5 Labor Day Getaways for Families in NYC

Stop off in Poughkeepsie (on the Hudson Line) for an afternoon of historic sights and scenic vistas. The Walkway Over the Hudson is not to be missed and is a fun change of pace for those who live in the city. If you’re looking for a more traditional garden to visit, stop by the Beatrix Farrand Garden. For the history-inclined, the former home of FDR– now a National Historic Site– is just north of Poughkeepsie. (You can even sign kids up for a Citizen Science project on salamanders if you visit!) If you’re looking for somewhere to let Lil’ Sprouts run free, bring a picnic along to Peach Hill Park, an old apple orchard.

Hop a bus or train to Philadelphia for a historic look at America’s origins. In between wandering the more famous monuments like the Liberty Bell, keep an eye out for a series of gardens scattered across downtown that transport visitors back to colonial America. Further out, the city is rife with traditional gardens like Chanticleer and the Wyck House, which latter is full of historic cultivars and some mystery roses. For a Lil’ Sprouts-centric adventure, catch Patco and head across the water to the Camden Children’s Garden.

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown sit side by side along the Hudson River line and offer up historic sites alongside classic upstate landscapes and quaint avenues. There’s a cluster of historic estates in the area (like Philipsburg Manor and Lyndhurst), which are all filled with fine art. Need something more active? Head to Tarrytown Reservoir or Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Or, if your Lil’ Sprouts can’t wait for Halloween to come, head to Sleepy Hollow (home of the Headless Horseman) as it has plenty of author Washington Irving’s sites that are open to the public.

Bear Mountain State Park is located across the Hudson in New Jersey, but you can take Metro North to Peekskill station and cross Bear Mountain Bridge. There’s no shortage of things to do: boat rentals, a carousel, natural trails, playgrounds, a swimming pool, biking, fishing, and even a zoo! No matter where in the park you end up, there’s nothing but beautiful, scenic landscapes on every side.

Not up to a long bus or train trip? Enjoy a staycation on Governor’s Island. Slide Hill recently opened, in addition to the island’s many other kid-oriented activities (hammock play structures, fountains to run through, and minigolf, to name a few). There’s plenty of good food and unobstructed views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, and the island has a laid-back vibe that seems just right for Labor Day.