As much as
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.
The Delaware Water Gap, located just an hour and a half from
the city, offers families spectacular views of the
Mountains
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
Trail
watershed at work, and parents can stroll through historic
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.
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
Crayola Factory,
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
Mountain Park State Park
Bear Mountain State Park features a large
playing field, a pond, a swimming pool, a zoo and tons of hiking and biking
trails. The
Mountain
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.
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
a stress-free city escape.
White Post Farms,
Melville, LI
White Post Farms, a
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.
Old Country Rd
Six Flags Great
Adventure/ Wild Safari,
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,
Playland Amusement Park Rye New York
Playland Amusement Park has so much family-friendly fun, it
may be hard to pack it all into one day! The park has boasts pool and beach
access, a miniature golf course and lake boating and kayaking—all in addition
to its classic amusement park rides, like the famous Dragon Coaster, the
Playland Plunge and the Log Flume. For the younger set, Playland features
Kiddyland, which boasts tons of attractions, like the Kiddy Coaster, the Kiddy
Carousel, Flying Dragons and more. 914-804-5087
Robert Moses State Park,
LI
Located
on the westernmost tip of Fire Island Rober Moses State Park
is one of the best places for surfing and fishing. The park boasts five miles
of ocean beach complete with bath houses, countless picnic areas, a day-use
boat basin that can accommodate 40 boats and an 18-hole golf course. Kids will have
a blast playing on the specially equipped playground, checking out the beach
shop, fishing, and boogie-boarding. Explore the wildlife and plant life on the
parks’ nature trail. Don’t worry if the family is too exhausted to make it back
to the car- there’s a campground and cabins for overnight stays. Babylon, NY. 11702.
No Car? No Problem! Two of Our
We couldn’t
help but include Wave Hill—a 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the
Bronx—in our round-up of the best day trips for families, despite the fact that
it’s still in the city and accessible by city bus and subway. Still, as you as
you set foot in Wave Hill’s lush and exotic gardens, you’ll feel transported to
a rustic and rural escape far from honking horns and city heat. With art
galleries, a café that serves up delicious, farm-fresh fare with an idyllic
view of the
River
and a gift shop filled with unique crafts from local artists, Wave is a great
place to learn, play and revel in our beautiful
surroundings.
Dubbed “The People’s Beach,”
(named for famous
of the same name) has more for families than sun, surf and sand, of which,
trust is, there is plenty. In addition to its gorgeous beach filled with
families, Jacob Riis also features a recently restored Art Deco bath house that
is home to various exhibits and ranger-led programs, the Riis Park Pitch And
Put Golf course, and of course, plenty concession stands to find a tasty treat.
Rockaway Beach Blvd. at Channel Dr., Queens, NY 11694.
