Best Day Trips From New York City By Subway, Train And Car

Unsplash/Zachary Shakked

The sun is shining and the apple cider donuts are fresh out of the frier. Why waste the beautiful fall weather in the middle of midtown (or even Brooklyn)? If you’re looking to hop on the subway, a regional train or in a car and break out of the concrete jungle, we know where you’re heading — and you can get ready for beautiful autumn foliage views on the way there. These are the best day trips out of New York City for when you want a fall adventure.

By Subway

Flickr/Pixculture

Take a longer look at the NYC subway map the next time you’re on the train. The system is gigantic and extends far beyond your normal commuting path. You can find mini-adventures within city limits, enough to make you feel like you took an entire weekend away from New York’s bustle.

The Cloisters, New York City, New York

Between the last couple stops on the A train in Upper Manhattan, you’ll find Fort Tryon Park (we’d argue that it’s the best park in the city). It has beautiful cliff views across the Hudson River into New Jersey and the European-style grounds of The Cloisters. The Cloisters are a satellite location of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but even besides the exhibits, you’ll love wandering the gardens.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York

The final station for the D, F, N and Q trains is Coney Island. Although beach season may be over (and who wants to swim at Coney Island anyway?), there are still plenty of reasons to visit the coastal Brooklyn spot. The rides at Luna Park are still operating on weekends through October and there are themed festivals leading up to Halloween.

Arthur Avenue, Bronx, New York

On the opposite side of the D train line is the Bronx’s Italian food wonderland: Arthur Avenue. It’s known as NYC’s “real Little Italy” to those in the know. If you want a day trip filled with munching, this is your spot. Browse the markets for snacks (and ingredients to take home with you) and don’t miss restaurants like Casa Della Mozzarella for cheesy eats.

By Train

Flickr/Shinya Suzuki

When you’re ready to graduate from subway trains to actual trains, your day trip options explode into a plethora of Hudson Valley activities, not to mention nearby states, such as Pennsylvania.

Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, New York

For all your Halloween needs, go to the home of the Headless Horseman himself just a short train ride on the Metro North from New York City. Tarrytown is a 45-minute journey from the city, but its small-town vibes plus ghost tours and “haunted” cemeteries will intrigue any fan of the occult.

Beacon, New York

Beacon is the kind of place that every New Yorker who gets sick of the big city and says, “Maybe I’ll just move upstate” thinks of in their mind’s eye. There are small art galleries hosting local creators and culture hounds can’t miss Dia:Beacon, a factory turned modern art museum. Beacon’s Main Street also boasts a distillery where you can sample housemade bourbon, whiskey, gin and vodka.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

New Yorkers may be surprised to know that Philly is less than two hours away from the Big Apple via Amtrak trains. History buffs will appreciate the city’s Revolutionary War roots, while foodies will love the excellent culinary scene at less than New York prices. Yes, there are cheesesteaks to be eaten, but don’t skip the less stereotypical eats like Zahav’s Middle Eastern dishes.

Breakneck Ridge, Philipstown, New York

Potentially the hardest hike you can access by public transit from NYC, Breakneck Ridge is as challenging as the name implies. The first quarter of the hike is a rock scramble up and up and up. Never rock scrambled before? It’s low-key rock climbing, but your body is never dangling off any rocks. Instead, you crawl/scramble up them. It’s a workout and a thrill. Need another reason to go? The trail is reportedly closing later this year for construction to make the route safer for urbanites hitting the site en masse.

By Car

Flickr/Lou Stejskal

Whether you have a car or your friend’s cousin’s boyfriend has a car and you’re lucky enough to score a seat inside or you rent a ride from Zipcar or Maven, just think of all the possibilities once every highway leading out of the city is fair game. Here’s where we’d start.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Tarrytown, New York

Do you like a big name? Then you have to visit Blue Hill at Stone Barns. If you don’t have $250 to spare for the tasting menu, we’d suggest the Blue Hill Café & Grain Bar for coffee, sandwiches and pastries. P.S. You can get there by train if you take a taxi from the train station, but we think the farm-fresh destination would be well-suited for a post-hiking snack.

Warwick Valley Wine and Distillery

Warwick creates all things apples — wines, ciders, brandies and liqueurs — and you can pair those with yummy bites from the locally-sourced foods at the onsite restaurant. Warwick also offers live music and apple picking. What else would you want on a fall outing?

Here Are The Best Escapes From 7 U.S. Cities To See Amazing Fall Colors

When And Where You’ll Find The Best Fall Colors In The U.S.