Road trips are one of our family’s favorite ways to travel. This may sound a bit cliched, but I always feel like a road trip gives people a chance to reconnect and strengthen bonds with each other. Now don’t get me wrong, I know there can be disagreements along the drive, but the memories made are well worth it. Here are 6 ideas for family weekend getaways from NYC, which will help you explore and learn about some new places.
Where is a good weekend getaway?
For a good long weekend getaway, you could take a quick trip somewhere within about 2-4 hours away from your home.
You don’t have to travel far to make a road trip happen and you can make the whole experience even more enjoyable with some of the best road trip essentials.
Taking fun weekend getaways with the family is a wonderful way to spend time together. There are so many great family-friendly destinations to visit no matter where you live, it can be hard to choose just one.
If you’re looking for weekend getaways from PA, NYC, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, D.C., and even the Virginia area, I have 6 destinations in the region that would be perfect to travel to anytime of year.
If you easily sign up for my newsletter, you will be instantly able to download a fun, printable map of the US to take on your family weekend getaways from NYC.
Make the trip even more fun by coloring in the states that you have visited as you drive along.
6 Long Weekend Getaways from NYC
Of course The Big Apple is a wonderful, bustling place that lives up to its name of the city that never sleeps, but sometimes you need a change of pace.
Save some time and money while traveling by not having to purchase plane tickets and hopping in the car instead.
Here are 6 unique places to take a road trip. All of which are easy to get to from NYC, plus perfect for all ages, unlike a romantic long weekend getaway.
1. Bucks County
There are so many great kid-friendly activities available in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Sesame Street fans will have a blast meeting their favorite characters at Sesame Place, which also features fun rides for the older kids and now a waterpark too!
Sesame Place sets itself apart by being the first theme park in the world designated as a Certified Autism Center.
Think your kids would want to design a racetrack, dig for treasure, experience a hot air balloon ride and more?
The Bucks County Children’s Museum has a variety of interactive exhibits that are so much fun your kids won’t realize they’re also learning too! Plan to experience both of these exciting places during your long weekend getaway.
2. Cape May
Want to take a fun-filled beach trip with a little bit of history sprinkled in? Choose Cape May, NJ for your next family road trip. This tops the list of best weekend getaways in NJ.
Spend the day at the beach or touring the beautiful Victorian architecture throughout town. You can even take a peek at a World War II bunker in this New Jersey beach town.
One of our favorite places to visit in Cape May is the Cape May Zoo. Admission is FREE, but a donation is recommended.
The zoo features over 550 animals representing more than 250 different species.
3. Cooperstown
If you have a baseball lover in the family, Cooperstown, New York is a great road trip option.
Home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown will provide tons of baseball-themed fun for your family.
The town is also home to the Farmers’ Museum, as well as some other family-friendly fun like art and wax museums, miniature golf, Otsego Lake, Kingfisher Tower, and the Empire State Carousel.
4. Hershey
This popular Pennsylvania town is a great choice for chocolate loving families.
Your kids will have a blast riding the rollercoasters at Hershey Park and cooling off on the Boardwalk while enjoying all the treats you can imagine.
There are also so many other exciting things to do in Hershey, PA like ZooAmerica, spas, a historic theater, Hershey Bears, along with trolley and Segway tours.
Also, by visiting this area you can learn about what else Hershey, PA has to give besides chocolate.
5. Lake Placid
This beautiful New York destination is great for active families who love to spend time outdoors together.
Lake Placid has a variety of hiking trails, in addition to rock climbing and water activities. You can even take a walk over the top of four different Adirondack waterfalls at High Falls Gorge.
Lake Placid also has some other options for family fun, including a bowling alley with bounce houses and arcade games.
Stay at the luxurious and family-friendly Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa for the ultimate relaxing plus adventurous getaway.
6. Lancaster County
Taking a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch country is like taking a trip back in time. Whether your family chooses to take a farm tour at the Amish Farm & House, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm or tour the countryside in a horse-drawn buggy, your kids are sure to have a blast taking a peek into a simpler lifestyle.
In addition to the Amish country attractions, Lancaster County is also home to the Strasburg Rail Road, which has a great interactive children’s museum.
If you are looking for some excitement and adventure in Lancaster County, then take the family to Dutch Wonderland, which is a theme park that is a kingdom for kids of all ages.
Even though we have visited Disney World many times, I love that my 9-year-old daughter still chooses and enjoys visiting Dutch Wonderland, including its waterpark, multiple times a year.
Bonus: Visit Boston!
If you are feeling even more adventurous I recommend driving to Boston for some great food, even more history, as well as so many awesome places to hang out and explore.
My family and I went on two road trips from the Philly area to Boston a couple of summers ago and it was unforgettable.
Non-Road Trip Ideas for Family Travel
Which one of these weekend getaways from NYC would your family most like to take?
After this year, which included a lot of virtual trips, who knows what the future of travel will look like. But Where else are you hoping to travel to this year?
In case you need a little inspiration here are some great, non-road trip ideas:
- How To Spend 72 Hours in Puerto Rico With Kids
- 7 Reasons Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is Where You Want to Stay
- Antelope Canyon Tour and What You Need to Know
GRAB YOUR FREEBIE!
