New York City: Day Trips

Bronx Zoo This landmark zoo is worth the 45-minute subway ride from Midtown for its enormous range, from the Butterfly Garden to the 6.5-acre Congo Gorilla Forest and Tiger Mountain exhibit. Bronx; Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd.; 718-220-5100; www.bronxzoo.com
family | wildlife | outdoors | zoo

Fire Island A skinny barrier isle off Long Island’s south shore, this beachy, car-less paradise attracts weekend and summer refugees from the asphalt jungle. Winter is mostly dead. 2-hour drive or 2.5-hour trip (train + ferry) from Manhattan; www.fireisland.com
family | outdoors | swimming

Hudson River Valley Make the trip to this scenic river valley, home to state capital Albany, historic estates like Van Cortlandt Manor, West Point, and charming towns like Woodstock and Sleepy Hollow. Hudson Valley, 3-hour drive from Manhattan; www.visithudsonvalley.com
family | culture | outdoors | history

The Hamptons Long Island’s South Fork seems to draw descendants of The Great Gatsby crowd, who have created ritzy estates, fancy boutiques, and society parties among beach grass, potato fields, and whitewashed colonial architecture. The Hamptons; www.hamptons.com
family | outdoors | history | swimming

Yankee Stadium Head to the Bronx and catch a Yankee's game in "the house that Babe Ruth built" before the stadium is replaced in 2009 with a newer structure next door. Bronx; E. 161st St. at River Ave.; 718-293-4300; www.yankees.com
family | baseball