The basil has wilted, the beach towels have been stowed away, the tan has faded. This can only mean one thing. It’s time to distract yourself from summer’s end by booking your next trip—preferably soon, and preferably somewhere convenient.
The art of the weekend away takes on a fresh face this time of year, swapping beach house shares for cozy cabins and hard-to-get seaside reservations for home-cooked dinners in. If you live in New York, the entirety of the East Coast is at your fingertips—whether you trek to Maine or Vermont or simply head Upstate, you’re in for picturesque variations on the same theme. Quaint little towns and apple orchards await; everything is orange and faintly tinged with pumpkin, even when it shouldn’t be.
What to Pack for a Road Trip, According to Vogue:
Personally, I’m an Upstate New York sort of weekend-awayer. This is due to unglamorous practicality, rather than any loyalty to my adopted home state: like many New Yorkers, I can’t drive. Over the years I’ve explored every little dot along Amtrak’s Hudson Valley schedule, and a few in between with the help of friends with cars. Airbnbs are always my pick for a home base—I recently stayed at and loved Blue Mountain Cottage in Saugerties, just 10 minutes from Woodstock—though I will on occasion make the foray to hotels. (Hotel Lilien, a Catskills spot that’s home to a truly great chicken sandwich, is a memorable mention.)
Just as there’s a specific pace and feel to a fall weekend getaway, there’s also a uniform. Obviously, it’s itinerary-dependent, but in my experience you can’t go wrong with sticking to easy layers and cozy loungewear. I’ve only ever regretted the rare occasion of over-packing; in the woods, no one knows if you wear the same long-sleeve crewneck tee twice.
Below, my picks for what to pack for your next weekend trip.
The Train Outfit
Typically, a train ride isn’t long enough to justify single-wear items, so I always travel in pieces I know I’ll be wearing throughout the weekend. A boxy long-sleeve, my favorite comfortable denim, and some low-profile sneakers I can probably get away with bringing on hikes (more on that later) are a solid foundation. I recently picked up the Club bag from Verafied, and while it might be too small for a proper weekender, it’s the perfect size for a travel bag (and can fit in any souvenirs I might be bringing back to the city).
