New York City has no scarcity of unimaginable issues to do. If you might be planning a visit to the Big Apple, relaxation assured that you just’ll have an thrilling itinerary in your arms. But what about day trips from NYC? You can escape metropolis life and discover the smaller nation cities within the Hudson Valley or take a day journey to Philadelphia or Atlantic City. Whether you need mountaineering and biking trails or a glitzy day journey to a neighboring metropolis, this information will cowl all the most effective day trips from NYC. Let’s dive straight in.
Top Day Trips from NYC
New York is surrounded by incredible day journey locations, and Grand Central Station is simply as purposeful as it’s sightseeing-worthy. You may enterprise out utilizing public transport just like the practice or Metro North or rent a rental automobile to go to someplace off the crushed monitor.
1. Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach is an enormous sandy seashore on the outskirts of New York City. Its 5.5-mile boardwalk is a well-liked draw and, in summer time, Rockaway Beach is the proper spot to flee the town for seashore volleyball or stress-free sunbathing. Visiting Rockaway Beach is well a half-day exercise, though you’ll most likely wish to keep longer. You can attain the seashore in lower than an hour by automobile, whereas public transport takes round an hour and a half.
Rockaway Beach is the place to go on a day journey in order for you a seashore day, and it’s a common coastal getaway from New York City. The metropolis can get stifling in summer time, and this seashore is a dreamy place to catch a coastal breeze and funky off within the waves.
One hour from New York City
2. Philadelphia
New York City is perhaps unimaginable, however you possibly can nonetheless enterprise out to a different close by gem. Philadelphia is a metropolis identified for its historical past, and it typically seems like there’s a nationwide historic landmark at each nook. Liberty Bell is probably the most well-known attraction in Philly and is taken into account a logo of American Independence and civilian freedom. If you have an interest in American historical past and politics, Philadelphia is the best day journey from NYC. Plus, you possibly can catch public transport between the cities in simply over an hour or drive between them in two hours.
Apart from Liberty Bell, you possibly can go to Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Museum of the American Revolution. For many causes, visiting Philadelphia is a well-liked day journey from NYC. You can view our full information on issues to do in Philadelphia right here.
You can e book this extremely rated tour from NYC to Philadelphia and Washington DC. Check off seeing three of America’s finest cities (together with NYC) with this journey as you permit early within the morning from New York and go to the long-lasting landmarks of Phili and DC together with the Lincoln Memorial, White House, the U.S. Capitol, and Independence Hall.
Two hours from New York City
3. Bear Mountain State Park
A day journey to Bear Mountain is one for mountaineering and nature lovers. Bear Mountain is a 1289 foot (393-meter) excessive peak within the Hudson Highlands and is only a one-hour drive from the middle of New York City. Visitors can drive up Perkins Memorial Drive for stunning views over the highlands; even higher, you solely want half a day to take action. Bear Mountain is common as a result of it’s a scenic however handy hike only a stone’s throw from New York City. And we expect you’ll adore it.
Bear Mountain State Park has 5,000 acres to discover and moreover its well-known peak guests can get pleasure from actions like boating, snowboarding, fishing, and extra.
The Bear Mountain Loop Trail is 3.8 miles and has 1154 toes of elevation acquire. It is a fairly medium-difficulty route and takes only a few hours to finish. You begin at a parking zone by Bear Mountain Inn and loop previous Hessian Lake, rapidly reaching beautiful views over the Hudson River and the encompassing peaks. Be ready for a little bit of scrambling and pack some sturdy mountaineering boots; it’s a kind of nature trails you crave after a couple of days of metropolis life.
If you wish to see the Hudson Valley from above, e book this helicopter tour the place vacationers get a style of the New England fall foliage aboard a personal helicopter over the Hudson Valley.
One hour from New York City
4. Woodstock
Music lovers, you’ve most likely heard of Woodstock. The city in Ulster County is ready a two-hour drive from the town and is likely one of the finest day trips from NYC. The city is famed for the Woodstock Festival of 1969, which was basically a hippie get-together as individuals gathered to make use of music as an outlet for rising socio-political tensions. In the face of occasions such because the Vietnam War, Woodstock Festival was a message of peace and unity.
Today, Woodstock continues to be well-known for its music and artwork. You can cease by the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum or embrace nature on the Woodstock Waterfall Park. While the unique Woodstock Festival was situated on a close-by farm, many individuals additionally deal with visiting Woodstock as a musical pilgrimage. If you might be impressed by the story of 1969 or love musical historical past, it’s a nice day journey from NYC.
Two hours from New York City
5. Cold Spring
Cold Spring is a tiny city within the Hudson Valley. Known for its vintage retailers and cute cafe tradition, Cold Spring is a incredible day journey from NYC. It is an excellent alternative in order for you a small-town vibe after a couple of days within the fixed flurry that’s New York. You can simply spend half a day puttering round all of the little retailers and grabbing brunch. And in summer time, you possibly can get pleasure from picnics alongside the Hudson River. Cold Spring is simply over an hour’s drive from the middle of NYC or below two hours utilizing public transport.
After an hour or two of vintage procuring, Cold Spring has an additional collection of sights that make it common. Boscobel House and Gardens have 68 acres of numerous gardens to walk, together with woodland and dainty flowerbeds. There’s additionally the Putnam History Museum and West Point Foundry Preserve. Cold Spring has that small-town aesthetic, however you’ll by no means be in need of leisure choices, which earns it its place on our listing.
One hour from New York City
6. Fire Island
Fire Island is a gorgeous barrier island off the coast of Long Island’s south shores. Rural, distant, and nonetheless ‘wild’, Fire Island is an adventurous day journey from New York for anybody wanting to flee beeping automobile horns and dodging the crowds. It is finest identified for its coastal reserve, the Fire Island National Seashore. Fire Island is barely accessible by automobile and takes an hour and a half to achieve from New York City heart.
Visitors to the island can get pleasure from sunbathing, crusing, biking, or admiring the well-known Sunken Forest. The sunken forest obtained its title from the distinctive double dune system what protects the bushes. None of which might develop taller than the dunes that defend them. Thus the forest is sunken within the dunes.
The island is a great spot for outside actions. Fire Island is a chilled however versatile seashore vacation spot simply reached with a rental automobile – what extra may you need on a sunny day? Note: If you would not have a automobile there may be this Tour of Fire Island that leaves from the Long Island Rail Road Station on the Ronkonkoma Branch from Penn Station, Manhattan.
One and a half hours from New York City
7. Storm King Mountain
Storm King Mountain sits within the heart of Storm King State Park and rises over 13,123 toes (400 meters) above sea stage. Just an hour and a half’s drive north of NYC, the mountain is a handy close by hike, which makes it common with locals and vacationers alike. The mound-like mountain is completely coated in greenery and bursts out of the bottom proper subsequent to the Hudson River, slicing a hanging pure landmark. This mountain is the one for you in order for you a mountaineering day journey.
As we’re positive that you just’ve already guessed, the mountain summit presents some stunning views. You’ll be overlooking the Hudson River and all the encompassing greenery of the Hudson Valley countryside. It is a comparatively straightforward five-mile hike to achieve the summit, navigating a handful of delicate switchbacks and principally sticking to the simple footing on well-defined paths.
One hour and a half from New York City
8. Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a dreamy spot to embrace nature outdoors NYC. The protect boasts three lakes, extra waterfalls than you possibly can depend, and mountaineering trails galore. Minnewaska State Park Preserve can be incredible for mountaineering and biking if you wish to depart your mountaineering boots behind and get a bit extra adventurous. The protect is barely accessible by automobile, so lease a automobile, buckle up, and prepare for a two-hour drive by Hudson Valley.
The protect has a fairly particular location, perched on Shawangunk Mountain Ridge and overlooking the countryside of Ulster County. The protect is thought for cliffs, sweeping views, and pure water options. When you mix this with over 50 miles of mountaineering trails, it’s straightforward to see why it’s such a sought-after location. For a day of mountaineering and pure sights, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is an excellent day journey from NYC.
Two hours from New York City
9. Go cross-country snowboarding
So, if you’re visiting New York in winter, what then? Many mountaineering trails shut, and also you may really feel much less keen about trudging round knee-deep in snow anyway. In winter, snowboarding is the reply. Outside the town heart, you possibly can go to incredible ski resorts – spending your day on the slopes or exploring the countryside by cross-country snowboarding.
West Mountain is a well-liked place for snowboarding actions and is a couple of hours’ drive from NYC. For a resort expertise, you might manage an in a single day keep. However, it’s shut sufficient to go to for a day journey if you’re quick on time, particularly if you’re touring with a number of drivers to separate the driving time. Whether you’re a complete snowboarding beginner or a sophisticated skier, going cross-country snowboarding is a enjoyable day journey from New York.
Three hours from New York City
10. Governors Island
Governors Island is situated smack bang in the midst of New York Harbor and is the proper day journey from the town heart. You can drive straight over to Governors Island by way of a connecting bridge from Brooklyn, which take lower than half an hour (closely depending on site visitors). Alternatively, catch a ferry trip to the island. Governors Island is likely one of the most central NYC day trips. If you might be quick on time, it is a sensible possibility in your listing.
So, what’s Governors Island? Governors Island is a 172-acre space that served as an early residence for Dutch colonists who had been initially cautious of selecting the mainland. The island was then taken over by British rule within the late seventeenth century, coining its title ‘Governors Island’ after being reserved for His Majesty’s Governors. The island is open for public enjoyment, that includes recreation areas, cultural reveals, and common occasions and actions. You may even take a motorcycle tour. This explicit tour is the most effective one on the island and is prone to promote out! We counsel checking its schedule to see if something catches your eye.
half-hour from New York City
11. Atlantic City
Fancy a celebration break or one other glitzy city expertise? Atlantic City is an outgoing, flashy coastal metropolis simply two hours from New York in New Jersey. The metropolis is thought for casinos and seashores, a preferred area of interest for these desirous to let their hair down. If you wish to mix a number of states in a single journey, New Jersey can be a handy addition, and you may all the time cease at sights like Bass River State Forest on the best way.
Like many cities across the US, Atlantic City has a big American-Italian inhabitants, and you may count on loads of scrumptious eating places and bars. While you go to Philadelphia for a day journey stuffed with historical past, you go to Atlantic City for a day journey stuffed with enjoyable and partying. Atlantic City is an excellent alternative for an entertaining enterprise out of New York.
Two hours from New York City
12. Iona Island Bird Sanctuary
Iona Island Bird Sanctuary is one other of our NYC day trips for nature lovers. The sanctuary is on Iona Island, a 556-acre island an hour and a half drive from the town heart. The island itself is beautiful to discover and an ideal place to expertise some off-the-beaten-track nature. You may spot a whole lot of birds, from widespread wetland birds to well-known birds just like the bald eagle. Whether you’re a eager birdwatcher or wish to immerse your self in nature on an NYC day journey, Iona Island Bird Sanctuary is a gorgeous spot in your itinerary.
You’ll want a automobile to go to Iona Island since navigating solely on public transport is hard. But, when you have a rental automobile and luxuriate in discovering extra distant locations on day trips, the sanctuary is an thrilling spot to go to.
An hour and a half from New York City
13. Go horseback driving within the Westchester County
There’s one thing ridiculously romantic about exploring the countryside on horseback, and what higher place to take action than Westchester County? The county is sandwiched between two our bodies of water – the Hudson Valley Sound and the Hudson River. It is perhaps considered one of New York’s most populous counties, but it surely additionally has some beautiful pure areas. You can trip alongside the attractive waterfront and wooded trails with Westchester Trail Rides, stables are situated simply an hour and 20 minutes drive from the town heart.
Cross streams, lope alongside woodland trails, and admire the Westchester surroundings. Even higher, the stables are additionally accessible by way of the Metro North. Horseback driving in Westchester County is a simple, romantic, and enjoyable day journey from NYC.
One hour and 20 minutes from New York City
14. Go wine tasting in North Fork
Did you already know that award-winning wineries encompass New York City? North Fork is probably the most well-known area for wine tasting and is located on the japanese finish of Long Island – surrounded by water, which is alleged to be ultimate for rising the proper wine. It is nicknamed Long Island wine nation and is a incredible day journey when visiting NYC. The 30-mile stretch of the peninsula is round two and a half hours from the town heart and is barely accessible by way of automobile. However, to benefit from the tasting expertise, we advocate reserving a tour from NYC, which covers transportation for you.
Most of the most effective wineries are situated alongside Main Road and embrace Peconic Bay Vineyards, Jason’s Vineyard, and Paumanok Vineyards. You may simply stroll between them, though those that buy excursions could have the posh of car transfers. Wine tasting in Long Island’s North Fork is a enjoyable exercise, particularly for wine fanatics desirous to expertise New York’s tackle vino.
Two and a half hours from New York City
15. Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum
Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum is an attraction for historical past buffs. The 1796-built lighthouse was approved by President George Washington and was the primary ever lighthouse to be inbuilt New York. It is now the fourth oldest working lighthouse within the US – a fairly staggering title. The museum is an adjoining attraction the place you possibly can be taught extra concerning the lighthouse and its historical past. One of the most effective methods to discover is on an electrical bike. This tour takes you across the island with minimal effort.
Montauk Point Lighthouse has one of many longest journey occasions out of all our day trips and takes almost 4 hours to achieve by automobile. Because of this, we advocate pacing the drive out as a one-day street journey and stopping at sights like Parrish Art Museum and Hook Windmill alongside the best way. You may mix it with a seashore day at East Hampton Main Beach. Take your time, take within the sights alongside the best way, and have a number of drivers take turns on the wheel.
Four hours from New York City
16. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is likely one of the strangest NYC day trips. Not solely was the cemetery the main target of the story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, however additionally it is the burial place of many wealthy and well-known individuals, together with William Rockefeller. You can go to to identify famed resting locations and tour the cemetery. If you might be visiting New York within the fall, visiting Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a well-liked, spooky exercise, and the graveyard is exceptionally atmospheric.
The cemetery is an hour and a half drive or an hour on the metro. You can hop on at Grand Central Terminal and take the Hudson Line 745 to Philipse Manor, strolling round fifteen minutes to achieve the cemetery. Visiting this famed cemetery as a day journey from NYC is simple and an uncommon addition to your itinerary.
An hour and a half from New York City
17. Go ice skating at The Rink
New York has some great ice-skating rinks; that a lot is for positive. However, The Rink is well top-of-the-line choices if you’re in search of an ice-skating day journey. The NHL regulation-size rink is only a forty-minute bus trip or drive from New York City heart. You can don a pair of skates your self or depart it to the professionals and watch a determine skating or hockey event. The Rink is incredible because it caters to those that wish to become involved and those that are ‘passionate onlookers’.
Wrap up heat and get excited to drag off or watch some cool strikes; ice skating is considered one of NYC’s most entertaining day trips. For these wanting a winter sports activities expertise however aren’t desirous to enterprise to the closest ski slopes, ice skating can be an ideal compromise.
Forty minutes from New York City
18. New Hope Railroad
New Hope Railroad is a heritage railway slightly below two hours drive southwest of NYC. If you’re a locomotive fanatic or simply love all issues classic, New Hope Railroad is a captivating and immersive place to go to. It makes an ideal day journey for many who wish to become involved and expertise historical past for themselves. The 18-mile route has each steam and diesel trains, and guests can embark on scenic rides by Buck Country.
New Hope Railroad is an ideal standalone day journey from NYC, however if you’re okay with an extended journey day, take into account combining it with a go to to Philadelphia. Philadelphia is simply over an hour south of the railway – too shut to not be tempted by certainly.
Two hours from New York City
19. Asbury Park
Asbury Park is one other New Jersey gem simply an hour’s drive from New York City. The seaside metropolis is the proper coastal getaway in order for you a conventional seaside expertise. You have all the pieces from a wood boardwalk to seashore arcades with video games and machines relationship again to the Thirties. It is a well-liked vacation spot for these desirous to unwind and have a enjoyable, light-hearted day. Asbury Park will maintain you entertained whether or not you might be touring as a household or simply wish to unleash your interior little one.
You may calm down on Asbury Park Beach, which has usually calm waters excellent for swimming or paddling. Otherwise, you might deal with your self to a meal overlooking the ocean, stroll the scenic boardwalk, or spend a couple of hours in Silverball Retro Arcade. The neatest thing about Asbury Park is its old-world environment; for a classic seashore day, don’t look any additional.
One hour from New York City
20. Go on a ship cruise alongside the Hudson River
You can get river cruises all over the place in New York. One of the preferred issues to do in New York City is to cruise up the East River for final views of the cityscape and New York’s main waterfront sights. Ready for extra journey, although? One of the most effective day trips from NYC is to go up the Hudson River on a cruise. You can normally take cruises straight from New York City, so your journey time is low, and the cruises normally final a couple of hours.
The Hudson River splits New Jersey and New York, with the state boundaries falling someplace within the river itself. From New York City, you’ll cruise upstream, below the George Washington Bridge and previous beautiful surroundings like Tallman Mountain State Park. You’ll additionally get to sightsee a few of each states’ lesser-known sights, together with waterfront mansions just like the Gothic revival property Lyndhurst Mansion. The Hudson River is likely one of the most well-known rivers on the earth and is nicknamed the ‘river that flows both ways’ as a result of the circulation is managed by the tide. It is straightforward to see why the Hudson River makes such a preferred day journey.
Just a few hours from New York City
21. Go Seal and whale watching from Long Island
When you consider issues to do close to New York, whale watching most likely isn’t considered one of them. The waters off of Long Island are stuffed with marine animals, although, together with humpback, fin, and north Atlantic proper whales all through summer time and fall. Even in case you don’t spot whales, you’ll doubtless see bottlenose or widespread dolphins.
The finest approach to see whales on a day journey from NYC is to e book a whale-watching boat journey from Long Island. You can simply drive or take public transport to Long Island, having fun with a completely organized tour expertise from there. If you’ve by no means seen whales up shut, going whale watching from Long Island is likely one of the finest wildlife day trips from NYC. Seeing whales within the wild is a humbling and awe-inspiring day journey – the proper steadiness for a metropolis break.
One hour from New York City
22. Storm King Art Center
Storm King Art Center is a day journey for artwork lovers. The open-air museum showcases an enormous assortment of latest sculptures, some so weird that you just’ll be head-scratching for some time earlier than you work them out. There are over 100 sculptures unfold out over 500 acres. In the summer time of 2022, Storm King Art Center additionally invested a staggering $45 million in redesigning the middle. It is a massively common day journey from New York, partly for its artwork and partly as a result of it makes such a beautiful outside time out.
The outside artwork gallery is an hour and a half’s drive from the town heart or simply below two hours on public transport. You’ll have some nice views alongside the best way, although, and can drive alongside the banks of the Hudson River and between Harriman and Bear Mountain State Park.
An hour and a half from New York City
23. South Mountain Reservation
South Mountain Reservation is likely one of the finest New York City day trips. The 2,000-acre public park is the last word time out, that includes a sports activities area, zoo, and mountaineering trails galore. The reservation is the proper place to spend a day – particularly in spring or summer time on a heat, sunny day. You can pack a picnic, stroll the grounds, and even go pond fishing. And on a sizzling day, there’s a pavilion with ceiling followers to retreat to.
The reservation is a 45-minute drive from NYC or round an hour on public transport. It is massively common amongst New Yorkers and far much less touristy than any parks within the metropolis heart. A win, win.
45 minutes from New York City
24. New Paltz
Has Woodstock made you intrigued to go to the Hudson Valley’s small cities? Well, New Paltz ought to be one other in your listing. The faculty city is an hour and a half’s drive from NYC and is ready within the dramatic countryside proper on the curve of the Wallkill River. The city has that healthful environment, with farmers’ markets and romantic mountaineering trails that whisk you straight from the city heart. It makes an ideal time out, and New Paltz is well one of the crucial common locations to go to within the stunning Hudson Valley.
Make positive to cease by Historic Huguenot Street, a National Historic Landmark District consisting of seven stone homes constructed by Huguenot settlers within the 18th century. The road normally has immersive historical past demonstrations in full circulation. It is a captivating spot for historical past lovers and people involved in early American historical past. And when you’re glad with a historical past repair, we recommend embarking on the Ridge-to-Ridge Trail for stunning views.
An hour and a half from New York City
25. Washington D.C.
Last however not least, right here’s our most formidable day journey from NYC. Washington, D.C., is the U.S. capital metropolis and one of the crucial famed cities on Earth. Washington is thought for its historical past, memorials, and museums. For any severe sightseers, it’s a incredible add-on to your NYC itinerary. You may go to the Lincoln Memorial, United States Capitol, National Gallery of Art, or Library of Congress. Read extra: 12 Must-See Washington DC Monuments and Memorials in Photos
For full disclosure, attending to Washington, D.C., is tiring, and it’s best to enable for an eight-hour spherical journey of driving. If you possibly can rotate drivers, you possibly can handle this on a self-guided day journey, but when not, we advocate reserving a guided tour. These excursions embrace transfers from NYC. You can sit back and simply benefit from the trip.
Three hours and 45 minutes from New York City
To Conclude
Are you excited to check out these day trips from NYC? You ought to be. New York City is perhaps an action-packed, thrilling place, however these locations additionally deserve a spot in your itinerary. Besides, it all the time feels extra adventurous to stray out of the town heart.
If you’ve obtained any extra questions on visiting New York, you possibly can take a look at our guides on the place to remain and a particular New York Christmas information. Have a incredible journey.