Daytripper Discoveries

As much as New York City
has to offer families, sometimes there’s nothing better than leaving the
confines of the city for a few hours to explore a new place, and the summer is
the perfect time to take a trip! We’ve put together some truly memorable day
trips, all of which are only a few hours away and bursting with family-friendly
attractions and activities. From water slides to friendly farm animals to the
ultimate art projects, there are plenty of nearby destinations waiting to be
discovered.

A Short Drive Away:

The Delaware Water Gap

The Delaware Water Gap, located just an hour and a half from
the city, offers families spectacular views of the Appalachian
Mountains, as well as a wide variety of physical activities for
every skill level. The Middle Delaware is one of the cleanest rivers around, so
it’s perfect for rafting, canoeing, swimming, tubing, fishing and more. If
you’re more inclined to keep your feet on land, your family can partake in
scenic hikes and rock climbing—you can hike 27 miles of the Appalachian
Trail within the park. Kids will also love watching the massive
watershed at work, and parents can stroll through historic Millbook Village to revisit days gone by. Once you get there, check out Adventure Sports, (a staple of the area since 1969, has kayak and boat rentals and organized trips down the river) or Pack Shack (another long established company, Pack Shack is just minutes from the Appalachian Trail, this adventure company and store offers canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and tubing on the river, as well as backpacking, rock climbing and trail treks on land) to get you started.

Hyde
Park, NY

History buffs of all ages will delight in a trip to this
historic town. Not only is the drive to Hyde Park a relaxing and scenic trip up
the Hudson River, but the diverse attractions to see when you get there ensure a
fun-filled day of American history. Hyde Park boasts The
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt (which houses “Springwood,” FDR’s lifelong home,
as well as The Presidential Library and Museum and Val-Kill Cottage, Eleanor Roosevelt’s cottage and the only
national monument dedicated to a first lady) and the Vanderbilt Mansion.

Crayola Factory, Easton, PA
Nurture your kids’ creative sides with a trip to the Crayola Factory. Kids can
color, paint and create with all of Crayola’s latest products, and you don’t
have to worry about clean-up! The factory also features dozens of interactive
and hands-on exhibits, like the Inside Out Wall, which allows kids to paint a
curved glass wall, the Crayola Crayon Manufacturing demonstration, the Chalk
Walk and the Crayola Color Carousel. 18 Centre Square, Easton, PA

Bear
Mountain Park State Park,
NY

Bear Mountain State Park features a large
playing field, a pond, a swimming pool, a zoo and tons of hiking and biking
trails. The Perkins Memorial Tower at the top of Bear
Mountain affords breathtaking
views of the incredible natural surroundings, and kids will love the
Merry-Go-Round at the park, which features 42-hand-crafted nature-dwelling creatures,
like a black bear, a swan, a fox and even a skunk! The park also boasts
playgrounds, gift shops, boat rentals and a museum and visitor’s center.

Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

This New Jersey beach has a retro feel,
as in addition to its glistening surf and pristine sand, it also features a
mile-long boardwalk, the center third of which is packed with games, arcades,
rides, food vendors, mini-golf and the famous Jenkinson’s Aquarium. The
beach also has a marina for boating and water sports, and the town boasts tons
of great restaurants and antique shops. Accessible by both car and several New
Jersey Transit trains, a day spent at Point Pleasant is
a stress-free city escape.

White Post Farms,
Melville, LI

White Post Farms, a Long Island
institution for four generations, has tons of fun for animal lovers, as it has an
indoor and outdoor animal farm, a pony ride and a petting zoo. Your kids will
be able to spot an American Buffalo, a Tibetan Yak, a Grevy Zebra and an Oryx
Antelope, among many other new and exciting animals. Kids will love the water bouncer and dry
bouncer—the water bouncer has wet and wild slides, and the dry bouncer has
games, castles and more for exploring—the Animal Band Jamboree show (which
happens every 15 minutes), a mud-free playground, a huge beachy sandbox and a
Mining Village with hands-on activities. Plus, parents will appreciate White
Post’s gourmet flower and farm market and the scenic Pond View Café. 250
Old Country Rd, Melville,
NY 11747,

Six Flags Great
Adventure/ Wild Safari, Jackson NJ

Six Flags Great Adventure is a 2200-acre park, bursting with
exciting rides and spectacular shows and attractions. For big kids and
thrill-seekers there are plenty of exhilarating rides to choose from, and
younger kids will love the big Ferris wheel, the Congo Rapids whitewater tubing
ride, the spinning Jolly Roger, and the Buccaneer, an old-fashioned pirate ship
pendulum. Plus, for an additional entrance fee, head over to the Wild Safari—the
350-acre wildlife preserve is home to more than 1,100 exotic animals, including
brown bears, rhinos, kangaroos, elephants and more. The park’s website has
great ideas especially for families, like when to see the animals at their most
active, what to bring, and how to stay safe.

1 Great adventure blvd, Jackson, NJ – (732)
928-4149