When summer in the city gets to be a bit too much for you, there are always plenty of surprisingly close escapes that you can head to for the day (or days, if you’re up for it). The following offer various adventures and no shortage of booze.

 

Not just for Long Island families and gay men, this little car-free island lies a train and a ferry ride away for most New Yorkers. If you go to the right part of the island (namely, Ocean Beach), you’ll find a bunch of bars, many with a serious emphasis drinks and drink specials. People tend to be friendly, perhaps thanks to the prevalence of drink deals.

 

This island, which you can reach through a ferry that departs from the Battery Maritime Building in the Financial District, isn’t exactly a hotspot for bars and booze. It is home, instead, to weekend historical re-enactments involving old canons and child-friendly art installations across a big, open field. That being said, what better place to go for a picnic that involves a bottle (or two, depending on how big your crew is) of the best cheap Prosecco?

 

 

Located off the Metro North line as well, Peekskill is a quaint town (what town isn’t when compared to the city?) with a brewery whose beers you’ve probably tasted in Manhattan. Every Sunday in the summer, the brewery holds “Sunday Fundays,” a corny name for a fun-for-the-whole-family kind of event that features local bands that you can watch outside while drinking local beers and eating local, cheap food. The place also has happy hours every weekday, which feature snacks like schnitzel and mac and cheese in addition to beers and cocktails. (47-53 S Water St., Peekskill; 914-734-2337)

 

The tasting room at Long Island’s Martha Clara Vineyards is open seven days a week, and it sits on a large, gorgeous property complete with a rose garden, outdoor seating, and even public WiFi. There’s also live music on the weekends, usually somewhere on the jazz spectrum. (6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead; 631-298-0075)

Atlantic City

Though about half of the massive casinos that mark this notorious shoreline have shut down, the ones that remain offer hotel rooms with décor that’s stuck in the 70s and appropriately clad cocktail waitresses hoping to ply gambling guests with as many drinks as possible. Though much of AC is dated, developers are trying hard to revitalize this once majestic seaside town with new shopping outlets, bars, and music venues. Over two hours away from the city, you’ll have to stay the night to make it worth it, but drinks will be comped (if you’re willing to risk losing at blackjack).

 

Philadelphia
Why not head to Philly for a day? It’s either a couple hours in a bus or just over an hour for a train ride, and there’s no shortage of great bars in the city of brotherly love. Check out our sister site, Drink Philly, to see what sort of great events are going on. 

 

Photos via Warwick Valley Winery and Peekskill Brewery