Sometimes the city can get too much for someone to handle, many residents and students tend to take short day trips out of the city, to relax and explore. These are five possible day trips out of New York City that you could be planning this weekend.
1. Philadelphia, Pennslyvania
Philadelphia is one of the best places to go for a short day trip out of New York City. It is popularly referred to as the City of Brotherly Love, with a lot of old colonial history. Some history including the fact that the first flag was created in Philadelphia by Betsy Ross. Philly is home to the Liberty Bell which is the iconic symbol of the American Independence. Not only so, Philly is also home for the Philly cheesesteak, you can always grab one of those at Geno’s Steak or Pats King of Steak. These places are open for 24 hours, so if you have midnight cravings in the middle of your trip, you could always grab a bite there.
Many college students tend to go for the different city vibe that Philly provides, not to mention with a bunch of different tasteful foods. The city has a nice mixture of old architecture and vibes with the new modern clash. One of the must do's when you go to Philly is the Rocky steps at the Art Museum.
2. Cold Spring, NY
Cold Spring is a hidden gem. Not many know about this small town which has a great spot for hikers. The small town is reachable via the MetroNorth Train, only taking an hour for the ride from Grand Central Terminal. It’s inexpensive and quite painless to reach Cold Spring. Cold Spring serves as a weekend getaway for many residents of New York City.
If you’re a hiker, there are many trails nearby that run through Breakneck Ridge and Bull Hill. These hikes range from difficulty but they are definitely worth the view of the Hudson Valley. A day trip would be sufficient enough to see the beauty in Cold Spring. The Main Street is lined with many cute boutiques and restaurants.
3. Beacon, NY 
When someone asks me where to go for a short day trip, I almost always tell them Beacon. Beacon is one of the hippest cities in the Hudson Valley, besides that there are tons of things to do there including shopping, art museums, hiking, and more. Beacon has one of the most active art communities, so there is definitely a lot of art for you to see. To get there, it is only an hour and a half train ride away from Grand Central Station via the MetroNorth railroad.
There are so many shops such as Dream in Plastic, a store that offers toys, magazines that are hard to find, and many random items that will definitely catch your eye. For hikers, there are some trails on Mount Beacon which are quite rewarding to climb.
4. Montauk, Long Island
Montauk is known to the locals as “The End” located towards the end of Long Island. It offers some of the best surfing spots in the region. It is the perfect spot for those who enjoy sun and adventure. To reach here, takes around three hours on the Long Island Railroad but 2.5 hours by car. Many come to take pictures with its historic lighthouse located at land’s end which is one of the East End’s greatest treasures, followed by some eating and exploring.
Montauk offers a package of everything for everyone, couples, families, groups of friends and more. There is tons of seafood for you to enjoy and is always served daily. You can also find several state parks with features of sandy beaches and natural preserve areas. Montauk is definitely one of the best places to go for some relaxation and seafood.
5. Bear Mountain, NY
Bear Mountain is known for the Bear Mountain State Park which is located an hour away from the city. It offers a bunch of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing, and during the winter, even winter activities such as cross-country, skiing, ice skating, and more. Grab some of your friends for some a short hiking session because the views are quite stunning.
Bear Mountain is also home to Fort Montgomery which is from the revolutionary battle for control of the Hudson River. Bear Mountain is definitely worth visiting if you’re considering a day trip from the city, not only is it a scenic drive but the views across the Hudson Valley are breathtaking.
