Things to Do 1–2 Hours from New York City with Kids
14 kid-friendly adventures about 1 to 2 hours from New York City, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (5)
- 1-2 hours (14)
- 2-3 hours (11)
- 3-4 hours (20)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from Lower Manhattan, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “about 1 to 2 hours” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in NYC you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 1 hr drive
Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Cold Spring, NY
HikingHudson Highlands park with lake swimming, Appalachian Trail, and camping. Paid entry. Best from …
about 1 hr drive
Storm King State Park
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
HikingRugged Highland trails with dramatic Hudson River panoramas. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. A …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Dia Beacon
Beacon, NY
MuseumVast daylit factory in Beacon filled with room-size contemporary art including Richard Serra steel …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
Poughkeepsie, NY
Indoor-PlayHands-on children's museum on the Poughkeepsie waterfront with circuits, bubbles, water tables, and …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie, NY
HikingWalk 212 feet above the Hudson River on the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Free. …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Sam's Point Preserve
Cragsmoor, NY
HikingIce caves, dwarf pine barrens, and cliff-top views on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Mohonk Preserve
New Paltz, NY
HikingWorld-class rock climbing and cliff-top hiking on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Kerhonkson, NY
HikingSky lakes, cliff-top trails, and swimming on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Vernooy Kill Falls Trail
Kerhonkson, NY
HikingEasy forest hike to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. Free. Best from about …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Sundown, NY
SwimmingStunning blue-green natural swimming hole with waterfall in the Catskill forest. Free. Best from …
about 2 hr drive
Overlook Mountain Trail
Woodstock, NY
HikingFire tower hike past ruins of an old mountain hotel near Woodstock. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. …
about 2 hr drive
Frick Pond Loop Trail
Livingston Manor, NY
HikingPeaceful forest loop to a quiet Catskill pond with lean-tos. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …
about 2 hr drive
Mongaup Pond Campground
Livingston Manor, NY
CampingSandy beach and motor-free paddling on the largest Catskill pond, with wilderness trails from camp …
about 2 hr drive
Kenneth L. Wilson Campground
Mount Tremper, NY
CampingLakeside Catskills campground with sandy beach and boat rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …