Overall Trip: An affordable and quick escape to the Catskills for two

In our Total Trip series, writers reveal their expenses from recent getaways. Here, Laura Motta breaks down the cost of a laid-back weekend for her and her partner in the Catskill Mountains.

To start, let’s be clear: I’m a New Yorker who can drive.

Many people find it challenging, uneasy, or simply prefer not to venture beyond the George Washington Bridge – and I understand that. New York City wraps you in its embrace, offering countless shiny, tempting reasons to remain within its borders.

But there are times when you simply need to hit the road.

It was my boyfriend's birthday, and the weather forecast couldn’t have been better: bright sunshine, pleasantly warm, and no humidity. The perfect weekend for a getaway upstate. We decided on the Catskill Mountains – a classic American destination (thank you, Dirty Dancing) and planned our weekend around a charming new hotel in the mountain town of Hunter.

Originally opened in the ’70s, the Bluebird Hunter Lodge was completely transformed in 2022 into a rustic-chic mountain hideaway that’s perfect for any season. Here’s how we made our way there, what we enjoyed upon arrival, and the overall cost.

Expenses before the trip

I can drive, but I don’t own a car. So, I reserved a rental and picked it up in Jersey City, just across the Hudson River, to dodge the traffic in Midtown. My share for a three-day rental came to $117. I didn’t need additional insurance since I booked it with my American Express Platinum card, which offers this benefit. Hunter Lodge kindly hosted me for two nights; September rates average $306 per night on weekends and around $170 for weeknights. Given that we stayed over the weekend, I’m considering the higher rate here ($612 for the total stay, $306 for my portion).

Grand Total: $423

On the ground

Friday

Arrival and lunch: Hunter Lodge is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from the city, during which we incurred $28 in tolls and fees (my share: $14). About 90 minutes in, we stopped for lunch at the classic Alexis Diner in Newburgh. This diner features plenty of chrome and neon, with a menu that offers everything from potstickers to shrimp scampi and cheese omelets. We definitely over-ordered—though I have no regrets about the matzoh ball soup—and the total came to $20 each.

Dinner: After checking into our charming, plaid-and-antler-adorned room at Hunter Lodge, we were exhausted. Instead of getting back in the car to find dinner, we opted to dine at the hotel (thanks to our food-and-beverage credit). Hunter Tavern, conveniently located off the hotel lobby, serves a comforting menu that you can enjoy by a crackling fire on chilly nights. We shared a few appetizers—the smoked trout toast and the house-made potato chips with bacon-horseradish dip—and each enjoyed a beer. My total for the evening was $22.

Grand Total: $56

Saturday

Sightseeing: This was our day for exploration. We kicked off the morning at the Olana State Historic Site, an awe-inspiring Victorian mansion constructed by painter Frederic Church. Church was a key figure in the Hudson River School, a 19th-century art movement that celebrated idealized natural landscapes. His vibrant, uniquely designed home—whether Moorish Revival or art nouveau—is situated on a hill, providing stunning mountain views. I was fascinated by Church's personal collections from his global travels. A tour is required to access the mansion, with various options available, including vehicle tours. We chose a walking tour that covered some of the grounds and the main floor of the home. Tickets were $20, which we purchased online beforehand.

Lunch: After visiting Olana, we drove about 10 minutes across the Hudson to Catskill to enjoy lunch at Subversive Malting + Brewing, known for using its own malts in brewing. Their trendy, laid-back taproom offers a selection of smash burgers and sandwiches. (My boyfriend went for the classic smash burger, while I opted for one topped with mushrooms and Swiss.) Our total came to $20 each.

Shopping: We crossed the Hudson River once more (driving is fantastic!) and spent the afternoon about 10 minutes away in the town of Hudson, wandering the delightful shops along the impossibly picturesque main street. Our souvenirs included loose rooibos and almond tea ($12) from Verdigris Tea & Chocolate; notecards, pens, and a notebook from The Social Type ($40); and a collection of Sylvia Plath’s short stories from The Spotty Dog ($11), a unique bar/bookstore.

Dinner: After a day filled with art and the lush scenery of the Catskills, we returned to the hotel and headed back to Hunter Tavern for dinner. The food was delicious, convenient, and nearby—sometimes that's all you need when traveling. We shared poutine and each ordered an entree; the total came to $29 for each of us.

Grand Total: $133

Sunday

Breakfast and departure: We set off early (after leaving $10 for the hotel cleaner – $5 each) and skipped a hearty breakfast, choosing instead to grab coffee, yogurt, and fruit from the hotel’s complimentary morning spread. For some reason, we took a different route home and encountered far fewer tolls than on the way there, with costs totaling just $2 per person. (Thanks, GPS...I suppose?) And of course, no road trip is complete without the final ritual: refueling the rental car, which cost $19 each.

Grand Total: $26

The final total: $638

A note on car rentals

I didn’t account for the cost of getting to and from the rental car office in Jersey City. From Brooklyn, where I reside, that would be approximately $8 via public transit and around $50 for an Uber. If you’re coming from Manhattan, expect to spend a bit less, maybe around $30–$40 for a rideshare.

Laura stayed at Bluebird Hunter Lodge by invitation. Dinogo Planet does not accept complimentary stays in exchange for favorable coverage.