<p>I’m a West Coast mom who will be on the East Coast in mid August and would like to take my NYC based daughter for a weekend getaway within a couple of hours of NYC. I will have a car, but she will probably take the train close to wherever we end up and meet me there…So far I’ve looked at the Hamptons, Newport RI and Cape May. They all fit the bill but either have no availability or minimum stay requirements that are too long…we’ll only have two nights. I have found a few possibilities but most are very expensive (425.00 a night and up) or, if more affordable (although that’s relative - I’ve now conceded that I might have to pay up to 300.00/night) look fairly sketchy, even at the upper end. We are not looking to do a whole lot as we’ll both be working hard all summer, hence the appeal of a beach vacation, but I’m now thinking we might need to find a great but less popular spot. If any of you have any ideas they would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I would recommend Shelter Harbor Inn outside Westerly, RI. You will be near Mystic, Stoning ton and Watch Hill. Train goes to Westerly. They have beach access, good food.</p>
<p>You can usually get very reasonable room rates in Atlantic City, NJ. If you stay there, you can also drive to Cape May if you want to do the quaint shopping thing.</p>
<p>There is no reason to ever step foot in a casino while you are there, there are plenty of other things to do.</p>
<p>Check out the Berkshires. This place is really nice but pricey <a href=“http://www.blantyre.com%5B/url%5D”>www.blantyre.com</a>
Or in Litchfield County CT [New</a> England Resort ~ Connecticut Hotel & Resort ~ Mayflower Inn - Mayflower Inn and Spa](<a href=“http://www.mayflowerinn.com%5DNew”>http://www.mayflowerinn.com)
Or in North Western Mass [The</a> Porches Inn at MASS MoCA](<a href=“http://www.porches.com%5DThe”>http://www.porches.com)</p>
<p>I bet there are less expensive places in the Berskhires and Litchfield County too. Both places have nice shops and restaurants. Porches is right near Mass Moca if you like contemporary art. Not as much to do around there as in the other 2 areas.</p>
<p>Mohonk Mountain House near New Paltz.</p>
<p>If your daughter wants to take the train to the Jersey Shore, that would be on the North Jersey Coast Line of NJ Transit from Penn Station. The shore stops run from Long Branch down through Asbury Park to Bay Head. I’m sure there must be more reasonable hotels there for a shore weekend somewhere in those towns. I don’t know the Jersey Shore that well, but we were at a very nice wedding in Long Branch last weekend and it seemed lovely at the shore.</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs? Lots of really nice spas and antiques. Ocean City, MD? Jersey Shore in the middle of August is just about the last place I’d like to go for a nice relaxing weekend getaway.</p>
<p>The Sagamore at Lake George is lovely. </p>
<p>Will be difficult and expensive to get hotel in Saratoga Springs mid August as track is open.</p>
<p>We’ve done reunions with my Caltech friends near [Kent</a> Falls State Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Falls_State_Park]Kent”>Kent Falls State Park - Wikipedia). We rented a house for a week, but I imagine there are weekend rentals in that area. (Very close to Litchfield suggested upthread.)</p>
<p>DH’s department does retreats at Mohonk Mountain House all the time. He’s always trying to get me to come and it sadly always conflicts with other stuff I have to do.</p>
<p>Your daughter could take the train or bus from NYC to Mystic, CT. There is the seaport village, aquarium, shops, etc. Hotel rates should be under $200. Not far from the town of Madison, (very charming NE town) and Hammonesset State Park, (beach with bicycle rentals, nature walk).</p>
<p>I would keep looking for something in Cape May. It is that special!</p>
<p>Other quaint towns on the Jersey Shore that might work include Spring Lake and Ocean Grove. Both have nice beaches and Victorian architecture. Just note, Ocean Grove’s beach does not open until 12:30pm on Sundays. (throwback to its heritage as a Methodist camp meeting)</p>
<p>What about Foxwoods Resort and Casino? There is a great native American museum, usually good shows, movies, good food, movies, and fun shopping. You could go into the casino if you wanted to. Room prices are usually decent and the hotel is gorgeous!</p>
<p>from OP “We are not looking to do a whole lot as we’ll both be working hard all summer, hence the appeal of a beach vacation, but I’m now thinking we might need to find a great but less popular spot.” (don’t know how to make the cool quote box)</p>
<p>sounds like they want to veg out on the beach…</p>
<p>lots of nice, relaxing places at the Shore. Stay away from Seaside Heights & Point Pleasant, as you will come across distant relatives of Snooki. Long Beach Island or LBI is mostly weekly rentals, so don’t waste your time. </p>
<p>I’ve never seen this place but with 136 five-stars of 137 reviews, they must be doing something right:</p>
<p>[The</a> Sea Spray Inn (Ocean Grove, NJ) - B&B Reviews - TripAdvisor](<a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g46698-d1206362-Reviews-The_Sea_Spray_Inn-Ocean_Grove_New_Jersey.html]The”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g46698-d1206362-Reviews-The_Sea_Spray_Inn-Ocean_Grove_New_Jersey.html)</p>
<p>Spring Lake in NJ is nice.</p>
<p>The Connecticut shoreline is accessible by train. Mystic, Westbrook, Madison, and Clinton all come to mind with B&Bs, great restaurants, beaches, outlet shops in Clinton and Westbrook. Stay in New London and take the ferry out to Long Island. Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are fun and Mohegan especially has a great spa.</p>
<p>Look at the Madison Beach Hotel (in Madison) but not the Dolly Madison (you’ve been warned). Also look at Waters’Edge in Westbrook which has a great Sunday brunch.</p>
<p>I like Delaware beaches, like Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. Rentals tend to be more reasonable and less of a scene. The problem is there is no train from NYC to Delaware. </p>
<p>It really depends on where you are coming from, north or south. If south then NJ beaches, if north then CT, RI beaches. I have neve been into the Hampton (or Long Island) scene.</p>
<p>Many thanks for all the great suggestions…There are definitely a few that are real possibilities. Cape May still sounds great to me, but I think we’ll need to save that for another trip…nothing anywhere in the vicinity seems to have availability, except for the two extremes - ultra cheap and ultra expensive. I’m also still butting up against the three night minimum at many spots. I’m currently zeroing in on some Connecticut resorts as well as the Shelter Harbor Inn that Amy17 suggested. I’m still exploring…and I’ve had to up my 300./night max a bit…so keep those ideas coming!</p>
<p>What about Norwich Inn Spa. It is not beach, but the spa is great. I’ve been there a few times for girl’s weekend. We had some wonderful treatments, went to nearby towns for dinner.</p>
<p>I like the idea suggested in post #2. Coastal Rhode Island is beautiful. </p>
<p>My first choice would be to go to Newport, RI - it is simply stunning! We always take our out of town guests to Newport and it is always a hit. By chance are you trying to go the first weekend in August? If so, you would be running into the Newport Jazz Festival which is fun but brings in big crowds so hotel room availability is scarce. Bristol, RI is close to Newport and has some lodging options so you might want to check for places there and drive over to Newport. I have stayed at the Bristol Harbor in for a ladies weekend - it was a nice place to stay - we spent a fair amount of time in Newport - [Bristol</a> Harbor Inn | Bristol, Rhode Island | Boutique-style Hotel](<a href=“http://www.bristolharborinn.com/]Bristol”>http://www.bristolharborinn.com/)</p>
<p>Also, we are not into gambling but we enjoy going to both Foxwoods(MGM) and Mohegan. The rooms, spa, restaurants are all nice - it makes for a very easy getaway.</p>
<p>Finding a beach destination for two days in August for this summer will be a challenge. Most good beach places rent by the week, and we’re reserved about a year ago. </p>
<p>If you go to Norwich Inn and Spa, or Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods, you are not THAT far a drive to the beach for one day. All have lovely spas, good food, and nice and reasonably priced hotel rooms (relatively speaking).</p>
<p>Ditto the Atlantic City resorts.</p>
<p>Check a place called the Biscayne Suites in Ocean City, New Jersey. They are a very short walk to the Ocean City NJ boardwalk. You might be able to get a room there for two nights. Ocean City NJ is very nice!</p>
<p>August is the peak of the summer season…many summer things going on near the shore.</p>