Things to Do 3–4 Hours from New York City with Kids
20 kid-friendly adventures about 3 to 4 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 3 to 4 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 3 hr drive
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Cooperstown, NY
MuseumThree floors of baseball history in Cooperstown with the Plaque Gallery, game-worn jerseys, and a …
about 3 hr drive
miSci Museum of Innovation and Science
Schenectady, NY
ScienceSchenectady science museum with hands-on electricity exhibits, General Electric history and a …
about 3 hr drive
Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton, NY
SwimmingLifeguarded sandy beach, easy nature trails, and shore fishing at Grafton Lakes State Park near Troy …
about 3 hr 30 min drive
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 …
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Springs, NY
HikingNatural mineral springs, historic pools, and forest trails in Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works …
about 3 hr 30 min drive
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. …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Moreau Lake State Park
Gansevoort, NY
SwimmingSandy lake beach, campground, and ridge trails near Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Ithaca, NY
SwimmingNatural swimming pool at the base of a cascading waterfall near Ithaca. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Museum of the Earth
Ithaca, NY
MuseumIthaca fossil museum walking kids forward through geologic time past a hanging whale skeleton and a …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Robert H. Treman State Park
Ithaca, NY
SwimmingGorge trails, multiple waterfalls, and a stunning natural swimming hole near Ithaca. Paid entry. …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Robert H. Treman State Park Camping and Cabins
Ithaca, NY
CampingCampsites and simple cabins beside the stone-walled waterfall swimming hole at Treman, the best swim …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Sciencenter
Ithaca, NY
ScienceIthaca hands-on science museum with a walk-in kaleidoscope, a two-story ball machine, live animals …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Chittenango Falls State Park
Cazenovia, NY
HikingDramatic 167-foot single-plunge waterfall with easy overlook access. Free. Works from toddler age. …
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Hadley Mountain Fire Tower
Hadley, NY
HikingFire tower hike with views of Great Sacandaga Lake and the southern Adirondacks. Free. Best from …
about 4 hr drive
Corning Museum of Glass
Corning, NY
MuseumFinger Lakes museum with live molten glassblowing shows, make-your-own-glass sessions, and 3500 …
about 4 hr drive
Fillmore Glen State Park
Moravia, NY
HikingQuiet gorge with five waterfalls, a walk-behind cascade, and swimming pool. Paid entry. Best from …
about 4 hr drive
Taughannock Falls State Park
Trumansburg, NY
HikingEasy walk to a 215-foot waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
about 4 hr drive
Taughannock Falls State Park Cabins and Camping
Trumansburg, NY
CampingHillside campsites and cabins above Cayuga Lake, with a flat stroller-friendly trail to a 215-foot …
about 4 hr drive
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. …
about 4 hr drive
Watkins Glen State Park Campground
Watkins Glen, NY
CampingCamp above the gorge and walk the Watkins Glen trail at eight in the morning, before the tour buses …