New York Metropolis has no scarcity of unbelievable issues to do. In case you are planning a visit to the Huge Apple, relaxation assured that you simply’ll have an thrilling itinerary in your arms. However what about day journeys from NYC? You may 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 climbing and biking trails or a glitzy day journey to a neighboring metropolis, this information will cowl all the perfect day journeys from NYC. Let’s dive straight in.
Prime Day Journeys from NYC
New York is surrounded by incredible day journey locations, and Grand Central Station is simply as useful as it’s sightseeing-worthy. You may enterprise out utilizing public transport just like the prepare or Metro North or rent a rental automobile to go to someplace off the crushed observe.
1. Rockaway Seaside
Rockaway Seaside is an enormous sandy seashore on the outskirts of New York Metropolis. Its 5.5-mile boardwalk is a well-liked draw and, in summer season, Rockaway Seaside is the right spot to flee town for seashore volleyball or stress-free sunbathing. Visiting Rockaway Seaside is definitely a half-day exercise, though you’ll in all probability wish to keep longer. You may attain the seashore in lower than an hour by automobile, whereas public transport takes round an hour and a half.
Rockaway Seaside is the place to go on a day journey if you’d like a seashore day, and it’s a well-liked coastal getaway from New York Metropolis. Town can get stifling in summer season, and this seashore 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 could be unbelievable, 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 looks 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 an emblem of American Independence and civilian freedom. In case you are fascinated by 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.
Other than Liberty Bell, you possibly can 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 may view our full information on issues to do in Philadelphia right here.
You may e-book this extremely rated tour from NYC to Philadelphia and Washington DC. Examine off seeing three of America’s greatest 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 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 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 stunning views over the highlands; even higher, you solely want half a day to take action. Bear Mountain is well-liked as a result of it’s a scenic however handy hike only a stone’s throw from New York Metropolis. And we predict you’ll find it irresistible.
Bear Mountain State Park has 5,000 acres to discover and in addition to its well-known peak guests can take pleasure in actions like boating, snowboarding, fishing, and extra.
The Bear Mountain Loop Path is 3.8 miles and has 1154 toes of elevation achieve. It’s a moderately medium-difficulty route and takes just some hours to finish. You begin at a car parking zone by Bear Mountain Inn and loop previous Hessian Lake, shortly reaching beautiful views over the Hudson River and the encircling peaks. Be ready for a little bit of scrambling and pack some sturdy 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, 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 Metropolis
4. Woodstock
Music lovers, you’ve in all probability heard of Woodstock. The city in Ulster County is about a two-hour drive from town and is without doubt one of the greatest day journeys from NYC. The city is famed for the Woodstock Competition of 1969, which was basically 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 Conflict, Woodstock Competition was a message of peace and unity.
In the present day, Woodstock remains to be well-known for its music and artwork. You may cease by the Woodstock Artists Affiliation and Museum or embrace nature on the Woodstock Waterfall Park. Whereas the unique Woodstock Competition was positioned 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 retailers and cute cafe tradition, Chilly Spring is a incredible day journey from NYC. It’s a sensible selection if you’d like a small-town vibe after a number of days within the fixed flurry that’s New York. You may simply spend half a day puttering round all of the little retailers and grabbing brunch. And in summer season, you possibly can take pleasure in 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 buying, Chilly Spring has an additional collection of points of interest that make it well-liked. 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 listing.
- One hour from New York Metropolis
6. Hearth Island
Hearth Island is a phenomenal barrier island off the coast of Lengthy Island’s south shores. Rural, distant, and nonetheless ‘wild’, Hearth Island is an adventurous day journey from New York for anybody wanting to flee beeping automobile horns and dodging the crowds. It’s best identified for its coastal reserve, the Hearth Island Nationwide Seashore. Hearth Island is simply accessible by automobile and takes an hour and a half to succeed in from New York Metropolis middle.
Guests to the island can take pleasure in 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 bushes. 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. Hearth Island is a relaxing however versatile seashore vacation spot simply reached with a rental automobile – what extra might you need on a sunny day? Be aware: When you do not need a automobile there may be this Tour of Hearth Island that leaves from the Lengthy Island Rail Street 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 middle of Storm King State Park and rises over 13,123 toes (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 well-liked with locals and vacationers alike. The mound-like mountain is solely coated in greenery and bursts out of the bottom proper subsequent to the Hudson River, chopping a putting pure landmark. This mountain is the one for you if you’d like a climbing day journey.
As we’re positive that you simply’ve already guessed, the mountain summit presents some stunning views. You’ll be overlooking the Hudson River and all the encircling greenery of the Hudson Valley countryside. It’s a comparatively straightforward five-mile hike to succeed in the summit, navigating a handful of delicate switchbacks and principally sticking to the straightforward 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 possibly can rely, and climbing trails galore. Minnewaska State Park Protect can be incredible for mountaineering and biking if you wish to go away your climbing boots behind and get a bit extra adventurous. The protect is simply accessible by automobile, so hire 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 climbing trails, it’s straightforward to see why it’s such a sought-after location. For a day of climbing and pure points of interest, Minnewaska State Park Protect is a superb day journey from NYC.
- Two hours from New York Metropolis
9. Go cross-country snowboarding
So, in case you are visiting New York in winter, what then? Many climbing trails shut, and also you would possibly really feel much less passionate about trudging round knee-deep in snow anyway. In winter, snowboarding is the reply. Exterior town middle, 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 number of hours’ drive from NYC. For a resort expertise, you may set up an in a single day keep. Nonetheless, it’s shut sufficient to go to for a day journey in case you are quick on time, particularly in case you are touring with a number of drivers to separate the driving time. Whether or not you’re a complete 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 positioned smack bang in the course of New York Harbor and is the right day journey from town middle. You may drive straight over to Governors Island by way of 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 without doubt one of the most central NYC day journeys. In case you are quick on time, this can be a real looking choice to your listing.
So, what’s Governors Island? Governors Island is a 172-acre space that served as an early residence for Dutch colonists who have been initially cautious of deciding on 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 specific tour is the perfect 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. Town 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’ll all the time cease at points of interest like Bass River State Forest on the way in which.
Like many cities across the US, Atlantic Metropolis has a big American-Italian inhabitants, and you’ll 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 a superb selection 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 town middle. The island itself is gorgeous to discover and an ideal place to expertise some off-the-beaten-track nature. You may as well spot a whole bunch of birds, from widespread 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 phenomenal spot to your itinerary.
You’ll want a automobile to go to Iona Island since navigating solely on public transport is hard. However, in case you have a rental automobile and revel 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 could be certainly one of New York’s most populous counties, but it surely additionally has some beautiful pure areas. You may experience alongside the attractive waterfront and wooded trails with Westchester Path Rides, stables are positioned simply an hour and 20 minutes drive from town middle.
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 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 supreme for rising the right wine. It’s nicknamed Lengthy 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 town middle and is simply accessible by way of automobile. Nonetheless, to benefit from the tasting expertise, we suggest reserving a tour from NYC, which covers transportation for you.
A lot of the greatest wineries are positioned alongside Most important Street and embrace Peconic Bay Vineyards, Jason’s Winery, and Paumanok Vineyards. You may simply stroll between them, though those that buy excursions could have the posh of auto transfers. Wine tasting in Lengthy 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 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 possibly can study extra concerning the lighthouse and its historical past. Probably the greatest 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 occasions out of all our day journeys and takes almost 4 hours to succeed in by automobile. Due to this, we suggest pacing the drive out as a one-day street journey and stopping at points of interest like Parrish Artwork Museum and Hook Windmill alongside the way in which. You may mix it with a seashore day at East Hampton Most important Seaside. Take your time, take within the sights alongside the way in which, 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 without doubt one of the strangest NYC day journeys. Not solely was the cemetery the main focus 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 may 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 may hop on at Grand Central Terminal and take the Hudson Line 745 to Philipse Manor, strolling round fifteen minutes to succeed in the cemetery. Visiting this famed cemetery as a day journey from NYC is easy 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 large ice-skating rinks; that a lot is for positive. Nonetheless, The Rink is definitely the most effective choices in case you are on the lookout for an ice-skating day journey. The NHL regulation-size rink is only a forty-minute bus experience or drive from New York Metropolis middle. You may don a pair of skates your self or go away it to the professionals and watch a determine skating or hockey event. The Rink is incredible because it caters to those that wish to get entangled and people who are ‘passionate onlookers’.
Wrap up heat and get excited to drag off or watch some cool strikes; ice skating is certainly one of NYC’s most entertaining day journeys. 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 Metropolis
18. New Hope Railroad
New Hope Railroad is a heritage railway slightly 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 an ideal 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 in case you are 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 certainly.
- 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 right coastal getaway if you’d like a conventional seaside expertise. You’ve gotten all the pieces from a wood boardwalk to seashore arcades with video games and machines courting again to the Thirties. It’s a well-liked vacation spot for these desirous to unwind and have a enjoyable, light-hearted day. Asbury Park will preserve you entertained whether or not you might be touring as a household or simply wish to unleash your interior baby.
You may calm down on Asbury Park Seaside, which has sometimes calm waters excellent for swimming or paddling. In any other case, you may deal with your self to a meal overlooking the ocean, stroll the scenic boardwalk, or spend a number of hours in Silverball Retro Arcade. One of the best factor about Asbury Park is its old-world ambiance; for a classic seashore 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 all over the place in New York. One of the well-liked 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 points of interest. Prepared for extra journey, although? Probably the greatest day journeys from NYC is to go up the Hudson River on a cruise. You may 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 beautiful surroundings like Tallman Mountain State Park. You’ll additionally get to sightsee a few of each states’ lesser-known points of interest, together with waterfront mansions just like the Gothic revival property Lyndhurst Mansion. The Hudson River is without doubt one of 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 straightforward to see why the Hudson River makes such a preferred day journey.
- A number of 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 certainly one of 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 for those who don’t spot whales, you’ll possible see bottlenose or widespread dolphins.
One of the best ways to see whales on a day journey from NYC is to e-book a whale-watching boat journey from Lengthy Island. You may simply drive or take public transport to Lengthy Island, having fun with a completely organized tour expertise from there. When you’ve by no means seen whales up shut, going whale watching from Lengthy Island is without doubt one of the greatest wildlife day journeys from NYC. Seeing whales within the wild is a humbling and awe-inspiring day journey – the right steadiness 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 simply’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 well-liked 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 town middle or simply beneath two hours on public transport. You’ll have some nice views alongside the way in which, 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 without doubt one of the greatest New York Metropolis day journeys. The two,000-acre public park is the last word time out, that includes a sports activities area, zoo, and climbing trails galore. The reservation is the right place to spend a day – particularly in spring or summer season on a heat, sunny day. You may 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’s massively well-liked amongst New Yorkers and far much less touristy than any parks within the metropolis middle. 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 listing. The faculty city is an hour and a half’s drive from NYC and is about within the dramatic countryside proper on the curve of the Wallkill River. The city has that healthful ambiance, with farmers’ markets and romantic climbing trails that whisk you straight from the city middle. It makes an ideal time out, and New Paltz is definitely one of the well-liked locations to go to within the stunning Hudson Valley.
Be sure that to cease by Historic Huguenot Avenue, 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 fascinated by early American historical past. And if you find yourself happy with a historical past repair, we recommend embarking on the Ridge-to-Ridge Path for stunning 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 one of the 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, 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 it is best to enable for an eight-hour spherical journey of driving. When you can rotate drivers, you possibly can handle this on a self-guided day journey, but when not, we suggest reserving a guided tour. These excursions embrace transfers from NYC. You may relax 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? You need to be. New York Metropolis could be an action-packed, thrilling place, however these locations additionally deserve a spot in your itinerary. Apart from, it all the time feels extra adventurous to stray out of town middle.
When you’ve bought any extra questions on visiting New York, you possibly can try our guides on the place to remain and a particular New York Christmas information. Have a incredible journey.