You don’t have to be a mountain goat or buy a truckload of mountain climbing gear to take a hiking day trip out of New York City. And you won’t be needing maps, or have to spend half a day traveling to the Adirondacks, and neither will you have to pay for one of those fancy upstate New York vacations. The only thing you have to do is get a Metrocard and optionally, join the NY-NoJ Chapter of the AMC.

The AMC does more than 2000 trips each year, and most are for beginners, are free and can be reached from NYC by public transport (so your Metrocard is sufficient). Plus they give you a monthly magazine listing hikes and instructions for newbies, and the hikes are led by volunteers. All said and done, its well worth the annual membership fee ($25 to $40, depending on your age), but if you don’t want to join, you are allowed to join in as a guest to try out how it works. You just need to be there at the starting point of the hike. Be that as it may, listed below are some of the hikes which you can take on your own.

Palisades Interstate Park, NJ - The trails are easily accessible by public transport from New York City. If you’re taking the subway, take the A express subway line to 181st Street, and walk across the George Washington Bridge. And then you have to hike.  More details about the trails, directions and maps available here.

Cold Spring, NY – Its a quaint and beautiful place on the banks of the Hudson River with breathtaking river views and a lot of historical things to see. Best thing to do is to take the Metro North from Grand Central to Cold Spring, and from there its a 7.5 mile round trip hike to and from Mt Taurus. A bit strenuous, and occasionally hair-raising, but if you’re upto it, then the view along the way, with abandoned estates dotting the Hudson River Valley… Let’s just say it’s worth the sweat. Ask around in Cold Spring for directions to Mt Taurus, maps, and any other help you might need.

Then there’s Anthony’s Nose, which offers one of the most spectacular trail views you’ll ever see. Its a 900 ft mountain on the eastern side of the Hudson. From the top, you can see the entire Bear Mountain Bridge (see pic above) exactly below you spanning across the river, which stretches left and right as far as you can see. Again a bit strenuous, but you’ll remember the view for a long time to come. You might also want to make note of Cold Spring as a cozy weekend getaway.

Photo by jothenomad via flickr (creative commons)

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Are the triple-digit temperatures getting you down? How about immersing yourself in a vat of bubbling hot water? Believe it or not, it can be a refreshing experience, as long as you’re in a Jacuzzi at a nice spa. In other words, don’t try this at home.

Here are some spa retreats that you might want to check out for a cooling, calming break from the summer heat. Don’t forget to hydrate!

A popular destination for spa-loving Angelenos, Burke Williams is a chain so there’s probably one close to where you are. Definitely in the upscale realm of spas, they offer a standard menu of massages, facial treatments and spa facilities in lush surroundings. I’ve been to the Pasadena and Santa Monica locations, and while I got a decent massage at both, I found the experience unremarkable considering the steep price: $125 for only a 50 minute session, much more than what I’ve paid at other spas. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have a rich friend (or husband) who will gift you with the $790 all day spa experience, titled ‘A Day Beyond’ (apparently they left out the words, ‘My Budget.’)

For a more down-to-earth experience why not try the Beverly Hot Springs, located in Koreatown. This no-frills spa boasts L.A.’s only pure-alkaline mineral water spa, and also a celebrity clientele. I tried to impress at a party once by telling them how I had seen Brooke Shields in the lobby, but was quickly trumped by someone else who had seen Madonna, naked, in the boiling-hot spring pool. Their prices are reasonable – $30 will get you the use of the hot springs and for another $60 you can have my favorite, the Body Care treatment, which consists of a 50-minute massage and skin conditioning session using milk, oil and cucumber. Besides feeling great, you come out of there smelling like a nice salad.

If you’re really feeling crazy on one of those sweltering days, why not drive for two hours to the blazing hot desert to Two Bunch Palms. Located on what was once Al Capone’s hideout in Desert Hot Springs, this resort is also a celeb favorite – Meryl Streep and Bette Midler have been known to escape to this ultra luxurious resort. Known for theier mineral springs, they also offer a full menu of spa and pampering services ranging from a standard Swedish massage (a fairly reasonable $115 for 60 minutes) to something called Watsu, which has you “cradled in the water in the amrs of your therapist” while your receive a shiatsu treatment. Sounds a little freaky to me, but whatever floats your boat, er, body.

1. Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta: This is a spectacular display of color….thousands of balloons are released against a blue desert sky. People come from all over the world to see this one of a kind festival of hot air balloons. You can go for an unforgettable scenic ride or just enjoy the festivities from the ground level. But, don’t miss out!

2. Maryland Renaissance Festival: Dust off your armor and get ready for turkey legs, chivalry, and sword fights. This is one of the largest Renaissance festivals in the country with more than 1300 participants and 280,000 guest every year.

3. Mardis Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana: An obvious but essential choice. The wild costumes, spectacular floats and raucous crowds make this one of the country’s best festivals. Head down in February for Fat Tuesday and have a blast!

4. Fire Ant Festival in Marshall Texas: Marshall might be a little out of your way. But, if you ever find yourself in East Texas in October. …mosey on by. This festival is an ode to the pesky fire ant, complete with “stinging” hot chili cook-offs and giant fire ant floats.

5. Gilroy Garlic Festival: If you are a fan of this versatile herb, then you don’t want to miss this festival. Snack on it whole, sauteed with pasta, or flavoring a scoop of ice cream—this a three day “ode to garlic”. Breath mints not included!

6. Monterey Jazz Festival: Another classic. This fest is in its 51st year and going strong. It is a celebration of Jazz music with over 500 musicians and 9 stages. You can sip on a glass of wine and take in a sunset over the Pacific Ocean while grooving to a smooth beat.

7. Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) in Austin, Texas: This incredibly popular music festival arose from the famed television program of the same name. It takes place over a full weekend every September and has 100′s of bands, both large and small. Added bonus: when you get overheated in the hot Texas sun, you can cross the street and go swimming in the 68degree water of Barton Springs.

8. Taste of Chicago: This summer festival in Grant Park involves music, libations, and a sampling of food from more than 60 of Chicago’s best restaurants…what more can you ask for. Oh, and the entrance is free!

9. Testicle Festival in Clinton, Montana: If you have ever wanted to try a Rocky Mountain Oyster, this is your chance! But, it is only for the brave.

10.Gulf Coast Rhythm and Rib Fest in Palmetto Florida: Who doesn’t like good music and delicious food. This festival brings together the nations top Rib Masters from the gulf coast states in a legendary cook-off. Sample the entries and decide for yourself. You can also enjoy live music and games as well as a bike and auto show.

11. World Grits Festival: Visit St. George, South Carolina where more grits are consumed per capita than anywhere else in the world! This town is proud of their claim to fame and have created quite the celebration over this yummy dish. Bring the whole family and enjoy music, recipes, games, and as much grits as you can handle!

12. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Visit the beautiful town of Ashland,Oregon and enjoy theater at its finest. This isn’t your typical festival as it is an entire season of Shakespeare productions and events. “To go or not to go”…that is the question. I say, “Go”!

13. National Apple Harvest Festival: This is your chance to celebrate the nations “favorite fruit” in the heart of Pennsylvania’s apple country. In addition to apples galore, there are arts and crafts booths, an antique car show, and a petting zoo.

There are so many great festivals around this country every year that it can be hard to choose! Did I miss any of your favorites? Feel free to share!

Thanks to Aoife Mac for the lovely balloon pictures!

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Just because it’s a sweltering night in L.A. doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself in your air-conditioned house downing pints of Ben and Jerry’s. Sure it’s fun, but sooner or later that freezer of yours will be empty and you’ll have to run out for more ice cream anyways, so why not make a night of it? Here are some ways to enjoy the nightlife in L.A. – don’t stay out too late and you can still stop at 7-Eleven on the way home for another pint of Cherry Garcia.

A movie at a cemetery may not be your idea of a fun (and even romantic) evening but lots of people think this event is anything but dead. Join the crowds at the Cinespia outdoor movie screenings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery where you can enjoy old classics and new hits like “The Thin Man” and “27 Dresses” alongside the final resting places of stars such as Rudolph Valentino and Charlie Chaplin. Bring along a meal, a bottle of wine and party with the festive crowd amongst the crypts. Don’t forget to bring some dessert to share with the ghost of William Randolph Hearst, who is said to frequently visit the crypt of his mistress, Marion Davies.

I can only describe Summer Sessions at the Getty as a sort of highbrow wave. The well-heeled denizens of the art world come together with the pulsating bodies of twenty-somethings looking for a good free outdoor event with strong booze. But it sure is fun! Come dance to high-energy electronica and world music spun by first-rate DJs in the Getty Center courtyard, and then cool off with a drink at one of their outdoor bars. The strangest thing I saw the last time I was there was an elderly museum employee tearing up the dance floor to a techno remix of “I Will Survive.” Really!

Technically not in Los Angeles, but only a short 90-minute drive for the adventurous. The W Hotel in San Diego has a great rooftop bar called the Sand Bar that features a heated sand floor (yes, real sand to get inside your shoes), fire pits, private cabanas and nightly movie screenings. The best part? Unlike a real beach, there’s no sunscreen required, and a waiter delivers your drink on a tray instead of you having to fish it out of your own ice chest.

For a rooftop bar closer to home, there’s the Roof Bar at the Standard Downtown. Order a mai-tai and then lay down on one the vibrating space-pod waterbeds (you may have to wait a while for your turn.) This place is teeming with hipsters, so make sure you have your best Prada bag (or excellent knock-off) slung over your shoulder that night. There’s a live DJ on Sunday afternoons, but the cover is a steep $20 – I guess with a name like Roof Bar you’d have to expect the prices to be sky-high.

Photo: StandardHotels.com