Top 5: Nearby Summer Getaways

As we reach the last full month of summer, time is winding down to take advantage of great weather and more relaxed work schedules. If you want to squeeze in some fun in the sun without the chore of long-distance travel, these five nearby getaways will give you the summertime feels within a few hours of the city.

Grab your sunscreen, bug spray and besties and hit the road!

Yearning to relive those sunburnt summer camp days of your youth? Lucky for you, adult camps are now a thing. These 21-and-over camps offer open bars, theme parties and accommodations that are a cut above the rickety bunk bed of your childhood sleepaway camp. From archery to Zumba, both classic and updated camp activities are abundant. Check out Camp No Counselors in Paradox, New York (drive time: 4 hours) or Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut (drive time: 90 minutes) to book your nostalgia-driven camp experience. Hurry, availability is limited.

If your idea of a killer getaway includes a killer workout, then a hiking outing is just the ticket. With more than 52,000 acres of forested land and hundreds of miles of hiking trails, neighboring state parks Harriman and Bear Mountain (drive time: 90 minutes) are must-see destinations for every New York City hiker. Dotted by lakes and streams and filled with rolling mountains, gorgeous vistas await at every turn in this massive natural wonderland. New York-New Jersey Trail Conference lists dozens of Harriman-Bear Mountain hikes, from easy to strenuous. Bring your boots and watch out for bears, city slickers!

If a share house on the Jersey Shore just isn't your cup of tea, take in the other end of the seaside spectrum with a ritzy trip up the coast. Nestled in lovely Watch Hill, Connecticut (drive time: 3 hours), Ocean House is one of the most breathtaking luxury resorts in the country. This grand 1868 Victorian hotel was meticulously restored to its former glory in 2004 and features elegant accommodations in 49 rooms and 18 suites. The sprawling, 13-acre oceanfront grounds include a private 650-foot white-sand beach, numerous lawns and meadows, and quaint spaces for croquet, squash and shuffle board. Indoors, guests enjoy a full-service five-star spa, world-class dining and a full roster of activities and classes. Alas, luxury like this doesn't come cheap — summer rates start at $950 a night.

Got the summertime blues? If so, the thrill rides and roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari in Jackson, New Jersey (drive time: 90 minutes) are just what the doctor ordered to turn that frown upside down. Topping out at 510 acres, Six Flags Jackson is one of the largest theme parks in the world. The lakefront destination offers more a dozen high-flying thrill rides to get your pulse racing, plus plenty of kids' rides, arcades, live entertainment and dining options to satisfy the tamer crowd. Be sure to make time to see the adjacent wild animal safari, featuring more than 1,200 animals from six continents.

If the word "camping" brings to mind a jumble of tent poles, impossible-to-light portable stoves and scratchy sleeping bags, then maybe "glamping" is more your speed. With glamping, accommodations are turnkey and comfy, while still outdoorsy. Most destinations offer expansive tents boasting real floors, cozy beds and wood burning stoves, plus delicious meals, activities and well-appointed restroom facilities. A few of the best spots nearby are Posh Primitive in Chestertown (drive time: 4 hours), Firelight Camps in Ithaca (drive time: 4 hours) and Harmony Hill Retreat in East Meredith (drive time: 3.5 hours). You may still have to fight off mosquitos or contend with a burnt marshmallow, but with glamping, being outdoorsy just got fabulous.