Family-Friendly Camping In and Near New York City for Fall

Family-Friendly Camping In and Near New York City

Now that Fall is here, and social distancing is still a thing, we can’t think of a better getaway than a family camp trip. Sure, camping with kids does have a bit of stress, but once the tent is pitched and you have organized your campsite, it is just nature and s’mores for days.

And while camping is social distancing friendly, many campgrounds are adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. Face masks are asked to be worn at least when you are away from your campsite. While most offer showers usually, expect some to be closed or to be limited when they are open. We suggest you bring hand sanitizer, disinfecting spray, and wipes to be extra cautious.

Psst… check out Pier 26 Opens in Hudson River Park: Bring Your Family for a Fall Visit!

Clarence Fahnestock State Park – Car 1.45min, Train 1.30 min

This camping ground harks back to camping with our parents. A state park where camping fees are affordable ($15 a night), and while you may not be able to order a latte (this is okay, you’re camping), you’ll be happy that this is an under 2-hour car ride away or an easy hour and a half train right from Grand Central, plus a Lyft or Uber car fee. While you visit, boating, fishing, birding, and hiking are just a few of the offerings. Kids will love playing along the shore off the beach at Canopus Lake. Bring extra cash if you want to rent rowboats or kayaks.

Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds – 2 ish hours from the city

If looking for a scenic drive and the ultimate New York fall scenery camping experience, you will love the 160 acres of woodlands at the Rip Van Winkle Campground. This campground offers tent sites with electric water and full-service hook-up sites. A basic tent site runs around $40 and around the 60 dollar range with hook-ups. If camping in a tent is not your thing, there are cozy cabins available to rent that range from $125 to $150 a night, depending on the size of the cabin you chose. This campground caters to families with their fun zone spots, such as playgrounds, paddle boats, and horseshoe spots. Pets are welcomes as long as you can prove they are up to date on their shots, and while there is a $10 adult charge for each night, kids camp free!

Malouf’s Mountain Campground – 2hrs

Malouf’s Mountain is the perfect spot for both the serious camping family and the family that camps once every so often and needs many of the main supplies to be provided. The Platform site offers a targeted site and provides a picnic table, grill, water jug, gas stove, and more. You are in charge of bringing essentials such as toilet paper, sleeping bags, flashlights, to name a few. Rates for the Platform site ranges from $70 and upward depending on add ons. The Primitive site offers a Picnic Table, a firepit with grill, and a garbage can; you have to bring everything else you need for your camping pleasure. Primitive sites are $55 a night. Malouf’s offer meal options if your rather not cook and have more time to enjoy hiking or just lounge around. The campground is open until October 31st.

Collective Retreats at Governors Island – 1 hr to 1 1/2 hr

An eight-minute water taxi ride from downtown Manhattan brings you to this peaceful oasis harboring spectacular indoor and outdoor accommodations and culinary experiences. One of the most unique ways to go glamping in New York, you’ll be surrounded by sprawling green space with unparalleled views of the Statue of Liberty, the New York Harbor, and the Manhattan Skyline. Choose between the Summit Tents, which offer expansive private waterfront decks ideal for an unforgettable experience, the stylishly innovative Outlook Shelter, which is a transformational hotel room with a spectacular windowed spa bath and two private terraces, and the Journey Tents: carefully designed and providing a spirited communal setting that brings modern luxuries outdoors.

Harmony Hill Retreat Center, Catskills – 3 1/2 to 4 hrs

These treehouse yurts and cabins in the Catskills come fully equipped with kitchens and modern bathrooms, lockable doors, decks, outdoor grill and campfire, and nearby private parking. Enjoy hiking trails, kayaking, the fieldstone labyrinth, zip-lining, mountain views, sunsets, and starry nights during your stay.

Manhattan Mandarin

Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We look forward to working with you. - Jamie Keyte, Founder

The Music Institute of Long Island

Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island&rsquo;s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently.&nbsp; They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music. About the Directors: Carol &amp; Geri Kushner: The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches &amp; performers. They believe in instilling the love of music, &nbsp;fostering proficiency, success, confidence &amp; believe all MILI students achieve success. Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College &amp; Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College &amp; Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University &amp; have taught in L.I. public schools.

Collina Italiana - Italian Language and Cultural Center

Italian Fun for Kids and Teens! Learning a new language isn&rsquo;t just fun&mdash;it&rsquo;s also great for the brain! Did you know that it can help develop essential skills for life? Studies show that learning a second language at a young age can improve problem-solving, critical thinking, and listening abilities, while boosting memory, focus, and multitasking skills. Children who are fluent in multiple languages also demonstrate increased creativity and mental flexibility. At Collina Italiana, we make learning fun with stories, games, activities, and conversation. Each class blends art, storytelling, singing, and dancing to keep kids engaged. For older children, our classes focus on grammar and vocabulary, providing the tools they need to learn and practice Italian in a small group setting, all while having fun with a variety of resources. Kids love exploring the stories behind our cultural traditions, adding a rich, hands-on experience to their language learning journey. &nbsp; &nbsp;