Memorial Day Getaways From NYC: Where To Eat And Stay

NEW YORK, NY— For New Yorkers, Memorial Day weekend marks more than the unofficial start of summer: it’s the annual migration out of the city.

Here’s where city residents can head out for the long weekend, and what to do once you arrive.

For Cabins, Hiking And Small-Town Weekends

The western Catskills continue to draw travelers looking for a quieter, design-forward escape.

Towns like Livingston Manor, Tannersville, Andes and Ellenville offer a slower pace centered around hiking, antique shops, breweries and campfire evenings.

Livingston Manor has become a favorite for fly-fishing, riverside cabins and walkable cafés. Nearby hiking trails in the Catskill Park make it ideal for travelers who want nature without a strenuous itinerary.

Tannersville, often called the “Painted Village in the Sky,” serves as a gateway to Hunter Mountain and Kaaterskill Falls.

Memorial Day visitors typically split time between hiking trails and Main Street restaurants.

Farther west, Andes offers rolling mountain scenery, local farms and quiet roads that feel worlds away from Manhattan.

Most of these destinations are easiest by car, though buses from Port Authority and train connections through the Hudson Valley can shorten the trip.

Where To Eat

Brave The Flames | 6031 Main St, Tannersville

A laid-back favorite for burgers, barbecue and comfort food after a day outdoors.

Deer Mountain Inn | 790 Co Rd 25, Tannersville

An upscale farm-to-table destination with one of the region’s strongest wine programs.

Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café | 6009 Main St, Tannersville

Part café, part roadside institution, known for comfort food, beer and eclectic antiques décor.

Wayside Cider | 55 Redden Lane, Andes

A cidery and restaurant pairing mountain views with local ingredients and natural cider.

Cafe Marguerite | 175 Walnut St, Margaretville

A nearby French-style café known for pastries, coffee and relaxed brunches.

Oda Wine Garden | 57621 NY-30, Andes

A destination for Georgian and Baltic-inspired dishes alongside natural wines.

L'Escale | 500 Steamboat Rd, Greenwich

A waterfront French restaurant with marina views.

Bill's Seafood | 548 Boston Post Road, Westbrook

A shoreline institution known for lobster rolls and steamed seafood.

Tony and Nick's Italian Kitchen | 162 Canal St, Ellenville

A longtime local favorite for classic Italian-American comfort food.

Where To Stay

Livingston Manor Cabin — 2BR
$507 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Best with car. Possible NJ Transit/Amtrak + rental car from Hudson Valley. ~2.5–3 hrs from NYC.

Tannersville Rental Unit— 1BR
$586 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Trailways bus from Port Authority possible; car recommended. Catskills/Hunter Mountain area.

Andes Rental Unit — 2BR
$688 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Catskills/Delaware County area. Bus + car needed. ~3 hrs from NYC.

Westbrook Guest Suite— 1BR
$807 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Amtrak Northeast Regional to Old Saybrook + short taxi/rideshare.

Ellenville Tiny Home — 2BR
$899 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Hudson Valley/Catskills edge. Train or bus + car needed.

Out East, Beach Season Begins

For travelers looking for a classic Memorial Day weekend, eastern Long Island remains the centerpiece of summer travel.

Southampton and Hampton Bays offer a slightly quieter Hamptons experience, with beach days, seafood restaurants and marina towns that begin filling up by Friday afternoon.

Visitors can spend the weekend biking between beaches, booking sunset dinners near the water or taking advantage of the first truly warm Atlantic weather of the year.

Farther east, Montauk shifts the mood from polished Hamptons getaway to surf town. Travelers head there for ocean beaches, lighthouse views, hiking at Shadmoor State Park and a nightlife scene that peaks during holiday weekends.

Most travelers reach the Hamptons and Montauk via the Long Island Rail Road’s Montauk Branch or by Hampton Jitney buses departing Manhattan.

Where To Eat

Cowfish | 258 E Montauk Hwy, Hampton Bays

A waterfront seafood staple known for sunset dining and dockside cocktails.

75 Main | 75 Main St, Southampton

A celebrity-friendly Southampton standby serving upscale American fare.

Rumba | 43 Canoe Pl Road, Hampton Bays

A lively Caribbean-inspired restaurant famous for rum cocktails and waterfront seating.

Duryea's | 65 Tuthill RoadIconic lobster rolls, waterfront seating and sunset crowds define the experience.

Mavericks Montauk | 51 S Elmwood Ave, Montauk

A modern seafood and steak destination with a polished coastal atmosphere.

Montauket | 88 Firestone Rd, Montauk

A classic casual stop known for live music and some of the best sunset views in town.

Where To Stay

Southampton Rental Unit — 1BR
$1,073 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Direct LIRR Montauk Branch or Hampton Jitney from Manhattan.

Montauk Condo— 1BR
$1,281 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Direct/transfer LIRR Montauk Branch from Penn Station. ~3–3.5 hrs.

Hampton Bays Condo — 1BR
$1,484 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Direct LIRR Montauk Branch + Hampton Jitney. ~2–2.5 hrs from NYC.

Wine Country And Waterfront Escapes

On Long Island’s quieter North Fork, Greenport remains one of the region’s most popular small-town escapes.

The former whaling village has become known for vineyards, oyster bars, boutique hotels and ferry access to Shelter Island. Memorial Day weekends there tend to revolve around wine tastings, harbor walks and long outdoor lunches.

The town is accessible via the Long Island Rail Road or by combining rail service with ferry routes.

Along the Connecticut shoreline, towns like Westbrook and Greenwich offer lower-key waterfront alternatives to Long Island crowds.

Greenwich is especially attractive for travelers who want a quick trip without needing a car. Metro-North service from Grand Central makes it possible to leave Manhattan in the morning and arrive by lunch.

Westbrook, farther east along the Connecticut coast, offers beaches, seafood shacks and quieter shoreline scenery accessible by Amtrak connections.

Where To Eat

Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market | 37 Front St, Greenport

Known for oysters, dockside dining and local seafood.

American Beech | 300 Main St, Greenport

A stylish all-day restaurant and cocktail destination in the village center.

Noah's | 136 Front St, Greenport

A longtime favorite for small plates and local seafood.

The Oar | 264 West Ave, Patchogue

A dockside seafood spot popular with ferry-bound travelers.

Where To Stay

Greenwich Guesthouse — Studio
$650 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Direct Metro-North New Haven Line from Grand Central (~50–60 mins).

Greenport Rental Unit — 2BR
$915 / 3 nights
Transit Access: LIRR Ronkonkoma → Greenport branch OR ferry via Shelter Island. ~3 hrs from NYC.

A Car-Free Memorial Day Tradition

For many New Yorkers, Fire Island remains the quintessential Memorial Day weekend destination.

The barrier island, accessible only by ferry, becomes one of the Northeast’s busiest summer escapes during the holiday weekend.

Visitors trade traffic for bicycles, boardwalks and beach houses, with communities ranging from lively nightlife hubs to quieter family-oriented sections.

Nearby Sayville serves as one of the primary ferry gateways to the island via Long Island Rail Road connections from Penn Station.

Because cars are largely absent on Fire Island, the pace shifts immediately upon arrival: one reason many repeat visitors return every summer.

Where To Eat

CJ's Restaurant & Bar | 80 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach

A Fire Island staple known for frozen cocktails and weekend brunch crowds.

Surf's Out | 1 Bay Walk, Kismet

A lively beachfront restaurant and bar with live music and sunset views.

Where To Stay

Fire Island Rental Unit — 1BR
$1,402 / 3 nights
Transit Access: LIRR to Bay Shore/Sayville/Patchogue + ferry. Car-free island.

Sayville Rental Unit — 1BR
$1,427 / 3 nights
Transit Access: Direct LIRR Ronkonkoma Branch to Sayville. Fire Island ferry access nearby.