Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Valley Cottage is perfect for kids who have energy to burn. Photo courtesy of the venue

Bounce! Trampoline Sports – Valley Cottage, New York

612 Corporate Way
Approximately 50 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
$10 for 1/2 hour; $18 for an hour; Children (5 and under) $8 for 1/2 hour; $12 for an hour
Let your kids bounce off the walls, literally. This 25,000-square-foot bouncy gym in Rockland County has giant trampolines everywhere—even on the walls! It has five colossal jumping courts, three separate trampolines for playing dodgeball, basketball, and other springy sports, a soft foam pit, and a mini-bounce area for children ages 2-5.

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The Liberty Science Center is a favorite day-trip destination. Photo courtesy of the venue

Liberty Science Center – Jersey City, New Jersey

Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard
Adults $24.99; Children (2-12) $19.99; some attractions cost extra
Approximately 20 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
This massive, interactive science spot is one of our favorite kid-friendly museums in northern Jersey and one of the country's best science centers—it offers enough entertainment for an entire day of fun. In addition to its permanent hands-on attractions, a brand new exhibit, Wild Kratts: Creature Power!, opens February 1; Angry Birds fans are sure to get a kick out of an exhibit dedicated to the science behind the game. Another great thing about LSC? You don't need a car to get there. Just take the PATH train from Manhattan and connect to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. Yes, it's longer than driving, but for some kids, a train ride adds to the fun.

Lakota Wolf Preserve – Columbia, New Jersey

89 Mount Pleasant Road
Adults $15.50; Children (2-11) $7.50; payment by cash or check only
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
Little animal lovers can observe (from a safe distance) the amazing world of wolves, as well as bobcats and foxes. While Lakota is open year-round, winter hours are limited. You can only visit by taking a tour; call ahead for reservations. Beware, though, bad weather often forces its closure for the day. Tours are offered at 10:30am and 3pm Thursdays through Sundays during the winter. Plan to arrive 1/2 hour before your tour begins.

Sahara Sam's Oasis – West Berlin, New Jersey

535 North Route 73
$44.99; purchase online in advance to take advantage of special discounts
Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by car from Midtown Manhattan
We've raved about this indoor water park in the past, and we're still big fans. It's a fantastic day trip, especially during the winter, since the kids get a chance to splash around (something they probably haven't done in a while) in 80-degree temps. Rides range from Congo Bongo (a lazy, peaceful float in colorful innertubes) to tube slides and surfing simulators, though height restrictions apply for some attractions. Sahara Sam's isn't alone, though—we've found several indoor water parks near NYC.

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The Vanderbilt Museum offers an eclectic mix of artifacts and exhibits. Photo by Molly Englund

Vanderbilt Museum – Centerport, New York

180 Little Neck Road
Adults $8; Children (ages 11 and under) $5
Approximately 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan
When I was growing up on Long Island, this museum was one of my favorite places to visit. The early 20th-century, 24-room, waterfront Spanish Revival mansion was built for William K. Vanderbilt II, a direct descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt. It's impressive—and the kids probably won't give a hoot about it. But they should enjoy the complex's Marine Museum and Natural History Galleries, where they can gaze at Vanderbilt's massive collections of firearms and swords, model ships, preserved butterflies, birds, shells, mammals, fish, and a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy. Bonus: The museum hosts special programing for families from February 17-21.

The Maritime Aquarium – Norwalk, Connecticut

10 North Water Street
Adults $26.95; Children (3-12) $19.95; some attractions cost extra
Approximately 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan, or take the Metro-North to South Norwalk; it's an easy walk from the station.
Families can see 100 species of marine life indigenous to the Long Island Sound, including sharks, seals, river otters, sea turtles, jellyfish, and tons more. There's even a touch tank where the kids can pet sharks, plus a special play area for tots. Check out the event calendar and plan accordingly.

Find more day trip destination inspiration in our NYC Family Travel Guide.

Originally published in February 2013