While the idea of leaving a city where almost anything you want is just a subway ride away, there is a big, beautiful world outside of the five boroughs. There are hundreds of small towns worth exploring just a short drive from Manhattan, but here are three of my favorites, located right along the New England coastline.

Mystic, Connecticut

Home to the Mystic Seaport—the Museum of America and the Sea—as well as the Mystic Aquarium, Exit 90 off I-95 is a treat. Head into downtown Mystic and you'll see the Mystic River, which is actually an estuary that empties into the Fishers Island Sound in New York. Try to take a boat tour as it will allow for some of the best water photographs. If you're feeling adventurous, you can rent kayaks and rowboats and venture out onto the water on your own. Stick around for a meal at Mystic Pizza—yes, the location of the iconic '80s Julia Roberts's movie—and watch the sunset for dessert from the porch off the Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream shop, named for the nearly 100 year-old bridge located across from it. It is also home to award-winning homemade ice cream, but don't take it from me, find out for yourself.

Newport, Rhode Island

Home of John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onassis's wedding, the filming location for movies such as "The Great Gatsby" and one of the first important economical cities during America's colonial period, Newport, Rhode Island is truly a seaside gem. Take a tour of some of the stunning mansions from the Gilded Age where the nation's wealthiest families once vacationed, explore the shoreline along the 3.5 mile cliff walk, or simply find a comfortable spot by the Narragansett Bay to munch on a lobster roll and take in the amazing sites.

Block Island, Rhode Island

Technically, you will have to hop off the highway and take a ferry ride to get to this gem: a 13 by 14 mile island located off the Rhode Island coast. Proving good things come in small packages, Block Island offers amazing beach days with both sandy and rocky beaches. My favorite is Mohegan Bluffs, which also offers a view of the Southeast Lighthouse. Rent a bike or moped and take a trip around the entire island to visit the shops and restaurants located in both the New and Old Harbor neighborhoods. While exploring the intimate oasis, don't forget to pick up a Del's frozen lemonade, a Rhode Island favorite treat.

Next time New York is feeling just a bit too overwhelming, rent a car, head up the coast, and remind yourself of the benefits of the beach and small town charm. Your Instagram feed will thank you.