Top Affordable Day Trips in New York

The “Big Apple”- New York City, the largest city in the United States, offers endless amounts of attractions and sites to explore. Take the Staten Island Ferry for free to get a great view of the Statue of Liberty, or make a trip to the top of the Empire State Building to get a breathtaking view of the city. Enjoy a walk through Manhattan’s Central Park to visit the Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, and the Friedsam Memorial Carousel, or to simply take in the scenic views. If you enjoy art and history, make a stop at some of the world’s most famous museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History (featured in the movie Night at the Museum), and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy a day of shopping and people watching in Times Square and 5^th Avenue, or attend a Broadway show; tickets can be found for cheap day-of at any one of three TKTS discount booths located around the city, or at Broadwaybox.com.  

Visit Saratoga Springs– Located just north of Albany, Saratoga Springs, NY is home to world-class spas, lodging, restaurants, shopping, and, for horse-racing fans, one of the nicest tracks in the country – Saratoga Race Track. This horse-racing track runs live races in the summer from the end of July to September 1^st. While traveling to Saratoga, you can also search and find one of many natural springs that are found all over town. The public springs are free, and it’s to be noted that some people believe the springs at Saratoga have special healing powers.

Visit the New York Lakes– Just north of Saratoga in the Adirondack Mountain Region, you’ll find one of New York’s most popular vacations spots, Lake George. There’s something for everyone at Lake George, including boating, hiking trails, and even a boardwalk! New York is host to dozens of beautiful lakes, both large and small. Farther west of Albany you can explore the Finger Lakes Region. New York’s Finger Lakes covers 9,000 square miles from the southern shore of Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania border. This area features 11 parallel lakes spanning the center of New York State like a giant handprint. Throughout the region you can find a ton of free and fun recreational attractions to explore, including museums, hiking trails, wineries, farmers markets, and over 650 miles of shoreline! For a full list of Finger Lakes attractions, click here.

Niagara Falls State Park– The oldest state park in the United States, Niagara Falls State Park, features stunning scenery and family-friendly attractions and exhibits with miles of hiking trails to enjoy. Obtain a Niagara USA Discovery Pass for just $36/person, $29/child between the ages of 6 and 12, or for free for children under the age of five! This pass can be used to gain access to five major attractions including the Niagara Adventure Theater, Aquarium of Niagara, Cave of the Winds Trip, Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, and Maid of the Mist.

Howe Caverns- Howe Caverns is the largest show cave in the Northeast, with about 160,000 visitors each year. Located behind Niagara Falls, it is the second most-visited natural attraction in New York. After your cavern tour, unleash your adventurous side at the Howe High Adventure Park. Here you will find a four-tower zip line, a sky trail ropes course, a 26-foot climbing wall, and an air jumper! Visitors can choose from one of four affordable cave tour packages, or experience rides separately for less than $20 each. Click here to learn more about this incredible attraction.

Visit Cooperstown– The village of Cooperstown is home to the world famous Baseball Hall of Fame. Admission is around $20 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, and just $7 for kids 7-12 years old. Cooperstown is also home to the Fenimore Art Museum, one of the nation’s premier art institutions, and The Farmers’ Museum, where you can experience life on the farm at Lippitt Farmstead. The area also features several local breweries and is located next to beautiful Otsego Lake.