No included here, perhaps in the book, The Cloisters is a very nice day trip from the city. Green space, astounding art, medieval gardens replicated and a grand view of the Hudson await for those who like such.
18
It is really sad to read an article like this. USA is far behind some other countries in terms of public transportation and infrastructure. In China, I can go anywhere without a car. I can take high speed train, subway, or bus. There are too many choices. Wake up, USA.
42
What about New Haven? Yale Art Gallery. Yale center for British Art, Peabody Museum and Louis Lunch, birthplace of the hamburger. All this acessable on Metro North commuter rail.
29
What a great article ! Thank you. Keep them coming and here's hoping there are more trains on the way from NYC up to our part of Massachusetts. Too bad there's not regular train service to the Berkshires from NYC.
42
@KR
Thank you! I love the Berkshires and if only I could visit by train. I'm one of those New Yorkers without a car and rely on the kindness of friends with cars since it's so expensive to rent one.
7
I love Garrison but there isn't much to do there. I'd suggest Cold Spring instead for shops, restaurants, kayaking on the Hudson and nearby hikes.
40
@KellyNYC
Cold Spring is indeed a wonderful destination. I wrote it up for a day trip column in 2016 and bet there's even more to see there now. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/nyregion/visiting-cold-spring-where-the-path-to-ruins-goes-uphill.html
7
For going to Kingston, Adirondack Trailways can be a more convenient option. They have direct bus service from Port Authority, and it operates more frequently than the bus from the Poughkeepsie station. It is only a few dollars more than the Metro North plus bus option.
26
@Samuel R.
Thanks. I didn't know that and will keep it in mind. I want to go back!
1
I don't know how many times I've searched for an article just like this. Thank you! A very thoughtful list that goes beyond some of the more well-trod destinations (e.g., Beacon, Cold Spring, Fire Island, Jones Beach, Bear Mtn).
21
@Patrick
It made me happy to read this. Thank you, Patrick. I really did try to do places you wouldn't necessarily consider for a day trip.
3
Thank you, thank you a million times for this wonderful "travel without a car and use public transportation" list!! It's exactly what we New York city people need, and perfect for low-impact carbon footprints. More, please!
53
@R. Turner
Music to my ears.
5
All lovely places, but most are not real “day trips” unless you are interested in a long day with stressful travel and connections. Long Beach is 55 minutes from Penn station with trains every hour. A magnificent 3.5 miles of white sand ocean beach, a 2.5 mile boardwalk with neat little concessions, the availability of Citibike type rentals, and two “ downtowns full of restaurants and bars, the beach pass/round trip LIRR ticket to LB is the sweetest real day trip in the metropolitan area.
34
@Neal Monteko
It wasn't as stressful as you'd think and I loved the summer reading I got done. Trains (surprisingly) went without a hitch. I totally agree about the pleasures of Long Beach and wrote it up last year as a summer escape: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/nyregion/long-beach-daytrip.html
I was particularly smitten by Baked by the Ocean and hope it's doing gangbusters.
8
Don't miss the Trolley Museum in Kingston. $8 includes admission and a trolley ride along the river.
12
@SB
Thanks! Next time.
3
Re: Philadelphia - the fare shown ($33.50) is the round-trip fare to Trenton, the last stop on NJ Transit. You must change there for a SEPTA train to Philadelphia, whose round-trip fare is an additional $18.50. You can by a thru ticket at Pennsylvania Station, though.
12
@EdNY I took Greyhound last Friday, $28 round trip.
7
@ggirl
And you'd recommend it? I'd go back to Philly in a second.
4
@EdNY
Sigh. I double and triple-checked every comma and address and spelling but fell down on the job on adding that extra charge. You are right, Ed.
6
If you're making your way up the Hudson, dont miss Cold Spring and/or Piermont.
9
@Tom
I've been to Cold Spring but never Piermont. Thanks for the tip!
2
If you really want a fun day in Milford, visit via train on 8/17 for the 45th Annual Milford Oyster Festival. The event is FREE, live music featuring Extreme, locally sourced oysters, craft beer and wine, arts and crafts, schooner rides and childrens activities as well. A fun, free event! Visit milfordoysterfestival.com for more info and enjoy!
26
@Michele
Mmm, oysters.
2