Couples coming in for a long weekend getaway enjoy New Rochelle, the area will suite travelers who wish to have free parking and stay 40 minutes outside of Manhattan. New Rochelle is a small city in Westchester County, NY. It’s a close-knit, diverse community that includes many families who wish to raise their children outside NYC while still commuting to work in Manhattan. It’s a great place for couples to come visit for a relaxing weekend of checking out new restaurants and shopping. Families like the laid-back vibe too, as well as the nearby parks. Glen Island Park is a nice place for kids and adults to spend a day at the beach and hiking around the island. History buffs enjoy visiting the Thomas Paine Cottage.

Recommended Hotel: Radisson
Why: Zagat-Rated Restaurant, Best Rates

The two hotels near the New Rochelle train station are the Residence Inn and Radisson. Both hotels have comparable rates and amenities, most people would be okay with either one. But the Radisson has a slight edge due to slightly lower rates most days and the on-site restaurant. The Zagat calls the restaurant, NoMa Social, one of the best seafood restaurants in the United States. On the whole, guests tend to like the Radisson, but there are some complaints that the music from the bar area can be heard in guest rooms late into the night on weekends. If you request a room on a higher floor, this should solve the issue. The Residence Inn is a fine choice as well, guests like the friendly staff and spacious rooms. But we recommend you consider the Radisson first if you’re traveling for a special occasion because of the nice bar and restaurant on-site.

Couples looking for a romantic getaway adore Port Chester. This is a good location to split time between Manhattan and a charming small town along the coast. Port Chester, NY is a small, working-class urban area near the border with Connecticut. It’s become increasingly popular with Millennials because it’s a good value place to live – there are plenty of cool things to do and places to eat, but the cost of living is low for the area. Visitors enjoy the same things: NYC caliber restaurants and activities for upstate NY prices. The Capitol Theater holds concerts year-round and you can often get tickets just a few days in advance. There are also numerous golf courses in the area such as the Maple Moor Golf Course.

Recommended Hotel: Courtyard Marriott
Why: Free Parking with Electric Car Charging, Indoor Pool

The Courtyard Marriott near the Rye Metro-North Station is the most convenient hotel in Port Chester. It’s right off of I-95 so it’s an easy place to drive to and then take the train into New York City. Parking is free and if you have an electric car you may charge it at the Courtyard Marriott for $1.50 per hour. Across hundreds of online reviews, guests repeatedly compliment the cleanliness of this property. Families love being able to spend time at the indoor pool all year long. Many guests complain that the food at the Bistro in the lobby is expensive, but they also note that it is delicious. The Courtyard Marriott is a wonderful place to stay in the Port Chester/Rye area.

Yonkers offers up a suburban setting with a modest train commute into NYC. Travelers unwilling to drive closer to the city for accommodations will appreciate the hotels and small town feel of Yonkers. Just north of the Bronx, Yonkers is considered an inner suburb of New York City. Many people who live in Yonkers commute to Manhattan for work daily. It’s a popular area with families who wish to raise their children outside of NYC but who have jobs in the city. Yonkers Raceway hosts harness horse-racing five nights per week adjacent to the Empire City Casino. Families enjoy Tibbetts Brook Park, which has hiking trails, tennis courts, and a large aquatic complex for public use.

Recommended Hotel: Residence Inn
Why: Complimentary Breakfast and Socials, Exceptional Staff, Suites with Full Kitchens

The Residence Inn and Hampton Inn are both good options near the Grey Stone Station. Both hotels offer free parking, breakfast, and in-room wifi. And both hotels have indoor swimming pools. Guests at the Residence Inn appreciate that there is complimentary coffee available all day. Each room at the Residence Inn has a full kitchen, so it’s a great place for longer stays. You can even meet other guests at the Residence Inn during socials three nights a week, and the socials often include complimentary food. The Hampton Inn is also an all-suites hotel and they have an on-site Italian restaurant called Zupata. Both hotels are very nice, but we prefer the Residence Inn.

Recommended Hotel: Greenwich Harbor Hotel
Why: Luxury Hotel, On-Site Restaurant

The only hotel within walking distance of the Greenwich MTA station is the Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel. It’s just two blocks from the station where you can take Metro North to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan in just 50 minutes. The average nightly rate is $269/night, which means you won’t save money staying here versus in Manhattan, but if you wish to be in Greenwich it’s a very nice hotel. Parking, WiFi, and breakfast are all complimentary as is a shuttle that runs within a three-mile radius of the hotel. Guests complimented the comfortable beds and luxurious linens. They also appreciated the nice gestures the hotel makes like cookies at check-in and a welcome drink for special occasions. The Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel is a great place for a relaxing getaway for a couple.

Stamford will appeal to travelers who are passing by north of New York City and want a comfortable suburban area to sleep overnight. It is an affluent college town. Stamford is a college town in Connecticut, just thirty miles from New York City. Residents are some of the most highly educated in the U.S. and it’s an affluent area with the largest financial district in the country outside of NYC. Chelsea Piers is a wonderful place to play whether you visit the batting cages, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, or any of the other options. The city really lights up in the summer for the weekly French Market, regular performances of Shakespeare on the Green, and more. Cove Island Beach is also a popular place to spend a summer day.

Recommended Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Why: Best Rates, Free Breakfast Buffet

There are five hotel options in this area: Marriott, Hilton, Hampton Inn, Hotel Zero Degrees, and Holiday Inn Express. Hotel Zero Degrees is a boutique hotel that is great for business travelers because the free in-room wifi is reliable and each room has a nice desk. The large chains in Stamford get good reviews, too. The Hilton, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn Express also offer free in-room wifi. Guests at the Hampton Inn consistently note in online reviews that the staff go above and beyond to make each stay excellent. The Marriott is an excellent facility with wonderful reviews, but rooms average nearly $300/night on the weekends. Oddly, the Hilton gets the worst reviews, although it is still a nice property and a decent option, just nothing special. The Holiday Inn Express receives the best online reviews, generally, and receives compliments on the friendly staff, impeccably clean rooms, and comfortable beds. We recommend the Holiday Inn Express because it usually has the best rates, but if you would like a hotel with a gym, the others are better candidates.

White Plains will appeal to travelers who are passing by NYC and need a comfortable suburban setting to stay in for a night or two while exploring Manhattan. Because, parking is not free at the hotels travelers might want to look at nearby locations. White Plains spans just a few miles, but it is jam-packed with shops and restaurants. The neighborhood has a thriving shopping district along Mamaroneck Avenue with quiet, family neighborhoods on either side. Silver Lake Preserve is a large park with numerous hiking trails to enjoy or you could kayak in the lake. If you have a car, it’s a short drive over to Sleepy Hollow.

Recommended Hotel: Cambria Inn and Suites
Why: Best Rates, Complimentary Area and Airport Shuttles, Indoor Pool

Both hotel options in White Plains are expensive, but very nice. The Cambria Inn and Suites and the Residence Inn are located in the heart of White Plains with plenty of things, including the train station, in walking distance. The Cambria offers a few more amenities than the Residence Inn, such as an indoor pool and complimentary area shuttle. However, breakfast is complimentary at the Residence Inn and parking is cheaper. Guests rave about the large suites and excellent service at the Cambria Inn and Suites. At the Residence Inn, guests like the breakfast buffet that has different options each day. Since the Cambria Inn and Suites has better rates and a complimentary airport shuttle, we recommend it over the Residence Inn for stays in White Plains.

Recommended Hotel: Holiday Inn Bridgeport
Why: Good Value, Indoor Pool, Area Shuttle

The only hotel in Bridgeport within walking distance of the Metro-North Railroad station is the Holiday Inn Bridgeport. It’s an hour and a half from Bridgeport to Manhattan, Grand Central Terminal. Bridgeport is a vibrant destination in its own right with family-friendly attractions like the Beardsley Zoo and Captain’s Cove Boardwalk. The average room rate at the Holiday Inn is $102/night on weekdays and weekends. Free wireless internet is available in guestrooms and there is a free shuttle within a five-mile radius. You’ll pay a premium for all other services like parking, which costs $10 per day. Breakfast is available for purchase in the hotel restaurant. Guests complimented the large, clean rooms and comfortable beds on par with a typical Holiday Inn.

With a lengthy expensive ride into NYC this location is probably only valuable for people passing by and want to take in NYC for day trip and then continue along. New Haven is a college town home to Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University. Most of the people who live here attend or work at a university or hospital in the area. The most common visitors are parents looking in on college students and families touring the universities. People who love the arts and history will find plenty to do in New Haven. From the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History to the Firehouse Art Gallery, there are numerous museums of all kinds. Between the universities and local arts scene, there’s always a play, concert, or movie to see. Breweries are also popular here, especially The Cask Republic.

Recommended Hotel: La Quinta Inn and Suites
Why: Best Rates, Pets Allowed, Free Area Shuttle

New Haven Hotel and La Quinta Inn and Suites are just a few blocks from New Haven Union Station with service to New York City. The New Haven Hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel, guests enjoy the little extras like a complimentary wine and cheese hour six days per week. But you’ll pay for the boutique experience; the average room rate is $165/night. By contrast, a night at the La Quinta averages just $109 per night. The La Quinta is a more basic hotel and online reviews are mixed regarding the friendliness of the staff and cleanliness of common areas like the breakfast buffet. Still, we recommend the La Quinta because the rates are better, pets are allowed, and they offer a complimentary area shuttle that can take you to the train station and other areas of New Haven.

Families who want to sightsee in New York City and get a taste of New England love staying in Norwalk. Norwalk is a laid-back, beachside city in Connecticut. It’s a popular vacation destination for New Englanders and New Yorkers alike. Locals enjoy the city just as much as visitors do and you’ll often find the riverfront area packed with local families. One of the top attractions in Norwalk is the Maritime Aquarium, which is dedicated to the marine life of the Long Island Sound. Families and couples also like taking the Sheffield Island Ferry to see the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Calf Pasture Beach is also a fun place for families to spend the day. Shopping in SoNo (South Norwalk) let’s you get a feel for the city even in a short amount of time.

Recommended Hotel: EVEN Hotels
Why: Complimentary Bicycles for Guest Use, Game Room, On-Site Food Available, Non-Smoking Hotel

The hotel options in Norwalk are EVEN Hotels or Extended Stay America. EVEN Hotels is a beautiful property with a gym and on-site restaurant called Cork and Kale, but prices vary wildly. On weeknights, expect to pay $187/night at EVEN Hotels, but on the weekend rates can be as low as $97/night. Extended Stay America does not have an on-site restaurant but they do offer complimentary breakfast. Plus, the rates at Extended Stay America are more constant, averaging $106/night. EVEN Hotels are all a bit special as they consider themselves healthy hotels. There’s a gym, plus they also offer bicycles that you can borrow and housekeeping washes guests workout clothes daily for free. Guests also enjoy the game room with ping pong at EVEN Hotels. Extended Stay America has overall good online reviews, but it’s nothing special. We recommend staying at EVEN Hotels because it offers more amenities and sometimes the rates are better than Extended Stay America.