Get Out of New York City and Enjoy These Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways
There’s so much to do in New York City. The bustling metropolis, home to more than 8.4 million people, attracts tourists from around the world who come to see iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park. While the Big Apple has plenty of fun and engaging attractions and activities for families, parents with younger children may enjoy getting out of the city once in a while for relaxing vacations in less crowded areas.
The following is a look at six perfect family-friendly weekend getaway destinations, all of which are within driving distance from New York City.
1. Ocean City
A four-and-a-half hour drive from NYC, Ocean City in Maryland is a beautiful beach town that offers a variety of child-friendly attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities. In addition to surfing, fishing, parasailing, and kayaking, visitors can take to the water for dolphin-watching outings and guided sightseeing tours.
Aside from its water-focused activities, Ocean City is home to several historic sites, seafood and farm-to-table dining venues, a casino, a golf course, and Playland’s Castaway Cove. Ocean City’s iconic wooden boardwalk, which features classic pier and boardwalk rides and several arcades, is an ideal place for a family bike ride.
2. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown
Families with kids who love baseball should make a point to visit Cooperstown, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s a little longer drive than Ocean City, at almost five hours by car, but it is believed to be the city in which baseball was founded and has plenty of other family-friendly attractions for people not interested in baseball.
Cooperstown, which also hosts the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and Legends Game, is incredibly rich in history. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum features about 40,000 historical artifacts important to the sport and its history, as well as more than 3 million library items. The Plaque Gallery, which features marble and bronze plaques of every player inducted into the Hall of Fame, is another standout feature.
For kids who aren’t enamored with the history of America’s pastime, Cooperstown has a signature miniature golf course, an art museum, a state park (home to America’s oldest covered bridge), and the Farmers’ Museum, which includes a children’s barnyard.
3. Bucks County
Pennsylvania’s Bucks County is just a two-hour drive from New York City but feels like a different world altogether. The scenic small town of New Hope, near the Delaware River, is an especially great weekend getaway for families. Historical landmarks include the Parry Mansion, built by one of New Hope’s founders in 1784, and the Bucks County Playhouse, constructed in the early 20th century. There are also several mouthwatering dining options, including The Landing and Martine’s RiverHouse Restaurant, both of which overlook the Delaware River.
The Bucks County Children’s Museum in New Hope features several engaging exhibits, while New Hope’s Main Street is home to a diverse range of shops and boutiques. Other notable attractions include the New Hope Railroad, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, and Delaware Canal State Park.
4. The Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut
The Mystic Aquarium is one of many family-friendly attractions in the small Connecticut town of Mystic, about three and a half hours by car from New York City. The aquarium features the US’ largest outdoor beluga whale exhibit and thousands of marine species, including African penguins and California sea lions. The Mystic Seaport is another must-visit site. The 19-acre historical attraction takes visitors back to the 1800s with several working shops, including a ship carver and oyster house, as well as an authentic whaling ship.
5. Hershey’s Chocolate World
A three-hour drive from New York City, Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a great weekend getaway for families with young children. Known as the “sweetest place on earth,” Hershey is the birthplace of The Hershey Company and home to Hershey’s Chocolate World.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023, the interactive museum offers free chocolate factory tours that show how tropical cocoa beans are made into a finished chocolate bar. Kids can also create their own candy bar or sit and enjoy Hershey’s Unwrapped, an interactive theater experience that received the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Brass Ring Award in 2019.
Hershey Park, meanwhile, includes water attractions and several roller coasters. The Hershey Lodge is a perfect place for families to stay.
6. Finger Lakes
Located in New York a little more than five hours by car from New York City, the Finger Lakes region boasts 11 iconic lakes that offer plenty of water-based recreation activities. The region itself covers 9,000 square miles and features many charming small towns along the lakes. Standout attractions include Watkins Glen State Park, the Corning Museum of Glass (where kids can safely make glass), and Purity Ice Cream in Ithaca.
