Get out of the city with these suggestions for day trips around New York City. While it is exciting to be immersed in the city’s bustle , we all need some down time. There are many places to go that will allow you to take a break from it all. A day trip in the North East area is a great way for you to get away while still discovering exciting places.
Surprisingly, you will be pleasantly surprised at the things you’ll discover outside of New York City – from large sculpture gardens to historic villages to picturesque coastal destinations. You will feel mentally and physically rejuvenated by your return to New York City.
Let’s take you on a tour of some of the most popular day trips starting from New York City.
Storm King Art Center
You can satisfy your art needs by visiting the Storm King Art Center. It is approximately 1.5 hours drive upstate to NYC. You will find one of America’s largest outdoor sculpture parks.
Storm King Arts Center hosts over 100 artworks on 500 acres. Enjoy a walk on the grounds to admire large-scale contemporary works by well-known 20th-century artists like Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi, Mark di Suvero, and Alexander Noguchi.
The natural landscape is created to highlight the works and provide beautiful views. Explore the park for hours and discover your favorite statue.
Dia: Beacon
Make sure you are ready to take a day trip from New York City to the di: Beacon gallery. This museum space, which was once an industrial facility, is only two hours away from Manhattan.
The factory converted space is ideal for displaying amazing artworks from artists like Andy Warhol. On Kawara and Michael Heizer. There’s always something to see in the space, which hosts both temporary and permanent exhibitions. You will find everything from contemporary artworks to 1960s art. Skylights throughout the venue let natural light flood in, providing a unique, sensory viewing experience.
Plan your visit around one of the inspiring gallery talks. Also, you can stop by the museum cafe to grab lunch.
Cold Spring NY
Day trip to Cold Spring is an option. In an hour and half, you can transform the city into the beautiful natural scenery of Hudson Highlands.
Cold Spring Historic District includes a large section that is designated as Cold Spring. Here, you’ll find old machines, factories, and housing for locals. It attracted wealthy families to the city, who built 19th-century mansions.
To see the many boutique shops, restaurants and cafes along Main Street, take a walk. Visit the Magazzino Italian Art Museum at no cost to the public, or enjoy a leisurely stroll through Stonecrop Gardens.
Philip Glass House
Manhattan isn’t your only destination for stunning architecture. For the famous Glass House, you can take one of the day trips from New York City. The Glass House can be seen as one of many structures located on a site that is open to the public. This unique architecture was created by Philip Johnson.
Johnson built The Glass House in 1947 as his personal residence. There he lived with David Whitney (a well-known name in the art world).
Guided tours depart from the Downtown Main Visitor Center and take groups of tourists to the site in order to appreciate the architecture, and learn more on Johnson’s legacy. The site is a National Historic Landmark.
Shelter Island
Shelter Island offers a unique opportunity to see where the wealthy New Yorkers vacation during the summer. It is accessible only by ferry so it offers lots of exclusivity to the high-net worth residents.
It’s possible to visit the island without being wealthy, although you’ll find plenty of luxurious homes on the island. There are plenty of activities that you can do to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Sunset Beach is the ideal place to spend the day, where you can enjoy cocktails and a massage on the beach. Enjoy breathtaking views at any of the waterfront eateries. Before heading back to NYC, you should check out Shelter island Heights’ many cafes and shops.
The Hamptons
Perhaps the most famous day trip from New York City to Hamptons is the Hamptons. It is known for being a summer escape for the rich and famous but you don’t have to be a millionaire to have fun.
The Hamptons can be found on Long Island’s eastern coast, just a few hours away from the city. The Hamptons are comprised of many towns. Each town has its own attractions.
There are lots of fun activities to be done in Hamptons all year. It is home of several wineries such as Channing Daughters Winery, Wolffer Estate Vineyards, and Channing Daughters Winery. Many museums and art galleries such as Bridgehampton Museum, Parrish Art Museum, and Bridgehampton Museum are located in the area.
Sag Harbor is the perfect place to enjoy waterfront dining. You can also shop for designer brands at Southampton Village.
Grounds suitable for sculpture
It’s hard to find a better place than the outdoors to admire large art installations. Make a visit to Hamilton Township (NJ) to view the Grounds for Sculpture(GFS). This large garden was established by Seward Johnston to prominently exhibit his artwork along with other contemporary artists.
This is a great day trip for art lovers who want to take in the natural beauty of the outdoors. Walk around the manicured garden to view over 270 statues. You’ll find many large-scale human figures depicting famous artworks like American Gothic and The Scream. You will also find free-roaming wild peacocks.