I can easily attest to the fact that New York City is an amazing place to not only visit but live (if you’re lucky on both ends). Hell, we have everything here from the most visited place in the world (Times Square) to every kind of gay bar and restaurant possible. It’s fantastic, amazing and spellbinding all wrapped in one and has been for several decades.
NYC, however, isn’t the only fab place to visit in New York. There is so much more to this state that is beyond breathtaking especially during the colder months. Everything is available at your fingertips from the best in food, culture and beyond that will make your trip there beyond memorable.
Take a look at three wonderful spots worth diving into if you are looking to see something outside The Big Apple in New York.
Rhinebeck, New York
Rhinebeck is about two hours away from NYC via Amtrak and just became that much more fabulous thanks to an amazing new hotel in its quaint little town. The Mirbeau Inn and Spa, located minutes away from the Rhinecliff Amtrak Station, opened in late September to much hype and fanfare from its community and visitors (myself included).
This property took sixteen months to build from the ground up. The result is nothing short of spectacular as its soft colors and dazzling ambiance hit you like a sack of bricks from the moment you see its amazing property. They have spacious bedrooms that include a majestic bathroom for you to unwind in after a long day. Not only that, but their spa on premise provides a multitude of services for you while you relax with a drink inside their fabulous facility.
That’s not all. They also have a brand-new restaurant next to the hotel’s entrance called Willow by Charlie Palmer. Charlie, for those who are unaware, is a huge culinary icon with restaurants all over the world. Willow is nothing short of spectacular with scrumptious items made by world renowned chef Thomas Burke (French Laundry, Le Bernardin) including Lobster Raviolo and Nova Scotia Halibut. More on this fabulous property can be seen here.
Westchester County, New York
The towns that encompass Westchester County are super close to New York City (under an hour away on Metro North). I stopped by there earlier this year to experience all it had to offer, where everything from the food to the entertainment and more made me one happy camper.
There’s an endless assortment of food to devour that ranges from across the pond favorites like Braised Lamp and Carrot Curry at The Rare Bit all the way to fine dining French options at The Castle Hotel and Spa.
You can also see a variety of shows at the Tarrytown Music Hall, a place that has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry like Norah Jones and Lyle Lovett. Don’t forget to find a fabulous place to stay at like the Tarrytown House Estates, a majestic part of Westchester that is filled with a ton of greenery, tennis courts and so much more. Oh, and Sarah Jessica Parker films her HBO show Divorce there. Just a bonus to an already amazing place.
More on Westchester County can be seen here.
Long Island, New York
Growing up in Long Island was such a blessing for someone like me. You are surrounded by an endless assortment of beaches, restaurants, shopping options and more that makes me wonder why I bailed on it for NYC in recent years.
Roosevelt Field Mall, Walt Whitman Mall and The Tanger Outlets Deer Park provide its customers with every kind of store possible while dining on mall favorites at Auntie Anne’s and more.
The restaurants in Long Island stretch for miles where places like Buffalo Grille (the best wraps you’ll ever have) in Greenlawn and Doma Land + Sea in Cedarhurst (yummy surf and turf) will fill your belly up in the most delicious of ways.
Let’s not forget amazing nights at Jones Beach, trips to Fire Island with your fellow gays and concerts at Nassau Coliseum as part of your overall Long Island experience.
More on Long Island can be found here.
This post was created by one of our Contributing Writers and does not reflect the opinion of Instinct Magazine or the other Contributing Writers when it comes to this subject.