There’s no doubt you can find plenty in the Big Apple to keep you entertained during your visit, but if you’re looking to escape the city for the day, don’t miss these three day trips from New York City.
Governors Island
While it’s technically a part of Manhattan, Governors Island feels like a far cry from what you’d expect from big city living. Hop on a free ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn when the island opens for the summer months and enjoy a day at the beach, complete with volleyball courts, bicycle rentals and art installations. Throughout the summer, the island has also been known to host food fests, concerts and beer gardens.
Bear Mountain
Trade the concrete jungle for more than 50,000 acres of green space at Bear Mountain State Park, about an hour’s drive north of the city. Here, you’ll feel like you’re worlds away from the skyscrapers of the Big Apple as you explore the park’s hiking trails on the Appalachian and take in the scenic views of the Hudson in all its glory. This outdoor retreat features plenty to do beyond hiking, including a zoo, museums, fishing, picnic areas, playgrounds, a swimming pool and even a carousel. Round-trip buses offer easy access to the park.
Philadelphia
Sure, you’ll never go hungry in NYC, but while you’re in the area, make the time for one of the must-taste foodie pilgrimages of the East Coast: an authentic Philly cheesesteak from one of the city’s top haunts. While you’re in town, you can see where Al Capone was incarcerated with a tour of his cell at Eastern State Penitentiary or walk in Rocky Balboa’s footsteps with this self-guided itinerary. Don’t miss a chance to explore our nation’s history with a stop at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, too. And when it comes time to eat again, sample some of the city’s top ethnic cuisine from the stalls at Reading Terminal Market.
(Main image: cisc1970)
