There is certainly plenty in New York City to keep you busy, and it can be difficult at times to convince New Yorkers to actually leave the city. Once you do decide to try a change of scenery, there is a wide array of activities available on your doorstep. You can hit the boardwalk on the beach, hike any number of beautiful trails, tour guitar or chocolate factories, or discover some of our nation’s earliest historic sites; and wherever you decide to go, a KOA campsite is never very far away.
KOAs along the way:
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Unadilla/I-88/Oneonta Saugerties/Woodstock Copake Northampton/Springfield |
New York City North/Newburgh Deerpark/New York City NW Cooperstown Brattleboro North |
Places To See And Things To Do:
Sheffield, MABartholomew’s Cobble – Hike the unusual geologic formation of Bartholomew’s Cobble and admire the flora, fauna and beautiful views of the area.
Sheffield, MAAshley House – Nearby is the Ashley House, which belonged to Colonel John Ashley, an important actor in the American Revolution. Learn about the rich past of this historical landmark.
Hyde Park, NYEleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site – Discover the favorite retreat of dynamic first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Tarrytown, NYSunnyside Manor and Philipsburg Manor – Buy a combo ticket to these two historic manors to dive into the world of early America, with a hands-on experience of the inner workings of the farm and mill at Philipsburg and a view the surroundings that inspired Washington Irving, author of “Rip van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” while at Sunnyside Manor.
Cooperstown, NYNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum – A must-see stop for any baseball fan! Learn more about the history of “America’s favorite pastime” and the game’s stars, past and present.
Bethel, NYThe Museum at Bethel Woods – Get groovy with the closest thing you can get to re-living Woodstock or experiencing it for the first time.
Places To Eat:
Hyde Park, NYEveready Diner – Classic breakfast served all day and a gourmet twist on traditional diner fare.
Poughkeepsie, NYRossi Rosticceria Deli – A great little Italian deli with a wide range of specialty meats and cheeses that come piled high on generous sandwiches for an affordable price.
KOAs along the way:
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Elizabethtown/Hershey Philadelphia/West Chester |
Gettysburg/Battlefield |
Places To See And Things To Do:
Pleasant Beach, NJPoint Pleasant Beach and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk – Share the joys of a classic boardwalk with your kids, from salt-water taffy to amusement park rides. There’s also an aquarium and mini-golf course, not to mention plenty of dining facilities.
Frenchtown, NJDelaware River Tubing – Tube, raft, canoe or kayak down the beautiful Delaware River; includes a free BBQ meal.
Frenchtown, NJJersey Shore Pirates – Become a junior pirate for a day, finding underwater treasure and firing water cannons aboard the Sea Gypsy II.
Hamilton, NJGrounds for Sculpture – Tour the 35-acre sculpture park and 10,000 square-foot museum on the former state fairgrounds and join in workshops for adults or kids, or take in one of the courtyard concerts. Also home French-inspired Rat’s Restaurant; dinner menus can be a little pricey, but there are some more affordable options on the lunch menu.
Places To Eat:
Belmar, NJ10th Ave. Burrito Co. – Classic and not-so-classic Mexican food, from portabella tacos to chicken molé to spicy mac-n-cheese with chorizo, available for dining in, take-out, or even delivery to the beach.
Pineville, PAThe Pineville Tavern – Upmarket food made from fresh, local ingredients in a casual and historic setting. Choose from the more affordable sandwich platters or homemade pasta, or treat yourself to the steak or seafood.
Barnegat Light, NJMustache Bill’s Diner – This cozy, old-fashioned diner serves breakfast and brunch like it should be – triple-stack pancakes, fluffy omelets, creamy grits and constantly refilled mugs of hot coffee.
KOAs along the way:
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Sterling Mystic |
Boston/Cape Cod |
Places To See And Things To Do:
Stanford, CTSoundWaters Coastal Education Center – Learning about the natural habitat of the coast is fun for kids as when coming face-to-face with a horseshoe crab or touring an 80-foot schooner.
Long Island, NYCamp Hero State Park – Explore the trail network that covers 415 acres of wetlands, bluffs and beaches with spectacular bird-watching and surf fishing. Don’t forget to visit the former military base that is rumored to be the site of secret experiments and wrinkles in space-time.
Mystic, CTMystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration – Catch a mesmerizing sea lion show, shiver as a shark swims by and find out what it takes to be a deep-sea explorer.
Swansea, MAJohnson’s Roadside Farm Market – One of Massachusetts’s many roadside farmstands, where you can find fresh, local fruits and vegetables, as well as yummy baked goods, freshly cut flowers, and local sodas.
Places To Eat:
Mystic, CTKitchen Little – Don’t be fooled by the exterior of this tiny seafood shack by the water, for inside you can find delicious freshly caught lobster, clam and scallop dishes for prices that won’t break the bank, as well as a surprising breakfast menu.
Fairfield, CTSuper Duper Weenie – So much more than just a hot dog; Super Duper Weenie serves the perfect weenie with toppings made from scratch and featuring fresh, local ingredients to make their buns, hand-cut French fries and more.
Norwalk, CTValencia Luncheria – Chef Michael Young serves fresh and tasty Latin American dishes at affordable prices, with new lunch and dinner specials every day.
KOAs along the way:
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Williamsport South/Nittany Mountain Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain Allentown |
Pine Grove/Twin Grove Park Jonestown/ I-81, I-78 |
Places To See And Things To Do:
West Orange, NJThomas Edison National Historical Park – Tour the home, Glenmont Estate, and the Laboratory Complex of one of America’s greatest inventors.
Easton, PADelaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor – Discover history and natural beauty as you follow the D&L Trail through the mountains and along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers. Visit historic inns, theaters, art galleries, local wineries, and/or hike, fish, rock climb, ride horses and birdwatch.
Hershey, PAHershey’s Chocolate World – Follow the journey a cocoa bean takes from rainforest to candy wrapper and create your own candy bar. Next door, HersheyPark also offers rollercoasters and other rides and attractions.
Nazareth, PAC.F. Martin & Company Guitar Factory – Witness firsthand the birth of some of these famous acoustic guitars and marvel at the history of the instrument in the guitar museum.
Lancaster County, PABird-in-Hand Amish community – Discover the way of life of the Pennsylvania Dutch in this small Amish village while also enjoying more modern entertainment like mini golf, hot air balloon rides or scooter rentals.
Places To Eat:
Lancaster County, PABird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord – While you’re in Bird-in-Hand, make sure not to miss the family restaurant that features local produce and traditional recipes.
Lake Hopatcong, NJThe Jefferson Diner – Voted one of the top 5 diners in New Jersey and featured on the Food Network, Jefferson expands on traditional diner fare with healthy salads, wraps and fresh seafood. It is also located on Lake Hopatcong, a fishing and water sport paradise.
Hellertown, PA – Lehigh ValleyBraveheart Highland Pub – Enjoy traditional Scottish and American pub food, a large selection of draft and bottled beers, and of course many fine single malts or blended whiskies.
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Now that you’ve read our recommendations, we want to hear yours. Share your ideas for fun things to do in and around New York City by commenting below:
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