Closest major city:
New York City

State:
New York

Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Best time to visit:
A hot summer day.

Time needed for trip:
Full day

Description:
Escaping the city heat is just a short drive or train ride away. Whether you head northeast to Long Island or across the Hudson and south to the Jersey shore, you'll find some of the best recreational fun available on the East Coast. Get out of the city and enjoy a day of swimming, boating, tennis, golf, biking, horseback riding, and more.
Long Island
Jones Beach is probably the least exclusive beach area on Long Island. This 6-mile stretch of ocean is clean and can be a welcome respite from a sweltering city summer.
If you travel further out on Long Island, you'll find that the Hamptons are a bit more exclusive. Enjoying the rich and famous atmosphere is half the fun of a visit here, and you and the kids can have fun at the Whaling Museum in Sag Harbor or play a round of golf on the fine Montauk Downs golf course. East Hampton is the heart of the Hampton scene and features some excellent restaurants and nightspots.
The Jersey Shore
The New Jersey coast stretches 127 miles from Sandy Hook up north to the most southern tip of Cape May. It's the most visited area of the state thanks to its beaches and the casinos of Atlantic City. From May to Labor Day, frequent trains run from NYC's Penn Station. To get to the Jersey shore by car, take the Lincoln Tunnel or George Washington Bridge out of the city and hop on the Garden State parkway south to all Jersey Shore points.