Woodstock

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