Long Weekend Getaways from NYC with Kids

Beyond the buzz of New York City lies a world of family-friendly escapes—just a car ride away. In my 10 years of living in the city, I loved how easily we can trade subways for scenic trails, skyscrapers for castles, and crowded blocks for wide-open spaces with just a few hours on the road.

To me, long weekends from NYC mean digging for fossils in Connecticut, riding alpine coasters in the Catskills, and eating taffy by the Jersey Shore. I take the kids to Hudson Valley for hikes, apple picking, and peaceful river views. When we want a dose of history and hands-on fun, I drive us down to Philadelphia. The Poconos are our go-to for indoor water parks one weekend, and llama farms the next. And if you haven’t been to Mystic, CT, I really think you should—it’s where marine life comes alive for all of us. I usually plan these getaways around school breaks or long weekends—times when we’re craving a reset without the hassle of flights.

Picture this: The kids are making s’mores at a lakeside cabin, shouting with joy on a mountain coaster, or gasping at beluga whales at an aquarium—all within reach of NYC before the weekend’s over.