Family Daycations

Now is a perfect time for a break from city life. From state parks to theme parks, beaches and mountains–here are 10 fun family day trips, all less than two hours from NYC.

City Island (drive time from NYC: 25 minutes) Located just off the Bronx, City Island resembles a quaint New England town, right in our backyard. Boating, beaches, a nautical museum, art galleries—and lots of fresh seafood can be found here.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve (drive time from NYC: 45 minutes; pictured) Less than an hour from NYC, the preserve is great for strolling with the kids and great for a family picnic. Enjoy chirping birds and a little taste of nature. nysparks.com

Bear Mountain State Park (drive time from NYC: 1 hour) An idyllic setting for the perfect day in the country: There are shaded picnic areas, playing fields, swimming opportunities (lake and pool), fishing, hiking, biking–and a zoo, too! nysparks.com

Robert Moses State Park (drive time from NYC: 75 minutes) A great day at the beach–with five miles of clean, wide, sandy beach and grassy dunes. Plus good fishing and playgrounds for kids—and don’t miss the Fire Island Lighthouse.

Six Flags Great Adventure (drive time from NYC: 75 minutes) Located in Jackson, NJ, with lots of fun rides for parents, teens, and the little ones. Daily shows and concerts, and a water park. Your day also should include a visit to the Wild Safari–a sprawling, drive-through animal park, with exotic zebras, giraffes, elephants and more.

Sandy Hook, NJ (drive time from NYC: 75 minutes) Seven miles of pristine beaches and lovely parkland. Good swimming, surfing, boating, migratory bird watching, and a historic military base. Instead of driving (and traffic!), try taking the high-speed ferry ride from Manhattan, then shuttle bus straight to the beach.

Rocking Horse Ranch (drive time from NYC: 90 minutes) Kids will love the indoor water park with four heated pools and six water slides. Plus outdoor pool and lovely private lake with water sports—and tons of fun activities, games, and entertaining shows. But the real treat: a stable housing 100 horses! All ages enjoy guided trail rides, from beginners to experienced riders. A great place for your child’s first horseback ride or country hay ride.

Point Pleasant, NJ (drive time from NYC: 90 minutes) Famous for the boardwalk, kids will love the aquarium, skee ball, rides, and the beautiful “Jersey Shore” beach.

Sesame Place (drive time from NYC: 90 minutes) The Sesame Street fans in your family will love to get up close for a hug from Elmo, Bert, Ernie—or any of their favorite furry friends. Located in Langhorne, PA, with plenty of exciting rides and a water park to cool off. They also host special activities and events throughout the season, including kids concerts and entertainers.

Mystic, CT (drive time from NYC: 2 hours) The village of Mystic offers lots of fun for families- including an aquarium, Mystic Seaport (the largest maritime museum in the country), hiking, birding, exploring nature. Every Memorial Day weekend, the Rotary Club hosts their annual “Lobster Days”—a celebration of all things lobster.

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

Music Together

Music Together&reg; is for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents/caregiver. The classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes and movement, and instrument play activities that are developmentally appropriate for the children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability.

Dance Workshop - Long Island

Nestled in the heart of Lynbrook Village, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with the Dance Workshop! MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!