Escape The City: Best Day Trips From NYC

The Big Apple is definitely the star of the show in New York State, with the dazzling lights of Times Square and New York City’s attractions often wrongly overshadowing the state’s awesome attractions that are just beyond the city’s boundaries. We’ve compiled all the best day trips from NYC in one place so you can avoid the mistake of missing New York State’s coolest attractions when you visit NYC.

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Get out of the city and spend the day exploring outdoor art galleries, learning about the ghost stories of New York State’s spookiest towns, and hiking along boardwalks on remote barrier islands!

Epic Day Trips From NYC

Image via Unsplash by Mike C. Valdivia

Get out of the city and discover somewhere new on one of our epic NYC day trips!

1. Day Dream The Day Away In Charming Montauk

Image via Unsplash by Bernd 📷 Dittrich

Montauk is a charming coastal hamlet in New York State, at the tip of the South Fork peninsula of Long Island. The beaches surrounding the town, the famous lighthouse, and the laid-back atmosphere make it an appealing day trip from New York! 

Unfortunately, it is quite far from the Big Apple, so be prepared to spend a big part of the day traveling. Even so, it’s one of our favorite day trips from the city, and we can’t recommend it enough.  

Once you reach the town, head straight to Montauk’s main attraction, the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Commissioned by George Washington himself, it’s been there since 1792 and was the very first lighthouse in New York State!

The red and white lighthouse is surrounded by stretches of sandy coast and views of the glistening ocean in the distance, so it’s also the best place in town to snap some holiday photos. 

There’s also a little museum at the lighthouse where you can learn all about its history. If you pay to go into the museum you can climb to the top of the lighthouse tower! The views from the top are breathtaking. 

Image via Flickr by Jay Gao

After visiting the Montauk Lighthouse, head to the Camp Hero State Park entrance just down the road and go on a hike around the State Park, which was a US Military Base right up until the 1980s. One route in particular stands out, the Sharmoor hike. It’s about two miles long there and back, perfect for a stroll without overdoing it. 

The trail snakes along the coast’s stark bluff and hoodoos with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Montauk Lighthouse along the way. 

Afterwards, spend the rest of the day wandering around the dreamy town, and if you can stay until sunset, it is the prettiest time of day at Montauk. We recommend watching the sun go down over a cold beer at a local bar!

We love Montauk and think this small-town day trip is perfect for anyone who’s hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of city life for a day. The one drawback of a day trip to Montauk is that you will spend a considerable chunk of the day traveling. 

You can rent a car and drive there yourself, or you can take the Long Island Railroad, which takes about 3 hours to reach the town. We recommend renting a car because without one you’ll need to pay for a taxi anyway to reach the town’s famous lighthouse and dock.

Where To Stay In Montauk

The distance between NYC and Montauk makes this the perfect excuse for an overnight stay. For this we love Hartman’s Briney Breezes Beach Resort which has rooms with stunning ocean views! Their rooms come with a little kitchen and dining area too, which is great if you want to avoid spending loads of money eating out. Relax on your balcony in the evening and catch the sunset without having to go anywhere!

2. Escape Into New York State’s Wildest Art Gallery At Storm King Art Center

Image via Flickr by Chuck Palmer

If you think the state’s best art galleries are in the city, you’re in for a surprise! The Storm King Art Center combines nature with culture in an epic 500-acre outdoor sculpture museum in New York’s gorgeous Hudson Valley region. 

Hike through the museum’s giant sculptures that are connected by networks of paved paths that weave through the center’s patches of woodland, over rolling hills, and vast meadows. 

Wondering how you’ll even find the sculptures in such a big park? The good news in most of the pieces at Storm King Art Center are enormous, so you’ll spot them from a mile away! We spent the day ahhing at the colorful sculptures and love how often the art installations change because it means visitors can keep coming back and always see something new.

Keep your eye out for pieces made by famous artists like Alexander Calder and Richard Serra whilst you’re exploring. If you want to try and see most of the park while you’re there we recommend renting a bike from the museum’s visitors center, that way you’ll be able to cover more ground and see more! Alternatively, you can also join one of the museum’s walking tours or a tour of the art center and the charming Cold Spring Town nearby!

Their Digital Guides are also great if you’re there with your kids as they include loads of kid-friendly interactive activities. Bring a family picnic to eat in the sunshine and stroll around the museum at your own pace, without needing to worry if the kids are being loud as you would at an ordinary museum.

Once you’ve finished pedaling or walking around the park stop for a refreshing drink or a snack at the Storm King outdoor cafe before hopping in the car to drive back to NYC, which is just 60 miles away!

Where To Stay Near Storm King Mountain

If you are looking for a fun group getaway, this cozy and homely Cottage in the village of Cornwall-On-Hudson is perfect! Enjoy being next door to all the town’s best hiking routes, the King Storm Art Center, and spend a weekend in the tranquil countryside with your closest friends. The cottage’s sunny garden area was especially delightful, and we loved learning all about the history of this 19th-century cottage.

3. Load Up On Local History With A Trip To See The Liberty Bell

Image via Flickr by ziver00

Just two hours away from NYC in the nearby city of Philadelphia, you’ll find one of the country’s most important historical relics, the Liberty Bell.

The timeless message inscribed into the Liberty Bell decades ago has made it a symbol of the ongoing fight for liberation. It says, ‘Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof’. 

This inspiring quote has been adopted by abolitionists, women’s rights suffragettes, and Civil Rights leaders. It speaks to the idea that no man is free until we are all free – a message that still rings relevant today.

Until not long ago, the Liberty Bell was the bell that rang in the Pennsylvania State House, now called Independence Hall. It was made in 1571 and was used to call lawmakers and the local town residents to hear the reading of the news. Sadly, it’s out of action now, but you can still see it on display at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia!

If you go to see the bell, you’ll immediately spot the big crack down one side, which is thought to have appeared in the 1840s after 90 years of use. Not bad for an old bell!

Where To Stay In Philadelphia Near The Liberty Bell

Continue the theme of history with a stay at the Morris House Hotel. This boutique hotel in an 18th-century home has dated period decor and an undeniable old-fashioned charm. It’s right in the city center and within easy walking distance of the Liberty Bell Center. We can’t think of a more fitting place to stay on this history-packed day trip!

4. Escape The City Noise And Get Outdoors With A Trip To Fire Island

Image via Unsplash by Max Singh

Fire Island is a stunning barrier island off the southern shore of Long Island. It’s known for its gorgeous white sand beaches, unique resorts, and car-free zones! 

Soak in the seaside views and escape into the tranquil nature spots of Fire Island on a hike. The island is dotted with boardwalk trails that weave through the sand dunes, like the famous Robert Moses Boardwalk Trail and the Fire Island Lighthouse Trail that visits the island’s charming lighthouse. 

A lot of the island has a strict no-car rule, so you can enjoy the sounds of birds singing and escape the usual noise of blaring horns that fills the streets of New York City. Fire Island is our top day trip from New York for outdoorsy types! 

Another reason the island was put on the map as a popular travel destination is because it has become a major LGBTQ+ haven! One of the communities there, Cherry Grove, is often referred to as America’s first gay and lesbian town. Today the town has a lively nightlife and is as lively as the nearby The Pines LGBTQ+ resort community! 

In fact, the island inspired the film Fire Island that explores its ties to queer culture and the importance of chosen family for LGBTQ+ people.

To get from NYC to Fire Island, you’ll need to take a ferry from either Sayville or Bay Shore. We recommend getting the ferry from Bay Shore as it’s a little closer than Sayville, so you can save yourself some driving time. Of course, your driving time depends on where you’re leaving from in the city, but it’ll take you about an hour and a half to drive to Bay Shore. 

The good news is that’s the longest part of the journey! From there, it’s only a short half-hour ferry ride to reach the barrier island. There’s a gentle sea breeze and beautiful views along the way, so we think the ride feels like part of the trip! 

Where To Stay In Fire Island

Book a spacious suite at Home2 Suites. Their indoor pool is great for a dip no matter the weather, and when the sun is shining you can make the most of their outdoor BBQ areas! They’re a great choice for families too, as they have lots of family rooms with sofa beds. Whilst you can visit Fire Island on a day trip, we think it’s an awesome destination for weekend trips too.

5. Visit Tarrytown And Sleepy Hollow On This Spooky Day Trip!

Image via Unsplash by Chris Boese

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are two small towns with an old-age charm and some spooky folklore that you can visit on the same trip! Just 40 minutes drive away from New York City, and around an hour away if you decide to go by train, they are some of the most popular villages in New York State. 

Start your day at Sleepy Hollow, which can be reached by car or on the Metro-North Railroad – Hudson Line from New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. The train will take you to the town’s Philipse Manor station. You can walk to the town’s attractions from there.

The picturesque town was the inspiration for one of the most famous American ghost stories, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which was written in the 19th century by Washington Irving. Originally the town was actually called North Tarrytown, but after the ghost story was written the townspeople voted to rename it Sleepy Hollow. 

Washington Irving was actually in England when he wrote the story, but always had a strong tie to this small American town where he grew up and was even buried in the town’s cemetery in his family plot.  

If you visit around Halloween, you can learn all about the ghosts that are said to haunt this mysterious town, like the Headless Horseman. Said to be the spirit of a Hessian soldier who was decapitated by a cannonball in battle during the Revolutionary War, legend has it that this headless figure still roams the town on horseback today searching for his lost head.

Whilst you’re in town check out The Headless Horseman Sculpture, the Dutch Reformed Church, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Philipsburg Mill, and Beekman Street!

Hoping to learn as much as possible about the local history? Then go with a guide! Take this tour from Grand Central Station in New York to Sleepy Hollow and the Walkway Over the Hudson. 

Image via Flickr by MFer Photography

Once you’ve seen Sleepy Hollow, make your way to downtown Tarrytown. Main Street in particular is very cute and picturesque, a great spot to stroll between enchanting shops and browse the storefronts. 

You should also visit the Tarrytown Music Hall, which has a charming red brick front and fits the old-age charm of the rest of downtown. 

If you visit on a Saturday, be sure to visit the TaSH Farmer’s Market at Patriots Park that runs every weekend from Memorial Day through to Thanksgiving from 8:30 AM until 2 PM. You’re sure to find some quirky headless horseman-themed items along with the usual food stalls and farmers’ market stands! 

Curiously, Patriots Park is also where the British army major John Andre was captured for espionage and his involvement with Benedict Arnold during the Revolutionary War! As you’ll probably have realized, it’s impossible to escape the local history no matter where you are in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow!

Before leaving the area, take a trip to Lyndhurst Mansion. The grandiose Gothic mansion was built in 1886 and was the home of the famous railroad tycoon, Jay Gould. It’s thought that it was also the building that inspired the Rockefeller family to build their equally decadent estate here. 

The exterior of the mansion was also used in the 1960s vampire film Dark Shadows, just another Halloween-themed bit of trivia to know before your trip!

Where To Stay In Tarrytown

Extend your spooky day trip from New York and stay overnight at the Courtyard by Marriott in Tarrytown. They have elegant and modern rooms in the town of Tarrytown. We loved the big outdoor area in between the hotel’s different buildings. The courtyard made it feel like it was tucked away in the countryside and our bedroom patio was a great place to sit and have a morning coffee in the sun.

6. Get Out Of The City For A Day And Visit Liberty Island And Ellis Island

Whilst the Statue of Liberty is one of the first attractions to pop into people’s minds when they think about NYC, she isn’t actually in the city! She reigns above the city from her very own Liberty Island. 

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty was gifted to the USA by the French in 1886? The 22-story statue that was designed by Frederick-Auguste Bartholdi arrived at its new home, Liberty Island, and has been recognized as a national monument since 1924.

Going to see the Statue of Liberty is a full-day trip out of the city. You’ll start your adventure with a ferry ride through New York Harbor with epic views of New York in the distance as you sail along the open water. 

Once your ferry docks, go on a stroll around Liberty Island. There is a lush park area, a little cafe where you can stop for a coffee, and a gift shop and bookstore in the Statue of Liberty Museum. While you’re at the museum look out for Lady Liberty’s original torch!

From there, you can reach the statue’s pedestal by elevator, but we think that no day trip to the Statue of Liberty is complete without climbing the 162 narrow and steep steps from the statue’s pedestal to the crown. There isn’t an elevator from the pedestal to the crown, but we promise the views are worth the climb. If you’ve got achy joints or bad knees, this might not be for you!  

From the crown’s lookout point, 262 feet in the air, there are awesome cityscape views of New York City and Ellis Island in the distance that you’ll remember for a lifetime. 

From there, hop back on a ferry and you’ll be taken to Ellis Island (both stops are included in your ticket price!). Between 1892 and 1954 the island processed more than 12 million immigrants who arrived in the US on large ships, hoping for the American Dream! 

You can learn all about their journeys at the island’s National Museum of Immigration, which has three floors of exhibits you can browse. After, make your way to your ferry for the last time and sail back across the harbor to New York City after a long day away from the city’s bustling streets and inescapable noise.

If you just want to see the Statue of Liberty from the water instead of going on a full-day adventure, book this sunset cruise instead. 

Where To Stay Near Liberty Island

Whilst there isn’t any way to stay on Liberty or Ellis Island, we have found a quirky glamping getaway on the next island along, Governors Island, that we think fits the bill of getting away from the city whilst still having it in sight! The Collective Governors Island has cozy, deluxe glamping huts and tents in a tranquil camping ground with fire pits where you can cook s’mores. 

You can access the island via a public ferry from Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridge Park – getting to the island takes less than 10 minutes by ferry from either one!

A Little About The History Of New York State

Image via Unsplash by Library of Congress

The History of New York State

The State of New York has been inhabited by Indigenous Native Americans for at least 13,000 years, with settlements around Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake, and the Hudson River Valley.

Much later, it was colonized by the Dutch. They established a colony in NYC in what is now Manhattan, but was called New Amsterdam back then. Over time, their colonies stretched beyond the city and further into the state. Some of the towns on this day trip guide, like Sleepy Hollow, were former Dutch colonies. Even today, there are buildings and stories left behind that prove it!

After the American Revolution in the late 18th-century, the state became a US colony again and was declared a state in 1788. It was in New York City a year later that George Washington became the country’s first president! 

Cool Geography Facts

New York State has a very varied landscape, which is one of the reasons it’s such an awesome place to travel. It’s home to prominent rivers like the Hudson River and Susquehanna. 

The state also has lots of mountainous areas like the Catskill and Adirondack ranges, and even straddles the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. 

Whether you want to get out into the hills and tackle a big hike or spend the day lazing on a white sand beach, New York State is for you!

Get Away From NYC And Discover Somewhere New

There are so many day trips you can go on from NYC, but we’ve put all the best day trips from NYC in one place to help you decide which suits you the best! Whether you’re looking to spend a relaxing day escaping the city noise on the beach or you want to get out of the city without having to go very far, we’ve found an awesome day trip for you.

Dive into New York State’s spooky ghost history, combine a culture trip with a hike at an outdoor sculpture museum, or watch the waves crash onto the beach in a quaint fishing town.

Day Trips From NYC Packing Guide

Wondering what to pack on your getaway from NYC? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! This handy packing guide includes everything you should bring:

• Pack a hat: This one is especially important if you’re planning to go to the King Storm Art Center, where you’ll be outdoors all-day walking between the art pieces. If you visit in the colder months pack a hat that’s right for the season to protect you from the cold!
• Bring plenty of sunblock in the summer: Make sure you have a bottle of sunblock with you at all times. Add it to your daypack when you’re out and about sightseeing and reapply it throughout the day to avoid getting a nasty sunburn, which could ruin your day trip! 
• Your best camera: With so many epic attractions and things to do in New York, you’ll want to snap some pictures of your adventure! You might want to consider accessories like selfie sticks, too. For reflection-free photos, look into getting a lens hood too.
• Comfy walking shoes: Whether you pick a day trip to a small town or city you’ll be spending lots of time on your feet. Choose between a pair of lightweight hiking boots or a pair of walking sandals depending on the weather and get ready for an epic day exploring!
• If you’re visiting from another country, remember you’ll need a travel adapter and a voltage converter. In the US they use plug types A and B, so maybe bring one of each just in case! 
  • As the US runs on 120V electricity outlets, if you have electronics that run off 240V it’s worth investing in a voltage converter. They’ll save your electronics from getting destroyed!
• Anyone who isn’t a US national should also be up to date with VISA requirements before organizing a trip to New York. You can find out more and check if you need a VISA or ESTA here.

NYC Day Trips Frequently Asked Questions