Excursions from New York: the best day trips around New York City

New York is a cosmopolitan city that welcomes people and travellers from all over the world. Its skyline is unmistakable.
It probably wouldn't take a month to visit it all, but it often takes a week at most. If you are visiting it for the first time, we recommend that you focus on the city's attractions, but if you are returning then you can't miss its wonderful surroundings, city and natural beauty!

So let's find out together which are the best day trips around New York City!

1 - Niagara Falls

Oneof the most popular day trips from New York is to Niagara Falls on the border with Canada. Despite the long distance, i.e. about 657 km (by car 6 h 35 min), many people take this trip to see these wonderful waterfalls. The best solution is to take a tour directly from New York with transport included or alternatively to travel by car.

These are the largest waterfalls in North America, the Horseshoe Falls reach a drop as high as 52 metres. They are also among the most famous waterfalls in the world and attract millions of tourists every year. It is definitely worth the hours on the bus to admire them!

• Distance: 657 km

• Directions: Meeting point in front of The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel, 790 7th Ave, New York - Get directions

• Hours: Tour departs NYC at 8:30am and lasts approximately 22 hours

• Ticket price: from €170.00 per person (maximum 4 people) - more info

2 - Washington DC

Washington DC is the capital of the United States and is a city on a human scale! Don't expect big skyscrapers and a hectic life like in New York, far from it! From the latter it is about 365 km, by car 3 h 56 min, but the best solution is the direct train from New York's Pennsylvania station to Washington's Union station (2 h 55 min). But the most convenient solution is to take part in a one-day tour from New York, with transport included.

There are so many things to see in Washington DC, so if you go on your own make sure to prepare an itinerary in advance and don't get caught unprepared once you arrive.
If you're short on time, take a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour to make sure you don't miss anything. A must-see is the National Mall, the heart of Wasghinton, where most of the museums and attractions are located, including the Wasghinton Monument (9am-5pm, $1.00/€0.90 to be booked online at the official website), the Lincoln Memorial (always accessible) and the White House (only accessible from the outside).

• Distance: 365 km

• Getting there: By car (3 h 25 min) or direct train from Pennsylvania Station in New York to Union Station in Washington (2 h 55 min, one way from $39.00/€33.00). Alternatively tour from New York, meeting point Gray Line Visitors Center(Get directions)

• Hours: tour departs New York at 7am and lasts 14 hours

• Ticket Cost: tour from New York from €160.00 per person - more info

3 - Philadelphia and Amish County

An unmissable excursion from New York is to the city of Philadelphia! If you only want to visit the city, you can easily reach it by car (152 km, 1 h 45 min) or by direct train from New York's Pennsylvania station to Philadelphia station (1 h 20 min, one way from $39.00/€33.00). But this excursion is often associated with another area, the Amish County. In this case, the best solution is to take part in a day tour from New York.

Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States and the most important city in Pennsylvania. It is also the gateway for visiting Amish Counties. The Amish community in Lancaster is the second largest in the world, after that of Ohio. The Amish are a religious group that follows a simple lifestyle. They isolate themselves from the outside world, not embracing the technological revolution and modern city lifestyle. Definitely a different experience.

• Distance: 152 km

• Getting there: to Philadelphia by car (1 h 45 min) or direct train from Pennsylvania New york station to Philadelphia station (1 h 20 min, each way from $39.00/€33.00). By Amish County tour from New York, meeting point Gray Line Visitors Center(Get directions)

• Schedule: tour from New York departs at 7 a.m. and lasts 14 hours

• Ticket Cost: tour from New York from €160.00 per person - more info

4 - Boston

The capital of Massachusetts is one of the oldest cities in North America.
It is another popular excursion from New York for tourists. The distance between the two cities is about 348 km, which can be covered by car in 3 h 45 min or by direct train in 4 h. The best option, as with the other excursions, is to take part in a one-day tour from New York with transport included.

Boston is in a wonderful location, overlooking Massachusetts Bay where the two rivers, the Charles River and the Mystyc River, flow into the Atlantic Ocean! In the city, the main attraction is the Freedom Trial, a historic trail where some of the main attractions of the old city are located. If, with little time, you want to enjoy a scenic tour of the city, the hop-on hop-off tram is for you. It allows you to hop on and off with no strings attached at all the stops located near the main attractions.
Finally, don't missHarvard University, one of the best known in the world!

• Distance: 348 km

• How to get there: by car (3 h 45 min) or direct train from New York's Pennsylvania Station to Boston's South Station (4 h 10 min, each way from $39.00/€33.00). Alternatively tour from New York, meeting point Gray Line Visitors Center(Get directions)

• Time: Tour from New York departs at 7am and lasts 14 hours

• Ticket Cost: Tour from New York from €160.00 per person - more info

5 - Hamptons

A popular excursion for tourists is to the Hamptons. Geographically speaking, this area refers to the towns of Southampton and East Hampton, at the eastern end of Long Island. Taking Southampton as a reference, this is 148 km away and can be reached by car (1 h 40 min) or by train (2 h 24 min, changing at Babylon Long Island Rail Road). Alternatively, a more convenient solution, you can take a day tour from New York.

The Hamptons is a very exclusive destination: it is located not far from New York, but there is not the heavy traffic that characterises the big city. It is a quiet, almost resort-like place with great beaches and numerous villas belonging even to famous American celebrities. The resort of Southampton is precisely the most famous and largest. It is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, such as Coopers Beach and Ponquogue Beach. If you arrive by car, the beaches have large car parks (average daily cost $30.00/€25.40).

• Distance: 148 km

• How to get there: by car (1 h 40 min) or train from New York Pennsylvania Station to
  Babylon Long Island Rail Road, change trains and arrive at Southampton station (total 2 h 24 min, average cost $30.00/€25.40). Alternatively tour from New York, meeting point Gray Line Visitors Center(Get directions)

• Hours: tour from New York departs at 7am and lasts 14 hours

• Ticket Cost: Tour from New York from €160.00 per person - more info

6 - Atlantic City

If you've always wanted to visit Las Vegas but are on the opposite side of the United States? Then you might opt for a day in Atlantic City, famous for its casinos and late nights! It is located in Atlantic County, in the state of New Jersey. It is located 205 km from New York and can be reached by car in about 2 hours. Alternatively, direct bus from the Academy company (2 h 30 min).

Atlantic City is considered the gambling capital of the East Coast and is visited by more than 27 million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited destinations in the country. Most of the attractions are outdoors, so the best time to visit is from April to October. With casinos, clubs and discos, the fun is guaranteed.

• Distance: 205 km

• How to get there: by car (2 h 5 min) or by direct Academy bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the Academy Bus Terminal (2 h 30 min, several departures per day, return ticket $38.00/€32.10)

• Timetable: when visiting the city independently there are obviously no timetables to adhere to, you are free to organise yourself as you wish

• Ticket cost: independent visit is free

7 - Hoboken

After the most famous and popular excursions, but far away from New York, let's take a look at some excursions right next to the city, but less well known, starting with Hoboken. Very close to New York, it overlooks the Hudson River and from here you can enjoy a wonderful view of Manhattan! Hoboken is part of the State of New Jersey and is easily reached by the PATH Train that crosses the river (15 min, recommended purchase of Daily Pass at $10.00/€8.45).

Hoboken is best known for being the home of The Boss of Cakes, aka Buddy Valastro Jr., owner of Carlo's Bakery.
This is Frank Sinatra's hometown and at 415 Monroe Street you can find a Hollywood-like star in his memory.

• Distance: 10 km

• How to get there: by car (10 km, 15 min) or by PATH Train direct from Manhattan to Hoboken Station (15 min, each way $2.75/€2.35, Daily Pass $10.00/€8.45)

• Timetable: visiting the city on your own of course means there are no timetables to adhere to, you are free to organise yourself as you wish

• Ticket cost: Self-guided visit is free

8 - Woodstock

Photo by Ralf Lotys. Perhaps you are familiar with the name Woodstock: the Woodstock Festival was in fact a huge hippie festival that took place between 15 and 18 August 1969 in the town of Bethel, at the height of the American hippie movement. Located 174 km from New York, you can reach it by car (1 h 51 min), which is the best and most convenient option, or by bus from the Porth Authority Bus Terminal to your destination (3 h, round trip ticket from $60.00/€50.70).

In Woodstock, you can still relive that hippie vibe of the 1960s and 1970s thanks to the many quirky little shops and clubs. In addition to a stroll along the main street, explore the Woodstock Waterfall Park, a wonderful park with waterfalls right next to the town centre, to spend a few hours in the midst of nature. We also recommend visiting the city on Saturdays or Sundays, when the characteristic Saturday and Sunday Flea Market is held.

• Distance: 174 km

• How to get there: by car (1 h 51 min) or by bus from Porth Authority Bus Terminal to Woodstock (3 h, return ticket from $60.00/€50.70)

• Timetable: visiting the city independently of course there are no timetables to adhere to, you are free to organise yourself as you wish

• Ticket cost: independent visit is free

9 - Harriman State Park

Photo by Mwanner. New York State doesn't just have big cities: you can also find wonderful national parks and nature reserves here! One of these is Harriman State Park, just 73.4 km from New York. The best way to get there is by car, as there are no public transport connections and a car is also the perfect way to get around the park.

Harriman State Park, at 47,527 acres, is the second largest state park in New York State. It is located in Rockland and Orange counties and is a great place to get away from city traffic and reunite with nature. There are so many hikes and trails here, of all difficulty levels. It is a hiker's paradise with over 200 miles of hiking trails.

• Distance: 73.4 km

• Getting there: By car (1 h 9 min) via Palisades Interstate Pkwy N

• Timetable: no timetable for self-guided tour, free to make your own arrangements

• Ticket Cost: Self-guided tour is free

10 - Breakneck Ridge

Photo by ScubaBear68. This is avery popular nature hike. This mountain is located along the Hudson River and the best way to get there from New York is by car! The alternative would be to get to Cold Spring by train (Hudson Line, 1 h 25 min), but then you still have to walk or take a taxi.

The Breakneck Ridge, located between Beacon and Cold Spring, on the border between Dutchess and Putnam counties, is a perfect destination for mountain lovers. There are several trails leading up to the summit, from which to admire the stunning views, but the most popular one is the white-blaze route, on the western slope. It is not really suitable for everyone, as there are several steep and uphill sections.

• Distance: 98 km

• How to get there: by car (1 h 9 min) via; by Metro-North Fares Hudson Line train from New York Grand Central station to Cold Spring (1 h 25 min, each way $20.00/€16.80)

• Timetable: there are no timetables for self guided tours, please feel free to make your own arrangements.

• Ticket price: free