Welcome!

Shortescapes.net is for everyone who likes to escape to the peace of the countryside away from cities and tourist crowds. Follow any Escape below for a beautiful walk or bike ride that will let you feel each locale's unique geography and history.

12 Great Experiences Near New York City, 1 Near Chicago, With More to Come

Featuring:

  • Walks and bike rides
  • Detailed directions and walking maps
  • Hotels, romantic inns and B&Bs
  • Restaurants and scenic picnic spots
  • Special places to shop
  • Historic sites

 

Inaugural Escapes

Here are the first dozen of many more special Experiences to come. Most are less than a 90-minute drive from a major city in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. Each Escape has everything you need for a complete getaway for an afternoon, a day, or a weekend.

Escape 1: Piermont, N.Y. The Footpath From Gotham.
Sweeping river views, ancient forest roads, an abandoned industrial site, a picturesque village, and terrific country dining.

Escape 8: New Paltz, N.Y. Battle to Save the 'Gunks.'
Excellent Hudson River Valley views, extraordinary rock formations, a serene mountain lake; top dining choices in a bustling college town.

Escapes 2 and 3:  The Rivertowns of Dobbs Ferry, Hastings on Hudson, and Irvington, N.Y.
Two walks along the scenic 19th century Croton Aqueduct, and the opportunity to explore quaint riverside villages and to enjoy shops, galleries, day spas, casual and fine dining, and breathtaking river views…Plus a historical bike ride along the Old Putnam railroad.

Escape 9: Litchfield, Ct. The Land of Ethan Allen.

A preserve with wide lanes, peaceful forests, marshlands, and Connecticut's largest lake; a beautiful, historic New England town with fine dining and shopping; world-class inns with breathtaking views; nearby state parks with beaches and scenic picnic areas.

Escape 4: Pocantico Hills & Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. In the Land of Ichabod Crane.
Stunning Hudson River views, colonial footpaths in legend-filled forests, and the remains of a large riverside estate.

Escape 10: Ringwood, N.J. A Hideaway for Nature's Friends.
Spectacular views of a reservoir, mountains, and the Manhattan skyline; an undeveloped forest; old mines; an ecology center; historic B&Bs; good restaurants.

Escape 5:  Huntington, N.Y. In the Footsteps of Walt Whitman.

A walk through the peaceful forest and landscapes that inspired poet Walt Whitman; Long Island’s highest point; excellent dining.

Escape 11: Highland Lakes, N.J. After the Fiery Furnace.
Unique state-park woodlands that are home to black bears; a rain-forest-like swamp trail; remains of an iron-manufacturing town; a scenic lake for boating and fishing.

Escape 6: Shelter Island, N.Y. Shelter from the Storm.
Pristine woodlands and tidal wetlands; sandy, undeveloped beaches where Native Americans and smugglers once roamed; excellent B&Bs.

Escape 12: Morristown, N.J. The Soldier's Camp.
A Revolutionary War encampment for General George Washington's soldiers and a museum in a national historical park; a stunning old forest;  fine country dining.

Escape 7: Montauk, N.Y. Cowboys & Tribes, Poachers & Spies.
Fabulous ocean and bay views; a shady forest; idyllic picnic spots; "walking" sand dunes; great beaches and restaurants; the lively Hamptons nightlife scene.

Escape 13: Lake Geneva, Wis.: Newport of the West
Known for its waterfront mansions and natural beauty, Lake Geneva offers outdoor enthusiasts hiking, biking, boating, water skiing, horse-back riding, and more.

 

Inaugural International Escape

Escape 13: Carolles, France: The Peaceful Side of Mont-St.-Michel. 
A spectacular view of the legendary island of Mont-St.-Michel, a dramatic coastal walk through moors and forests where Romans and medieval monks once roamed.

 

Peter J. Riolo Real Estate