As summer is gearing up, Jason and I have started to discuss where we’d like to road trip with the kids this year. I just love having the whole family together in the car singing, playing games, and exploring new sights. I’ve gathered 11 of our best road trips on the east coast from NYC for some ultimate inspo.
State parks, scenic road trips, beautiful places to check out and mountain ranges all make up a great time spent in the car together as a family. Summer is the perfect time to get away and explore a few of the sights you’ve always wanted to see for a long weekend, while the kids are out of school! Discovering new places is one of the best things to do as a family! A great road trip doesn’t have to necessarily be a longer road trip. It can totally be an hour drive or a quick drive out of town, I just think it’s a great idea to do if you can!
Here are some of the best summer road trips to take from NYC:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A few years ago, Ryder and I took a road trip from NYC to Philly and he’s still raving about it. Taking the Megabus from midtown allowed this trip to truly be effortless. The long bus ride is a great way to have a quality catch up when carving out one on one time with one of your kids. Once there, we went to all the major sights and definitely filled up on amazing Philly cheese steaks. Philadelphia is an amazing city for kids of all ages, we always have the best time there!
Shelter Island, New York
Shelter Island is a summer dream come true. The perfect distance from the city to feel like you’ve had a family fun road trip but not long enough to all go mad. Hehe. Once you’ve arrived your kids will enjoy a ferry ride, building sand castles at the beautiful beaches, poolside snack breaks, and more. Us adults relish in the fresh seafood, beautiful quaint architecture, and the gorgeous sunsets. I’ve been counting down the days until we get to go back.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Only five short hours away from New York City is the quintessential town of Kennebunkport Maine. It is one of the best places to check out in the summer! When we went last summer I was truly on a summer cloud 9! We indulged in an abundance of lobster, salt water taffy, fresh creamery ice cream, just to name a few. Our days were spent on the beach, bike riding, and making s’mores at our hotel in the evenings. We really had the most amazing Maine experience.
Montauk, New York
We all know my heart belongs out East in the Hamptons, but Montauk is the cool laid back sister to the Hamptons. Local pancake houses, surf culture, beach cottages, etc. We just love the beach town vibe Montauk offers all year round and I know we’ll be back sooner than later.
Lake George, New York
Head north to Lake George for the ultimate summer mountain escape. Our kids just loved the scenic 4-hour road trip from NYC. As soon as we arrived we knew it would be an amazing weekend. Lake George is undeniably a gorgeous place to spend your summer days. Whether you’re enjoying the lake kayaking or poolside with a book you’re bound the have an amazing city escape.
Berkshires, Massachusetts
Very rarely Jason and I carve out some alone time for mom/dad adventures. In 2017 we decided to take a road trip to the Berkshires for some R&R. The Berkshires are peaceful & absolutely breathtaking. We spent our few short days hiking and eating up all the farm to table fares. Just the relaxing weekend we needed.
Washington, D.C
Washington D.C, the capital of the United States is a great weekend escape for some history and sightseeing. We’ve been both as a family and on a girls trip. As my children grow and continue to learn, I find them asking more questions about our country and how things have come to be. Washington is a great insight into a lot of these questions and answers. In NYC we have a lot of art museums, so it’s nice to go to the Spy Museum & the Smithsonian, which offer fun interactive learning. Stop by Baked & Wired for a delicious treat and burn off the sugar high wandering to all the historical monuments. D.C is a great option for doubling up on family time and a bit of education.
Westchester, New York
Westchester is a shorter road trip from the city with tons of family fun activities, which always makes for a good time. We drove up last summer for some fun on the Hudson and to check out iFLY. It was a huge hit, totally safe, and children as young as three years old can partake. It was the best way to spend the weekend! We also toured Stone Barns at Blue Hill Farm. The 80 picturesque acres include a cafe, restaurant, and plenty of farm animals for your littles to enjoy. Be sure to also check out Hudson River Cruise with Captain Mary Pat Driscoll and River Outpost Brewing Co was a huge hit with kids! Westchester offers a quick and convenient country escape.
Wildwood, New Jersey
Morey’s Piers in Wildwood New Jersey is where I spent every summer as a child. I remember riding the rides, playing the games, and eating the carnival treats all while having sandy toes. When the kids were younger I had a business opportunity to go back and it was a blast from the past. The Jersey Shore has miles worth of family-friendly fun for the exciting summer months.
Lake Morey, Vermont
We love road tripping here because not only is it a scenic route, but it’s one of the best drives solely because it’s great family time in the car. This spot makes for an epic summer road trip! Our stay at Lake Morey was filled with memories and a couple of family firsts. It will always be the place where Ryder and Siella learned to paddleboard. My children really have such an appreciation for country life, because it’s something we don’t get to experience that often. I love how they are open to new adventures, new scenarios, and have already asked to return for the winter sports activities. Lake Morey was definitely a place dedicated to families.
Boston, Massachusetts
At just under a four-hour road trip from NYC, Boston is ideal for kids because it leaves just enough time to be excited for the drive up, followed by long naps, which prepares them for the activities and playing tiny tourists all weekend.
*This post was originally published June 10th, 2019*
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