Where can we take a food-and-booze–centric retreat outside of NYC?
April 28, 2013 11:01 AM Subscribe
Two of my friends and I want to get out of Brooklyn for a night or two this spring for a vacation/artistic retreat/fun time. We would like to go someplace with the following amenities:
++ Good food. We are all big fans of going out to eat, and while none of us are rolling in cash, we don't mind spending money on a good restaurant. Ideally this city/town would have enough places that we could go to a different restaurant for every meal. Treat yo self, etc.
++ Good bars. I'm making us sound like hedonists, and maybe we are, but: We also like to tie one on. Craft beer and fancy-schmancy cocktails are great; cheap beer and $2 whiskey specials are great too. We're not big sports bar people, though. (We're not big sports-anything people, really).
++ No need for a car. None of us has a car, and while theoretically we'd consider getting a Zip Car if something was *that* special, we'd really really rather go somewhere we can get to on public transportation, and, once we get there, won't need a car to get around.
++ Artistically or emotionally inspiring. We're going on this trip as a retreat of sorts to help us brainstorm for a collaborative project we work on together (and have been working on for the last two years).
++ Availability of AirBnB or cheap hotels. We're happy to stay in a no-frills hotel — we care way more about there being fun things to do.
We've all recently been to Boston and DC, so we'd rather not go back to those cities right now. We've been thinking about going to Providence, but only because that was the first place that sprung to mind. We're all 30, if that matters; I am a woman, my two pals are men. Where should we go? And once we get there, what should we do?
++ Good food. We are all big fans of going out to eat, and while none of us are rolling in cash, we don't mind spending money on a good restaurant. Ideally this city/town would have enough places that we could go to a different restaurant for every meal. Treat yo self, etc.
++ Good bars. I'm making us sound like hedonists, and maybe we are, but: We also like to tie one on. Craft beer and fancy-schmancy cocktails are great; cheap beer and $2 whiskey specials are great too. We're not big sports bar people, though. (We're not big sports-anything people, really).
++ No need for a car. None of us has a car, and while theoretically we'd consider getting a Zip Car if something was *that* special, we'd really really rather go somewhere we can get to on public transportation, and, once we get there, won't need a car to get around.
++ Artistically or emotionally inspiring. We're going on this trip as a retreat of sorts to help us brainstorm for a collaborative project we work on together (and have been working on for the last two years).
++ Availability of AirBnB or cheap hotels. We're happy to stay in a no-frills hotel — we care way more about there being fun things to do.
We've all recently been to Boston and DC, so we'd rather not go back to those cities right now. We've been thinking about going to Providence, but only because that was the first place that sprung to mind. We're all 30, if that matters; I am a woman, my two pals are men. Where should we go? And once we get there, what should we do?
You can find all those things in Philadelphia. There's the cheesesteaks and the few Jose Garces restaurants I've been to have been fantastic. The Reading Terminal Market is fun.
posted by spec80 at 11:16 AM on April 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by spec80 at 11:16 AM on April 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
Providence is a great place to eat and drink very well for very little money. A REALLY expensive entree will only run you $30, you can drink at plenty of bars with $4 craft beers. You can stay pretty much anywhere downtown and walk around Downtown/the West Side, and take a cab to the East Side if you so desire. You can see what local artists are doing at AS220 and 186 Carpenter.
I can recommend endless restaurants if you PM me.
posted by munyeca at 11:21 AM on April 28, 2013
I can recommend endless restaurants if you PM me.
posted by munyeca at 11:21 AM on April 28, 2013
Look at small college towns.
posted by Michael Pemulis at 11:23 AM on April 28, 2013
posted by Michael Pemulis at 11:23 AM on April 28, 2013
It seems like I'm recommending Northampton, MA for everything these days.
Much smaller than other recommendations so far (I'd second Montreal if you're looking for a larger place), but very nicely fulfills your requirements. You can get there on public transit (a bus) and you wouldn't need a car once you go there, but I might consider Zipcar just for a quicker trip up there.
posted by Betelgeuse at 11:23 AM on April 28, 2013
Much smaller than other recommendations so far (I'd second Montreal if you're looking for a larger place), but very nicely fulfills your requirements. You can get there on public transit (a bus) and you wouldn't need a car once you go there, but I might consider Zipcar just for a quicker trip up there.
posted by Betelgeuse at 11:23 AM on April 28, 2013
If you're open to a city retreat as opposed to the country, Philadelphia would definitely fit the bill.
Try to stay at the HI hostel in Fairmount Park. It's not that convenient to public transit, but with three of you the taxi should be affordable enough.
The only real hitch with Chamounix is that you can't bring in alcohol (or at least can't openly drink in public areas, which basically covers the whole place unless you book a private room instead of getting dorm bunks), and I believe there's a 2AM curfew.
That said, there is a BRILLIANT dive bar within bike riding distance, and the hostel has bikes.
posted by Sara C. at 12:31 PM on April 28, 2013
Try to stay at the HI hostel in Fairmount Park. It's not that convenient to public transit, but with three of you the taxi should be affordable enough.
The only real hitch with Chamounix is that you can't bring in alcohol (or at least can't openly drink in public areas, which basically covers the whole place unless you book a private room instead of getting dorm bunks), and I believe there's a 2AM curfew.
That said, there is a BRILLIANT dive bar within bike riding distance, and the hostel has bikes.
posted by Sara C. at 12:31 PM on April 28, 2013
I only tout my home-city for tourism these days, but, if you're willing to fly and not take public-transportation somewhere; Portland, Ore.
Coming from Brooklyn, you'll save enough money buying drinks here in town to pay for the flight and maybe your hotel. If you hunt for dives or decent happy hours, you can usually pick up craft pints (sometimes imperial pints!) for 2-4 bucks (Basement Pub!). Favorite small brewery is Amnesia, more for the beer than the atmosphere, but there are about 6 breweries for every person here. We build them like New England built churches. They're easy to find.
To visit here, it's cheap as shit, especially compared to the northeast.
posted by furnace.heart at 1:02 PM on April 28, 2013
Coming from Brooklyn, you'll save enough money buying drinks here in town to pay for the flight and maybe your hotel. If you hunt for dives or decent happy hours, you can usually pick up craft pints (sometimes imperial pints!) for 2-4 bucks (Basement Pub!). Favorite small brewery is Amnesia, more for the beer than the atmosphere, but there are about 6 breweries for every person here. We build them like New England built churches. They're easy to find.
To visit here, it's cheap as shit, especially compared to the northeast.
posted by furnace.heart at 1:02 PM on April 28, 2013
Thirding Philadelphia. It was the first place that came to mind, and as I read the question it became more and more obviously the perfect answer. Great food, great bars, tons of artistic inspiration (from the historic to the funky to the natural beauty of some great public parks and gardens), and far less expensive than NYC. Also very easy to get around by walking and/or public transportation: I lived there for four years without a car and never felt the lack.
I recommend staying in Center City or thereabouts if you can swing it. My favorite neighborhood is where I used to live (Queen Village), but really anywhere within a 20-minute walk of the subway should be fine.
posted by Superplin at 2:10 PM on April 28, 2013
I recommend staying in Center City or thereabouts if you can swing it. My favorite neighborhood is where I used to live (Queen Village), but really anywhere within a 20-minute walk of the subway should be fine.
posted by Superplin at 2:10 PM on April 28, 2013
LIRR to Greenport or Montauk, but only if you can do this during the off-season (pre-Memorial Day). Quick and easy travel, both towns are walkable, and the food and scenery are both excellent.
posted by jenad at 3:56 PM on April 28, 2013
posted by jenad at 3:56 PM on April 28, 2013
Portland, Maine is on a short list of most walkable cities in America, has (so they tell me) more bars and restaurants per capita than anywhere save maybe San Francisco, and has a very visible artistic community (and an Arts District). There was an AskMe within the last couple of weeks re: where to eat and drink. You can take the Acela and then the Downeaster trains and this puts you about a $7 cab ride from downtown. You won't need a car after that.
posted by seemoreglass at 4:15 PM on April 28, 2013
posted by seemoreglass at 4:15 PM on April 28, 2013
Where can I get a delicious dinner and/or cocktails in Portland, ME?
posted by seemoreglass at 4:23 PM on April 28, 2013
posted by seemoreglass at 4:23 PM on April 28, 2013
NY-er here, just back from a day and night in Philadelphia, having my own food micro-vacation. Amazing dinner at Vernick Food & Drink, which may be my favorite restaurant right now. (Great fancy cocktails, too.) Two visits to Federal Donuts.
Didn't make it to the outsider art show at Phil Museum of Art, but it sounds pretty great.
Still full, but feeling sad I was too stuffed to pick up a pork and broccoli rabe sandwich at Tommy DiNic's in the Reading Terminal Market: the best sandwich in the country.
Philadelphia is way cool.
posted by neroli at 6:03 PM on April 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
Didn't make it to the outsider art show at Phil Museum of Art, but it sounds pretty great.
Still full, but feeling sad I was too stuffed to pick up a pork and broccoli rabe sandwich at Tommy DiNic's in the Reading Terminal Market: the best sandwich in the country.
Philadelphia is way cool.
posted by neroli at 6:03 PM on April 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'll nth Philly-- Reading Terminal, DeNic's.
Capogiro Gelato which I think is worth multiple visits.
Green Eggs Cafe (try not to go there during weekend brunch hours though, it is MOBBED), Jake's Sandwich Board, sandwiches from DiBruno's on 18th and Chestnut that you can take to Rittenhouse Square.
The Franklin Mortgage Company and/or Village Whisky for cocktails (also mobbed during prime time drinking hours like weekend nights), maybe Hop Sing Laundromat if you want to deal with getting in (I haven't been but they certainly have fancy cocktails). Monk's, maybe Nodding Head for beer.
I prefer Boltbus over Megabus b/c the boarding procedure just feels more civilized to me (make an account and buy your tix while logged in so that you have the A boarding status). B/c it is cheap to bus between the cities, spend more $ on either housing or on dinner:
Mercato, the Farm and the Fisherman, Melograno, Amis, Parc, Tinto, Amada, Vetri (the first 3 are byo)
I am going to suggest that you not go to Federal Donuts for donuts b/c if you are coming from Brooklyn you have been to Dough, and fresh Dough doughnuts are GLORIOUS and FedDonuts are merely good. I also rank Doughnut Plant doughnuts as better than FedDonuts. If you come here pls bring me a NYC doughnut.
For inspiring, try the tour of Eastern State Penitentiary-- beautiful haunting light, decades of decay, ghosts of solitary confinement etc. If you go to ESP then go to Lemon Hill, another restaurant/bar.
posted by tangaroo at 7:57 PM on April 28, 2013
Capogiro Gelato which I think is worth multiple visits.
Green Eggs Cafe (try not to go there during weekend brunch hours though, it is MOBBED), Jake's Sandwich Board, sandwiches from DiBruno's on 18th and Chestnut that you can take to Rittenhouse Square.
The Franklin Mortgage Company and/or Village Whisky for cocktails (also mobbed during prime time drinking hours like weekend nights), maybe Hop Sing Laundromat if you want to deal with getting in (I haven't been but they certainly have fancy cocktails). Monk's, maybe Nodding Head for beer.
I prefer Boltbus over Megabus b/c the boarding procedure just feels more civilized to me (make an account and buy your tix while logged in so that you have the A boarding status). B/c it is cheap to bus between the cities, spend more $ on either housing or on dinner:
Mercato, the Farm and the Fisherman, Melograno, Amis, Parc, Tinto, Amada, Vetri (the first 3 are byo)
I am going to suggest that you not go to Federal Donuts for donuts b/c if you are coming from Brooklyn you have been to Dough, and fresh Dough doughnuts are GLORIOUS and FedDonuts are merely good. I also rank Doughnut Plant doughnuts as better than FedDonuts. If you come here pls bring me a NYC doughnut.
For inspiring, try the tour of Eastern State Penitentiary-- beautiful haunting light, decades of decay, ghosts of solitary confinement etc. If you go to ESP then go to Lemon Hill, another restaurant/bar.
posted by tangaroo at 7:57 PM on April 28, 2013
My first thought was also Philadelphia, but if you're willing to go out of the way a bit:
Ithaca, New York (previously, and previously). Gorgeous scenery to inspire your art, public transportation, a number of downtown AirBNB options e.g. here and here. Cocktails & food covered in previous threads.
posted by knile at 12:38 AM on May 5, 2013
Ithaca, New York (previously, and previously). Gorgeous scenery to inspire your art, public transportation, a number of downtown AirBNB options e.g. here and here. Cocktails & food covered in previous threads.
posted by knile at 12:38 AM on May 5, 2013
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posted by JPD at 11:12 AM on April 28, 2013 [7 favorites]