The city that never sleeps should have plenty to offer you when you’re not in the daily grind, but who doesn’t want a day trip from New York City every now and again? Don’t be one of those people that never leave the island of Manhattan...
Our loyal founding team here at Daytrip is comprised of a New Yorker or two, so we tapped into their insight for the local’s guide to the perfect day trip from New York. Let's Go On a Daytrip!
The North Fork – Long Island
The South Fork gets most of the hype and vacationers — it’s home to the Hamptons and beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. But the North Fork is the best summer day trip from New York City.
Known for its wineries, farm stands and warmer bay water, North Fork is the perfect way to pop out of the city and breathe in some salty air.
For today’s outing, we recommend focusing on the local wines. Forty wineries and 3,000 acres of planted vineyards makes it a must-do, with options to return for those you missed.
Stop at Shinn Estate Vineyards, a casual, low-key farmhouse with a fragrant garden, rustic and friendly, where you can drink rosé in the sunshine!
Then make your way up the fork by heading to Bedell Cellars, Croteaux Tasting Room (which often has live music) and end up at Kontokosta Winery for not only their red blend – but the most stunning views of the Long Island Sound... so clear you can see Connecticut.
By now you must be satiated off of cheese, nuts and fig spread, but ready for lunch!
American Beech restaurant is a must! Then wander about 20 feet to the proprietor’s boutique Alex Vinash Boutique (Hot Tip: Pick up a Daytrip CBD-infused sparkling water in store before you stroll the Main Street). Alex’s award-winning one-of-a-kind fashions are the gem of Greenport.
After lunch, stroll down Main Street. Hop into Lido for a variety of custom cotton and linen home goods include throws, quilts, pillows, placemats and napkins and breezy day dresses all hand-block printed or custom dyed.
Peruse antique shops and cozy souvenir boutiques and complete your journey at Greenport where you will find any and every option of hot sauce you could ever want.
If you are more of a night owl, start this day trip to North Fork mid-day, have dinner at Noah’s and toast to the perfect day away from NYC at American Beech’s Black Llama Bar!
Hunter Mountain – the Catskills
Are you ready to trade the NYC streets for fresh mountain powder on an outdoor adventure? Then we have the best day trip from New York City to Hunter Mountain in the Catskills.
Hunter is a town located in Greene County, New York, United States.
Hunter Mountain is the highest peak in the county and the second highest in the Catskills. The mountain is the site of the Hunter Mountain ski area which is open for skiing and tubing in the winter and biking, sightseeing, zip lining and hiking in the summer.
Available by bus for a day trip from New York City or car, Hunter is about 2 hours outside of the city.
We like to start our day trip going a little out of the way to belly up to the counter at the Phoenicia Diner serving fresh food sourced from Catskills and Hudson Valley farms, we say go straight in for the daily housemade desserts – because YOLO.
Then it’s off to the slopes for a day of powder. Four separate mountain faces encompass a wide variety of terrain which caters to skiers and riders of all ability levels. You can check out a map of the trails as well as pre-purchase your lift ticket here
If all of the hiking trails and ski hills aren’t enough to get your blood pumping at all these Hunter Mountain attractions, then you should try out the Snow Tubing Park, the biggest of its kind in New York State. The park’s tubing lanes are nearly 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) long, and two-hour sessions are available to both adults and children who want to learn how to have a fun and safe experience.
Finish the day at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge for some dinner and to warm up by the great room’s fire. Day trip not enough? We highly recommend staying the night – if not for the individual Swedish sauna alone.
Beacon
Beacon offers the perfect blend of activities for a day trip from New York City, from a picturesque getaway with delicious restaurants and cafes, funky shops, to ample access to art and nature.
So, if you only have 12 hours to leave NYC – here is our guide to how to plan the perfect day trip from NYC.
We suggest taking the Metro-North Railroad from NYC to Beacon. From NYC, you can catch the train at Grand Central or the 125th Street Station. Beacon sits on the Hudson line and tickets cost about $46 for round-trip peak times (or $35 off-peak). You can easily purchase your ticket from a kiosk at the station or through the MTA eTix app.
Then immerse yourself in the art of Dia: Beacon. This modern art museum opened in 2003 in a former Nabisco box-printing factory. This museum showcases large scale instillations and the galleries were specifically designed with each art piece in mind.
If you are planning to visit the Dia: Beacon art museum, consider purchasing a Getaway package. Metro-North offers discounted tickets if you combine your train fare with the art museum. The round-trip getaway ticket + Dia: Beacon tickets cost $40 for adults. (Dia Beacon tickets alone cost $15 for adults). To buy these tickets, select getaways at the ticket kiosk at the train station. After you purchase, you will be given two tickets, one for the train and one for the museum.
Once you get into town, take an Uber or Lyft to get to Mount Beacon for a 2-mile hike.
Treat yourself post cardio to Glazed Over Donuts a custom donut shop that allows you to create your own treat. You can pick your glaze, toppings, and drizzle for each donut. Then, head to the glass window and watch as your donut is created.
Have lunch, yes, we know we just recommended dessert first, but we escape the ordinary ya’ll. Anyway, have lunch at Max’s on Main, Beacon’s oldest bar serving American pub favorites.
Head back to Main street Beacon for some shopping (we wouldn’t want you to have to carry anything while hiking or art peeping). And then finish your day trip at 2 Way Brewing Company. This micro craft brewery also opened in 2014 and features beer + BBQ before heading back on the train (which leaves every hour, so schedule accordingly).
Philadelphia
Is the perfect day trip in your eyes hopping from one city to another? Well then, we’ve got the best way to do a day trip from New York City to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia is an awesome city with incredible food options, an abundance of history and, drumroll please, the Rocky steps in front of the Museum of Art as well as the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall.
It is a 90-minute train ride from Penn Station in Manhattan and then you can just Uber from there but really, most of the key attractions can be done by foot. We suggest stocking up on some Daytrip CBD-infused sparkling water help maximize your chill on the train.
Start out at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens to continue the uplifting mood-elevation you hopefully felt from your Daytrip CBD-Sparkling Water. Visiting this gallery x outdoor sculpture garden feels like you've stepped into the mind of Philadelphia’s beloved mosaic artist, Isaiah Zagar: His creations are beautiful, and often surreal, places. The project, which covers three city lots, is a mélange of mirror fragments, tiles, and found objects like bike wheels and glass bottles, combined to mesmerizing effect.
Then grab a slice of history by heading to Independence National Historic Center. Begin at the Visitor Center to get your bearings and start your tour—visitors can enter every 15 minutes—at Independence Hall, then stop by the Liberty Bell. Go up a few blocks and hit the famous Museum of Art steps in honor of Rocky Balboa.
Park it in a park for an infamous Philly Cheesesteak (we are partial to John’s Roast Pork where, if not already obvious, you can also get a pork sandwich).
Now it is time for a little art. And while there are murals as well as museums all over the city, we have major heart for October Gallery. Founded in 1985, it is one of the oldest African American art galleries in the country. Besides showcasing, cultivating, and supporting Black artists and artwork.
Before the sun sets, discover Elfreth’s Alley and visit Betsy Ross House This alley was during the 18th century the center of colonial Philadelphia it is also the place of Betsy Ross’ maker of the American Flag’s house.
Mail a postcard from the first Philadelphia post office. Here letters are still stamped by hand with the “B. Free Franklin” stamp, a signature that Benjamin Franklin used in his correspondence as a protest against British rule.
And head on to the train to return home passing through Reading Terminal Market for your last local snack before declaring a day trip well taken!
Montauk – the Hamptons
For our favorite New York City Beach town, we turn to Montauk, the wild dunes, the tall sea grass, the après surf parties and more, so here is how to spend one perfect day in Montauk. Although instead of a day trip from New York City, we hope you’re able to chill all weekend.
Montauk is a tiny beach town at the very very very end of the south fork of Long Island. Pro tip 1 plan on traffic. There is only one highway, so take the train if you can, and if you have the once in a lifetime experience, charter a chopper through Wings and head straight to the beach with Daytrip CBD-Infused Sparkling Water in Coconut Pineapple, which you can pick up at the local Montauk IGA.
We love Ditch Plains for its fluffy sand dunes and view of foxy surfers.
If you aren’t into sun and surf, rent bikes at Surf Lodge hike the Montauk Lighthouse and corresponding Montauk Point State Park. The Montauk Lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark and the New York State, commissioned by George Washington himself.
Depending on time of day grab lunch or dinner at the Inlet for seafood so fresh it comes from one of their boats off the harbor straight to the kitchen. The sunset views are just as great as the meals. Or cruise on over to the old Swallow East which is now La Fin Kitchen a farm to table French spot overlooking Montauk Harbor.
Return your beach cruisers to Surf Lodge, pop into their very trendy very crowded but always a good time bar and catch some live music to finish your day trip to Montauk on the right note (ha! See what we did there?)