Quick Family Trips (2 Hours or Less) in New York
We pulled these 36 quick outings out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in New York. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.
36 adventures found
Kaaterskill Falls Trail
Haines Falls, NY
HikingThe tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State at 260 feet. Free. Best from about age 5. About …
Howe Caverns
Howes Cave, NY
NatureGuided cave tours 156 feet underground with an underground boat ride. Paid entry. Best from about …
Mount Jo Trail
Lake Placid, NY
HikingShort family hike with a spectacular High Peaks panorama above Heart Lake. Paid entry. Best from …
Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie, NY
HikingWalk 212 feet above the Hudson River on the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Free. …
Taughannock Falls State Park
Trumansburg, NY
HikingEasy walk to a 215-foot waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen, NY
HikingWalk behind 19 waterfalls through a stunning 200-foot-deep gorge. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
High Falls Gorge
Wilmington, NY
NatureWalkway-accessible waterfalls through an ancient Ausable River gorge. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
Wilmington, NY
HikingDrive to the summit of the fifth highest peak in New York for breathtaking views. Paid entry. Works …
Albany Institute of History & Art
Albany, NY
MuseumSmall Albany museum with two ancient Egyptian mummies, Hudson River School landscapes and drop-in …
Dia Beacon
Beacon, NY
MuseumVast daylit factory in Beacon filled with room-size contemporary art including Richard Serra steel …
Pixley Falls State Park
Boonville, NY
HikingQuick roadside walk to a beautiful 50-foot waterfall near Boonville. Free. Best from about age 3. …
Kane Mountain Fire Tower
Caroga Lake, NY
HikingQuick and easy fire tower hike perfect for young or beginner hikers. Free. Best from about age 4. …
Chittenango Falls State Park
Cazenovia, NY
HikingDramatic 167-foot single-plunge waterfall with easy overlook access. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Cascade Lake Trail
Eagle Bay, NY
HikingEasy loop trail around a scenic Adirondack lake with lean-tos and swimming spots. Free. Best from …
Moss Lake Trail
Eagle Bay, NY
HikingEasy loop trail around a pristine Adirondack lake perfect for young hikers. Free. Best from about …
Pilot Knob Preserve
Fort Ann, NY
HikingGentle nature trails with lake views above southern Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About …
Shelving Rock Falls Trail
Fort Ann, NY
HikingShort family hike to a beautiful waterfall near Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About two …
Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
Honeoye, NY
HikingEasy hilltop trails with stunning views over Honeoye Lake and the Finger Lakes. Free. Best from …
Museum of the Earth
Ithaca, NY
MuseumIthaca fossil museum walking kids forward through geologic time past a hanging whale skeleton and a …
Clark Reservation State Park
Jamesville, NY
HikingGlacial plunge basin with cliff-rimmed lake and unique geology near Syracuse. Paid entry. Best from …
Baxter Mountain
Keene, NY
HikingModerate short hike near Keene with excellent High Peaks views. Free. Best from about age 5. About …
Beaver Meadow Falls Trail
Keene Valley, NY
HikingScenic river trail to a beautiful 30-foot waterfall in the High Peaks. Free. Best from about age 5. …
Vernooy Kill Falls Trail
Kerhonkson, NY
HikingEasy forest hike to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. Free. Best from about …
Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway
Lake George, NY
HikingScenic mountaintop with panoramic views of Lake George and the Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from …
Cobble Hill Trail
Lake Placid, NY
HikingQuick family hike with a big High Peaks view just outside Lake Placid village. Free. Best from about …
Mirror Lake Paddle
Lake Placid, NY
KayakingPaddle a kayak or canoe on the calm motor-free waters of Mirror Lake. Paid entry. Best from about …
Buttermilk Falls
Long Lake, NY
HikingOne of the tallest Adirondack waterfalls with easy staircase access. Free. Best from about age 3. …
Vroman's Nose
Middleburgh, NY
HikingShort hike to a cliff-top meadow with sweeping Schoharie Valley views. Free. Best from about age 5. …
Grimes Glen Park
Naples, NY
HikingWade up a fossil-filled creek to reach two hidden waterfalls in a narrow gorge. Free. Best from …
Aquarium of Niagara
Niagara Falls, NY
AquariumAquarium steps from Niagara Falls with penguins, daily sea lion training sessions, Great Lakes tanks …
Panama Rocks Scenic Park
Panama, NY
HikingAncient rock formations with caves, crevices, and passageways kids can explore. Paid entry. Best …
Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
Poughkeepsie, NY
Indoor-PlayHands-on children's museum on the Poughkeepsie waterfront with circuits, bubbles, water tables, and …
Azure Mountain Fire Tower
Santa Clara, NY
HikingFamily-friendly fire tower hike with northern Adirondack wilderness views. Free. Best from about age …
Children's Museum at Saratoga
Saratoga Springs, NY
Indoor-PlaySmall Saratoga Springs children's museum with a pretend-play diner, a fire truck and a toddler area …
miSci Museum of Innovation and Science
Schenectady, NY
ScienceSchenectady science museum with hands-on electricity exhibits, General Electric history and a …
Chimney Bluffs State Park
Wolcott, NY
HikingOtherworldly clay spires sculpted by erosion on the shore of Lake Ontario. Free. Best from about age …