The Berkshires, MA - 3hrs from NYC

Imagine the Berkshires as the Hamptons with all the art, theater, dancing, music, and small-town charm you could ask for, but without the nightlife. Yes, there is luxury in the western Massachusetts mountain region, but it is provided in a relaxed atmosphere. There is also no shortage of outdoor activities considering the breathtaking bucolic setting.

• Do this: The massive, immersive installations that more traditional museums simply can't manage are the subject of MASS MoCA, one of the nation's greatest hubs for modern art, which is housed in a former factory. Here, the emphasis on performing arts is equal to that on visual arts; each year, more than 75 performances of music, dance, theater, cinema, and other performing arts are shown. Shakespeare & Company in adjacent Lenox is another safe bet for the performing arts. The thriving regional theater company performs on numerous indoor and outdoor venues with a mix of traditional Shakespearean plays and modern works. Do we also need to point out that marijuana is lawful here? Try stopping by the stylish and welcoming Rebelle in Great Barrington, which is the closest cannabis dispensary to the New York state line.

• Stay here: Canyon Ranch, which is centered around the century-old, lovingly restored Bellefontaine Mansion, and is oriented toward health, wellness, and pampering, has a lot to offer, including tennis, aerobics, guided hikes and bike rides, canoeing, croquet, and more than 40 seminars and classes per day, including "Finding Forgiveness." After all that studying and fresh air, unwind in the spa with a candlelit Euphoria body treatment or the famous Canyon Stone Massage.