Things to do in New York State
 

Hi all

Not quite sure where to post this but given we're going to book with BA miles, I thought here's as good a place as any!!!

My wife and I are planning on visiting friends in NYC for a few days in June and are taking our 11 month (at that time) daughter with us. We'd like a few days relaxing somewhere too but don't really want to have to take any additional internal flights.

So, what are our options (say) within a two-three hour drive of NYC that's child frendly with nice hotels?

Thanks

Dan

Cape May? Drive down through New Jersey, maybe stop at Atlantic City for a couple of nights on the way.

Cheers,
Rick

North East along the coast towards New Haven, Mystic, Newport all within about 3 hours. Push to 4 hours and you're in Cape Cod which in June should be fantastic "shoulder" weather and great beaches. Head for Dennis or Chatham in the middle. It's a very straightforward run straight up I95

North towards the Litchfield Hills or the Berkshires

West into Pennsylvania, about 3 hours and you're in the heart of Armish country around Lancaster. 4 hours to Gettysburg which is a great little area to explore

We'll give this a short run here before moving to the relevant Travel forum.

Swanhunter
Moderator, BAEC

The Hamptons or Fire Island. But you have to book from now.

I adore Fire Island. A week spent there last year in a house with friends was the most relaxing, social, revitalizing vacation I've had in years.

But I would not have said it meets any of the OP's criteria. I can't recall seeing a single child, nor does it have good hotels - notoriously FIPPOA makes it hard to open one and those that exist are poor (although I think there may be one decent newish one) - and the only way to do Fire Island properly is to share a house. You also can't drive there - which is one of its joys.

Perhaps there is a different part of Fire Island to which you're referring. But if you just type it into Google - or Google images - it's pretty clear that to most people "Fire Island" means the part I know.

Love FI and the fact that it is only accessible by boat. It is primarily privately owned, but they can still find rentals, that is why I said to book from now. And an 11 month old child isn't capable of doing much without his/her parent, anyway. I am sure the parents can find lots of babysitters available. Off the top of my head I can think of 2 who'd like the extra money babysitting, while the parents are kayaking somewhere.:D

Lake Placid... Upstate and a beautiful drive. Spend a few days there and drive up to Montreal. Back through Vermont and you will have a great time. Hamptons are nice but nothing special, unless you rent a house and know the people who 'summer' there so you can at least get into the restaurants and clubs... :)

HB it is obvious that you don't have kids... such a long drive with a child and for a short time... I personally wouldn't do it.

Thanks for all the advice. I think one stop will be more than enough with the baby!!!

What? You can't simply stuff them in the boot/trunk?

:D

Tried that, didn't work. Even tried having them lost with a few snow showers and messed up airports.... BUT NOOOOOOOO BA delivered them back to my door...

If you're interested in photography, George Eastman House in Rochester is worth a visit.

That's a good idea as I've always had more replies to this sort of OT question on the BA board. I'm also intersted as we may do a trip that way next year but sans baby:).

I also enjoy Fire Island (there are multiple sections, including family oriented), but it may be a bit much with an 11 month old with trains/shuttles/boats. As for other nice areas in NYC metro:
1) Greenport, NY on the North Fork. Beautiful, nice wineries. You can stay at the retro Greenporter hotel and get great cuisine in town. You can also take a car ferry from Orient Point to New London, Connecticut and drive back down to NYC after tooling around Connecticut/ West Chester. Do lunch in Old Greenwich, CT which is charming or go to Foxwoods or Mohean Sun casinos.
2) Monatauk, further out on Long Island is also a beauitful Long Island beach town, with lots to do.
3) NY Finger Lakes region http://www.fingerlakes.org/ for wineries/relaxation/museums/shopping
4) If you wife likes to shop, Woodbury Commons is a famous premium outlets (Dior, Gucci, Prada, etc) http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7
5) Boston is only a 3-4 hour drive (if you go off-peak)

Enjoy your trip!