We’ve criss-crossed the East Coast in search of inviting and invigorating places to explore in the New Year. The following destinations are of special interest to those who place a premium on affordable luxury, sustainability and car-free travel options.
Adirondacks
The Adirondacks’ majestic mountains, sparkling lakes and dynamic recreational possibilities add up to fun in every season. The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is a favorite with lovers of the great outdoors, thanks to its miles of unspoiled paths, wide variety of wildlife and new Wild Walk. This connecting trail of elevated bridges and whimsical webs are nestled in the treetops of the forest. You’ll feel as if you can touch the clouds as your senses are offered an awesome perspective that may just transform the way you view the natural world.
Stay
If diligent sustainable practices are a determining factor in your choice of hotels, the Golden Arrow in Lake Placid should be top of your list. They take eco-conscious accommodations as seriously as they take guest comfort. The lakefront location, rustically elegant rooms and delicious farm-to-table restaurant are perfection.
Hilton Head
This South Carolina barrier island has purposely eschewed fast development in favor of slow-paced growth. The sweeping Lowcountry scenery has been perfectly preserved and surrounds you with Spanish moss, stately live oaks and miles of pristine waterfront. With 60 miles of bike trails, the most efficient wheels on this island come with handlebars. Hilton Head is one of the nations top cycling destinations, earning the rank of Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the American League of Bicyclists.
Stay
If you think big chain hotels can’t achieve solidarity with nature, the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island may change your mind. Located on a beautiful stretch of beach and surrounded by lush gardens, the hotel incorporates natural elements into the décor, with soothing sea-glass and shell accents gracing the common spaces. Rooms feature a natural color palette inspired by the sea, with subtle touches of coral and restful beach tones.
Acadia National Park
Travelers flock to Maine’s Acadia National Park for its dramatic landscapes, diverse flora and fauna and miles of carriage roads that are catnip for hikers and bikers. Car-free proponents will appreciate the Island Explorer shuttles, whisking you to the park’s remote nooks and crannies in a jiffy. The National Park Service celebrates its centennial birthday in 2016 making this year an especially festive time to visit.
Stay
Yellow House offers classic cottage charm and New England hospitality in the center of Bar Harbor. The spacious wrap-around porch and onsite sculpture garden are visual delights, while breakfast will please the palate.
Sag Harbor
If the Hamptons are known for being exclusive, neighboring Sag Harbor’s welcoming spirit leans towards inclusive. Ride the Jitney from NYC and you’ll see you have no need for a personal vehicle in this all-American village. Main Street and its environs are packed with shops, eateries, an art house movie theater and galleries. In fair weather, take a plunge in the calm bay waters or pop into the Whaling Museum if there’s a chill in the air.
Stay
Baron’s Cove is a harbor-front winner. Recently refurbished, it’s crisp, clean and comfy. Stroll around town, borrow a bike and pedal to a nearby winery or stay on-property and hit a few tennis balls or frolic in the heated saltwater swimming pool. The hotel is pet friendly, so bring the pup. The on-site restaurant’s menu of local seafood is a legitimate source of pride. Consider Point Judith calamari or Sag Harbor fish stew, a dashing combo of shellfish in a zesty broth. Homemade Parker House rolls are perfectly in tune with the traditional vibe.
Charlottesville
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this thriving community flawlessly blends urban and rural. Home to the University of Virginia, students infuse this historic town with youthful energy. The wealth of farms just outside of Charlottesville’s city limits sets the stage for a lively culinary scene, including a fabulous Saturday morning producers-only market. This is the heart of one of the country’s finest winemaking regions, so expect to find the perfect Virginia bottle to pair with your farm-to-table meal. Jefferson’s beloved Monticello is just a few miles outside of town and shouldn’t be missed. Arts and culture are rich and diverse with a full calendar of music, lectures and performing arts. Ride Amtrak straight to the heart of it all.
Stay
Sleep on the grounds of UVA at the Inn At Darden. The rooms and suites have nothing in common with a dormitory. The décor is an elegant nod to favorite son Thomas Jefferson, with modern creature comforts thrown in for good measure.
Photo Credits: Wild Center, Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce, Acadia Bike, Baron’s Cove and Cameron Davidson, Virginia Tourism Corporation
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
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