Ski, Bike, or Hike at Belleayre Mountain

You can visit Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills for year-round fun. Relax at Pine Hill Lake or Belleayre Beach, explore nature trails, and enjoy mountain biking for free at any of the Upper, Lower and cross-country routes. When snow dusts the slopes in winter, children can go skiing for free, and there are runs for beginners and intermediates, as well as more experienced skiers. The mountain is just two and a half hours from Manhattan, making this friendly, unpretentious and affordable resort a cool option for a weekend getaway.

Canoe at Lake Placid

The home of the 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid in the Adirondacks has plenty to offer visitors year-round – including canoeing on the water itself in summer. Great for families, you can chose to canoe, kayak or paddleboard, and there are a wealth of connecting rivers and channels for exploring the region further afield. From Lake Placid you can also easily drive along route 86 to other Adirondack lakes, including Saranac and Oseetah in Ray Brook. A great adventure for water babies. If you’d rather not drive, the Placid Xpress offers a free shuttle service around various hot spots in the area, including Lake Placid Village, Olympic Center, the Lake Placid Train Station/Historical Society Museum, and several hotels. Take out a canoe from Mirror Lake Boat Rental for $25/hour.

Ride a Roller Coaster at Greek Peak

It’s a roller coaster… on a mountain! At Greek Peak Resort in the Finger Lakes, you can ride along 4300ft of track wrapped around verdant mountain peaks and dips, 365 days of the year. Taking the scenic route through forest land and across gorges, the views are spectacular and the ride’s a thrill, with cars traveling at up to 28 miles an hour. The mountain coast leaves from the resort’s Adventure Center, which also has a bungee cord, zip lines, a rope challenge course and tubing lanes. The Mountain Coaster costs $10/ride or $49/day.

Ziplining at Hyde Park in the Hudson Valley

The closest canopy zipline center to New York City, Big Bear Ziplines in Hyde Park is just two hours from Manhattan. Glide your way between trees in 50 acres of woodland, soaring through the air at up to 80 feet above the ground. There are guides on hand to show you what to do, and also breathtaking views of upstate New York from custom built Flight Decks. It’s an exhilarating day out for families, groups of friends or couples, and a fun physical workout. Zipline tours are $99.

Hiking and Biking at Hunter Mountain in the Catskills

The rugged and steep terrain of Hunter Mountain makes it the perfect challenge for intrepid hikers. Elevations range from 600-4200 feet (making for absolutely stunning views), and there are miles and miles of trails to follow on different routes. If you love camping under the stars, spotting wildlife like porcupines, racoons and even bears, this getaway’s for you. Summer is the best time to hike, when the weather is mild and parties—like the Mountain Jam Fest, German Alps Festival, International Celtic Festival—not so much.