It’s HOT! Days like this make the city feel like a pizza oven. Whether huddled by the window A/C or splashing water from the kiddie pool on our overheated bodies, our thoughts are focused on one idea: getting out of town!

Perhaps you have a Hampton’s hookup or maybe there’s a place Upstate where you escape. If you’re like us, then sometimes you can’t wait for that invite and just need to leave the concrete jungle for somewhere enclosed in trees, where the summer feels a little less intense. 

We have a 2011 Subaru Outback, a 10x10 family tent, a portable kitchen and the will to be in the woods. That’s about all you need for a perfect car-camping weekend! 

A few professional tips from us not so professional campers (who are great organizers! Just check out this article for proof!): 

CHOOSE THE BEST SPOT

There are tons of great locations all around NYC. Of course the farther you go, the more remote and beautiful it becomes - we’ve found amazing places in the Adirondacks and Vermont - but there are plenty of wonderful spots within a two-ish hours drive. Time Out has a good list, as does 50 Campfires. Our recommendation is to go as far as you can (or your kids will let you) and avoid places near RV hookups. 

BRING THE RIGHT GEAR

You want to enjoy the great outdoors, not survive an episode of Naked and Afraid. Rent or buy an easy-to-assemble tent - make sure it all snaps together and there is no screwing involved! Headlamps are a must as is a decent camping stove. You want a pretty good cooler that won’t lose too much chill. Sleeping matts are DEFINITELY worth the money, and a decent sleeping bag helps. Fun hack: bring some plastic gallon jugs of water, put a headlamp on them and then turn the light to face the inside. You’ll create beautiful ambient light! More fun hacks here. 

ORGANIZE

This might go without saying, but it’s important to think about how much space you will have in your car and make sure to bring the right amount of stuff. Beyond the necessities - tent, sleeping bags and matts, kitchen stuff, a cooler - you will likely want chairs, some play things for the kids (if kids are involved), and a pair of sandals or flip flops for hanging around the fire and those late night bathroom jaunts. You want to ride that fine line between not enough and too much - takes some forethought and a good spatial sense to get just right! If jewelry is a must have (as it always is for Saskia) check out our Travel Jewelry blog for tips on what to bring. There are some good thoughts in there that can be applied to more categories than just jewelry. 

Enjoy your trip and don’t forget to bring the s’mores!!!

subscribe