Summer day trips from Long Island highlight the vast riches of the area, with fabulous destinations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York City, and upstate New York within striking distance.
The dozens of options we've rounded up below will make a welcome change of scene when you get tired of the same parks, playgrounds, and pools in your neighborhood.
To keep tabs on what's happening back on Long Island, meanwhile, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide.
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Top Summer Day Trips from Long Island: New York City Options
1. Central Park and Zoo
Head to Central Park to find an oasis among the skyscrapers. Visit Central Park Zoo to see a grizzly bear, snow leopard, sea lions, and more. After, have a picnic in the park or check out one of these restaurants we've hand-picked. Check out our full rundown on visiting this world-class park with kids.
2. Harry Potter New York
Even kids who are too young to have read or watched Harry Potter will love stepping into Harry Potter New York. There is plenty of merchandise and collectibles to peruse as well as photo opportunities. Read all about Harry Potter New York in our review.
3. The Museum of Natural History
Every child should visit the Museum of Natural History at some point. There is so much to explore, from human history to prehistoric dinosaur fossils. A must-see is the massive model blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. Find more in our write-up on visiting the Museum of Natural History with your family.
4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA
Older kids and teens, especially budding artists, have to take a trip to the MET and MoMA at least once before turning 18. The MoMA is home to Van Gogh's Starry Night, while the MET has Monet's Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies.
5. The Children's Museum of Manhattan
Summer is a great time to visit the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Its Dynamic H2O exhibit allows kids to learn about NYC's water system through play.
6. The Battery Playscape
Kids can explore this playspace and its 5 different nature-themed play areas: The Bluff, Riverbed, Marsh, Dune and Meadow, and The Showbox. Climb the tree house structures with rope bridges connecting the structures. There is plenty to keep the kids busy for a couple hours. Read our full review here.
7. Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty
Older kids and history buffs will appreciate a trip to Ellis Island and a ferry around The Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island is especially meaningful to families with who immigrated to the United States in the first half of the 1900s. Read our full guide to a trip to Statue of Liberty and Eliis Island with kids.
Top LI Summer Day Trips: East End Options
8. Waterdrinker Family Farm
Summer sees Waterdrinker's sunflower festival. Bounce on the jump pillows, balance on the wooden obstacle course, or play in the playground. Parents and caregivers should stop at the Long Island Farm Brewery right next door for some fresh beer on tap. Take a look at our year-round guide to Waterdrinker for more on this family farm.
9. Children's Museum of the East End
Sail a ship, run a pretend diner, play mini-golf, and more at the Children's Museum of the East End. Take a walk down CMEE's Main Street to play in a firehouse, library, and kitchen.
10. Splish Splash
Splish Splash is a Long Island staple many families try to get to each summer. Slip down a body or tube slide, splash in the wave pool, or chill in the lazy river. Little ones can enjoy the toddler section with small slides and even swings in the water.
12. Harbes Family Farm
Feed goats and sheep, catch a pig race, shoot an apple from a cannon and so much more at Harbes Family Farm and Barnyard Adventure in Mattituck. There isn't much shade at this farm though, so be careful on hot and sunny days. Catch this review from our recent visit to Harbes' Barnyard Adventure.
13. Long Island Aquarium
Catch the sea lion show, feed sting rays and turtles, and of course, walk through the shark tunnel at Long Island Aquarium. Kids can also conquer the Eye Opener, a multi-story tree house with rope bridges, slides and more. Here's our list of things to know before you go to the Long Island Aquarium.
14. Long Island Game Farm
Long Island Game Farm covers almost 27 acres. Animal inhabitants include traditional farm animals like goats, donkeys, and llamas. There are also more exotic animals to see, like an African serval cat, zebras and a wallaby. Our review of the Long Island Game Farm covers all you need to know to visit.
15. Montauk
Visit the iconic Montauk Lighthouse, go to the beach, catch a fish, or visit one of the state parks. There are plenty things to do in Montauk to fill up a day or weekend.
16. Fire Island National Seashore – Sailors Haven
Considered by some to be the “jewel in the crown” of the Fire Island National Seashore, Sailors Haven is home to a beautiful, wide-open beach and the 300-year-old Sunken Forest. The 1.5-mile walk takes you from the bay to the ocean. Boats leave several times a day from the Sayville Ferry Dock. Check out our post on taking a staycation in Fire Island for more ideas.
Top Summer Day Trips from Long Island: Elsewhere in New York State
17. Legoland Discovery Center – Yonkers
Visitors can enjoy a 32,000-square-foot indoor destination featuring more than 3 million Lego bricks, two Lego rides, hands-on play areas, a 4-D cinema, and a massive play structure to explore. There is also a build-and-test area that allows participants to build cars and race them around the track. It's about a 90-minute car ride from central Long Island; more info here.
18. Bear Mountain State Park – Bear Mountain
Hike the trails to get one with nature, then cool off at the swimming pool. The Bear Mountain Zoo is small and quaint, perfect for little ones to conquer. The zoo is home to orphaned and rehabilitated animals native to New York. Best of all, if you're an empire pass holder, this park is FREE. Otherwise, it is $10 per car and a suggested donation of $1 for the zoo. Read more details in our write-up of the top things to do on a visit to Bear Mountain with kids.
19. SplashDown Beach – Fishkill
Pack up the car and spend a splashy day upstate at this this water park, located about a 90-minute drive from New York City. Attractions for all ages include a tide pool, a lazy river, and various larger and smaller water slides. Make a day of it and visit Cracker Barrel for breakfast.
20. Legoland New York – Goshen
Tiny builders will flip for Legoland New York, the third of its kind in the U.S. The park is geared toward kids 2-12 and features seven worlds filled with rides and attractions. Lego Masters on site offer several workshops to help take creations to the next level.
RELATED: Easy New York State Park Hikes in the Hudson Valley
Delight in New England's only collection of beluga whales at the Mystic Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Top Summer Day Trips from Long Island: Connecticut
21. Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village – Montville
Dinosaur enthusiasts find plenty to like at this prehistoric explorium, where 1½ miles of trails are lined with make-believe dinos. There's also a playground fit for a T. Rex, a moon bouncer, and a large splash pad. Nature's Art Village can be accessed via both the Port Jefferson and Orient Point ferries.
22. Bridgeport
Bridgeport might not pop up on your bucket list of day trips. But with an easy ferry connection from Port Jefferson, minor-league baseball and hockey games, children’s theater, and more, Long Island families are increasingly making a day of it in Connecticut's largest city. We've rounded up 25 of our favorite things to do in this coastal town.
23. Essex Steam Train and Riverboat – Essex
Ideal for the Thomas the Tank Engine fan in your life, a real steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches through the Connecticut villages of Essex, Deep River, and Chester. A riverboat, the Becky Thatcher, takes passengers on a 75-minute cruise along the Connecticut River. Essex is a mere 25 minutes from the New London ferry terminal.
24. Maritime Aquarium – Norwalk
The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk is the only aquarium that focuses on the Long Island Sound. Attractions include living exhibits where kids can safely touch jellyfish, sharks, and stingrays. Visitors also have the opportunity to create a digital fish for everyone to see on a massive screen.
25. Mystic Seaport and Aquarium
The Mystic Seaport has become a national center for marine research and education. The facility’s 19 acres are a recreated 19th-century coastal village, a working shipyard, and more than 500 historic watercraft, including the 1841 whaling ship Charles W. Morgan. Nearby, you'll find the Mystic Aquarium, where children with an aquatic curiosity will delight in the fish, sea lion, stingray, and penguin exhibits. The Mystic Aquarium also boasts New England’s only collection of beluga whales.
Top Summer Day Trips from Long Island: New Jersey Options
26. Diggerland USA – West Berlin
For families with kids who just can't get enough of construction machines, Diggerland USA is the place to go. This construction-themed adventure park lets kids and adults ride and operate real-life construction equipment. There is also a water park dubbed The Water Main.
27. Cape May Zoo – Cape May
Located a two-hour drive from New York City, the zoo in Cape May features guided tours, animal encounters, and pavilion rentals. The zoo is absolutely FREE and open every day of the year except for Christmas. A nearby adventure park lets athletic kiddos climb away on ropes courses and zip lines. If you are staying a little longer, the community of Cape May is known for its pristine beaches and quaint shopping. Read our full guide to visiting Cape May with kids.
28. Field Station: Dinosaurs – Leonia
This outdoor, dinosaur-themed adventure park features more than 30 life-sized, realistic dinosaurs roaring to "life." There are also several interactive stations, including a geology table, where kids dig through native stones to find items that resemble fossils planted by staff. Expect a 90-minute drive from central Long Island.
29. Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson
It's about an hour-and-a-half drive from Long Island to the magic of Six Flags Great Adventure. Your ticket includes kids' rides and family rides, plus the thrilling Jersey Devil coaster. Purchase separate tickets for the safari attraction or the Hurricane Harbor waterpark.
30. American Dream Mall – East Rutherford
Some of this mega-mall attractions include an indoor skating rink, North America's largest indoor water park, a theme park, an aquarium, and mini-golf. One stop every 80s and 90s kid-turned-parent won't want to miss is the Toys 'R' Us store, featuring a two-story slide.
Top Summer Day Trips from Long Island: Pennsylvania Options
31. Sesame Place – Bucks County
If you have a little one who loves Elmo or Abby Cadabby, it’s worth taking a ride to this 14-acre park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Sesame Place offers rides, parades, a water park, and plenty of opportunities for photo-ops. The park is large enough for a day trip but not so enormous that you walk all day.
32. Bushkill Falls – Bushkill
Located less than three hours from New York, Bushkill Falls is the self-proclaimed Niagra Falls of Pennsylvania. In this 300-acre park, guests can explore waterfalls on trails that vary in length and difficulty. After your hike, little ones can sift for gemstones at the mining area or try their luck traversing the maze.
33. Philadelphia
Philadelphia is just over a 2-hour drive from the Nassau-Suffolk border and the City of Brotherly Love has so much to offer families, There are museums galore. The Please Touch museum is perfect for children under six to explore, learn, and play, while history lovers will appreciate the Museum of the American Revolution. Be sure to leave time for the Philadelphia Zoo. It has a lot to offer, including animals you can't see at any of the NYC zoos.
Top Summer Day Trips from Long Island: Rhode Island Options
34. Block Island
Beach walks, bike rides, and plenty of nature await on bucolic Block Island. Consider taking your child to Crescent Beach near Old Harbor, a 2-mile expanse that locals call Baby Beach for its gentle surf and tide pools crawling with fiddler crabs. For older children, try Benson Beach for boogie board and kayak rentals.
35. Newport
Newport might seem more like a CEO’s getaway than a child-friendly destination with its opulent mansions, art galleries, and antique dealerships. But look closer, and you’ll find plenty for kids from toddlers to teens. Take a narrated cruise around Newport Harbor aboard the Amazing Grace, or visit Fort Adams, the nation’s largest coastal fortification, whose open acreage is perfect for a picnic and playtime. Enjoy the cliff walk along the bluffs for great views of the Atlantic Ocean.
RELATED: 100 Things to Do With Kids on Long Island Before They Grow Up
Indulge in 19th-century life at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of the village
Top Summer Day Trips from Long Island: Massachusetts Options
36. Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Included in its 200 acres are more than 40 original buildings, including homes, meeting houses, a school, a farm, and three water-powered mills. Children can interact with farm animals and the museum’s costumed staff.
37. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum – Springfield
From Green Eggs and Ham to The Lorax, there are few things more iconic to childhood than a Dr. Seuss book. Relive everyone's favorite books at this museum dedicated to the life and work of the Springfield native. Little ones will delight in the chance to take a picture with life-sized sculptures of characters such as Horton and the Cat in the Hat, and explore the many interactive exhibits over two floors.
A version of this story was first published in 2015 and has since been updated. Writer Rebekah Yahoves contributed additional reporting.