Things to Do 2–3 Hours from New York City with Kids
11 kid-friendly adventures about 2 to 3 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 2 to 3 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 2 hr drive
Giant Ledge Trail
Shandaken, NY
HikingPopular hike to dramatic cliff-top viewpoints in the Catskill Mountains. Free. Better for ages 6 and …
about 2 hr drive
Slide Mountain Trail
Shandaken, NY
HikingHike the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full …
about 2 hr 15 min drive
Taconic State Park
Copake Falls, NY
CampingTwo camping areas with swimming ponds, waterfalls, and ridge trails on the Taconic Range. Paid …
about 2 hr 15 min drive
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 …
about 2 hr 15 min drive
North-South Lake Campground
Haines Falls, NY
CampingPremier Catskills campground with twin lakes and a swimming beach - campsites from about $22/night …
about 2 hr 45 min drive
Vroman's Nose
Middleburgh, NY
HikingShort hike to a cliff-top meadow with sweeping Schoharie Valley views. Free. Best from about age 5. …
about 2 hr 45 min drive
Thacher State Park
Voorheesville, NY
HikingCliff-top escarpment park with a walk-behind waterfall and 40-mile views. Paid entry. Best from …
about 2 hr 45 min drive
Albany Institute of History & Art
Albany, NY
MuseumSmall Albany museum with two ancient Egyptian mummies, Hudson River School landscapes and drop-in …
about 2 hr 45 min drive
New York State Museum
Albany, NY
MuseumFree Albany museum with a full-size mastodon, New York habitat dioramas and a working 1890s carousel …
about 3 hr drive
Cherry Plain State Park
Cherry Plain, NY
SwimmingQuiet swimming beach and intimate campground on Black River Pond. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
about 3 hr drive
Howe Caverns
Howes Cave, NY
NatureGuided cave tours 156 feet underground with an underground boat ride. Paid entry. Best from about …