25 Greatest Day journeys from NYC In 2023


New York Metropolis has no scarcity of unbelievable issues to do. If you’re planning a visit to the Large Apple, relaxation assured that you simply’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 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.

High Day Journeys from NYC

Top Day Trips from NYC

New York is surrounded by implausible day journey locations, and Grand Central Station is simply as useful as it’s sightseeing-worthy. You can 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 Seashore

Day Trips from NYC Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Seashore is an unlimited sandy seashore on the outskirts of New York Metropolis. Its 5.5-mile boardwalk is a well-liked draw and, in summer time, Rockaway Seashore is the right spot to flee the town for seashore volleyball or enjoyable sunbathing. Visiting Rockaway Seashore is definitely a half-day exercise, though you’ll in all probability wish to keep longer. You possibly can attain the seashore 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 seashore day, and it’s a well-liked coastal getaway from New York Metropolis. The town 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 Metropolis

2. Philadelphia

NYC Day Trip Philadelphia

New York Metropolis may be unbelievable, however you may nonetheless enterprise out to a different close by gem. Philadelphia is a metropolis identified for its historical past, and it generally looks like there’s a nationwide historic landmark at each nook. Liberty Bell is essentially the most well-known attraction in Philly and is taken into account a logo of American Independence and civilian freedom. If you’re concerned about 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 guide this extremely rated tour from NYC to Philadelphia and Washington DC. Examine 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 Home, the U.S. Capitol, and Independence Corridor.

  • Two hours from New York Metropolis

3. Bear Mountain State Park

Day Trips from NYC 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 lovely 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 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 toes of elevation acquire. It’s a fairly medium-difficulty route and takes just some hours to finish. You begin at a 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 just a few days of metropolis life.

If you wish to see the Hudson Valley from above, guide 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

Cool Day Trip to Woodstock from NYC

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 likely one of the finest day journeys from NYC. The city is famed for the Woodstock Pageant of 1969, which was primarily a hippie get-together as individuals 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.

Right now, 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. If you’re 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

Day Trips from NYC Cold Spring

Chilly Spring is a tiny city within the Hudson Valley. Identified for its vintage retailers and cute cafe tradition, Chilly Spring is a implausible day journey from NYC. It’s a good selection if you’d like a small-town vibe after just a few days within the fixed flurry that’s New York. You possibly can simply spend half a day puttering round all of the little retailers and grabbing brunch. And in summer time, 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 underneath two hours utilizing public transport.

After an hour or two of vintage buying, Chilly Spring has an additional choice of sights 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 wanting leisure choices, which earns it its place on our record.

  • One hour from New York Metropolis

6. Fireplace Island

NYC Day Trip Fire Island

Fireplace Island is an attractive 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 identified for its coastal reserve, the Fireplace Island Nationwide Seashore. Fireplace Island is barely accessible by automobile and takes an hour and a half to achieve from New York Metropolis middle.

Guests to the island can get pleasure from sunbathing, crusing, biking, or admiring the well-known Sunken Forest. The sunken forest received its title from the distinctive double dune system what protects the bushes. None of which may develop taller than the dunes that shield them. Thus the forest is sunken within the dunes.

The island is a great spot for outside actions. Fireplace Island is a chilled however versatile seashore vacation spot simply reached with a rental automobile – what extra might you need on a sunny day? Be aware: If you happen to would not have a automobile there may be this Tour of Fireplace 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

Day Trip from NYC 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 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 climbing day journey.

As we’re positive that you simply’ve already guessed, the mountain summit affords some lovely 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 achieve 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

Best Day Trips from NYC Minnewaska Preserve

Minnewaska State Park Protect is a dreamy spot to embrace nature outdoors NYC. The protect boasts three lakes, extra waterfalls than you may depend, and climbing trails galore. Minnewaska State Park Protect can also be implausible for mountain climbing and biking if you wish to depart your climbing boots behind and get a bit extra adventurous. The protect is barely 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 reasonably 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 sights, Minnewaska State Park Protect is an excellent day journey from NYC.

  • Two hours from New York Metropolis

9. Go cross-country snowboarding

Winter Day Trip from NYC Skiing

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 obsessed with trudging round knee-deep in snow anyway. In winter, snowboarding is the reply. Outdoors the town middle, you may go to implausible 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 just a few hours’ drive from NYC. For a resort expertise, you might manage an in a single day keep. Nonetheless, it’s shut sufficient to go to for a day journey in case you are brief on time, particularly in case you are touring with a number of drivers to separate the driving time. Whether or not you’re a whole snowboarding beginner or a sophisticated skier, going cross-country snowboarding is a enjoyable day journey from New York.

  • Three hours from New York Metropolis

10. Governors Island

Day Trip from New York Govenors Island

Governors Island is situated smack bang in the midst of New York Harbor and is the right day journey from the town middle. 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 site visitors). Alternatively, catch a ferry experience to the island. Governors Island is likely one of the most central NYC day journeys. If you’re brief on time, it is a reasonable choice in your record.

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 motorcycle tour. This specific tour is the perfect one on the island and is prone to promote out! We propose checking its schedule to see if something catches your eye.

  • half-hour from New York Metropolis

11. Atlantic Metropolis

Fun Day Trip from NYC Atlantic City

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 well-liked 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 also be a handy addition, and you may all the time cease at sights 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 may count on loads of scrumptious eating places and bars. When you go to Philadelphia for a day journey filled with historical past, you go to Atlantic Metropolis for a day journey filled with enjoyable and partying. Atlantic Metropolis is an excellent selection for an entertaining enterprise out of New York.

  • Two hours from New York Metropolis

12. Iona Island Fowl Sanctuary

Iona Island Fowl 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 middle. The island itself is gorgeous to discover and an awesome place to expertise some off-the-beaten-track nature. You can even spot a whole lot 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 Fowl Sanctuary is an attractive spot in your itinerary.

You’ll want a automobile to go to Iona Island since navigating solely on public transport is hard. However, when 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

Horseback Riding in Westchester County NY

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 may be one in every of New York’s most populous counties, however it additionally has some beautiful 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 middle.

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

Wine Tasting in North Fork Day Trip NYC

Do you know that award-winning wineries encompass New York Metropolis? North Fork is essentially the most well-known area for wine tasting and is located on the japanese finish of Lengthy Island – surrounded by water, which is claimed to be perfect for rising the right wine. It’s nicknamed Lengthy Island wine nation and is a implausible day journey when visiting NYC. The 30-mile stretch of the peninsula is round two and a half hours from the town middle and is barely accessible through automobile. Nonetheless, to benefit from the tasting expertise, we advocate reserving a tour from NYC, which covers transportation for you.

Many of the finest wineries are situated alongside Foremost Street and embrace Peconic Bay Vineyards, Jason’s Winery, and Paumanok Vineyards. You can simply stroll between them, though those that buy excursions could have the luxurious of car 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

Day Trip from NYC Montauk Point 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 in-built New York. It’s now the fourth oldest working lighthouse within the US – a reasonably staggering title. The museum is an adjoining attraction the place you may be taught extra concerning the lighthouse and its historical past. Top-of-the-line 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 achieve by automobile. Due to this, we advocate pacing the drive out as a one-day street journey and stopping at sights like Parrish Artwork Museum and Hook Windmill alongside the way in which. You can mix it with a seashore day at East Hampton Foremost Seashore. 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 Hollow Cemetery NY

Sleepy Hole Cemetery is likely one of the strangest NYC day journeys. Not solely was the cemetery the main target of the story The Legend of Sleepy Hole, however it is usually the burial place of many wealthy and well-known individuals, together with William Rockefeller. You possibly can go to to identify famed resting locations and tour the cemetery. If you’re 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 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 super ice-skating rinks; that a lot is for positive. Nonetheless, The Rink is definitely among the finest 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 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 implausible because it caters to those that wish to become involved and people who are ‘passionate onlookers’.

Wrap up heat and get excited to drag off or watch some cool strikes; ice skating is one in every of 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 also be an awesome compromise.

  • Forty minutes from New York Metropolis

18. New Hope Railroad

Day trips to New Hope Railroad from NYC

New Hope Railroad is a heritage railway just 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 awesome 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 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

NYC Day Trips 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 standard seaside expertise. You’ve all the pieces from a picket boardwalk to seashore arcades with video games and machines courting again to the Thirties. It’s a well-liked 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 internal youngster.

You can chill out on Asbury Park Seashore, which has sometimes calm waters excellent for swimming or paddling. In any other case, you might deal with your self to a meal overlooking the ocean, stroll the scenic boardwalk, or spend just a few hours in Silverball Retro Arcade. The most effective 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

New York city Day Trips Cruise Hudson River

You may get river cruises in every single place in New York. One of the vital 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 sights. Prepared for extra journey, although? Top-of-the-line day journeys from NYC is to go up the Hudson River on a cruise. You possibly can normally take cruises straight from New York Metropolis, so your journey time is low, and the cruises normally final just a few 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, underneath 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 this planet and is nicknamed the ‘river that flows each methods’ as a result of the stream is managed by the tide. It’s straightforward to see why the Hudson River makes such a well-liked day journey.

  • A couple of hours from New York Metropolis

21. Go Seal and whale watching from Lengthy Island

NYC Day Trips Whale Watching Long Island

While you consider issues to do close to New York, whale watching in all probability isn’t one in every of them. The waters off of Lengthy Island are filled with marine animals, although, together with humpback, fin, and north Atlantic proper whales all through summer time and fall. Even if you happen to don’t spot whales, you’ll probably see bottlenose or widespread dolphins.

One of the best ways to see whales on a day journey from NYC is to guide a whale-watching boat journey from Lengthy Island. You possibly can simply drive or take public transport to Lengthy Island, having fun with a completely organized tour expertise from there. If you happen to’ve by no means seen whales up shut, going whale watching from Lengthy Island is likely one of the finest wildlife day journeys from NYC. Seeing whales within the wild is a humbling and awe-inspiring day journey – the right stability for a metropolis break.

  • One hour from New York Metropolis

22. Storm King Artwork Heart

Storm King Art Center NYC Day Trip

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 outside day trip.

The outside artwork gallery is an hour and a half’s drive from the town middle or simply underneath 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 near NYC

South Mountain Reservation is likely one of the finest New York Metropolis day journeys. The two,000-acre public park is the final word day trip, 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 time 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 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

Day trip to New Paltz from NYC

Has Woodstock made you intrigued to go to the Hudson Valley’s small cities? Nicely, New Paltz must be one other in your record. The school 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 climbing trails that whisk you straight from the city middle. It makes an awesome day trip, and New Paltz is definitely one of the crucial well-liked locations to go to within the lovely Hudson Valley.

Make 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 normally has immersive historical past demonstrations in full stream. It’s a fascinating spot for historical past lovers and people concerned about early American historical past. And when you find yourself happy with a historical past repair, we propose embarking on the Ridge-to-Ridge Path for lovely views.

  • An hour and a half from New York Metropolis

25. Washington D.C.

Day Trips to Washington Dc from NYC

Final however not least, right here’s our most bold 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 critical sightseers, it’s a implausible add-on to your NYC itinerary. You can 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 must enable for an eight-hour spherical journey of driving. If you happen to can rotate drivers, you may handle this on a self-guided day journey, but when not, we advocate reserving a guided tour. These excursions embrace transfers from NYC. You possibly can chill and simply benefit from the experience.

  • Three hours and 45 minutes from New York Metropolis

To Conclude

Fun Day trips NYC

Are you excited to check out these day journeys from NYC? Try to be. New York Metropolis may 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 middle.

If you happen to’ve received any extra questions on visiting New York, you may try our guides on the place to remain and a particular New York Christmas information. Have a implausible journey.

Plan Your Subsequent Journey to NYC With These Assets

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