7 Day Trips You Can Take From Grand Central Terminal In New York City (2024)

New York City is a premier destination on the East Coast; this thriving city is full of things to do any time of year. Millions of people come through New York City for various reasons. Work, leisure, family events - the list is inexhaustible.

Grand Central Terminal is one of NYC's two main travel hubs (Penn Station being the other), and it offers a lot of options for people to discover destinations outside the city. This hub serves as a jumping-off point for people to travel all around, even all the way to the West Coast (yes, you can travel between NYC and LA with Amtrak!). Of course, you don't have to travel that far to make use of this station. Grand Central offers several options for incredible trips that you can make in just one day.

If you're visiting NYC, you might want to take a day trip to one of the surrounding areas. This list details some of the best places you can visit that are within about a two-hour train ride, all departing from Grand Central Terminal.

Traveling by train makes it easy to see all these incredible, charming towns near New York City. Even if you live in the city, you might be looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle just for a day. Check out any of these day trips from New York City's Grand Central Terminal to explore, relax, and enjoy!

7 Beacon

This beautiful town on the Hudson is only a 90-minute train ride outside of NYC

Beacon, New York, is a charming town that is only a 90-minute train ride from NYC. This is a great town to get away and explore nature, as well as a beautiful museum and fantastic eateries. You won't want to miss an unforgettable meal at the Roundhouse, where you'll overlook Fishkill Creek and Beacon Falls. If you have the time, spending a night in this unique, industrial, and elegant hotel might be a great option!

During your visit to this town outside NYC, you can hike up Mount Beacon, where you'll be rewarded with an incredible view of the Hudson. This park is a great place to explore, where you'll feel removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is just enough to do to spend a full, enjoyable day in this town, making it a perfect option for a day trip out of NYC from Grand Central Terminal.

6 Hyde Park

Take a day trip from NYC to visit historic sites and enjoy fine dining at the Culinary Institute of America in the Hudson Valley

A day trip to Hyde Park will not disappoint! This town in the Hudson Valley is just under a two-hour train ride from Grand Central, making it a great place to visit for a day. There are tons of historical sites for you to explore as you venture into the past of America. The Vanderbilt Mansion and the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt are two premier historic sites that offer tours, but there are so many different old-timey areas to explore in this interesting town!

After a day of sightseeing, enjoy fine dining at any of the Culinary Institute of the Arts restaurants in town. These restaurants offer absolutely unforgettable meals from different cuisines, allowing you to indulge in fresh, decadent meals. Hyde Park has all you need for an intriguing, inspiring day trip outside of New York City!

5 Long Beach

This is the perfect day trip for beach lovers in NYC!

Take the train from Grand Central to Long Beach and revel in the beauty of the shoreline. Long Beach is the perfect getaway from New York City for a beach day. Thanks to the LIRR train, this is one of the most accessible beach towns for people in the city! Tickets are affordable, and the ride is just under an hour each way.

Once you arrive at the Long Beach Station, it's only about a 10-minute walk to the main beach. You can enjoy making sandcastles, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, and eating delicious food. Since it's easy to get around on foot, you won't have to worry about transportation.

This is a great place to visit in the summer, but you might even enjoy a relaxing walk on the beach during the off-season as well. Lather on your sunscreen, and spend a day soaking up the sun this summer in Long Beach, NY!

4 Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown

This spooky town is just under an hour outside of NYC, making it a great day trip, especially during Halloween!

Visit Sleepy Hollow and discover all this spooky town has to offer. There are lots of things to do in Sleepy Hollow in one day, but the fall (specifically Halloween!) is arguably the best time to visit this town in New York. The town hosts hayrides, haunted houses, circuses, and more. With unique and spooky things you can only do around Halloween, this is a trip you won't want to miss!

Still, Sleepy Hollow hosts fun events year-round, and the whole family will enjoy a trip to this vibrant town. From jazz in the parks to farmers' markets and fairs, this town is thriving. Take a walk through the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, or tour the incredible Kykuit Estate. You'll find plenty of places to eat and shop in the downtown area, as well. Sleepy Hollow is a fun day trip for anyone staying in NYC!

3 New Haven, Connecticut

Take a day trip outside of New York and visit this beautiful, small city for some award-winning pizza and beautiful sights

If you're looking to check out other states nearby, a trip to New Haven, Connecticut is a great option! This small city in Connecticut is home to some beautiful sights, the acclaimed Yale campus, and iconic pizza restaurants that are worth trying. In just under two hours, you can experience all this city has to offer, with direct Amtrak trains from Grand Central to New Haven.

Take a tour of Yale's campus and discover all this beautiful college area has to offer. The architecture of the campus is stunning - so much so that one of the Indiana Jones movies was actually filmed on Yale's campus. There are also several museums that are free to visit and are a great option for anyone traveling with kids. You also shouldn't miss a chance to try out the famous Pepe's Pizza!

Taking a walk through Wooster Square is beautiful any time of year, but especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. This city is easily traveled by foot, but Uber or Lyft is also a great way to get around on a budget without a car.

2 Cold Spring

This beautiful town outside NYC has lots of nature and many antique stores to explore!

Cold Spring is a great place to visit in the Hudson Valley, where you'll feel removed from the city and discover local treasures.

Explore interesting museums, like the Magazzino Italian Art Museum. Or, take a walk in Little Stony Point or Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, where you'll feel a world away from the city in this picturesque landscape. There are also interesting Cornish Ruins near Cold Spring that you can explore on foot, taking you back into the past on any of the area's scenic trails.

Plus, the downtown is a great place to go antiquing! There are several beautiful shops to explore in the downtown area, but this town is definitely well-known for its high-quality antiquing. There are lots of little shops for you to discover, as well as many local places to grab a delicious bite to eat.

Cold Spring, New York has all you need to enjoy a fun day outside the city. The Hudson Line makes it easy to get there and back in just a day!

1 Nyack

A quick, 25-minute train ride will deliver you to this incredible little village outside of NYC!

Nyack is a small village outside of New York City that is well worth a visit. This beautiful little town is home to historical landmarks and beautiful shops. There are several historical places to visit, like the Edward Hopper House Museum, where you can discover a whole collection of fine art. Beach lovers will also enjoy a trip to the local state park, where you can explore the shoreline and enjoy a day on the water.

TV fans will love a trip to Nyack as well; you can visit one of the real-life locations where the popular show Fallout was filmed, a local gas station that appears on screen. Indeed, this beautiful town is scenic, interesting, and full of surprises.

Of course, there are plenty of delicious places to get a meal in Nyack. From exquisite dining at the Hudson House to the quaint Art Cafe, you'll find a unique place to eat during your day trip. A visit to this village just outside of NYC is definitely worth the trip.