this month is prime time for cabin fever (symptoms include: irriability, fatigue and possible overdose of made-for-tv movies).  as the holidays are long gone and warm weather now seems like a distant parallel universe, here are a few spots to ease the pain of a new york winter. whether you want to splurge on a warm weekend getaway or are simply armed with a metro card, these locales are a great way to relax and rejuvenate.

subway ride: arthur avenue, bronx ny

heading down arthur avenue located across from fordham university between 190th and 186thst is like seeing a ghost of new york’s past.  seemingly unchanged for decades, this italian community boasts dozens of authentic italian restaurants, cafes, butcher shops and fish markets.  grab a bite to eat at trattoria zero otto nove before heading over to palumbo’s bakery for an espresso and fresh canolis. or just stand outside of randazzo’s seafood and gulp down fresh oysters like the locals. make sure to bring those cloth shopping bags as the arthur avenue indoor market will beckon you with an assortment of fresh produce, antipasti, and pete’s butcher shop. also visit borgatti’s pasta shop for homemade pasta and casa di mozzarella for fresh, made-on-premises mozarella. mange!

tip: bring cash! most restaurants and shops still don’t take credit cards.

car ride: new hope, pa

situated on the banks of the delaware river (just 90 minutes from nyc) this historic town is a haven for the antique conoisseurs and bohemian types.  start you day of with a stroll down main street (yes, main street) and explore the countless art galleries and antique shops. but before you indulge your inner shopaholic, prepare for a big day with a hearty meal at sprig and vine, a vegetarian restaurant that will leave even the most die-hard carnivore satisfied. travel to versailles in gardner’s antiques and pick up a king louis xvi chair that would have even marie antoinette green with envy.  play dress up and dig through a massive collection of vintage garb at love saves the day. support local artists when you visit new hope’s famed art legends gallery, a collection of local and native american artwork that cannot be missed.  you may need to wash down your impending credit card bill with a glass of wine (or four) from crossings vineyards. take a vineyard tour with crossings’ charismatic owner tom carroll, and taste their award-winning, handcrafted wine.  end your lovely day by taking in a show at the bucks county playhouse and see where princess grace kelly got her big break.

tip: take the scenic route! the estates and horse farms in the surrounding area cannot be missed!

plane ride: austin, tx

craving warm weather and some good old southern hospitality? well, austin texas is your perfect place for a quick weekend getaway.  voted one of the best places for the young professional crowd, this vibrant city is quickly becoming the hottest city in the u.s. stay at the historic driskill hotel, located right in the heart of austin.  embrace your inner bookworm at domy, an art house bookstore filled with hard-to-find magazines, books and records.  keep your creative juices flowing as you visit blue genie art industries, an entire warehouse filled with local artisans’ creations. they have everything from sculptures to film props to art cars, yes art cars.  after your artsy adventures, what is a visit to texas without tex-mex? get your glutton on at mi madre’s in cherrywood and get their famous fajita rito.  after catch a longhorns basketball game or, if you’re feeling adventurous, check out a roller derby with the texas roller girls at playland skate center.  and no visit to austin would be complete without visiting some bars and music venues on austin’s famed 6th street.

tip: visit austin’s official website for info on upcoming festivals and events such as the south by southwest music festival!

~carolyn