Not too long ago, we provided an 8-step guide to winter photography; we covered everything from gear to logistics to composition. Now we’re going to give all of our NYC friends a few leads to unique winter wonderlands that aren’t too far from the city. Yes, you could photograph New York for an entire lifetime and never run dry of inspiring new sights and perspectives. But why not explore the region? There are so many beautiful places nearby, each with its own take on life.

To get you started, here are five photogenic winter getaways within a few hours of NYC:

Catskill Mountains, NY

Just about 100 miles north of the city and west of the Hudson, the Catskills are a great pick if you’re looking for mountains and winter sports without committing an entire weekend (although you’ll probably enjoy yourself more if you stay a night). Explore 300 miles of hiking trails, 35 peaks for sky-high landscape shots, and possibly even some wildlife. Don’t miss the serene Ashokan Reservoir in Catskill Park, pictured below.

Darien, CT

The best part about visiting this quaint bedroom community on Long Island Sound is that it’s only about an hour from Grand Central Terminal on MTA’s Metro-North train. It may not boast any billboard attractions, but it’s a lovely Connecticut town that feels cozy in the winter. No mountains here, but plenty of parks, beaches and coastline accompanied by a charming downtown. We’re thinking of Darien as more of a winter lifestyle shoot. Think snow-covered park benches, empty marinas, a packed coffee shop – images that capture the “bundle up” of winter.

Cape May, NJ

Now you must think we’re crazy. We know what you’re thinking: “You want me to go to the Jersey Shore…in February?" Yes. What’s not to love about images of a frozen beach town? They’re unconventional. They make you feel cold and warm at the same time. It’s a boardwalk in a blizzard, a lighthouse rising above a snowy foreground…an empty beach that will buzz with life come Memorial Day weekend. When you think about it, winter is what makes summer special.

On the Garden State Parkway, Cape May clocks in just under three hours from Manhattan. If you’re not sold, you can chop off an hour or so and stop at any shore town along the way for a similar shoot.

Pocono Mountains, PA

We’ve given you a couple of quirky picks, so let’s get back to the safe bets. They say “life’s greater in the Pocono Mountains,” and we can’t disagree. The Poconos are a true winter playground with an endless array of countryside beauty and winter sports nestled between historic towns - everything you could want in a winter shoot, all within a two-hour drive from NYC.

Manchester, VT

Vermont is synonymous with scenery, and you don’t have to make the 6-hour trek to its northern parts to get the Vermont experience that wins the hearts of urban vacationists. In the heart of the breathtaking Green Mountains, Manchester is about four hours away from New York and worth every minute of it. This homely southern Vermont town is a great place to cozy up in between outdoor adventures, which there are plenty of just minutes away.

This is by no means an exhaustive map, just a starting point as you plan your next search for images of winter. We’ll give you a few more ideas sometime soon, and we’d love to hear your favorite winter photo spots in the meantime. Tweet us at @DuggalNYC or leave a comment below.