloggers have put together some terrific ideas to bring you the ultimate holiday guide for New Yorkers. Keep reading to find out why this is one season you won’t soon forget.

New York City

Prospect Park Zoo | 450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn | 718.399.7339 | prospectparkzoo.com
The Wild Holiday Party: Presents to the Animals won’t be your typical zoo experience. The Prospect Park Zoo staff has prepared specially wrapped packages for their furry lodgers, and Christmas will come to different animals on different dates. Watch Saki monkeys and Geoffrey tamarins tear into their gifts Dec 5-6; Baboons and Meerkats, Dec 12-13 and 26-27; and Otters and Pallas cats, Dec 19-20.
Dates: December weekends beginning the 5th and lasting through the 27th.
Nearest subway: B/Q train to Prospect Park Station, exit at Flatbush Ave/Ocean Ave.
Nearest bus: B41 local to Flatbush Ave entrance; B47, B48 to intersection of Flatbush Ave and Empire Blvd

Bronx Zoo | 2300 Southern Blvd., Brooklyn | 718.220.5100 | bronxzoo.com
In the spirit of the season, consider bringing more than your holiday cheer to the Bronx Zoo this winter. On your way to visit their resident reindeer, stop by the Zoo Center with your gently worn winter coats to donate to the New York Cares Coat Drive. The zoo is also collecting new and unwrapped toys for the Bronx Borough President’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive. As a thank you for your compassion, the zoo is gifting free admission tickets when you participate in either drive.
Dates: The New York Cares Coat Drive and the Bronx Borough President’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive run December 1-31.
Nearest subway: 2/5 train to East Tremont Avenue/West Farms Square
Nearest bus: BxM11 express to Zoo’s Bronx River Entrance

Queens County Farm | 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens | 718.347.3276 | queenscountyfarm.org
Between last minute shopping and partying, it can be difficult to take the time to enjoy the holiday happenings all around New York City. Revel in the post-Christmas lull and bring the family to the Queens County Farm Museum decorated in its festive finest, free of charge. There will be arts-and-crafts activities for the children, and apple cider for all.
Dates: December 26-28, 2009, 12:00–4:00pm on
Nearest subway: E/F train to Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike Station
Nearest bus: Q46 to Little Neck Parkway Stop

Connecticut

Mystic Aquarium | 55 Coogan Blvd | 860.572.5955 | mysticaquarium.org
Think Christmas with coral. Nestled against Olde Mistick Village 10 miles from the ocean, the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is adding a few more things to the list of reasons to visit—though giving belly rubs to beluga whales (the only ones in New England, mind you) seems enough right there. While visiting the festive town of Mystic over the holidays, set aside time for a weekend breakfast with Santa and stroll past the sea of trees. There will also be a special one-night charity event, the Festival of Lights, on December 11, to benefit food banks and sea research.
Dates: Breakfast with Santa will be held December 5-6 and 19-20; The Holiday Sea of Trees will be on display through January 4, 2010. The Festival of Lights is December 11, from 5:30-8:00pm.
How to get there: Amtrak trains running Washington-Boston serve Mystic and New London; Peter Pan Bus Lines offers daily round-trip service from New York Port Authority.

Pennsylvania

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem | Bethlehem, PA | 610.332.1300 | christmascity.org
In addition to Main Street’s bustling art and nightlife scene, this quaint Lehigh Valley town boasts one of the best holiday bazaars in the world, featuring handcrafted goods by 75 countrywide artisans. Bethlehem also has two unique New Years Eve events if you are looking to escape the city crowds: fireworks for First Night Bethlehem and the first annual PEEPS fest. The festival will be family-oriented, with a PEEPS Olympics for kids and PEEPS mascot for photos. And if you have a craving for the yellow, sugar-dusted marshmallow treats, during Christmas week local restaurants will be fashioning special dishes made with PEEPS.
Dates: The Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem is open December weekends through the 20th. The PEEPS Fest will be held December 30-31, 2009.
How to get there: Take the Transbridge bus line from Port Authority. Ride is approximately an hour and a half. A new program called the Loop, provides a shuttle for people to get around town for a $2.50 all day pass.

Philadelphia’s Washington Crossing the Delaware River Reenactment | 215.493.4076 | gophila.com
Celebrate the city’s rich colonial history with several holiday events, like the dress rehearsal for the reenactment of Washington Crossing the Delaware River. An iconic symbol of the Revolutionary War, the actual “crossing” will be held true to date on December 25. If that has whetted your appetite for all things olde American, the Please Touch Museum has recreated a regal Christmas in their Enchanted Colonial Village. Stop by the Please Taste Café for a homemade pizza hot out of the stone hearth oven.
Dates: The Washington Crossing the Delaware River dress rehearsal will be held on December 13. The Please Touch Museum’s Enchanted Colonial Village runs through January 1, 2010.
How to get there: Consult our Bus and Transportation Guide for multiple travel options to Philadelphia.

Rhode Island

Newport’s Holiday Harbor Lights | Newport, R.I. | 401.845.5815 | christmasinnewport.com
The 12th Annual Holiday Harbor Lights Parade of Boats will kick off the 39th Annual Christmas in Newport. As boats of all kinds sail by in their holiday best, there will be a special visit with Santa Claus at Bowmen’s Wharf. While in Newport, relive the glitz and glamour of the roaring twenties with Christmas at the famed Newport Mansions, the Breakers, the Elms, and the Marble House. Bring your pajama-clad kids aboard the Newport Dinner Train-turned- Polar Express. In addition to the beautiful views of the Narragansett Bay, holiday cookies, caroling, and of course, story-time will be served.
Dates: Holiday Harbor Lights will begin at 6:30pm on December 5. Christmas at the Newport Mansions can be viewed through January 3, 2010.
How to get there: Take the PeterPan bus to Providence – Kennedy Plaza (see our Providence Bus and Transportation Guide for more information). It is important to be aware that the Peter Pan Bus line makes TWO stops in Providence, but the connecting bus to Newport is only accessible from Kennedy Plaza. RPTA (Rhode Island Public Transportation) travels from Providence to Newport.

Providence’s Trinity Repertory | trinityrep.com
Bah, humbug! Though many of us are well familiar with the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Christmas miser, the Trinity Repertory Company’s production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a Providence Christmas tradition. Although this is an annual production, locals continue to attend every year to see it performed with a different twist. After the play, wander through downtown Providence to see the festive lights or to visit the Craftland Annual Holiday Sale, showcasing works by local Rhode Island artists.
Dates: A Christmas Carol runs through December 20, show times vary. Visit the Trinity Repertory online for tickets; adult prices range from $40-65, while admission for children under 14 is only $10. The Craftland Annual Holiday Sale is open December 4-December 31, and hours are 10am-6pm daily.
How to get there: Both Greyhound and Peter Pan bus lines offer service to Providence from the New York Port Authority. Consult our Providence Public Transportation Guide for more travel options.

Massachusetts

Boston Performances | mayorsholidayspecial.com
As part of Boston’s Mayor’s Holiday Specials, visitors can enjoy discounts on a host of Boston activities. In collaboration with ArtsBoston, the city is offering holiday show tickets at half-price on favorites such as the Boston Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker (through December 27), Handel’s Messiah (December 11-12), and A Christmas Carol (at the Hanover Theater December 17-22), and new shows like an urban performance of the Nutcracker and Reckless, a winter-time retelling of Alice and Wonderland.
Dates: For specific show dates, visit the Mayor’s Holiday Special on the site above.
How to get there: If you find your wallet a little lighter than usual after Christmas shopping, the Fung Wah Chinatown bus offers daily departures from the city during the holiday season at $15/one way. Consult our Boston Public Transportation Guide for more travel options.

Nantucket | nantucketchamber.org
The Nantucket Noel is a special season-long calendar of holiday happenings in the city. In addition to the annual Christmas Stroll Weekend (Dec 4-6), the Winter Solstice celebration (December 23) is not to be missed. And Bartlett’s Farm, Nantucket’s oldest and largest family-owned farm, is offering discounts, tastings, and family activities in honor of the oncoming winter season. The Early Skating and New Years Celebration for Children & Families will open at the Nantucket Ice community rink on December 31.
Dates: Nantucket Noel runs all holiday-season long, festivities conclude on January 1, 2010. Visit the calendar for an exhaustive list of daily events.
How to get there: Nantucket is a short ferry-ride from Hyannis. Hyannis can be reached by bus with Peter Pan from New York Port Authority.

Extra: As part of a special countdown to the new year, the Carlisle House Inn is offering a 20% discount off holiday rates if you make your reservation by December 10. 508.228.0720 for reservations.

Map of Featured Getaways

View Holiday Getaways Near NYC in a larger map

You already have photos of your tots and tweens grinning under the twinkling LED lights in Rockefeller Center or in front of the Macy’s window displays. This year, rally the family troops for a different day (or weekend) outing. From historic candlelight tours near NYC to cupcake tea parties at the Ritz in Boston, these eight holiday activities for families will jump-start the joyous wintry season. (Of course, all destinations are accessible without a car as you are never too young to lighten your carbon footprint!)

The Boston Cupcake Tea Party
A day trip to Boston is an ambitious but festive way to ring in the season. Book a bargain-priced seat on the spacious Wi-Fi-adapted Megabus to Boston’s Back Bay station. (Board the double-decker early to ensure an upper-level front-row seat with cool views for both you and the kids.)

Head over to Boston Common, a scenic winter wonderland that is home to the Frog Pond, a perfect place to lace up your ice skates. Best of all, kids 13 and under skate for free.

After twirling on ice, warm up cold little fingers and toes at the nearby Ritz Carlton. Here you’ll find cupcake-themed teas each Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., thru January 2nd. (Adult, $22. Child, $18.) Or, arrive at the hotel by 11:00 a.m. for the Saturday Sugar Plum Tea, where kids participate in a holiday sing-along, which means decorating cookies in the company of Nutcracker characters.

How to get there: Consult oM’s Boston Transportation Guide for alternatives to Mega Bus. Note that Boston Common is a 20- minute walk from the bus station or on brisker days, take the T one stop on the orange line to Chinatown. When you exit the T take a left on Washington Street and then the first left on Avery Street. The hotel is on the left and at the top of Avery Street you will see Boston Common.  Advance reservations are recommended for both holiday teas.

Arts & Baking in the Bronx
Riverdale’s garden gem Wave Hill is closer to home, but its tranquil winter landscape feels miles away. Weekend afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. are the best time for a family visit, when seasoned artist and naturalist Noah Baen leads holiday-themed craft projects for the whole family. Upcoming events include wrapping paper design and making your own holiday pop-up cards, and are included in the garden’s admission price. Saturday, December 19th at 1:00 p.m. features a cooking demonstration of stollen and other holiday breads, in addition to the family art project. Stroll the spacious grounds, peek inside the greenhouse, and stop in for a hot chocolate at the café before catching the free shuttle van to the #1 train.

How to get there: Read oM’s in depth article on Wave Hill for more information and specific directions from Grand Central to Riverdale.

Historic Christmas Candlelight Tours
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside mansion offers a look back at Christmas in the 1850s with a historic candlelight tour led by guides in period costumes. On late Saturday and Sunday afternoons, beginning December 12, learn about old-fashioned traditions of the winter holidays then get warm with hot cider and a Christmas carol sing-a-long by the fire. Before or after the tour, make time to explore pedestrian-friendly Tarrytown, and its sweet shops like Lollipop (53 Main Street), an old-fashioned candy store with a selection of traditional penny candy. Little ones might enjoy a ride on Quicksilver, a stationary pony in the shop window. Join the crowd as you wait for a table with what seems like all of Westchester County at Lefteris Gyro at the intersection of Main Street and Broadway. This bargain-priced Greek diner serves delicious family fare, making it worth the wait.

How to get there: From Grand Central Station, take Metro-North Hudson line to Tarrytown. Taxis wait at the station, and will get you to Sunnyside in minutes. For more info on Sunnyside, visit hudsonvalley.org.

Clydesdale Rides and Reindeer at the Zoo
Though its famous holiday light show has gone to the wayside in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, the Bronx Zoo is still a great place to rev up your family’s Christmas spirit. Holiday weekends at the zoo feature ice carving demos and a herd of reindeer. Don’t miss a ride on the horse-drawn carriage, decorated for the season and pulled by a team of Clydesdales.

How to get there: Take the #2 or #5 train to East Tremont Ave/West Farms Square. At street level, walk straight (follow train uptown) on Boston Road 2.5 blocks to the Zoo’s Asia gate entrance (Gate A). For more holiday events, visit bronxzoo.com.

Holiday Fun on the Farm
The Queens County Farm Museum is the only working historical farm in the five boroughs. It’s fun to milk the cows, ride the ponies, and feed the animals anytime of the year, but they go all out sprucing it up for the holidays. Pre-register for a wreath-making workshop on December 5th and 6th for $20 per person. On December 26th, 27th, and 28th, the farm hosts its annual holiday open house, with craft activities and farm fresh food. Christmas trees and poinsettias are available until December 24th.

How to get there: E or F Train to Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike Station Q46 Bus (eastbound on Union Tpk.) to Little Neck Parkway Stop. Cross Union Turnpike and walk North on Little Neck Parkway three blocks to the museum entrance. More information about the farm can be found at queensfarm.org.

Meet Scrooge in Long Island
Port Jefferson, Long Island is a picturesque village with a scenic harbor. December 4-6, celebrate the annual Dickens Festival and get merry with Dickens characters like Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge. Caroling will be plentiful, and the town’s gorgeous ice-skating rink is open for the holiday event. Storytelling, concerts, and complimentary hot cider are on the menu, as the town goes all out to revitalize this beloved literary figure in a family-friendly way. The Children’s Maritime Museum will be offering do-it-yourself craft projects on Saturday and Sunday afternoon for kids of all ages.

How to get there: The MTA Long Island Rail Road’s one-day “Port Jeff Village” non-escorted package is the best way for families to get there. The package includes discounted round-trip rail tickets from Penn Station, two Lindy’s Taxi stubs, which will get you from the station right into to town, and a “LIRR Port Jeff Customer Coupon”, which gives discounts at several local establishments. The package cost is $25 for adults, $10.00 for children 5-11.

Make Time for Trolley Rides and Classic Holiday Movies
If your little ones are on a first name basis with Thomas (the Tank Engine) and Percy, James and Gordon, a visit to East Haven Connecticut’s Shore Line Trolley Museum can make holiday dreams come true. Ride in comfort on the heated trolley with Santa then explore the museum’s nearly 100 vintage vehicles. While you’re up here, don’t miss a stop in New Haven. Its historic Criterion Cinemas features classic holiday films for families each weekend, such as It’s A Wonderful Life and White Christmas.  Check out the schedule online at bowtiecinemas.com. When small tummies start to grumble, your family can join in the town’s famous pizza rivalry and choose between two venerable joints: Sally’s or Frank Pepe. Let budding gourmands choose between Pepe’s clam pizza (a local favorite) and Sally’s good ole cheese pie.

How to get there: Metro-North’s New Haven line takes you from Grand Central Station to Union Station in 2 hours. From Union Station, catch a waiting taxi to East Haven, and you will be there in minutes for $10.

Educational Adventures at the New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show is so spectacular that it has become a holiday tradition right up there with the Rockettes. Bright lights, model trains, and meticulously accurate mini-replicas of famous New York landmarks will put the rose back in those cold cherubic cheeks. Have a look at Gingerbread Adventures, featuring a giant ginger bread house festooned with sugary-treats that kids can step inside. The Little Engine That Could puppet show is performed multiple times during holiday weekends. Thomas The Tank Engine himself visits the garden throughout the holiday season.

How to get there: Take the Metro-North Harlem local line to Botanical Garden Station. Walk across Kazimiroff Boulevard to the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance. It takes 20 minutes from Grand Central Station. By subway, take the B, D, or 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd Station. From the station exit: Take the Bx 26 bus east to the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance. OR walk eight blocks down the hill on Bedford Park Blvd to the end (approximately 20 minutes). Turn left onto Kazimiroff Blvd and walk one block to the Mosholu Gate entrance. For more information on holiday events at the garden go to nybg.org.

Photos: Wave Hill shot courtesy of the organization. Sunnyside shot courtesy of Bryan Haeffele. Scrooge by lijk604. Clydesdale shot by Julie Larsen Maher. New York Botanical Garden’s train show shot courtesy of NYBG.