New York City may lure travelers with its gleaming lights and non-stop excitement, but step outside the five boroughs and a more relaxed agenda awaits in the Empire State.
18.09.2023 - 19:33 / lonelyplanet.com / Garden City / Art Center
The beauty of New York State lies not just in its landmark attractions, but also in the places in between – the foliage-blanket hills of the Catskills , the serene stillness of the waters in the Finger Lakes and the silent strength of the peaks of the Adirondacks .
The following five road trip itineraries showcase some of the Empire State’s best sites – from museums and beaches to art parks and nature reserves. However, remember that here, the experience truly lies in the journey and the little gems you’ll witness outside your car window.
Best for family fun
Old Westbury–Wantagh; 72 miles; allow 1–2 days
Jutting out from the eastern coastline, 118 miles east of New York City, Long Island is a world away from the fast-paced state capital. It's filled with suburban delights, opulent mansions and beaches in every direction, which makes it an ideal road trip for kids of all ages. The “Are we there yet?”s will quickly turn into “Please, can we stop here too?”
Start at Old Westbury Gardens , an English-style country home from 1906 ringed by 200 acres of formal gardens, woods, ponds and lakes (check out their year-round program of activities for families and children).
Just down the road is Garden City’s Long Island Children’s Museum, with imaginative displays on everything from bubbles to mini-beasts. If your kids have their eyes on the skies, opt for the Cradle of Aviation Museum, with fascinating exhibits on early biplanes and spaceflight and a new statue honoring American astronaut, Sally Ride.
From there, head to the Gatsby Gold Coast on the north side of the island to gawk at the oversized mansions, stopping at Centerport’s Vanderbilt estate to explore the shipping magnate's mansion and a fine museum and planetarium. Then head to the southern shore for some playtime at Wantagh’s Jones Beach State Park to frolic on 6.5 miles of white sand.
Detour: For an elongated route, stretch out the distance to the east end of Long Island. On the North Fork, visit the spectacular purple fields of Lavender by the Bay in East Marion or Calverton. You can also go for a spin on the century-old carousel in Greenport before heading out to Montauk to climb the iconic Montauk Point Lighthouse .
Best for couples
New Windsor–Hudson; 141 miles ; allow 2–3 days
Immediately north of New York City , Mother Nature opens her arms to romantics at any time of year, emphasizing the cozy vibe of autumn, the snowy magic of winter, the floral beauty of spring and the verdant calm of summer in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.
Kick off the getaway by walking hand-in-hand among the outdoor sculptures at Storm King Art Center , a 500-acre wonderland where art mingles with nature amidst meadows, forests and rolling hills.
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