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We're now in that time of year when it feels like we may never feel cold again, but this is the home stretch! And what better way to suffer through air quality alerts and triple-digit temperatures than with a little armchair travel and/or vacation planning for when the weather finally cools? That's right, we're talking about fall foliage season day trips.
This year is even more exciting than usual, because MarketBeat just announced its list of the best "bougie on a budget" vacation spots, and New York has three locales listed in the top 10. (Coming in at No. 2 is Kaunakakai, Hawaii, so we're guessing airfare doesn't get included.)
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Sitting pretty at No. 3 is New York's own Cold Spring, which has the added benefit of being served by Metro-North's Hudson line. A vacation that doesn't require a rental car? An autumnal delight! As MarketBeat writes: "Just an hour from NYC, this Hudson River village is full of antique shops, art galleries, and stylish cafés — all nestled between leafy mountains and the water’s edge. Hike Breakneck Ridge, then reward yourself with rosé on a patio."
But as the outlet points out, the list isn't about traveling on a shoestring budget. These are all destinations that are redefining what luxury means. The price point might be lower, but that doesn't necessarily mean the thread count is, too.
Elsewhere in the Empire State, Saranac Lake clocks in at No. 6 ("Adirondack charm without Olympic crowds or prices"), while Hammondsport makes the top 50 at No. 43. The tri-state area also took another spot in the top 10 with fifth-place finisher Cape May, New Jersey: "Skip the bustle of Cape May proper and head a mile west to the Point. It’s quieter, wilder, and full of dunes, shorebirds, and Victorian rentals tucked into quiet streets. Ride bikes, read on the porch, and enjoy the beach without the boardwalk noise," the ranking reads.
The top spot went to the charming Colorado spot, Twin Lakes. And while small towns abounded, major cities were notably absent from the list. Turns out, bougie on a budget is a lot easier to achieve the further away you get from an airport.
The MarketBeat ranking comes courtesy of 3,011 travel professionals, all of whom voted via an online survey. Click here for the full list.