New York Metropolis has no scarcity of unimaginable issues to do. In case you are planning a visit to the Massive Apple, relaxation assured that you just’ll have an thrilling itinerary in your fingers. However what about day journeys from NYC? You possibly can escape metropolis life and discover the smaller nation cities within the Hudson Valley or take a day journey to Philadelphia or Atlantic Metropolis. Whether or not you need mountain climbing and biking trails or a glitzy day journey to a neighboring metropolis, this information will cowl all one of the best day journeys from NYC. Let’s dive straight in.
Prime Day Journeys from NYC
New York is surrounded by improbable day journey locations, and Grand Central Station is simply as useful as it’s sightseeing-worthy. You could possibly enterprise out utilizing public transport just like the prepare or Metro North or rent a rental automobile to go to someplace off the overwhelmed observe.
1. Rockaway Seashore
Rockaway Seashore is an unlimited sandy seaside on the outskirts of New York Metropolis. Its 5.5-mile boardwalk is a well-liked draw and, in summer season, Rockaway Seashore is the proper spot to flee the town for seaside volleyball or enjoyable sunbathing. Visiting Rockaway Seashore is well a half-day exercise, though you’ll in all probability wish to keep longer. You possibly can attain the seaside in lower than an hour by automobile, whereas public transport takes round an hour and a half.
Rockaway Seashore is the place to go on a day journey if you’d like a seaside day, and it’s a fashionable coastal getaway from New York Metropolis. The town can get stifling in summer season, and this seaside is a dreamy place to catch a coastal breeze and funky off within the waves.
- One hour from New York Metropolis
2. Philadelphia
New York Metropolis is likely to be unimaginable, however you may nonetheless enterprise out to a different close by gem. Philadelphia is a metropolis recognized for its historical past, and it typically appears 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. In case you are involved in American historical past and politics, Philadelphia is the perfect day journey from NYC. Plus, you may catch public transport between the cities in simply over an hour or drive between them in two hours.
Other than Liberty Bell, you may go to Independence Corridor, the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork, and the Museum of the American Revolution. For a lot of causes, visiting Philadelphia is a well-liked day journey from NYC. You possibly can view our full information on issues to do in Philadelphia right here.
You possibly can ebook this extremely rated tour from NYC to Philadelphia and Washington DC. Verify 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 enduring landmarks of Phili and DC together with the Lincoln Memorial, White Home, the U.S. Capitol, and Independence Corridor.
- Two hours from New York Metropolis
3. Bear Mountain State Park
A day journey to Bear Mountain is one for mountain climbing 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 Metropolis. Guests can drive up Perkins Memorial Drive for lovely views over the highlands; even higher, you solely want half a day to take action. Bear Mountain is fashionable as a result of it’s a scenic however handy hike only a stone’s throw from New York Metropolis. And we expect you’ll find it irresistible.
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 Path is 3.8 miles and has 1154 ft of elevation achieve. It’s 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, shortly reaching gorgeous views over the Hudson River and the encompassing peaks. Be ready for a little bit of scrambling and pack some sturdy mountain climbing boots; it’s a kind of nature trails you crave after a number of days of metropolis life.
If you wish to see the Hudson Valley from above, ebook this helicopter tour the place vacationers get a style of the New England fall foliage aboard a non-public helicopter over the Hudson Valley.
- One hour from New York Metropolis
4. Woodstock
Music lovers, you’ve in all probability heard of Woodstock. The city in Ulster County is ready a two-hour drive from the town and is among the finest day journeys from NYC. The city is famed for the Woodstock Pageant of 1969, which was primarily a hippie get-together as folks gathered to make use of music as an outlet for rising socio-political tensions. Within the face of occasions such because the Vietnam Struggle, Woodstock Pageant was a message of peace and unity.
At the moment, Woodstock continues to be well-known for its music and artwork. You possibly can cease by the Woodstock Artists Affiliation and Museum or embrace nature on the Woodstock Waterfall Park. Whereas the unique Woodstock Pageant was situated on a close-by farm, many individuals additionally deal with visiting Woodstock as a musical pilgrimage. In case you are impressed by the story of 1969 or love musical historical past, it’s a nice day journey from NYC.
- Two hours from New York Metropolis
5. Chilly Spring
Chilly Spring is a tiny city within the Hudson Valley. Identified for its vintage outlets and cute cafe tradition, Chilly Spring is a improbable day journey from NYC. It’s a good alternative if you’d like a small-town vibe after a number of days within the fixed flurry that’s New York. You possibly can simply spend half a day puttering round all of the little outlets and grabbing brunch. And in summer season, you may get pleasure from picnics alongside the Hudson River. Chilly Spring is simply over an hour’s drive from the middle of NYC or beneath two hours utilizing public transport.
After an hour or two of vintage procuring, Chilly Spring has an additional collection of sights that make it fashionable. Boscobel Home and Gardens have 68 acres of various gardens to walk, together with woodland and dainty flowerbeds. There’s additionally the Putnam Historical past Museum and West Level Foundry Protect. Chilly 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 checklist.
- One hour from New York Metropolis
6. Fireplace Island
Fireplace Island is a gorgeous barrier island off the coast of Lengthy Island’s south shores. Rural, distant, and nonetheless ‘wild’, Fireplace Island is an adventurous day journey from New York for anybody wanting to flee beeping automobile horns and dodging the crowds. It’s best recognized for its coastal reserve, the Fireplace Island Nationwide Seashore. Fireplace Island is simply accessible by automobile and takes an hour and a half to achieve from New York Metropolis heart.
Guests to the island can get pleasure from sunbathing, crusing, biking, or admiring the well-known Sunken Forest. The sunken forest bought its title from the distinctive double dune system what protects the timber. None of which might develop taller than the dunes that shield them. Thus the forest is sunken within the dunes.
The island is a great spot for out of doors actions. Fireplace Island is a relaxing however versatile seaside vacation spot simply reached with a rental automobile – what extra may you need on a sunny day? Word: When you don’t have a automobile there may be this Tour of Fireplace Island that leaves from the Lengthy Island Rail Highway Station on the Ronkonkoma Department from Penn Station, Manhattan.
- One and a half hours from New York Metropolis
7. Storm King Mountain
Storm King Mountain sits within the heart of Storm King State Park and rises over 13,123 ft (400 meters) above sea stage. Simply an hour and a half’s drive north of NYC, the mountain is a handy close by hike, which makes it fashionable with locals and vacationers alike. The mound-like mountain is solely lined 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 if you’d like a mountain climbing day journey.
As we’re certain that you just’ve already guessed, the mountain summit affords some lovely views. You’ll be overlooking the Hudson River and all the encompassing greenery of the Hudson Valley countryside. It’s a comparatively simple five-mile hike to achieve the summit, navigating a handful of gentle switchbacks and principally sticking to the simple footing on well-defined paths.
- One hour and a half from New York Metropolis
8. Minnewaska State Park Protect
Minnewaska State Park Protect is a dreamy spot to embrace nature exterior NYC. The protect boasts three lakes, extra waterfalls than you may depend, and mountain climbing trails galore. Minnewaska State Park Protect can be improbable for mountain climbing and biking if you wish to depart your mountain climbing boots behind and get a bit extra adventurous. The protect is simply accessible by automobile, so lease a automobile, buckle up, and prepare for a two-hour drive by way of 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. While you mix this with over 50 miles of mountain climbing trails, it’s simple to see why it’s such a sought-after location. For a day of mountain climbing and pure sights, Minnewaska State Park Protect is an excellent day journey from NYC.
- Two hours from New York Metropolis
9. Go cross-country snowboarding
So, if you’re visiting New York in winter, what then? Many mountain climbing trails shut, and also you may really feel much less smitten by trudging round knee-deep in snow anyway. In winter, snowboarding is the reply. Exterior the town heart, you may go to improbable 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 number of hours’ drive from NYC. For a resort expertise, you possibly can arrange an in a single day keep. Nonetheless, 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 or not you’re a whole snowboarding beginner or a complicated skier, going cross-country snowboarding is a enjoyable day journey from New York.
- Three hours from New York Metropolis
10. Governors Island
Governors Island is situated smack bang in the course of New York Harbor and is the proper day journey from the town heart. You possibly can drive straight over to Governors Island through a connecting bridge from Brooklyn, which take lower than half an hour (closely depending on visitors). Alternatively, catch a ferry experience to the island. Governors Island is among the most central NYC day journeys. In case you are quick on time, this can be a practical possibility to your checklist.
So, what’s Governors Island? Governors Island is a 172-acre space that served as an early dwelling for Dutch colonists who have 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 possibly can even take a motorbike tour. This explicit tour is one of the best one on the island and is more likely to promote out! We advise checking its schedule to see if something catches your eye.
- half-hour from New York Metropolis
11. Atlantic Metropolis
Fancy a celebration break or one other glitzy city expertise? Atlantic Metropolis is an outgoing, flashy coastal metropolis simply two hours from New York in New Jersey. The town is thought for casinos and seashores, a preferred area of interest for these eager 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 Metropolis has a big American-Italian inhabitants, and you may anticipate loads of scrumptious eating places and bars. When you go to Philadelphia for a day journey stuffed with historical past, you go to Atlantic Metropolis for a day journey stuffed with enjoyable and partying. Atlantic Metropolis is an excellent alternative for an entertaining enterprise out of New York.
- Two hours from New York Metropolis
12. Iona Island Chook Sanctuary
Iona Island Chook Sanctuary is one other of our NYC day journeys 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 gorgeous to discover and a terrific place to expertise some off-the-beaten-track nature. You may as well spot a whole lot of birds, from frequent wetland birds to well-known birds just like the bald eagle. Whether or not you’re a eager birdwatcher or wish to immerse your self in nature on an NYC day journey, Iona Island Chook Sanctuary is a gorgeous spot to your itinerary.
You’ll want a automobile to go to Iona Island since navigating solely on public transport is difficult. However, when you’ve got a rental automobile and luxuriate in discovering extra distant locations on day journeys, the sanctuary is an thrilling spot to go to.
- An hour and a half from New York Metropolis
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 likely to be one in all New York’s most populous counties, but it surely additionally has some gorgeous pure areas. You possibly can experience alongside the attractive waterfront and wooded trails with Westchester Path 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 through 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 Metropolis
14. Go wine tasting in North Fork
Do you know that award-winning wineries encompass New York Metropolis? North Fork is probably the most well-known area for wine tasting and is located on the jap finish of Lengthy Island – surrounded by water, which is claimed to be splendid for rising the proper wine. It’s nicknamed Lengthy Island wine nation and is a improbable 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 simply accessible through automobile. Nonetheless, to benefit from the tasting expertise, we suggest reserving a tour from NYC, which covers transportation for you.
A lot of the finest wineries are situated alongside Important Highway and embrace Peconic Bay Vineyards, Jason’s Winery, and Paumanok Vineyards. You could possibly simply stroll between them, though those that buy excursions can have the posh of auto transfers. Wine tasting in Lengthy Island’s North Fork is a enjoyable exercise, particularly for wine lovers eager to expertise New York’s tackle vino.
- Two and a half hours from New York Metropolis
15. Montauk Level Lighthouse Museum
Montauk Level Lighthouse Museum is an attraction for historical past buffs. The 1796-built lighthouse was licensed by President George Washington and was the primary ever lighthouse to be inbuilt New York. It’s now the fourth oldest working lighthouse within the US – a fairly staggering title. The museum is an adjoining attraction the place you may be taught extra in regards to the lighthouse and its historical past. Among the best methods to discover is on an electrical bike. This tour takes you across the island with minimal effort.
Montauk Level Lighthouse has one of many longest journey instances out of all our day journeys and takes almost 4 hours to achieve by automobile. Due to this, we suggest pacing the drive out as a one-day highway journey and stopping at sights like Parrish Artwork Museum and Hook Windmill alongside the best way. You could possibly mix it with a seaside day at East Hampton Important Seashore. Take your time, take within the sights alongside the best way, and have a number of drivers take turns on the wheel.
- 4 hours from New York Metropolis
16. Sleepy Hole Cemetery
Sleepy Hole Cemetery is among the strangest NYC day journeys. Not solely was the cemetery the main target of the story The Legend of Sleepy Hole, however additionally it is the burial place of many wealthy and well-known folks, together with William Rockefeller. You possibly can go to to identify famed resting locations and tour the cemetery. In case you are visiting New York within the fall, visiting Sleepy Hole 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 possibly 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 Metropolis
17. Go ice skating at The Rink
New York has some super ice-skating rinks; that a lot is for certain. Nonetheless, The Rink is well the most effective choices if you’re in search of an ice-skating day journey. The NHL regulation-size rink is only a forty-minute bus experience or drive from New York Metropolis heart. You possibly 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 improbable because it caters to those that wish to get entangled and those that are ‘passionate onlookers’.
Wrap up heat and get excited to drag off or watch some cool strikes; ice skating is one in all NYC’s most entertaining day journeys. For these wanting a winter sports activities expertise however aren’t eager to enterprise to the closest ski slopes, ice skating can be a terrific compromise.
- Forty minutes from New York Metropolis
18. New Hope Railroad
New Hope Railroad is a heritage railway just below two hours drive southwest of NYC. In case you are a locomotive fanatic or simply love all issues classic, New Hope Railroad is an interesting and immersive place to go to. It makes a terrific day journey for individuals who wish to get entangled and expertise historical past for themselves. The 18-mile route has each steam and diesel trains, and guests can embark on scenic rides by way of Buck Nation.
New Hope Railroad is an ideal standalone day journey from NYC, however if you’re okay with an extended journey day, contemplate 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 absolutely.
- Two hours from New York Metropolis
19. Asbury Park
Asbury Park is one other New Jersey gem simply an hour’s drive from New York Metropolis. The seaside metropolis is the proper coastal getaway if you’d like a standard seaside expertise. You’ve every part from a picket boardwalk to seaside arcades with video games and machines relationship again to the Thirties. It’s a fashionable vacation spot for these eager to unwind and have a enjoyable, light-hearted day. Asbury Park will hold you entertained whether or not you’re touring as a household or simply wish to unleash your interior little one.
You could possibly loosen up on Asbury Park Seashore, which has usually calm waters good for swimming or paddling. In any other case, you possibly can deal with your self to a meal overlooking the ocean, stroll the scenic boardwalk, or spend a number of hours in Silverball Retro Arcade. The perfect factor about Asbury Park is its old-world ambiance; for a classic seaside day, don’t look any additional.
- One hour from New York Metropolis
20. Go on a ship cruise alongside the Hudson River
You may get river cruises in every single place in New York. Some of the fashionable issues to do in New York Metropolis is to cruise up the East River for final views of the cityscape and New York’s main waterfront sights. Prepared for extra journey, although? Among the best day journeys from NYC is to go up the Hudson River on a cruise. You possibly can often take cruises straight from New York Metropolis, so your journey time is low, and the cruises often final a number of hours.
The Hudson River splits New Jersey and New York, with the state boundaries falling someplace within the river itself. From New York Metropolis, you’ll cruise upstream, beneath the George Washington Bridge and previous gorgeous 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 among the most well-known rivers on the earth and is nicknamed the ‘river that flows each methods’ as a result of the move is managed by the tide. It’s simple to see why the Hudson River makes such a preferred day journey.
- Just a few hours from New York Metropolis
21. Go Seal and whale watching from Lengthy Island
While you consider issues to do close to New York, whale watching in all probability isn’t one in all them. The waters off of Lengthy Island are stuffed with marine animals, although, together with humpback, fin, and north Atlantic proper whales all through summer season and fall. Even in the event you don’t spot whales, you’ll doubtless see bottlenose or frequent dolphins.
One of the simplest ways to see whales on a day journey from NYC is to ebook a whale-watching boat journey from Lengthy Island. You possibly can simply drive or take public transport to Lengthy Island, having fun with a totally organized tour expertise from there. When you’ve by no means seen whales up shut, going whale watching from Lengthy Island is among the finest wildlife day journeys from NYC. Seeing whales within the wild is a humbling and awe-inspiring day journey – the proper stability for a metropolis break.
- One hour from New York Metropolis
22. Storm King Artwork Heart
Storm King Artwork Heart is a day journey for artwork lovers. The open-air museum showcases an enormous assortment of up to date 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 summertime of 2022, Storm King Artwork Heart additionally invested a staggering $45 million in redesigning the middle. It’s a massively fashionable day journey from New York, partly for its artwork and partly as a result of it makes such a beautiful out of doors time out.
The out of doors artwork gallery is an hour and a half’s drive from the town heart or simply beneath 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 Metropolis
23. South Mountain Reservation
South Mountain Reservation is among the finest New York Metropolis day journeys. The two,000-acre public park is the final word time out, that includes a sports activities enviornment, zoo, and mountain climbing trails galore. The reservation is the proper place to spend a day – particularly in spring or summer season on a heat, sunny day. You possibly can pack a picnic, stroll the grounds, and even go pond fishing. And on a scorching 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’s massively fashionable amongst New Yorkers and far much less touristy than any parks within the metropolis heart. A win, win.
- 45 minutes from New York Metropolis
24. New Paltz
Has Woodstock made you intrigued to go to the Hudson Valley’s small cities? Nicely, New Paltz ought to be one other in your checklist. 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 ambiance, with farmers’ markets and romantic mountain climbing trails that whisk you straight from the city heart. It makes a terrific time out, and New Paltz is well some of the fashionable locations to go to within the lovely Hudson Valley.
Be sure to cease by Historic Huguenot Road, a Nationwide Historic Landmark District consisting of seven stone homes constructed by Huguenot settlers within the 18th century. The road often has immersive historical past demonstrations in full move. It’s a fascinating 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 Path for lovely views.
- An hour and a half from New York Metropolis
25. Washington D.C.
Final however not least, right here’s our most formidable day journey from NYC. Washington, D.C., is the U.S. capital metropolis and some of the famed cities on Earth. Washington is thought for its historical past, memorials, and museums. For any critical sightseers, it’s a improbable add-on to your NYC itinerary. You could possibly go to the Lincoln Memorial, United States Capitol, Nationwide Gallery of Artwork, or Library of Congress. Learn extra: 12 Should-See Washington DC Monuments and Memorials in Pictures
For full disclosure, attending to Washington, D.C., is tiring, and you need to permit for an eight-hour spherical journey of driving. When you can rotate drivers, you may handle this on a self-guided day journey, but when not, we suggest reserving a guided tour. These excursions embrace transfers from NYC. You possibly can sit back and simply benefit from the experience.
- Three hours and 45 minutes from New York Metropolis
To Conclude
Are you excited to check out these day journeys from NYC? Try to be. New York Metropolis is likely to be an action-packed, thrilling place, however these locations additionally deserve a spot in your itinerary. Moreover, it all the time feels extra adventurous to stray out of the town heart.
When you’ve bought any extra questions on visiting New York, you may take a look at our guides on the place to remain and a particular New York Christmas information. Have a improbable journey.
