Crowded places, sweltering heat, and $2,000 a night for a basic room in a popular Mediterranean city — what's not to love about Europe in the summer? The off-season, which once offered some mitigation, is now out of its secret. Expect crowds from autumn through the festive season.
Still, you don't have to hop on a transatlantic flight to get a taste of la dolce vita later this year: below are six tri-state destinations that are seriously incredible treasures that will give you a good dose of European sophistication without the hassle.
Enjoy the luxury living in “Little Poland” in New Britain, Connecticut.
109 miles from New York
Join New Britain for some Polish dancing this summer at “Little Poland” Hotpot. Courtesy of the City of New Britain
In the Hartford suburb of New Britain, a charming strip known as “Little Poland” stretches from Main Street to Broad Street.
Although I sadly missed the annual Little Poland Festival in June this year, it's pretty much the best thing about being able to avoid crowds of over 30,000 people and have the shops, restaurants, churches and delis all to yourself.
Be sure to check out Polish specialities like Roly Poly Bakery, Kasia's Bakery, and Polmart. Say “słodkich snów (sweet dreams)” at an Airbnb in the city (from $87 per night), or stay 15 minutes away in Farmington, surrounded by Federal-style blues and ivory at the Farmington Inn (from $149 per night).
Enjoying the sunny coastline of Long Branch, New Jersey
55 miles from New York
Room rates at the Wave Resort & Spa on the beach start at $540 a night. Liz Klayman
Swap your overnight flight for a sub-hour trip on the Seastreak ferry and enjoy a Mediterranean-style getaway at The Wave Resort & Spa (from $540 per night).
So start your seaside getaway with dinner at Maya, and feel transported back in time to Greece or Italy as you dine on dishes like charred octopus and pappardelle with porcini mushrooms.
Or toast to your freedom from jet lag and selfie sticks at the bar, the hotel's new cocktail lounge, or at the poolside bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Best of all, this hotel on the Pier Village promenade has only 67 rooms, so you'll feel like Amalfi Coast royalty with everything from yoga classes on the pool deck to DJ sets and s'mores on the shore.
Travel like a gentle Scotsman to Washington, Connecticut.
70 miles from New York
The colonial-style Mayflower Inn has rooms starting at $1,000 a night. Auberge Resorts Collection
If you're looking for a place reminiscent of the English or Scottish countryside, Washington, Connecticut's rolling hills and quiet, winding country roads await you (plus, its colorful history dating back to colonial times and Native American traditions give the city a touch of class across the ocean).
When you're not gallery-hopping, hiking along the shores of Lake Waramaug, or splashing around in the water, check into the Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection (from $1,000 a night).
Surrounded by 58 acres of expansive gardens and soothing woodland, you can liven up your days like a lazy boy at the dreamy 20,000-square-foot Spa by the Well, complete with a greenhouse-like enclosed pool, traditional hammam and thermal baths surrounded by 400 plants. Or, get a little more active with miles of hiking trails or a few sets of tennis, then revitalize by the outdoor pool with crab cakes and caviar, sangria, Sancerre or tea.
Experience the luxury of St. Tropez on Long Island's North Shore
100 miles from New York
Believe it or not, Long Island can replicate St. Tropez. © NYSDED – Photo by Darren McGee
Can't wait to hit the yachts on the French Riviera this summer? Sure, East Hampton has the Louis Vuitton and Prada stores of St. Tropez, but in 2024, my vote goes to the North Shore.
Why, you ask? For starters, you'll feel like a celebrity without having to sit in traffic. Count sheep at Menhaden in Greenport (from $409 a night), where you can book a private tour of the surrounding vineyards or pack a picnic for a sunset at 67 Steps Beach. Watch as the sunlight swirls around the cliffs and marvel at this faux Côte d'Azur. Plus, you don't need a passport to rent a bike and cruise along the waterfront, browse the town's boutiques or charter a yacht in Gardiners Bay.
Take a field trip to Sunken Meadows State Park in Smithtown, known for its sandy beaches and calm waters, or book a tour of OHEKA Castle in Huntington, which is filled with 1920s glamor and will make all your European castle-hopping friends jealous (you can even stay the night here, from $495 a night, as it's often featured as a setting for Hollywood movies).
Sleeping like a Swede in a Tree in White Lake, New York
110 miles from New York
From $1,800 per night, enjoy luxury at Chatwal Lodge. Chatwal Lodge
Sometimes you just want to stay in a treehouse, and one of Chatwal Lodge's three newly opened treehouses (from $1,800 a night) offers a secluded, Scandinavian feel in the Catskill Mountains.
If you've ever dreamed of stargazing in Sweden, you'll find the tree-canopy-level views of Sullivan County breathtaking (the oversized windows make constellation-spotting and rain-watching a dream come true.) The décor is the height of hygge, from “found pieces” like the petrified wood and mango root tables to chic chandeliers and a minimalist fire pit on the private outdoor deck.
So is the all-inclusive food and beverage program, enticing you with favorites like Coq au Riesling and Beaverkill River trout grilled with papillote.
Exploring the Swiss-Style Village of Sparta, New Jersey
45 miles from New York
Let's go neutral in the jersey pocket with a touch of Swiss vibes. Rohit Ranasinghe
This Sussex County gem is centered around Lake Mohawk and offers the perfect opportunity to relax against a backdrop of rolling hills and hinterland.
Stay at Whistling Swan Inn (from $135 per night), less than a 10-minute drive from the lake, a cozy B&B with a pillared porch you'll never want to leave. But you'll want to leave to check out the sights that run from the lake promenade to White Deer Plaza, including shops and attractions like Pattycakes Bakery, Alpine Creamery and cafes. The area's architecture ranges from Tudor to English cottage to German baronial, making you feel like you have no worries. If you like old buildings, be sure to check out the Van Kirk Museum, the Van Kirk family's 18th-century mansion that still contains original rooms, including a Victorian drawing room and a Civil War-era bedroom.
Before leaving the city, marvel at the top of the trail in Sparta Glen Park (along a rather steep valley) – you'll feel like you're in the Swiss countryside. Afterwards, grab some Sparta Shack ice cream, with quintessential American flavors like the Bagel Cream (a bagel filled with ice cream) and Donatella Milkshake (Nutella-infused ice cream topped with a Nutella-covered donut). After chatting with friends who've just returned from a transatlantic adventure, broke and exhausted, you'll be glad you were in the US more than ever.
