Winter is officially here, and this list of winter day trips from New York City will undoubtedly come in handy. Whether you prefer spending the winter months snuggling on the couch or frolicking in the snow, sometimes you just need to get out of town for a change of pace.

We've pulled together this list of family-friendly, fun-filled winter day trips near NYC that appeal to all interests, from budding artists to full-fledged ski bunnies. Best of all, these destinations are all two hours or less from New York City by car, and we think they're all worth the trip.

Find more winter day trips from NYC in our Day Trip and Weekend Getaways Guide and our Guide to Winter Fun, which is filled with more fun ways to embrace the season, like snow tubing day trips, our favorite ski slopes, and more.

My family has been longtime fans of the Museum of Math, meeting the team behind this hands-on museum long before it had a brick-and-mortar location on the Math Midway during the old days of the World Science Festival, so we were thrilled to visit it's original location on 26th Street and couldn't be more excited for what's in store for this inventive, hands-on museum in 2026.

Mark your calendars for a February opening of MoMath 2.0—a sprawling new permanent location for this mecca of problem-solving, puzzles, and interactive learning. I got a behind-the-scenes look on a hard-hat tour last week and can't wait to return with my kids! Read on for a look at the fun in store and find more hands-on fun in our NYC Kids' Guide to Museums and Galleries.

What's open on Christmas Day in New York City? Maybe you need last-minute supplies or all the presents have been ripped open by 10am, and you need to get the kids out of the apartment. After all, dinner won't be ready for hours, and the kids are full of holiday energy.

Some families have a Christmas Day tradition of enjoying Chinese food and a movie. But, there are other fun things to do that are open on Christmas Day in NYC, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. Here are some fun things to do on Thursday, December 25, 2025. You can also pair an outing with a reservation at one of these restaurants open on Christmas—just make sure to book soon!

Find even more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide or Family Activity Calendar.

When there's no snow in NYC, or your favorite neighborhood sledding hills are worn down to dirt, you can still go snow tubing near NYC. So, bundle up the kids and hop in the car for a short drive to one of the many ski resorts in upstate New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania that offer tubing. Most are less than a 2-hour drive from Midtown Manhattan—perfect for a quick day trip or weekend getaway. If you're looking for more than a day trip, we've found many destination-worthy ski resorts for your next vacation and have plenty more spots to seek out fresh powder in our Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Sports Guide.

The Intrepid Museum is a long-time favorite at my house. Though my son is grown and in college, it's still his favorite NYC museum given its collection of military history and the unique vessel it calls home—a decommissioned Essex-class aircraft carrier dating to the Second World War. So, when my younger daughter and I were invited to join a recent Operation Slumber overnight experience, we excitedly packed our bags and shipped out for an all-night adventure at one of the handful of museums offering sleepover experiences in NYC.

When it comes to the best things to do this winter in NYC, one thing is certain: Being cooped up in a tiny apartment with your kids hanging off the furniture (and you) is no way to spend the season. We know it can be hard to put on all that winter gear, head out into the cold, and hit up one of the dozens of daily kid-friendly events happening in NYC, but we're here to help. To inspire winter fun, we've compiled this list of 47 awesome things to do in NYC this winter. Our winter bucket list picks include spots where kids can run, jump, bounce, learn, create, and get cultured.

Of course, you can find more fun, seasonal ideas in our Guide to Indoor Family Fun or enjoy the great outdoors with the picks in our NYC Kids' Guide to Winter Fun.