Looking to escape the hectic pace of city life, swapping taxis and Ubers and business lunches for sunsets and parks and the wide-open road? There’s nothing quite like a day trip to help you decompress and set “Reset”. That’s especially true if you’re travelling with good family or friends.
The beauty of a day trip is that you don’t have to travel too far outside your front door (relatively speaking) to experience all new places and shake up your routine. But where to go for a day trip from NYC?
Here are a number of amazing day trips you can take with a group any time of year, so whether you’re on the hunt for a Spring day trip to NYC to get out into nature and enjoy the warmer weather or a fall day trip to get out of dodge, we’ve got you covered!
1. Hudson Valley, NY
No need to cross state lines to make this trip (just the GWB!) Situated less than two hours north of Manhattan, New York’s Hudson Valley is a fantastic destination year-round. If you’re looking for a great place for a winter day trip from NYC, head to the Hudson Valley for a day of snowshoeing or hiking at Bear Mountain State Park and top off your pint at one of several breweries in the area. For history buffs, FDR’s house, now turned museum, is a great spot to visit.
2. Long Island, NY
Long Island is perhaps best known by “city people” for its famed “East End” ─ home of the Hamptons and Montauk, the former of which, you probably already know, is home to numerous A-listers and celebrities; the latter of which is called the “End of the World” because its far away enough from the commotion of the city and the ‘burbs to be a true vacation spot.
The North Fork makes a fantastic destination for a fall day trip from NYC, due to its beautiful winding roads filled with golden, burnt orange, and crimson trees (not to mention a whole bunch of wineries, if that’s your thing).
But you really don’t have to travel as far as either the East End or North Fork to enjoy first-rate food, culture, and even head out to the beach! Here are a few other less-frequented LI spots:
- Beach Day at Robert Moses State Park or Jones Beach State Park: Beach, please! When most people think of summer day trips from NYC, long drives down NY-27 to get to Montauk come to mind. And hey, we love the Hamptons and Montauk. But we really love them for a weekend. For a group summer day trip, try heading to Robert Moses or Jones Beach, instead. Get there early and leave late like a true local!
- Shopping Day at the Americana Manhasset: Take everyone on a group trip to the Americana Manhasset for a day you won’t forget. Stop by nearby Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen in Greenvale for a Pastrami Sandwich or for something fancier, try Peter Luger’s (we know, we know, the original one is in Brooklyn).
- Walk it Out at Caumsett State Park: Visit the grounds of what was once Industrialist Marshall Field’s home turned state park for a 5.2-mile paved loop. On the way there, you’ll head through charming Huntington Village where you can create your own signature scent at Scensational, visit Walt Whitman’s birthplace museum, or eat at any number of fine dining or casual establishments. Don’t forget to catch free concerts every Saturdays in the summer at 7:30pm at Heckscher Park.
3. Atlantic City, NJ
What other place can gamblers, amusement park junkies, and beach lovers all have something to look forward to?
Atlantic city is dubbed the Jersey Shore’s “Entertainment Capital” for good reason. Here are just a few draws of this adventure-packed city on the coast:
- Atlantic City Boardwalk: Constructed beginning in 1870, this boardwalk was built to “keep the sand out of the fancy resorts that were popping up along the shore”. But it’s now so much more.
- Casinos: There are myriad big-name casinos to spend big money, local haunts to play penny slots, and everything in between in Atlantic City!
- Golf: Though hitting the links was an activity reserved for your vacations in Hilton Head, Pebble Beach, or the Sunshine State? Think again!
Get Wherever You Need to Go With Metropolitan Shuttle
Step outside the confines of the five boroughs and you’ll see that a world of possibility awaits! The above three ideas are just a few to get you started.
Have other ideas? At Metropolitan Shuttle, we have been planning successful (and affordable) trips for more than two decades, and we can take you just about anywhere, whether you’re planning a day trip, weekend getaway, or something longer.
Ready to see for yourself where you can go with us in the driver’s seat? Check out our charter services here! Or, get your free quote.
