25 Greatest Day journeys from NYC In 2023

New York Metropolis has no scarcity of unbelievable issues to do. In case you are planning a visit to the Large Apple, relaxation assured that you just’ll have an thrilling itinerary in your fingers. 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 mountaineering 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 can 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 Seashore

Rockaway Seashore is an enormous sandy seaside 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 town for seaside volleyball or enjoyable sunbathing. Visiting Rockaway Seashore is well a half-day exercise, though you’ll most likely wish to keep longer. You may 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 in order for you a seaside day, and it’s a in style coastal getaway from New York Metropolis. The town 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 Metropolis

2. Philadelphia

New York Metropolis is perhaps unbelievable, however you’ll be able to nonetheless enterprise out to a different close by gem. Philadelphia is a metropolis recognized for its historical past, and it generally 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 a logo of American Independence and civilian freedom. In case you are inquisitive about American historical past and politics, Philadelphia is the perfect 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.

Aside from Liberty Bell, you’ll be able to 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 ebook this extremely rated tour from NYC to Philadelphia and Washington DC. Test 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 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 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 in style 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 apart from 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 ft 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, rapidly 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, ebook 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 most likely heard of Woodstock. The city in Ulster County is ready a two-hour drive from town and is likely one of the finest day journeys from NYC. The city is famed for the Woodstock Pageant of 1969, which was basically a hippie get-together as individuals gathered to make use of music as an outlet for rising socio-political tensions. Within the face of occasions such because the Vietnam Conflict, Woodstock Pageant was a message of peace and unity.

Right now, Woodstock continues 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 Pageant 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. Recognized for its vintage outlets and cute cafe tradition, Chilly Spring is a incredible day journey from NYC. It’s a good alternative in order for you a small-town vibe after a couple of days within the fixed flurry that’s New York. You may simply spend half a day puttering round all of the little outlets and grabbing brunch. And in summer time, you’ll be able to take pleasure in 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 procuring, Chilly Spring has an additional choice of sights that make it in style. Boscobel Home and Gardens have 68 acres of numerous 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 recognized for its coastal reserve, the Hearth Island Nationwide Seashore. Hearth Island is just accessible by automobile and takes an hour and a half to succeed in from New York Metropolis heart.

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 timber. None of which may 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. Hearth Island is a chilled however versatile seaside vacation spot simply reached with a rental automobile – what extra may you need on a sunny day? Word: Should you do not need a automobile there’s this Tour of Hearth 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 degree. Simply an hour and a half’s drive north of NYC, the mountain is a handy close by hike, which makes it in style with locals and vacationers alike. The mound-like mountain is completely lined in greenery and bursts out of the bottom proper subsequent to the Hudson River, chopping a hanging pure landmark. This mountain is the one for you in order for you a mountaineering day journey.

As we’re positive that you just’ve already guessed, the mountain summit affords 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 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’ll be able to rely, and mountaineering trails galore. Minnewaska State Park Protect can be incredible for mountain climbing and biking if you wish to depart your mountaineering boots behind and get a bit extra adventurous. The protect is just 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. Once you mix this with over 50 miles of mountaineering trails, it’s straightforward to see why it’s such a sought-after location. For a day of mountaineering and pure sights, Minnewaska State Park Protect is a superb 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 mountaineering trails shut, and also you may really feel much less obsessed with trudging round knee-deep in snow anyway. In winter, snowboarding is the reply. Outdoors town heart, you’ll be able to go to incredible ski resorts – spending your day on the slopes or exploring the countryside by cross-country snowboarding.

West Mountain is a well-liked place for snowboarding actions and is a couple of hours’ drive from NYC. For a resort expertise, you would manage an in a single day keep. Nevertheless, 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 sophisticated 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 midst of New York Harbor and is the right day journey from town heart. 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 journey to the island. Governors Island is likely one of the most central NYC day journeys. In case you are quick on time, it is a life like possibility 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 selecting the mainland. The island was then taken over by British rule within the late seventeenth century, coining its title ‘Governors Island’ after being reserved for His Majesty’s Governors. The island is open for public enjoyment, that includes recreation areas, cultural reveals, and common occasions and actions. You may even take a motorbike 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. 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 be a handy addition, and you’ll at all times 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’ll anticipate loads of scrumptious eating places and bars. Whilst 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 alternative for an entertaining enterprise out of New York.

• Two hours from New York Metropolis

12. Iona Island Chicken Sanctuary

Iona Island Chicken 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 heart. The island itself is gorgeous to discover and a terrific place to expertise some off-the-beaten-track nature. You can too spot lots of 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 Chicken 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, if in case you have 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 perhaps certainly one of New York’s most populous counties, but it surely additionally has some gorgeous pure areas. You may journey alongside the attractive waterfront and wooded trails with Westchester Path 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 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 japanese finish of Lengthy Island – surrounded by water, which is claimed to be preferrred 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 heart and is just accessible by way of automobile. Nevertheless, 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 positioned alongside Important Highway and embody Peconic Bay Vineyards, Jason’s Winery, and Paumanok Vineyards. You can simply stroll between them, though those that buy excursions may have the luxurious 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 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’ll be able to study extra in regards to 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 instances 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 sights like Parrish Artwork Museum and Hook Windmill alongside the way in which. You can mix it with a seaside day at East Hampton Important 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 Hole Cemetery is likely one of the strangest NYC day journeys. Not solely was the cemetery the main focus of the story The Legend of Sleepy Hole, however it’s also the burial place of many wealthy and well-known individuals, 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 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 positive. Nevertheless, The Rink is well among the finest choices if you’re on the lookout for an ice-skating day journey. The NHL regulation-size rink is only a forty-minute bus journey or drive from New York Metropolis heart. You may don a pair of skates your self or depart it to the professionals and watch a determine skating or hockey event. The Rink is incredible because it caters to those that wish to become involved and 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 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 enchanting and immersive place to go to. It makes a terrific day journey for many who prefer 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 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 right coastal getaway in order for you a standard seaside expertise. You have got all the things from a wood boardwalk to seaside arcades with video games and machines courting again to the Nineteen Thirties. It’s a in style vacation spot for these eager to unwind and have a enjoyable, light-hearted day. Asbury Park will maintain you entertained whether or not you might be touring as a household or simply wish to unleash your internal little one.

You can chill out on Asbury Park Seashore, which has usually calm waters good for swimming or paddling. In any other case, you would deal with your self to a meal overlooking the ocean, stroll the scenic boardwalk, or spend a couple of hours in Silverball Retro Arcade. One of the best factor about Asbury Park is its old-world environment; 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 will get river cruises in every single place in New York. One of the in style 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? 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 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 Metropolis, you’ll cruise upstream, underneath 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 likely one of the most well-known rivers on the 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 number of hours from New York Metropolis

21. Go Seal and whale watching from Lengthy Island

Once you consider issues to do close to New York, whale watching most likely 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 time and fall. Even for those who don’t spot whales, you’ll possible 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 may simply drive or take public transport to Lengthy Island, having fun with a completely organized tour expertise from there. Should you’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 steadiness for a metropolis break.

• One hour from New York Metropolis

22. Storm King Artwork Middle

Storm King Artwork Middle 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 summertime of 2022, Storm King Artwork Middle additionally invested a staggering $45 million in redesigning the middle. It’s a massively in style day journey from New York, partly for its artwork and partly as a result of it makes such a stunning out of doors day trip.

The out of doors artwork gallery is an hour and a half’s drive from town heart 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 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 mountaineering trails galore. The reservation is the right place to spend a day – particularly in spring or summer time 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 in style 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? Effectively, New Paltz must 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 terrific day trip, and New Paltz is well some of the in style locations to go to within the stunning 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 often has immersive historical past demonstrations in full stream. It’s a fascinating spot for historical past lovers and people inquisitive about early American historical past. And if you end up 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 some of the famed cities on Earth. Washington is thought for its historical past, memorials, and museums. For any critical sightseers, it’s a incredible 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 Photographs

For full disclosure, attending to Washington, D.C., is tiring, and you need to enable for an eight-hour spherical journey of driving. Should you can 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 embody transfers from NYC. You may chill and simply benefit from the journey.

• Three hours and 45 minutes from New York Metropolis

To Conclude

Are you excited to check out these day journeys from NYC? You have to be. New York Metropolis is perhaps an action-packed, thrilling place, however these locations additionally deserve a spot in your itinerary. Apart from, it at all times feels extra adventurous to stray out of town heart.

Should you’ve bought 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 incredible journey.