I am a city girl at heart. I love the vibrancy, the hustle and bustle and the many cultures that converge to make up a city's population.

That being said, even city girls need to get away, particularly when you live in a nonstop place like New York. Fortunately, it's easy to have a greet weekend escape within just a few hours of the city. These five places are my favorite getaways from New York:

North Fork
So often when people head toward the end of Long Island, they're going to the Hamptons, but the North Fork also offers a great escape from the city. Plus, there's wine! Lots of wine! That is always a good thing, in my opinion. You can explore the North Fork's vineyards on your own or join a tour if you don't want to worry about transportation. They also have several cute farmer's markets where you can pick up homemade jam, seasonal produce and other delicious treats.  

Storm King
Though I'm sure Storm King is great any time of the year, I think this is the perfect weekend escape for fall. The trees that surround this open-air museum and sculpture park are so bright and colorful that it feels like you've walked into a postcard. Then you have beautiful sculptures scattered across acres of land, mixing in with trees, lakes and hills. It's a peaceful getaway that feels far removed from city life.

Breakneck Ridge and Cold Spring
For the adventurous type, Breakneck Ridge is one of the most strenuous hikes in the area and is not for the faint of heart. But the views ... the views are very much worth that uphill rock scramble. Once you've hiked to your heart's content, you can check out nearby Cold Spring, a village along the Hudson River with cute shops and restaurants, perfect for meandering. 

The Hamptons
When one thinks of the Hamptons, summertime glamour often comes to mind, and understandably so. However, the Hamptons is a lovely escape any time of the year and can just as easily be experienced without the glamour as with it. What I like most about the Hamptons is the number of towns that make up Long Island's South Fork and the fact that you can make it a low-key getaway or you can embrace the more upscale options available in this area. Either way, it's enjoyable.  

City Island
This small island is actually part of New York City but feels very different from everything else. It has a small town atmosphere that makes you forget you're in one of the busiest cities in the world. It's also home to a large number of great seafood restaurants, so anyone who visits City Island needs to have their appetite ready and their seafood game face on. 

There are numerous other weekend escapes near New York, many of which are accessible via public transportation. It's part of what makes the city a great place to live — the endless number of amazing things to do in NYC as well as all the great adventures to be had that are just a short train, bus or car ride away. So, anytime you're in need of a weekend escape, check out one (or all) of these five places.

Do you have a favorite weekend escape from New York City?