New York
Day trips from New York: eight trips you can do in a day
The train from Grand Central follows the Hudson north, and after an hour or so there are mountains across the water. Here are eight day trips from New York by train, bus or subway, and where to stay for an early start.
With five days or more in New York, or on a return visit, a day outside the city changes the pace of the trip. Most day trips start from one of two stations: Grand Central for trains north along the Hudson, and Penn Station for Amtrak south and commuter trains to Long Island.
We have sorted the trips by how long they take, from half a day by subway to a long day on Amtrak.
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In short
The best day trips from New York are the Hudson Valley by Metro-North from Grand Central, Philadelphia by Amtrak from Penn Station and Coney Island by subway. Stay near Grand Central or Penn Station so you do not spend the morning getting to the train.
Our first choice: The Westin New York Grand Central, a couple of blocks from the Hudson Valley trains.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Westin New York Grand Central (Paid link)
Half a day: just beyond Manhattan
Coney Island
The subway reaches the Brooklyn boardwalk in about an hour. In summer there is a beach and an amusement park; the rest of the year it is a quiet promenade on the Atlantic.
Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown
Metro-North from Grand Central runs along the Hudson to the villages where Washington Irving set his ghost story. In autumn, and especially around Halloween, the place is at its most atmospheric.
A full day: the Hudson Valley and New Jersey
Beacon and Dia Beacon
The train from Grand Central reaches Beacon in about an hour and a half, with the river beside the track most of the way. The Dia Beacon art museum fills a former printing factory near the station, and the main street has cafés and vintage shops.
Storm King Art Center
This sculpture park in the Hudson Valley spreads large works across hills and meadows. It is easiest by car or on an organised trip, so check transport before you go.
Princeton
NJ Transit runs from Penn Station to Princeton Junction, and a short shuttle train continues into town. The Gothic university campus is open to visitors.
Equinox Hotel, Hudson Yards
A few blocks from Penn Station, where Amtrak trains leave for Philadelphia and Washington.
A long day: south by Amtrak
Philadelphia
Amtrak from Penn Station takes about an hour and a half to Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, are a short walk apart in the centre.
Washington
The train to Washington takes around three hours each way, so this is a long day. The museums on the National Mall are free, and you can fit in two or three before the train home. One night there makes the trip far calmer.
The Hamptons
In summer, buses and commuter trains run from Manhattan to the beaches and villages at the eastern end of Long Island. Allow two to three hours each way and start early.
Where to stay for day trips
From the Westin you reach the Metro-North platforms beneath Grand Central in a few minutes, so an early train to Sleepy Hollow or Beacon needs no cab.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Westin New York Grand Central (Paid link)
From Equinox in Hudson Yards it is a short walk to Moynihan Train Hall, where Amtrak trains head south and commuter trains leave for Long Island. Choose it if Philadelphia or Washington is on the plan.
Book your stay: See rooms at Equinox Hotel New York (Paid link)
Day trips from New York: frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from New York?
For most people the best day trip from New York is the Hudson Valley, by train from Grand Central to Beacon or Sleepy Hollow. The ride along the river is part of the experience. For another big city, Philadelphia by Amtrak is the easiest choice.
Can you do a day trip to Washington from New York?
Yes, you can do a day trip from New York to Washington, but the train takes around three hours each way. Take an early train from Penn Station and stick to the National Mall. To see more, it is worth staying one night.
Do you need a car for day trips from New York?
You do not need a car for most day trips from New York. Metro-North, Amtrak, NJ Transit and the subway cover the Hudson Valley, Philadelphia, Princeton and Coney Island. Storm King Art Center is the exception, where a car or organised trip is easiest.