Far-flung travel is fabulous if you’ve got the time (and budget!) to make it happen. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy getaway, allow us to remind you of the beauty of the weekend road trip. In this recurring series, we ask seasoned travelers to share all the details of their best recent trip, from the car they drove to the clothes they packed—and of course, the must-visit locations on their itinerary.

The Destination

To celebrate a good friend's birthday (and to assuage a bit of desperation for a mid-winter escape from New York City), I drove to Catskill, NY with a group of girlfriends. Located along the banks of the Hudson River, Catskill is a quaint little village that offers easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. Still, if you go in winter, you're going to be spending a lot of time in the house, which means that a home with a kitted-out kitchen for cooking copious meals—plus a hot tub and/or pool for optimum relaxation—is a must. We stayed at a luxurious, kid-friendly cabin managed by Lina that our host found on Airbnb—perfect for anyone who's a foodie or more of an indoor person.

What I Drove

The 2022 INFINITI QX60. As our designated driver for the weekend, it was my job to find a SUV that could handle the snowy, windy roads of Catskill while transporting five women, our many (many) suitcases, and a haul from Trader Joe's. I always prefer a sleek design— something that's large, but not unwieldy (because I clock in at 5'5" on a good day)—and this car had the ideal proportions. Thanks to three rows of seats, we were able to carry everything with room to spare. The heated leather front seats made for an incredibly comfortable 3 hour drive, while seamless AirPlay integration and a 12 inch-display screen made it easy to navigate while listening to one of my friend's many iconic playlists.

What I Packed

Catskill and Hudson are extremely chill towns. The vibe is rustic and not at all overly dressed. Two pairs of jeans, two chunky knit sweaters, one pair of low-heel boots, and one pair of snow boots were more than enough for everything that required me to leave the house. As for lounging at home? All sweats, all the time.

8 Things You Should Pack for Catskill, NY

RIMOWA RIMOWA Essential Cabin 22-Inch Wheeled Carry-On

You'd be surprised how much this suitcase can hold.

Saint Laurent Lou 70 Suede Ankle Boots

Fancy enough for any dress code in Catskill.

Acne Studios Acne Studios Franziska Oversize Cotton Blend Hoodie

Now 40% Off

Get cozy in this over oversize option.

FRAME Le High Straight Jeans

Wear these day and night—with any type of shoe.

Treasure & Bond Treasure & Bond Johnny Collar Sweater

Now 60% Off

How gorgeous is this butter brown color?

Women's Bean Boots, 8" Shearling-Lined

A favorite amongst fashion editors everywhere.

Falke Falke Lhasa Wool & Cashmere Dress Socks

Now 25% Off

Pair these with your fleece lined boots.

Saint Laurent Saint Laurent Le Monogramme Bucket Bag

Pack one goes with everything bag for the entire weekend.

The Itinerary

Friday: After our drive upstate, we arrived just in time for dinner. My friends and I love to cook giant feasts, so most of our eating over the weekend was done at home. But instead of going on a massive grocery run, we pre-ordered supplies from Goldbelly, a company that allows you to buy meals from your favorite restaurants around the country and cook them in the comfort of your own kitchen. We decided on our version of surf and turf: Jumbo lump crab cakes from Faidley Seafood and steaks from Westholme Wagyu.

Saturday: Adventure day! After a Russ & Daughters New York brunch, we set off for the day in Hudson, NY.

Stop 1: Poured Candle Bar for a make-your-own candle experience with a glass of wine on the side. Candle-craft may sound complicated, but the staff makes it simple. After you choose your desired vessel, they walk you through the fragrance menu to create a custom scent, offering suggestions for which base, mid, and top notes pair well together. Then they bring out the oils, and you mix them together in a beaker and pour it in the vessel. The experienced Poured staffers handle the messy parts (that is, the liquid wax), so all you have to do is return a few hours later to pick up what you made—or they'll ship it to you.

Stop 2: Hudson is well known for antique and home decor stores, especially Finch Hudson, a vintage furniture and home goods store on Warren Street. For more, swing by the riverfront and check out The Antique Warehouse and The Warehouse for a massive selection of antique and vintage items. You’ll find everything from beds and bars to fireplace mantles, mirrors, and more.

Stop 3: Snack time at BackBar. The menu is inspired by East and Southeast Asia, with dishes like crispy rice, crystal shrimp dumplings, and my personal favorite (and the reason I always stop at BackBar when I’m in Hudson), dan dan noodles.

After a day of shopping, we changed for dinner at Trotwood, a casual restaurant and bar at Glen Falls House, about a 20-minute drive from where we stayed in Catskill. The menu is small, so if you’re in a group it would serve you well to order most of the sides and at least two of the crispy sunchoke and kale salad, a personal favorite.

Sunday: Brunch at Tavern at the Rivertown Lodge. Located back in Hudson on Warren Street, Tavern serves a delicious brunch, perfect to fuel up for the three-hour drive back to NYC. If you’re in the breakfast mood, I suggest the foccaccia egg sandwich (and convincing your friends to get a Dutch Baby for the table). The chicken hash and crispy bacon are also delicious. Looking for a little hair of the dog? Rivertown Mary, a take on the Bloody Mary, should do you just right.

Nikki Ogunnaike is the senior digital director of Harper's Bazaar, where she oversees a team of editors and writers who cover the culture of style across the website, video, and social media. She has previously held roles at GQ, ELLE, Glamour, InStyle, and Vanity Fair. You may also recognize Nikki from her time as the host of Snapchat’s Online, IRL and IGTV's The Run Through. In her free time Nikki enjoys running half marathons, learning about wine, and watching reality TV without an ounce of shame.