25 Best Day trips from NYC In 2023

New York City has no scarcity of unimaginable issues to do. If you’re planning a visit to the Big Apple, relaxation assured that you just’ll have an thrilling itinerary in your palms. 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 perfect day trips from NYC. Let’s dive straight in.

Top Day Trips from NYC

New York is surrounded by improbable day journey locations, and Grand Central Station is simply as practical as it’s sightseeing-worthy. You might enterprise out utilizing public transport just like the practice or Metro North or rent a rental automotive to go to someplace off the overwhelmed monitor.

1. Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach is an enormous sandy seaside 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 town for seaside volleyball or stress-free sunbathing. Visiting Rockaway Beach is well a half-day exercise, though you’ll in all probability wish to keep longer. You can attain the seaside in lower than an hour by automotive, 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 seaside day, and it’s a fashionable coastal getaway from New York City. The metropolis can get stifling in summer time, and this seaside 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 may be unimaginable, however you’ll be able to 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. If you have an interest in American historical past and politics, Philadelphia is the best day journey from NYC. Plus, you’ll be able to catch public transport between the cities in simply over an hour or drive between them in two hours.

Apart from Liberty Bell, you’ll be able to 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 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 City. And we expect you’ll like it.

Bear Mountain State Park has 5,000 acres to discover and apart from 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, shortly reaching gorgeous views over the Hudson River and the encircling peaks. Be ready for a little bit of scrambling and pack some sturdy mountaineering boots; it’s a type 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 in all probability heard of Woodstock. The city in Ulster County is ready a two-hour drive from town and is among the finest day trips from NYC. The city is famed for the Woodstock Festival 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. In the face of occasions such because the Vietnam War, Woodstock Festival was a message of peace and unity.

Today, Woodstock remains 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 positioned 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 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 improbable day journey from NYC. It is a superb 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’ll be able to get pleasure from picnics alongside the Hudson River. Cold 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, Cold Spring has an additional collection of points of interest that make it fashionable. Boscobel House and Gardens have 68 acres of various 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 wanting leisure choices, which earns it its place on our listing.

One hour from New York City

6. Fire Island

Fire Island is a wonderful 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 automotive horns and dodging the crowds. It is finest identified for its coastal reserve, the Fire Island National Seashore. Fire Island is simply accessible by automotive and takes an hour and a half to succeed in 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 identify 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 out of doors actions. Fire Island is a relaxing however versatile seaside vacation spot simply reached with a rental automotive – what extra might you need on a sunny day? Note: If you do not need a automotive there’s 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 degree. Just 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 totally coated in greenery and bursts out of the bottom proper subsequent to the Hudson River, slicing a placing 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 gives some lovely views. You’ll be overlooking the Hudson River and all the encircling greenery of the Hudson Valley countryside. It is a comparatively straightforward five-mile hike to succeed in 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 City

8. Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a dreamy spot to embrace nature exterior NYC. The protect boasts three lakes, extra waterfalls than you’ll be able to rely, and mountaineering trails galore. Minnewaska State Park Preserve can also be improbable for mountaineering and biking if you wish to depart your mountaineering boots behind and get a bit extra adventurous. The protect is simply accessible by automotive, so lease a automotive, buckle up, and prepare for a two-hour drive via 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 points of interest, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a superb day journey from NYC.

Two hours from New York City

9. Go cross-country snowboarding

So, in case you are visiting New York in winter, what then? Many mountaineering 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. Outside town heart, you’ll be able to 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 couple of hours’ drive from NYC. For a resort expertise, you may arrange an in a single day keep. However, 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 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 City

10. Governors Island

Governors Island is positioned smack bang in the midst of New York Harbor and is the proper day journey from 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 experience to the island. Governors Island is among the most central NYC day trips. If you’re quick on time, it is a reasonable choice in your listing.

So, what’s Governors Island? Governors Island is a 172-acre space that served as an early house 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 identify ‘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 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 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 points of interest like Bass River State Forest on the way in which.

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 filled with historical past, you go to Atlantic City for a day journey filled with enjoyable and partying. Atlantic City is a superb 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 town heart. The island itself is beautiful to discover and a fantastic place to expertise some off-the-beaten-track nature. You may spot a whole lot of birds, from frequent 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 wonderful spot in your itinerary.

You’ll want a automotive to go to Iona Island since navigating solely on public transport is difficult. But, when you have a rental automotive 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 using 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 may be one among New York’s most populous counties, however it additionally has some gorgeous pure areas. You can experience alongside the gorgeous waterfront and wooded trails with Westchester Trail Rides, stables are positioned simply an hour and 20 minutes drive from 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 using 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 recognize 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 jap finish of Long Island – surrounded by water, which is alleged to be preferrred for rising the proper wine. It is nicknamed Long 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 town heart and is simply accessible by way of automotive. However, to benefit from the tasting expertise, we suggest reserving a tour from NYC, which covers transportation for you.

Most of the perfect wineries are positioned alongside Main Road and embrace Peconic Bay Vineyards, Jason’s Vineyard, and Paumanok Vineyards. You might simply stroll between them, though those that buy excursions may have the posh of auto transfers. Wine tasting in Long Island’s North Fork is a enjoyable exercise, particularly for wine fans eager 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 in-built 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’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the lighthouse and its historical past. One of the perfect 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 succeed in by automotive. Because of this, we suggest pacing the drive out as a one-day street journey and stopping at points of interest like Parrish Art Museum and Hook Windmill alongside the way in which. You might mix it with a seaside day at East Hampton Main Beach. Take your time, take within the sights alongside the way in which, 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 among the strangest NYC day trips. Not solely was the cemetery the main target of the story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, however it’s also the burial place of many wealthy and well-known folks, together with William Rockefeller. You can go to to identify famed resting locations and tour the cemetery. If you’re 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 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 City

17. Go ice skating at The Rink

New York has some large ice-skating rinks; that a lot is for positive. However, The Rink is well among the best 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 City heart. You can don a pair of skates your self or depart it to the professionals and watch a determine skating or hockey match. The Rink is improbable 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 one among NYC’s most entertaining day trips. For these wanting a winter sports activities expertise however aren’t eager to enterprise to the closest ski slopes, ice skating can also be a fantastic compromise.

Forty minutes from New York City

18. New Hope Railroad

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 a fantastic 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 via Buck Country.

New Hope Railroad is an ideal standalone day journey from NYC, however in case you are okay with an extended journey day, think about 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 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 standard seaside expertise. You have every part from a picket boardwalk to seaside arcades with video games and machines relationship again to the Thirties. It is 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 little one.

You might loosen up on Asbury Park Beach, which has sometimes calm waters good for swimming or paddling. Otherwise, you may 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 seaside 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 in every single 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 points of interest. Ready for extra journey, although? One of the perfect day trips from NYC is to go up the Hudson River on a cruise. You can often take cruises straight from New York City, so your journey time is low, and the cruises often 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, 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 points of interest, together with waterfront mansions just like the Gothic revival property Lyndhurst Mansion. The Hudson River is among the most well-known rivers on this planet and is nicknamed the ‘river that flows both ways’ as a result of the movement is managed by the tide. It is simple to see why the Hudson River makes such a well-liked day journey.

A number of 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 in all probability isn’t one among them. The waters off of Long Island are filled with marine animals, although, together with humpback, fin, and north Atlantic proper whales all through summer time and fall. Even should you don’t spot whales, you’ll probably see bottlenose or frequent dolphins.

The finest solution 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 among 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 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 town heart 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 City

23. South Mountain Reservation

South Mountain Reservation is among 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 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 is 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 City

24. New Paltz

Has Woodstock made you intrigued to go to the Hudson Valley’s small cities? Well, New Paltz needs 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 a fantastic time out, and New Paltz is well some of the fashionable locations to go to within the lovely 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 often has immersive historical past demonstrations in full movement. It is a captivating spot for historical past lovers and people fascinated with early American historical past. And when you find yourself glad with a historical past repair, we recommend embarking on the Ridge-to-Ridge Trail for lovely views.

An hour and a half from New York City

25. Washington D.C.

Last however not least, right here’s our most bold 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 severe sightseers, it’s a improbable add-on to your NYC itinerary. You might 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 you need to enable for an eight-hour spherical journey of driving. If you’ll be able to rotate drivers, you’ll be able to handle this on a self-guided day journey, but when not, we suggest reserving a guided tour. These excursions embrace transfers from NYC. You can sit back and simply benefit from the experience.

Three hours and 45 minutes from New York City

To Conclude

Are you excited to check out these day trips from NYC? You needs to be. New York City may be 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 town heart.

If you’ve obtained any extra questions on visiting New York, you’ll be able to try our guides on the place to remain and a particular New York Christmas information. Have a improbable journey.