{GETAWAY GIRL} 10 ESSENTIALS FOR 48 HOURS AT NIAGARA FALLS...

{ Lomography Holga camera / Ray-Ban sunglasses / J. Crew men's sweatshirt / Athleta muscle tee / Rag & Bone shorts / New York baseball cap / MZ Wallace Metro tote / Converse Chuck Taylor / Old Navy bucket bag / J. Brand jeans }

This weekend I will be fulfilling a dream I've had since moving to New York: I'm going to Niagara Falls. On Friday afternoon, Tully, Amanda, Lexi and I will be making the long drive upstate, through Poughkeepsie, past the Finger Lakes and across the Canadian border to Ontario. I'm actually really looking forward to the drive because while Manhattan is still winding down from summer, the northern reaches of the state will already be crisping and starting to put on their autumnal best.

We're staying in a suite with a fireplace and a view of the Horseshoe Falls (gotta love Jetsetter), and will be cruising north in style thanks to Drive The District. With a trunk full of snacks and plenty of Spotify playlists cued up, the seven hour drive should fly by, right? 

My goal at Niagara is to mix the classic tourist activities with a few more laid-back ideas—such as a winery visit in the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. With a guarantee of getting completely soaked on the Maid of the Mist as well as at the Cave of the Winds and temperatures in the mid-70s, I'm planning an ultra-casual, not-even-a-little-bit-special packing list. Sneakers, denim, t-shirts and a couple warmer layers should do it. Oh, and a baseball hat for post-drenching hair. (I have a feeling we won't be looking quite as glamorous as Marilyn Monroe during the filming of Niagara (above) in 1953, try as we might.  

I've done a fair amount of online research, but if any of you have been to Niagara and have some suggestions for activities, hikes, drives, eats, etc—please leave a comment below!