Road Trips from New York City

The city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania is a true gem for the history buffs. Philly is the place where American Independence was declared. This city boasts the country’s most popular cultural & historical sites and the best culinary masterpieces. Furthermore, the city features a collection of electric-coloured mosaic and graffiti street arts.

At the end of the day, make sure to taste Philly’s special cheese steak and Hoagie (sandwich). Stay over the weekend to experience Philly’s true charm, you won’t regret it!

Distance from NYC: Approx. 2 Hours (95 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Independence Hall
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Liberty Bell
Barnes

Best Places to Stay: The Rittenhouse Hotel, Loews Hotel, Cambria Hotel.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Chester County’s Brandywine Valley is nestled between Pennsylvania and Delaware. As the name suggests, the Brandywine Valley is home to the finest breweries and wineries. Apart from booze, the valley is also known for its botanical gardens, golf courses, recreational and performing arts centers.

The valley boasts beautiful historical sites, magnificent mansions and museums of the Du Pont Dynasty. A road trip to the Brandywine Valley will be filled with a mix of scenic beauty, fun and informational tour guides.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 2.5 Hours (124 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Longwood Gardens
Brandywine River Museum of Art
Hagley Museum
Nemours Estate

Best Places to Stay: Inn at Whitewing Farm, Fairville Inn, The Gifford-Risley House,etc.

Best Time to Visit: Spring Season

Finger Lakes is known as the most incredible natural wonders in New York. It has 11 pristine waterfalls, lakes and deep gorges. The region is also very popular for its wineries. From fishing to hiking to wine tasting, Finger Lakes offers both exciting as well as relaxing activities. This place is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 5 Hours (256 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Ithaca Waterfalls
Watkins Glen
Finger Lakes National Forest
Wesley Hill Nature Preserve

Best Places to Stay: The Bond 1835, Hampton Inn, Aurora Inn, Watkins Glen Harbour Hotel.

Best Time to Visit: May to September (Summer Season)

Newport is a beautiful New England town set on Rhode Island. The city is popularly known for its historic & lavish mansions, gorgeous beaches and finger licking seafood. Plan an overnight road trip to Newport, explore the colonial architecture and victorian homes, stop by to taste the city’s famous seafood and then relax at the beach or go sailing on some of the public cruises.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 3.5 Hours (180 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
The Breakers
Cliff Walk
Marble House
Rosecliff
Fort Adams State Park

Best Places to Stay: Town & Tide Inn, The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Francis Malbone House, Newport Marriott.

Best Time to Visit: March to May
September to November

A 7-hour drive from NYC will take you to America’s most fantastic natural wonders- The Niagara Falls. The road trip towards the falls is filled with plenty of scenic views and beautiful locations for a picnic lunch. The best way to enjoy this trip is by taking the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boat tour via the Cave of the Winds. Travellers with passports will have access to the Rainbow Bridge that links America and Canada.

Apart from the falls there are some historical sites, parks and architectectural conservatories nearby that might interest you too.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 7 Hours (408 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Cave of the Winds
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Gorge Trail

Best Places to Stay: Sheraton Niagara Falls, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Red Coach Inn, etc.

Best Time to Visit: June to August

Hershey in Pennsylvania is home to the country's favourite chocolate brand. The town that was created to provide amenities to the workers of the Hershey Chocolate Factory is now referred to as the ‘Chocolatetown’ of America. For those with a sweet tooth, a trip to Hershey would be like a fantasy retreat.

Witness the making of chocolate at the factory, play at the Hersheypark or checkout the Hershey Stadium and the Hershey Public Library. Apart from all things sweet, this town also offers fantastic seafood dishes that you can try.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 3 Hours (162 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Hershey Gardens
The Hershey Story Museum
Hershey Theatre

Best Places to Stay: The Hotel Hershey, The Inn at Westwynd Farm, 1825 Inn B&B.

Best Time to Visit: March to November

If you are planning for a winter road trip from NYC, then Stowe must be your ideal choice. Stowe is a town in northern Vermont also popularly known as the ‘Ski Capital of the East.’ The town has its ski facility over Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Apart from winters, the town is equally beautiful in the fall season surrounded by bright birch trees.

Leaf peeping during fall and Kayaking during summers are the major attractions of the town.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 5-6 Hours (330 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Moss Glen Falls
Stowe Mountain Resort
Sterling Falls Gorge
Stowe Pinnacle

Best Places to Stay: The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Green Mountain Inn, Trapp Family Lodge, Topnotch Resort.

Best Time to Visit: Fall & Winter Season

Boston is the birthplace of the American Revolution. From iconic attractions to cobblestone streets, historical architecture and the best seafood, Boston offers a complete package deal to its visitors. After reaching Boston, take the Freedom Trail- A walking tour that takes you around the historical and hidden gems of Boston.

There’s a lot to do and see in Boston, so plan a trip over the weekend to explore the city in the perfect way.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 3.5 Hours (215 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Beacon Hill
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston Common
Boston Harbour
Old North Church

Best Places to Stay: Boston Harbour Hotel, Fairmont Copley Plaza, Mandarin Oriental, Hyatt Regency Boston Harbour.

Best Time to Visit: June to October

Bored of NYC's jam packed life and skyscrapers? Take a break and hit the road to somewhere more scenic and peaceful. In Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains are one of the most picturesque mountain ranges with beautiful waterfalls and lakes close to NYC. If you plan to stay for a long time, do not forget to try outdoor activities like white-water rafting, hiking, and kayaking.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 2 Hours (103 miles)

Best places to Visit:
Jim Thorpe
Glen Onoko Falls Trails
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
Delaware Water Gap

Best Places to Stay: Cranberry Run Campground, Magnolia Streamside Resort and Skytop Lodge.

Best Time to Visit: Summer, Fall and Winter Seasons

A road trip towards the north of NYC will take you along the stunning vistas of the Hudson Valley. Start by exploring the town’s Warren Street that boasts chic restaurants, wine bars and boutiques. Hudson Valley is also well-known for its farm-to-table food scenes, vineyards and orchards.

You can also visit the town's historic sites and gardens. Starting the trip from NYC, you can stop by at Terrytown and Beacon for breaks.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 2.5 Hours (107 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Warren Street
Olana State Historic Site
Blithewood Garden
Breakneck Ridge

Best Places to Stay: Hudson Row House Airbnb, Hudson B&B, The Wick, Hotel Dylan.

Best Time to Visit: June to September

Why take a flight when you can take an amazing and exciting road trip! The road trip from NYC to Montreal is quite long, so travellers can make some stops along the way in Vermont, Hudson Valley and Albany. In order to complete this road trip, a passport and visa is mandatory. It will take around 40 minutes to pass from the border crossing after all the verification.

Montreal city is particularly known for its European charm and fantastic food. The city boasts an ancient vibe featuring old stone buildings, cathedrals, horse drawn carriages, museums and a very quaint nightlife.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 6-7 Hours (372 miles)

Documents Required: Passport & Visa

Best Places to Visit:
Notre-Dame Basilica
Old Port of Montreal
Montreal Botanical Gardens
Mount Royal Park

Best Places to Stay: Hotel Bonaparte, Hotel William Gray, Le Mount Stephen, Hotel Nelligan.

Best Time to Visit: March to May
September to November

Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is a 105-mile driveway of panoramic views. The park features multiple scenic viewing spots, hiking trails and horse riding outlets along the way. Travellers would most likely get sightings of the park's wildlife and hence, a speed limit of 35 mph is to be maintained all the way through the park.

The road trip to Skyline Drive will not be complete without witnessing the fantastic sunset from the hilltop.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 6 Hours (332.5 miles)

Park Entry Fee: USD 30/vehicle

Best Places to Stay: Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge and Lewis Mountain Cabins.

Best Time to Visit: Fall Season

Saratoga Springs is one of America’s oldest and best tourist destinations. It offers a perfect escape from the city in complete tranquility. The city boasts beautiful lanes, grand Victorian Homes, gardens and museums. Saratoga Springs is home to the best mineral springs where you can relax and enjoy the soothing spa massages. Checkout the city’s fabulous boutiques & antique stores, dine at the amazing restaurants or go visit the famous Saratoga Race Course.

Be it a relaxing spa session or an exciting golf game, Saratoga Springs has something for everyone.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 3.5 Hours (190 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Winery
Saratoga Spa State Park

Best Places to Stay: Saratoga Casino Hotel, The Adelphi Hotel, Union Gables Inn, etc.

Best Time to Visit: June to September

Escape to the mountains for the perfect weekend getaway. Catskills has a relatively sparse population because it is declared ‘Forever Wild’ by the New York Constitution. The road trip towards Catskills features views of the forested peaks, rolling meadows, sparkling streams and lush golf courses.

You can either relax in the comfy B&Bs overlooking lush views or go for a waterfall hike in the woods. Make sure to book your hotel rooms in advance to avoid any clashes.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 2.5 Hours (120 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Hunter Mountain
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Opus 40
Catskill Park

Best Places to Stay: Phoenicia Lodge, The Country Inn, Emerson Resort & Spa.

Best Time to Visit: All Year Round

Berkshire County, located in western Massachusetts is 152 miles drive from NYC. Boasting a fantastic New England countryside charm, Berkshires is a paradise for those sporty adventurers. Travellers can relax beside Berry lake, enjoy beautiful views, go for a hiking trip, or attend the fun musical shows at the nearby centers.

Dine-in at the nearby restaurants serving quick bites and fresh drinks.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 3 Hours (152 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Tanglewood
Berry Lake
Monument Mountain
Lenox City

Best Places to Stay: Old Inn on the Green, Red Lion Inn and Seven Hills Inn.

Best Time to Visit: June to August

Known as the Vegas of the East Coast, Atlantic City features a super fun and raging nightlife. Escape for a wild weekend to this resort city set along the Atlantic coast. This city is famous for its casinos, crystalline beaches, fairground rides, bars and the iconic Boardwalk.

Atlantic city also hosts a number of exciting music concerts and shows featuring big names that you should definitely checkout.

Distance from NYC: Approx. 2.5 Hours (127 miles)

Best Places to Visit:
Borgata Casino
Atlantic City Boardwalk
Absecon Lighthouse
Kennedy Plaza
Caesars Atlantic City Casino

Best Places to Stay: Caesars Atlantic City Hotel, Borgata, Ocean Casino Resort, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Best Time to Visit:
March to May
June to August