weekend getaway

Hit the slopes in Whistler on a weekend getaway in Vancouver. (Photo: Getty Imgaes)

Tips + Trends

3-Day Weekend on the Horizon? Plot Your Escape at These 5 Getaways

Don’t let those PTO days go to waste! Whether you’re seeking sun or snow, these five long weekend getaways make for a perfect three- or four-day escape.

Vancouver

The sheer magnitude of twin-mountain ski resort Whistler Blackcomb is staggering. Its 200+ marked runs are enough to keep you on new trails for days—and don’t get us started on the après-ski scene.

After carving the slopes, leave a day or two to check out Vancouver, a dynamic coastal city combining gorgeous natural city with a rising food scene. Check into the sleek new JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, then head on over to Granville Island and Edible Canada bistro, whose farm-to-table menu spotlights inventive Canadian cuisine. (Go for the Beef Shin poutine, which is served with cheese curd-topped fries and smashed sunchokes.)

Still have money burning in your wallet? Gastown is a hotbed of indie boutiques. We love Orling & Wu‘s artisanal crafts (Swedish rugs; British lighting) and Old Faithful Shop‘s high-design/high-quality kitchenware.

Montreal

weekend getaway
A winter wonderland awaits in Montreal. (Photo: Getty Images)

For a romantic weekend away that doesn’t shy away from winter’s magic, Montreal won’t steer you wrong. Just an hour’s flight from NYC, the Canadian city feels worlds apart with its 17th-century cobblestone streets, rising restaurant and design scene, and distinct French flair.

Stroll to Toqué!, whose dishes (crispy duck magret, for example) by native chef Normand Laprise helped put Quebecois cuisine on the map. New neighborhood bistro Marconi, across town in Mile Ex, is also earning rave reviews for its stellar cocktails and hearty cuisine (venison carpaccio; ricotta gnocchi; suckling pig belly).

Montreal comes into its own during the winter season (this is Canada, after all!), so take advantage of cold-weather thrills like ice-skating on Beaver Lake and sledding in Mount Royal Park before thawing out during a tour of the Gothic Revival-era Notre-Dame Basilica. Don’t miss Igloofest (January through February), an annual outdoor music festival held at the Old Port that’s been called “the biggest winter party of all time.”

Denver

It’s impossible to deny the beauty and allure of Colorado’s epic resort towns—especially come winter—but if you’re looking for something beyond the slopes, let us make a case for Denver. There’s more than enough in the state’s capital to make for a great long weekend escape, especially for foodies.

The beautifully restored Union Station reopened in 2014 with a wave of new restaurants like Mercantile Dining and Provision. James Beard Award-winning restaurant Rioja, on Larimer Square, is a legend in Denver, famous for putting its fine-dining scene on the culinary map.

The predominantly American menu takes strong cues from the Mediterranean in dishes like serrano wrapped octopus with fava beans and grilled ramps. Follow up dinner with drinks at William & Graham, an upscale speakeasy known for its creative cocktails that incorporate ingredients like cucumber beet syrup and sweet corn.

Bahamas

weekend getaway
Feel the heat on a Bahamas getaway. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nothing beats the winter blues like flying due south. Four hours by plane from NYC (and just two from Atlanta) lands you in Nassau, the only city on the Bahamas. From here, it’s a quick and relatively cheap flight to Eleuthera followed by a 10-minute water taxi to Harbour Island, a tiny, quietly charming corner of the archipelago.

Chicago

The sheer amount of standout restaurant and hotel openings in Chicago continues to boggle the mind—and while a weekend will only allow you to scratch the surface of all there is to do and see here, a long weekend makes things more doable.

We suggest doing some gift-grabbing (or treat-yo-selfing) at Penelope’s before a spin around the ice rink at Millennium Park and dinner at Macanese restaurant Fat Rice, which remains the forerunner of Chicago’s “fusion” trend with its melting pot of flavors spotlighted in dishes like beetroot curry and its signature arroz gordo (a version of paella).

Up for a classic “dinner and a show” combo? Head over to Pilsen and catch a comedy act, music performance, or even dancing at historic Thalia Hall.

This article was published through a partnership with Jetsetter magazine. Read the original story: The Best Long Weekend Winter Getaways in the US by Lindsey Olander, a regular contributor to Jetsetter.

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