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.