You keep saying you’ll get away next weekend, but then work and catch-up coffee dates and perhaps sheer laziness get in the way instead. Quit armchair traveling and start planning your next trip—which could be on us if you’re lucky.
Situated on a 10-acre estate in Saratoga Springs, the historic Sheldon Mansion was constructed of rare red slate in 1906 by slate baron Frederick Sheldon. It sits atop a hill in the heart of town near museums, dining, shopping, and a rail trail suitable for long walks along a pristine river, through scenic woods and fields. Stephen and Marianne Lynch, the delightful owners of the mansion, want to treat two people to a relaxing weekend at their property, complete with homemade locally-sourced breakfasts and transportation to and from the Fort Edward train station near Lake George and Saratoga Springs in upstate New York. Imagine finally having some time to finish that good book from the mansion’s charming Solarium, Sitting Room, or English Study. Or enjoy picturesque views and the fresh countryside air from the Veranda.
It’s not a hard decision to make. Just read the brief instructions below on how to enter for a chance to take yourself and a sweetheart (or friend) on a weekend getaway to Sheldon Mansion.
Visit the Sheldon Mansion online at sheldonmansion.com. Some restrictions apply.
1) Follow us on Twitter and tweet this message (if you already follow us, just tweet!):
“Win 2 free nights at the historic Sheldon Mansion in Saratoga Springs. Just follow @offManhattan and RT! http://bit.ly/freeSTAY”
OR
2) Sign up for our email list. (If you’re already a subscriber, you are automatically entered for a chance to win the giveaway.)
You can do both to be entered twice, and tweet once a day to be entered multiple times and increase your chance of winning. Deadline is Monday, April 26th at 6:00pm EST – a winner will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck!
How to get there: Take Amtrak from Grand Central to the Fort Edward station in Glen Falls. Set up pick-up arrangements with Stephen ahead of time. (Sheldon Mansion, 48 North St., Granville, NY, 518.642.0000)
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram