Looking to plan some family weekend getaways from NYC? If you are in the New York City area, there are so many cool spots you and your family can easily visit. Whether you’re looking for history and museums or time to unwind at the beach, there’s something for everyone in driving distance from NYC.
Here are a few of our favorite kid-friendly weekend getaways from New York City, as picked by Courtney Byrne, mom of 5 and keen family traveler over on @travelwewill.
Our Top Family Friendly Getaways From NYC
- Washington D.C.
- Mystic, CT
- Hudson, NY
- Poconos, PA
- Cape Cod, MA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Montauk, NY
1. Washington, D.C.
The Nation’s Capitol is an easy drive from NYC and makes a perfect family getaway. There is so much to see and do in one place and so many things are free. From the monuments to incredible museums, you will never run out of things to do in Washington, DC.
On our most recent trip, our favorite thing we did was a golf cart tour of The Mall. There are a number of options and it’s a great way to see a lot without too much walking. We love to do a lot on foot but the monuments are more spread out than you realize, especially for kids. Their favorite stop was most definitely The White House! We stayed in the DuPont Circle area and loved it. There were great places to eat and an amazing playground. Another spot not to miss: the new Children’s Museum.
Hours From NYC: 4 hours
Where to Stay: Caroline Street Northwest Residence
2. Mystic, CT
Not only is Mystic, CT close to NYC, it’s only about 2 minutes off the highway, making it one of the easiest spots to go for a weekend getaway. For a small, easy to get to spot, Mystic has a lot to offer families.
It’s home to the Mystic Aquarium, a must see aquarium on the East Coast. It has the largest outdoor Beluga whale exhibit in the United States. My kids loved watching the penguin feeding!
Another Mystic must see if Mystic Seaport. It’s a big, wide open “village” with no cars. There are boats to climb on, big ships to see and a Children’s Museum. You can go in and out of different buildings and learn all about America’s seafaring past.
Don’t miss Downtown Mystic, packed with great shops and excellent spots to eat. You’ll also find the Mystic Playground and park here.
Hours From NYC: 3 hours
Where to Stay: The Terrace Avenue Residence
3. Hudson, NY
There are so many cool towns to visit in the Hudson Valley. It’s also the perfect family getaway no matter what the season. It’s packed with things to do in the summer, winter, fall and spring. We love walking around in Rhinebeck and eating at Pete’s Famous Restaurant. After we eat, we stop in Samuel’s Sweet Shop and Al Stickle 5 & Dime Store.
A must see in the Hudson, NY area is the Saugerties Lighthouse. The Saugerties Lighthouse is located on the Hudson River and was built in 1869. You park about a half mile from the lighthouse and walk along the river, through the woods to get there. Make sure to check the tide schedule and plan your trip accordingly!
Hours From NYC: 2 hours
Where to Stay: The Copake Lake Residence
4. Poconos, PA
Another spot that’s fun for any season is the Poconos. We love having the Poconos so close by in the winter for an easy spot to get to for skiing with the kids. The mountains are all very family friendly and have fun activities like snow tubing and ice skating along with skiing.
In the summer, the lakes in the Poconos have tons of fun activities for families and there are great hikes too. Be sure to carve out some time to see the Bushkill Falls while you’re in the Poconos too.
Hours From NYC: 2 hours
Where to Stay: The Silver Lake Road Residence
5. Cape Cod, MA
We love spending time on Cape Cod each summer. It’s an easy drive from NYC area but you feel like you’ve gone far away to a relaxing, laid back place to just enjoy family time. The beaches are beautiful and the kids will love finding shells, spotting seals and all the cute little ice cream shops you’ll find.
If you are there for more than a few days, add a day trip over to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. The kids will love the ferry ride and both are such fun little islands to explore.
Hours From NYC: 4-5 hours
Where to Stay: The Sonny by the Sea Residence
6. Philadelphia, PA
Head out of the Big Apple and drive south to the City of Brotherly Love for a fun family getaway. You’ll have days packed with history and cool museums for kids. Our favorites are the Please Touch Museum and The Franklin Institute. The Franklin Institute often has really great visiting exhibits, like the current Art of Brick, perfect for any family with Lego fans.
Hours From NYC: 2 hours
Where to Stay: The Spruce Street Residence
7. Montauk, NY
Montauk, NY or “The End” is the perfect family getaway spot from NYC. Of course the top activity is beach time but there’s lots more to do with kids. You can visit the lighthouses, sign them up for a surf lesson or on a rainy day, visit the Montauk Library.
Hours From NYC: 3 hours
Where to Stay: The Benson Drive Residence
Book The Perfect Family Weekend Getaway from NYC With Kid & Coe
Are you ready to book some of these perfect family weekend getaways from NYC? With so many fun options that are driving distance to NYC, there’s something for every family. Enjoy the comfort of a family-friendly vacation rental while exploring one of these great year-round destinations.
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/montauk/the-benson-drive-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/philadelphia/the-spruce-street-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/barnstable/the-sonny-by-the-sea-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/pennsylvania/the-silver-lake-road-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/copake/the-copake-lake-house-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/westerly/the-terrace-avenue-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/washington-dc/the-caroline-street-northwest-residence
