Beyond the usual: Northeast getaways for unforgettable friend trips

In the movies, friends' weekend getaways always seem to center on one of two options: self-care or the bacchanal. While both provide fun and laughs, there’s more to life than mud masks and wine tastings. Here are four out-of-the-box alternatives for your next getaway, whether you’re planning a bachelorette party, a big birthday celebration or a just-because trip with friends.

Take an astrology retreat in Phoenicia, New York

DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: About 2 hours

Take a look at the stars — literally and figuratively — by putting together your own tree house astrology retreat in this tiny Catskills hamlet. About two hours from Long Island, Phoenicia is just the place to get a star chart done and then fall asleep looking at the real things. Book the Instagram-famous Airbnb two-bedroom tree house ($1,281 for two nights midweek, $2,755 for three weekend nights). If you’d rather stay somewhere more traditional, try the Phoenicia Lodge, a boutique with a mix of rooms, suites and cottages perfect for a group get-together ($300 to $500 a night including continental breakfast) or The Graham & Co. hotel, which features a bunkhouse with twin beds, rooms and a bungalow with sitting room ($121 to $404 nightly).

Once you’re settled in, head over to the Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa, a wellness retreat that’s part of nonprofit Tibet House US. Get a day pass ($70 October through April) that gives visitors access to the steam room, traditional Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, relaxation lounge, hiking trails and grounds and book a spa upgrade — the one-hour astrological consultation ($200). You can also stay at Menla by using the Create Your Own Getaway option and choosing rooms, cottages and cabins (two-night minimum $619 to $1,200 per person).

Inexpensive breakfast and lunch options include the Phoenicia Diner (open Thursday through Tuesday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), famous for its house-made bread and locally sourced ingredients and Brio's Pizzeria & Restaurant, which bakes its thin-crust pizzas, pitas and Asiago bread in a wood-fired oven. If you want a more upscale option, splurge on The Phoenician Steakhouse, where you’ll find an extensive seafood menu and two or more can share the 30-day dry-aged 40-ounce Tomahawk steak ($98) and seafood mac-and-cheese ($44).

Themed-train rides in New Hope, Penn.

DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: About 3 hours 

This eastern Pennsylvania town is known for its hopping artistic community, with galleries, a playhouse and plenty of shops and restaurants. It’s also home to the New Hope Railroad, where adults can become part of a rolling murder mystery or get some wine tasting in while watching the world go by.

The railroad offers a variety of excursions and experiences leaving from New Hope Station all year long. During the holidays adult rides are harder to come by because Santa’s North Pole Express takes center stage, but once January rolls around the train caters to adults every weekend. Jump on board and you’re whisked away (and back in time) for an hour or two, depending on your journey. Prices for a simple ride start around $40 for adults for general admission. Experiences cost more. The Grapevine Express ($149 per person) comes with a charcuterie board and wine flight.

Once you leave the train there’s plenty more fun to be had. Hit Ferry Market, a fun food hall with 16 options, including Latin American, curry, Greek and pulled pork. You can eat in or, for a little more fun, pack a lunch and head out for more adventures. For instance, try a self-guided barn or covered bridge tour. The Heritage Conservancy has a turn-by-turn map you can follow. If the weather is nice, go for a walk along the Delaware Canal Trail, which brings you past the downtown area that’s loaded with antique shops and thrift stores, such as Antiques at the Old Church and New Hope Antiques & Design Center, a two-story space with dozens of vendors.

If you want to continue the vintage vibe for your lodging, consider staying at the Aaron Burr House, the place where the infamous Burr hid out after shooting Alexander Hamilton. The bed-and-breakfast has seven rooms and suites starting at $129 a night. Other lodging options with a historical feel include Carriage House of New Hope ($475 and up per night) and Olivia’s Bridge Street Inn (prices start at $179 per night). One upscale option includes River House at Odette’s (rates start at $384), which also offers an Astro Vino program for dinner where a sommelier creates a wine journey based on your horoscope sign complete with a zodiac-inspired dessert.

The Nektar Wine Bar and Agricola Eatery are two other eateries that have fresh food with a local flair. Nektar has cheeses from across the United States and around the world in addition to flatbreads like the lamb merguez with spice sausage, Gruyere and blue cheese sauce.

Culinary crawl in upstate Saratoga Springs

DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: About 3 hours

This town about three hours from Long Island is famous for its horse-racing track and outdoor offerings, but offseason there’s plenty to do, too. Groups looking for something new can head to the Saratoga Joinery, which hosts private events for groups of six or more. The studio offers woodworking classes and clinics where visitors can use a lathe to whittle Christmas ornaments or build wine and cheese boards, planters, puzzles and candy dispensers, among other items.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, gather supplies for your board at one of the many artisanal food stores that stock charcuterie fare. The Saratoga Olive Oil Co. has oils, vinegars, salts and dips and you can pick up cheeses, meats, breads and crackers at the Old World Gourmet Market. If you’re not into making your own snacks, opt for Harvest & Hearth’s wood-fired artisan pizza or its house-made soups served in view of the creek. Three Vines, an Italian restaurant open Tuesday through Sunday, serves dinner starting at 5 p.m., with plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options. Brasserie Benelux, open for lunch and dinner, has shareable appetizers and small plates such as Swedish meatballs, green goddess hummus and 10-ounce Bavarian pretzels.

While it can be difficult to find a Saratoga Springs hotel in the busy summer months, there’s more availability once it gets cold — but still isn’t cold enough to ski, sled or skate. Book the Gilded Age-inspired Saratoga Arms Hotel (rates starting at $399 a night offseason), Batcheller Mansion Inn ($235 and up) or The Adelphi Hotel, all of which book up fast and cost a lot more during the spring, summerand early fall.

Connect with horses in Colchester, Conn.

DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: About 3 hours away 

Sometimes, friend trips are about mindfulness and connection. Possibilities Farm, in rural Colchester, Connecticut, just three hours from Long Island, is designed to foster both. The farm’s owner puts together personalized, customized getaways for groups of two or more that range from building creativity to achieving goals using horses as the connection point — no riding involved. Instead, you’ll meditate, participate in a drum circle, and get in mindful interactions with one of the farm’s four horses. You can sign up for a two- or four-hour retreat or an entire weekend with costs starting at $400 for up to eight people.

The small town has other calming activities, too. There’s a vineyard, Priam Vineyards, which is open Wednesdays through Sundays. It features classes, live music and tarot card readings along with wine flights and tastings. Hop Culture, a brewery with campgrounds and events such as music bingo, psychic nights and live music is a nice place for lunch or an early dinner. The venue is open Thursday through Sunday during the winter hours and features food trucks that arrive daily serving local food to go with its local beers. If alcohol isn’t your thing, The Color House, an art studio, is a good diversion. It’s open Thursday through Sunday for paint your own pottery or glass tumblers, bottles, or panels to take home (prices range from $12 to $150). You can even try your hand at the pottery wheel or take a canvas painting tutorial.

There aren’t any hotels in Colchester, but there are some Airbnb and VRBO offerings in the town. Possibilities owner Carrie O'Neill refers her guests to Postcard Cabins Machimoodus, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy (rates start at $172 per night), a grouping of 45 upscale cabins only 15 minutes from the farm.

Alternatively, you can drive about 20 miles to Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, or The Spa at Norwich Inn in Norwich, Connecticut. There are plenty of restaurants, though. Residents swear by Ichiban, an Asian bistro. The Inishmor Pub, which prioritizes craft beer and comfort food, is another option. Try the Irish boxty and shepherd's pie. The wings, chips and curry, or baked sweet potato skins with goat cheese and grapes are also popular.