I love living in NYC, but I also love going on a day trip or weekend getaway. We’re finally in the fall season and that means fall festivals, foliage tours, and apple picking is popular in the Northeast. If you’re looking for the best fall day trips from NYC to take with friends, family, or your significant other, Here are some suggestions.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
If you are a nerd history lover like me, Philadelphia is a great place for a weekend getaway and learn more about America’s beginnings. Visit Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center or Betsy Ross’ home. If you’re a foodie, Philly is famously known for their cheesesteaks. In addition to fall-themed events this month, Philadelphia will be hosting its first ever Cheesesteak Festival with food trucks, musical guests, and the attempt to set a world record for the largest cheesesteak.
Bear Mountain, NY
Bear Mountain State Park is great for the outdoor lover and less than an hour from NYC. The park offers bike paths, hiking trails, campgrounds, lodging areas, and fishing sites. Not far from the park on the weekends this month is the Bear Mountain Oktoberfest celebration. You can drive, take the Short Line bus from NYC Port Authority or do a Fall Foliage Cruise from NYC.
Washington, D.C.
I took frequent trips to Washington D.C. when I was younger, and this past MLK weekend was my first time visiting as an adult. There were MANY changes since my last trip, but it was nice to walk around and visit the monuments during the night and day. You can do a lot of activities for free or at a low cost in D.C. Depending on when you’re visiting, you can pay $16 round trip from NYC via Megabus. The most money you’d probably have to pay is for lodging and food if you choose the low-cost activities option.
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the North Fork of Long Island is a great fall getaway too!
Yes! I went a few weeks ago and it was great
I’m an island girl so I don’t have any Fall getaways since it’s practically summer year round and I love warm weather.
I SURE love warm weather. I just came back from Curacao recently.
I absolutely love DC and just wrote about my time there earlier this summer! I don’t think I have ever been to Philly but I would like to explore the city and the cheesesteaks LOL.
Yes! Can’t leave without one.
I used to live in NYC. These are perfect suggestions. I love Philadelphia. I’ve done a day trip there. I would love to visit Bear Mountain State Park. It sounds really cool. Also, who doesn’t love Washington, D.C.? So many things to do and see.
Thanks for reading Ramona. If I knew about the Oktoberfest, I would’ve planned the Hudson cruise earlier in the month.
I won’t be doing any traveling this Fall. But I bet that Cheesesteak festival is awesome!
I love D.C.! There’s so much to do, see + eat! I haven’t been in years. I really miss that place.
I live in Chicago I don’t get a chance to do many we can getaways close by, but when I do we normally go to log cabins in Wisconsin or we will take a trip to New York for the weekend. You listed some awesome places Close to New York then I wouldn’t mind visiting.
I haven’t been to Chicago since I was a kid, but I’d love to go as an adult.
Meanwhile I love to visit NYC. But once November passes….I don’t want to go anywhere North! I was in DC this weekend during the MMM for another event.
Girl, it’s cold NOW. lol
Nice post! I live in Washington, DC, and there are so many things to do here. I also love NYC for weekend getaways!
I use to live in DC, and I use to love going to NYC for the weekend. It was great. I really loved it.
I use to live in DC and use to go to New York for the weekend. I miss it a lot. Great post!
These are great suggestions. I live in Chicago but my husband is from DC so we visit pretty frequently. I agree it is a great place to visit and there are lots of things to do for cheap.
Yay! I’m happy to see my hometown Philly made your list!
I love DC my best friend lives out there! And if my sons birthday party wasn’t on October 24th id definitely be at that cheesesteak festival! Sounds so yummy.
A cheesesteak festival sounds amazing and like I would be running up and down the Rocky steps lol. There is so much to do in DC that is a great getaway.
great ideas! I live in California, but I’ll have to travel to these places 🙂 thanks for sharing them!