Editor's Note: As we continue to practice social distancing (opens in new tab), we encourage readers to check the Centers for Disease Control website (opens in new tab) for the latest information on how to travel safely.

Escaping from isolation to a safe new environment is a wonderful way to say goodbye to a very strange summer. But getting to that destination in a comfortable and socially decentralized way can be challenging for those who don't own a car (more than half of New York City (opens in new tab)). Given the opportunity to borrow the grandfather of all road trip cars (opens in new tab) (the Mercedes-Benz G-Class was the first car with all-wheel drive steering in Southwest Africa and German colonial areas in the early 1900s), I was just in time for the unofficial end of summer I decided to plan a getaway. Destination" Sag Harbor, a small-town gem on the East End.

About 2.5 hours east of the Big Apple, Sag Harbor offers tourists a slower pace, a tight-knit community, and picturesque marina views. Historically a thriving whaling town, it is also a popular vacation destination for the black community (open with a new tab), visited by such notables as Duke Ellington, Harry Belafonte, and Langston Hughes. The peak of summer is busy in the waterfront town, but if you can't make it by September 7, you can find even better deals in the weeks after Labor Day.

Plan Your Trip' Sag Harbor's best places to eat and stay, and not-to-be-missed spots. [It is a hangout for famous writers, artists, and musicians and has been the choice of such notable guests as John Steinbeck, Truman Capote, Art Garfunkel, and Elaine de Kooning. The resort's ocean-inspired décor and magnificent harbor views offer peace of mind. Rooms with private garden terraces make you feel right at home.

Take a dip in the heated saltwater pool, work up a sweat on the on-site tennis courts (a great social distancing activity), sip a refreshing cucumber martini while enjoying a flavorful heirloom tomato salad made with vegetables grown on the property, and enjoy the outdoor Enjoy live entertainment, or if you don't need to work in the office during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can book a room for up to six months in the fall and winter.

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While staying at Barron's Cove, rent a bike (free) from the hotel and spend time strolling the quiet, hydrangea-filled streets dotted with historic wooden cottages. You can also bike to nearby beaches such as Foster Memorial or Haven's Beach. On Saturdays, stop by the farmers' market (open through Halloween) to support local farmers, fishermen, and bakers. To learn more about Sag Harbor's rich heritage, plan to stop by the Eastville Historical Society, founded in 1981 to preserve Sag Harbor's roots and diversity. [The 16-acre sculpture garden features works by Yoko Ono and Willem de Kooning. Back in town, there are plenty of local stores to support, including ONDA Beauty (open in new tab), a natural beauty store co-founded by former fashion editor Larissa Thomson and her partner Sarah Bryden Brown and actress Naomi Watts. Visit GOOP Sag Harbor (opens in new tab) for the latest fashions and homeware.

Enjoy breakfast or lunch overlooking the cove at Baron's outdoor restaurant, or order food directly from the private patio. If you're in town, grab takeout at popular bagel spot Goldberg's (opens in new tab) or lunch at either The American Hotel (opens in new tab) or Dockside Bar & Grill (opens in new tab) in the old American Legion building in Sag Harbor. (open in new tab) in the old American Legion building in Sag Harbor. Both restaurants are conveniently located on Main Street in Sag Harbor, about a 10-minute walk from Barron's Cove.

If you like seafood, make a reservation at Gurney's Lobster Bake in nearby Montauk. Enjoy quintessential coastal cuisine such as seafood chowder, whole lobster, clams, steamed corn, apple pie, and more. Tuna crudo, soft-shell crab, roasted wild striped bass, and more as you watch the sun set over the harbor. You don't have to be a seafood lover to enjoy the savory wet-aged New York strips, organic roast chicken, and a wide selection of salads and sides. Before heading home, say goodbye to summer with seasonal desserts such as blackberry pie and sweet and savory rhubarb tart.