A Winter Travel Guide For The Queer And Carless

For those of us living in New York City—where owning a car often feels like a luxury rather than a necessity—getting out of town can sometimes seem tricky. But it can also feel like a necessary form of self-care when the hustle and bustle starts to wear you down. From picturesque, snow-covered mountains to charming small towns, these destinations are all easily accessible without a car and promise a perfect getaway tailored to every winter whim.

Whether you’re a ski bunny craving powdery slopes, an art enthusiast looking for a cozy, romantic retreat, or a solo adventurer dedicated to the inner journey, this guide has you covered. 

Thunder Ridge Ski Area

Located in Patterson, New York, Thunder Ridge Ski Area is the Goldilocks of day trips: close enough to be convenient, far enough away to feel like an adventure.  Adding to the charm is a Metro-North partnership that offers a discounted round-trip train ticket and a one-day lift ticket combo. Buy your tickets at Grand Central, hop on the train, and just over two hours later disembark at the Patterson train station, where a free shuttle takes you to Thunder Ridge.

The area includes 22 trails, three chairlifts, and four magic carpets. The trails are more for light-hearted enjoyment than honing your edge; as a novice snowboarder, I managed to ride a black diamond without breaking anything. Afterward, my friend and I warmed up with standard ski-lodge fare of toasty french fries and hot chocolate.  

For those underwhelmed by package deals, beginner-friendly slopes, and train conductors who offer to pay for your cab to a missed Patterson stop because the train door wouldn’t open—check out OverRide, you filthy animals. 

Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery

Buddhist monasteries have been a travel hack of mine for a while now. They’re clean, beautiful, serene, and offer inexpensive lodgings. They’re also queer-friendly in a real “love is love” kind of way, meaning you can explore spirituality without being asked to change who you are. 

Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) Monastery in Woodstock, New York, is no exception to this rule. This Tibetan Buddhist Monastery sits high in the mountains, about a one-mile hike from the Trailways Bus station. Some call a taxi for the steep climb. I’ve always hoofed it, preferring to break a sweat in the cold air. 

Visitors can come for the day or a multi-day personal retreat, which offers a choice between a private room or dorm-style bedding. Homemade vegetarian food is included with lodging. Meditations occur throughout the day but are completely optional. You might prefer sitting on a couch overlooking the scenic forest view and just be.

KTD is laid-back but still adheres to Buddhist precepts. Visitors are expected to refrain from intoxicants, lying, stealing, sexual misconduct, and killing (that includes eating meat and swatting mosquitoes). If you can follow these rules, consider taking a trip and (re)connect with your bliss. 

Woodstock

If Buddhism isn’t for you but you resonate with “one love” vibes, visit Woodstock. The bus deposits you directly in the heart of this tiny town, which offers plenty of new-age shops, vegetarian-friendly dining, and enough tie-dye to make your eyes bleed. 

If you’re already staying in New Paltz or Kingston, Woodstock makes for an easy day trip. If you’re coming from the city, consider spending the night. Woodstock has some great boutique hotels. You’ll need a taxi to reach most of them, although Woodstock Way Hotel is accessible by foot. Be sure to book in advance: lodging fills up fast, even in the winter.

Montauk

Montauk in the off-season is exactly as romantic and wistful as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind depicts it, except you won’t want your memory swiped after visiting. Windswept white-sand beaches, fresh seafood next to a cozy fireplace, and shopping like you’re part of the 1% is a mere three-hour train ride from the city.

Once the Long Island Railroad drops you off at the Montauk station, you can Uber or taxi to your deeply discounted off-season lodgings. I stayed at an Airbnb, but there are plenty of hotels to choose from. Restaurants are plentiful, although the variety is lacking. Make a pit stop in Queens on your way back to the city if you want exotic cuisine.

I spent time at the beach, on a nature walk (there are plenty to choose from, including the famous Montauk Point Lighthouse), and browsing mostly empty shops. I even went to the famous Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton but didn’t spot Salman Rushdie—or anyone looking younger than 60, for that matter. I guess that’s what happens when you dine at 5:30 PM.

New Paltz

An hour and a half Trailways Bus ride from the city, New Paltz is comfort food in the way only a college town can be. It’s easily walkable, with plenty of curiosity-laden bookstores, funky gift shops, and bustling restaurants. There are also miles and miles of nature trails—the perfect activity for the carefree and car-free. New Paltz is easily doable in a day, but travelers have plenty of Airbnb options, a hostel, and a couple of easily accessible hotels to choose from should they desire an extended stay. 

A mere 30 minutes north lies Kingston, which feels like the adult version of New Paltz. It’s harder to navigate without a car but offers a more sophisticated palette—perhaps because it’s home to many creators who graduated from the hustle of New York City. Expect high-quality farm-to-table options, amazing vintage and antique shopping, and galleries that hold that elusive air of artists who’ve made it—and possibly begrudge how hard it was to get there. 

Beacon

Can you even call yourself a New Yorker if you haven’t visited Beacon? Beacon is everything at once. It’s cool but not pretentious. It’s artsy but accessible. It’s got enough to keep you busy all weekend, but not so much that you’ll leave having missed something. Best of all, it’s a breezy hour-and-a-half train ride from Grand Central.

Must-dos include visiting Dia Beacon, a contemporary art museum with three stories of mind-bending exhibitions. A stroll down Main Street offers plenty of shopping for unique, beautifully crafted items. One of my favorite parts of Beacon is its movie theater, which plays an eclectic mix of old and new films by renowned and lesser-known cinematographers. (I saw Benedetta, a based-on-a-true story film about a lesbian nun who saves her village from the plague with sex magic + witchcraft. It was as awesome as it sounds.) 

Beacon’s restaurants are enchantingly diverse, and hiking trails are one short Lyft away. With something for everyone, it’s the perfect destination for curing your winter blues. 

Hartford

As a teenager, I was an avid fan of the Final Fantasy video game series. So when I discovered that the Cleveland Orchestra was performing select soundtrack songs at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford, Connecticut—on my birthday, no less—I had to buy a bus ticket.

Hartford is known for many things. It’s home of the Mark Twain House, where the author lived and wrote some of his most beloved works. It hosts the country’s oldest public art museum, Wadsworth Atheneum. It was once the wealthiest city in the country, but now has the highest poverty rate of any city in America. In short, it’s as complex as any historic city. This makes it a great destination for those interested in US history and culture—or getting off the beaten track.

Before the concert, I sought solace from the freezing rain at Auroras Restaurant, a Guatemalan cafe serving authentic dishes. I then nursed a cappuccino at the adorable Story and Soil Coffee. Had it not been so wet outside, I would have explored nearby bookstores—Hartford is a college town after all, thanks to the University of Connecticut.

Greenport

Kick off your heels and swap them for loafers at Greenport, a historic village peeking out from the bottom reaches of Long Island. This casual cousin of the Hamptons offers plenty for the city-weary. Feast on fresh seafood at any number of bayside restaurants. Little Creek Oysters is quintessentially East Coast, with a new location as of December 2024. For those in pursuit of pizazz, The Frisky Oyster serves it up with creative cocktails and a trendy ambiance. Skip seafood altogether and opt for American fare at places like Andy’s Restaurant.

After gorging yourself to the gills, bundle up and stroll on the waterfront or one of the numerous beaches along the river. Wine enthusiasts will be pleased with the abundant local options. Kontokosta Winery accepts walk-ins, where you can sample wine and charcuterie board nibbles in its tasting room. 

North Fork Arts Center is another good place to check out. Hosted out of the historic Greenport Theater, it regularly plays films and hosts cultural events.