Although the name conjures up images of a crowd covered in tie-dye and the faint fragrance of marijuana, the 1969 festival wasn't held at Woodstock(Bethel, which was about two hours away, had that.) Even so, the hamlet is a mix of retired hippies, artists, and city dwellers who feel the urge to escape the big city on the weekends (a street there is named after the late great Band member Levon Helm).

With Overlook Mountain and its many trails, Woodstock, one of the Best Day Trips from New York City, offers the chance to get in touch with nature. It also has a vibrant shopping district with charming local stores like Candlestock and the Golden Notebook, as well as a weekly flea market. Delicious food can be found at restaurants like Silvia and The Mud Cub, and Station Bar & Curio serves up drinks.

• Good for hippies at heart
• Distance: 2 hrs, 11mins by car

For this small, this charming community in Dutchess County has a very strong dining, drinking, and arts scene. From the railway station, take a five-minute walk to reach Dia:Beacon, a modern art museum located in a former Nabisco box factory. It displays the permanent collection of artworks by artists from the 1960s onward, which includes minimalist sculpture by Anne Truitt and fluorescent light installations by Dan Flavin.

Every Friday and Saturday, Dennings Point Distillery on Main Street also offers tours and samples of their bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka if you'd prefer to spend the day imbibing. Spend a few peaceful moments at Long Dock Park admiring the sun set over the Hudson before boarding the train back to the city. — Mantz, Annalise

• Good for small town fans

• Distance: 1hr 20mins by Metro-North

The city of Kingston, which was once a tranquil place, is now reawakening as more people move there. Kingston, the initial capital of the state, has a long history dating back to the Dutch settlement in 1652. The British set fire to it during the Revolutionary War, and in the 19th century, it developed into a major shipping hub with a prime Hudson River location. Despite the fire, numerous 17th century stone structures, including the Senate House, which was constructed in the 1670s, may still be seen, including the stunning First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston, which was founded in 1659. The city is split into several parts: Midtown, which is divided by Broadway, the city's major thoroughfare, and Uptown, which includes the historic Stockade neighborhood;

According to the New York Times, the city is separated into three distinct areas: Uptown, which is home to the historic Stockade neighborhood; midtown, which is bisected by Broadway, the city's major thoroughfare; and Rondout, which is located south of the creek and river. Recently, a variety of chic shops and cool hangouts, including the bookstore and brewery Rough Draft, as well as restaurants serving delectable food, including Ship to Shore and Lola, have opened. The Ulster Performing Arts Center, housed in a 1926 theater that has been rebuilt, hosts performances on a regular basis. A variety of festivals, such as the Kingston Jazz Festival and the Artists Soapbox Derby, are also held in the city. On weekends and holidays, the Trolley Museum of New York even provides a 1.5-mile excursion down the coastline of Rondout Creek to Kingston Point Park.

• Good for townies, thrifters and history buffs.

• Distance: 1 hr 50 mins by car

Mohonk Preserve, one of the Best Day Trips from New York City, is 8,000 acres of forests, cliffs, ponds, and streams that are great for trail running, rock climbing, cycling, and other activities. Mohonk Preserve, located in Ulster County around 90 miles north of New York City, is a true naturalist's haven that, unlike most other hiking areas, also offers horseback riding options along dedicated carriage lanes that ensure less foot traffic than other attractions. To make the most of your day, get an early start.

More than 18,000 members have donated money, ensuring the Mohonk Preserve's viability for future generations. In addition to supporting the preservation of the Shawangunk Mountains, membership offers other advantages.

• Good for hikers and nature enthusiasts

• Distance: 2 hrs by car

New Paltz is the most historic town on this list, with intact houses that were around 100 years before we even became the United States of America, in addition to all the scenic riverbank cliffs and lush woods that make the trip worthwhile. Thus, yes. Quite old. Discover the daily activities of the Huguenot settlers of the 17th century as actors lead you through 30 structures on 10 acres, including seven historic dwellings and a 1717 church that has been faithfully recreated. (Want to experience the National Historic Landmark District with a back-to-basics mindset? Don't use the selfie stick.)

New Paltz shines as one of the gems of Ulster County, nestled beneath the shoulder of the beautiful Shawangunk Ridge. Visitors come to New Paltz to enjoy the region's rich history and culture, swim in glacial lakes, ride bikes on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, stay in charming accommodations, sample the seasonal bounty of the town's many farms, orchards, and wineries, take in the sights and scents of gorgeous flower gardens and delectable meals served al fresco, climb unusual rock faces, go on brisk hikes, and take in the spectacular views.

• Good for those who want a mix of town and country

• Distance: 3hrs by LIRR or car

This Ulster County village in the Catskills is a true melting pot where you can expect to find a Brooklyn lumbersexual and a traditional old timer sipping Buds along the bar in perfect accord. For every straightforward institution (Phoenicia Diner), there is a trendy newcomer (the Graham & Co.). If you want to be hip, go to Peekamoose, which is dubbed the "Gramercy of the Catskills." One of the most well-liked activities in Phoenicia is floating down the creek's rapids. You may also go hiking at Giant Ledge. Anyone may unwind here thanks to the hippie-dippie local culture's laid-back, no-frills attitude.

In Phoenicia, there aren't many options, but fortunately, the ones there are all decent ones. One of the Catskills' most amazing achievements can be attributed to owner Michael Cioffi, who transformed a diner that had changed hands more than ten times. This retro breakfast and lunch spot offers some of the best cuisine in the area, utilizing the freshest ingredients from nearby farms and the hippest ambiance. Evening cocktails and small dishes are his newest endeavor/experiment with the Diner at the throwback bar. Consider dining at Tavern 214, which is close to The Graham & Co. In addition to being convenient, it also serves delicious food and is the ideal place to go for a drink and dinner after checking in. Peekamoose, the eatery known as the "Gramercy of the Catskills," is a little further distant but well worth the trip. You can enjoy the firepit just outside their dining room or tap room as you eat. Both of these establishments are rather expensive, so Brio's on Main St. is our go-to low-cost option. Make sure to sample their sesame seed crusted "gourmet" pies. Pizza nirvana is here.

• Good for everyone

• Distance: 2 hrs 50mins by car

Storm King Art Center, with its expansive sculptural installations and rolling green hills, is ideal for taking beautiful pictures. Both art enthusiasts and those who prefer the outdoors will enjoy exploring the 500-acre art park, which contains pieces by more than 100 artists, including Alexander Calder and Maya Lin. Once you've had a chance to learn the layout of the park by taking the guided tram tour, head off on foot or by renting a bike for the day to spend exploring and Instagramming.

Select pieces even allow visitors to climb inside. You can eat at the unusual restaurant-art gallery combination in the riverbank community of Cornwall-on-Hudson, where there is a creative flair. Painter’s. -Anna Mantz

• Good for photo enthusiasts

• Distance: 1hr by car

The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of upstate New York's top natural areas because of its untamed terrain and pine-forested area. The almost 22,000-acre property has been transformed into a playground for all ages and abilities, along with 50 miles of trails, a brand-new rock climbing location at the Dickie Barre cliffs, and former carriage routes ideal for mountain biking. Swimming in the lakes noted for their translucent aquamarine color, Lake Minnewaska or Lake Awosting, which are tucked between imposing white bluffs, will help you cool off.

When you're done, go to New Paltz for a respite at the Water Street Market, where you can dine, shop, and enjoy art as well as free Tuesday concerts and outdoor movies from June to August. The route that features seven 300-year-old stone homes from the initial settlement and offers a concrete window into the town's history is known as Historic Huguenot Street. (Rosie Haney)

• Good for hikers

• Distance: 2hrs by car

The Hudson Highlands provide spectacular hikes for all skill levels via a variety of peaks and lush terrain. A leisurely stroll around a flat peninsula where you can wade into the Hudson River at the beach is available on Little Stony Point Loop. The Cornish Estate Trail, marked by blue blazes and beginning opposite Little Stony Point Loop, is a gradually descending, mostly unpaved route where you may explore historic remnants like a crumbling home and abandoned dairy farm.

For a breathtaking 360-degree view of Storm King Mountain, Bannerman Castle, and, on clear days, the Catskills, the daring should attempt the arduous climbs and rock scrambles that lead to Breakneck Ridge's summit. Bring water and appropriate footwear, even for the shorter excursions, and consult the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Open Space Institute, and Appalachian Mountain Club for thorough guides and maps. [Nadia Chaudhury]

• Good for outdoorsy folk

• Distance: 70mins by Metro-North

On a three-hour, adrenaline-pumping zip-line adventure at Hunter Mountain, put some distance between you and the ground. The SkyRider Tour is an above-the-canopy circuit with more than two miles of whooshing pleasure spread over five distinct lines, each of which blasts riders along at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and reaches a height of 600 feet.

You can try the Mid-Mountain Tour for something more sedate but still at a height of 60 feet; it has six lines, nine tree platforms, and four rope bridges. Bring your buzz to Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café, a unique establishment that combines a gourmet cheese shop with a sizable beer menu and regularly showcases live local music. Rahmos, Sarah

• Good for adrenaline-junkies

• Distance: 2hrs by car