If you’re looking for a secluded escape near the ocean, Fire Island is your place. We love this slim barrier island along the Atlantic because it inspired our brand, and we think you’ll appreciate the empty beaches and quiet vibe in the off-season.

Ferry service is limited and many of the businesses are closed, but if you’re a fan of nature, there’s plenty of activity: The annual migration of birds and monarch butterflies, seascapes, abundant wildlife, native plants, and witnessing the poison ivy turning a brilliant red across the island. Visit Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center or the National Park Service for more information.

You don’t have to travel far out of the city to get a dose of the great outdoors and Awosting Falls and Minnewaska Lake is a relatively easy, flat ramble that’s great for beginners. Expect pristine waterfall and lake views along with plenty of trails to keep you moving. More experienced hikers will want to head to nearby Gertrude’s Nose, a much more challenging trek in the Minnewaska State Park Preserve near New Paltz, NY.

If you’re looking for something accessible by train, the Cornish Estate Trail is located in the town of Cold Spring, NY, within the Hudson Highlands State Park. Take the train from Grand Central into the charming town along the Hudson and walk to the trailhead for magnificent mountain and river views and follow it to the ruins of a historic estate. Then head back to Cold Spring for ice cream, shopping, or a fantastic meal at any one of the local restaurants along the historic main street.

Why not commune with nature without rushing back to the city? Stay upstate for the weekend at any number of cool and exciting new sustainable hotels and resorts. Wildflower Farms is a stunning 140-acre retreat in Gardiner, New York, about 90 minutes from New York City. An on-site farm supplies its restaurant with ingredients; a 3-mile walking trail, 65 free-standing accommodations with sleek furnishings, deep soaking tubs, and floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that open up to private decks.

About an hour north from Wildflower Farms is the cliffside Piaule Catskill, one of the best hotels for leaf peeping. Located on 50 beautiful acres, this modern minimalist escape features 24 private cabins with ample windows and natural wood. Nearby hiking trails and a quick twenty-minute drive to downtown Hudson offer diversions to suit everyone.