New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world; many of its residents proudly proclaim it the greatest. With all there is to see and do there, it can be easy to overlook the rest of the state, which isn’t called the Empire State for nothing.
Let’s look at some great places you can get to in half a day’s drive or less from the Big Apple. Each location showcases a unique aspect of New York and its neighboring states, making them well worth the short trip.
Port Jefferson
This site and the next five on this list are all on Long Island. Port Jefferson is a charming town on Long Island Sound, and there’s also a ferry that runs between it and Bridgeport on the Connecticut side. This ferry and others on Long Island are popular with people looking to head upstate or into New England without having to deal with city traffic.
Jones Beach State Park
Jones Beach has some really nice beaches, and they’re not far from the city and most towns on Long Island. They get really busy on weekends, which can make traffic and parking a challenge, so make sure to go out early.
Fire Island National Seashore
If you want a more pristine or primitive experience, try Fire Island. The national seashore protects a 26-mile section of this 30-mile-long barrier island. Only two rods access the island, and there are no roads on the island itself. You can also see the pretty Fire Island Lighthouse while visiting.
Calverton National Cemetery
This is the largest military ceremony in the country. Even if you don’t have a loved one or ancestor buried here, you can still stroll the beautiful grounds and honor the service and sacrifices the departed veterans here gave to our country.
Orient Beach State Park
Located on the bay at the tip of Long Island’s north fork, Orient Beach has a lighthouse and pristine beaches. One beach there, Long Beach, was designated a National Natural Landmark for its sand spit beach that transitions from salt marsh to a maritime forest of red cedars.
Montauk Point
At the far eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk Point has a wild feel, and it’s often very windy and has a rough surf. There’s an impressive lighthouse there as well, and there are six state parks in the area. Montauk is famous for its fishing; several saltwater records have been set there, including for the fish ever caught by rod and reel, a great white shark that weighed 3,427 pounds.
Harriman State Park
The second-largest state park in New York, Harriman, is known for its streams, views, and pleasant hiking trails. It shares borders with Bear Mountain State Park, the Sterling Forest Reservee (which borders the Storm King Forest Reservee), and the U.S. Military Academy’s Forest Reservee. In all, that’s a huge swath of protected land not far from New York City.
New Paltz
When traffic is not an issue, you can get to this rural town and region in under two hours for a total escape from city life. Some of the best ways to see the town and the countryside include renting a bike for roads and trails and a kayak for the gentle Wallkill River. It’s also the main gateway town for the next two places on this list
Mohonk Preserve
The standout feature of this parkland is Shawangunk Ridge, a scenic feature you can hike up and around. Known as the “Gunks” to rock climbers, it’s also a legendary North American climbing destination. If you’re interested, you can hire experienced and certified guides in New Paltz who will make sure everything stays safe and fun.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and snowshoeing are popular activities here. The park is known for its scenic views, cliffs, and lakes.
Catskill Park
The Catskills have some of the most rugged topography in the state. There are several communities here as well as many camping opportunities, and there’s an abundance of recreational opportunities. Steeped in legends, the Catskills are where Washington Irving famously had Rip Van Winkle take a 20-year nap after imbibing spirits with some mysterious folk who may have been spirits themselves.
Devil’s Path
This outing in the Catskills gets special mention because it’s regarded as one of the most challenging footpaths in the country. It’s a 24-mile point-to-point trail that tops the summits of five of the highest peaks in the range, involving a total elevation gain of 9,000’. Most people do just segments of it or do it over multiple days, but some hardy souls do it in a single day.
Taconic State Park
The Taconic Range runs north-south where the borders of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut meet. Camping, hiking, hunting, biking, and cross-country skiing are all popular here.
Bash Bish Falls (Massachusetts)
Just north of Taconic State Park is the Copake Falls area, and shortly over the border into Massachusetts is Bash Bish Falls. It’s the highest waterfall in the state, and it’s very easy to get to.
Lake George and Fort Ticonderoga
Long, narrow, and lovely, Lake George is in New York’s gigantic Adirondack Park, though the mountains in the immediate vicinity are not the Adirondacks proper. It’s also very close to historic Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain, which played an important role during the Revolutionary War.
Saranac Lake
This is pushing it for a half-day’s drive from New York City since it will take more than 5 hours to drive there. However, reaching Saranac Lake and the community named for it takes you through the heart of the Adirondacks and the best scenery of Adirondack Park.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Pennsylvania/New Jersey)
A water gap is a gap carved through mountains by flowing water which still has water flowing through it. Here, it’s the Delaware River doing the work, and the broad range of recreational activities helps attract more than 4 million visitors a year.
Gateway National Recreation Area (New Jersey)
Most of this recreation area is actually in New York and contains places like Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. For something a little less urban, try the detached unit in New Jersey. Attractions include the coast, Fort Hancock, and the Sandy Hook Light, a national historic landmark.
Pine Barrens (New Jersey)
Many people think of New Jersey as an unbroken series of urban landscapes, forgetting that its nickname is the Garden State. In the southern part of the state, there are large stretches of pine forests known as the Pine Barrens because the land is otherwise barren or difficult to farm. Most of the land here is rural.
Cape May (New Jersey)
At the very southern tip of New Jersey is Cape May, with Delaware Bay on one side and the Atlantic on the other. There’s a state park there for enjoying the natural scenery, and you can also visit the elegant Cape May Lighthouse.
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Featured Image Credit: CarlosBarquero/Shutterstock
Robert Sihler is an educator, freelance writer, and rock climbing guide and instructor living with his family in Driftwood, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading fiction, streaming films, completing crossword puzzles, and rock climbing. When he goes on vacation, he likes to visit the mountains of the West and climb remote, obscure peaks that have seen few or no prior ascents.
