The springtime day trip destinations we highlight might take anywhere from roughly one to three hours of travel time, depending on where on Long Island you live. Be sure to factor in extra time to allow for traffic.

Spring Day Trip Destinations for Families on Long Island

1. Long Island's East End

From breweries and wineries to beach playgrounds and museums, the East End is ripe for exploring. Pack your bikes and head to Greenport, where you can take a ferry to Shelter Island. Water sports more your thing? Kayak rentals are available on the island.

2. Destination Playgrounds On Long Island

Take a road trip to a park or playground you haven't explored. Our list of Long Island's best playgrounds is a great starting point.

3. Park or Nature Preserve

Strap on a backpack and head to a nearby nature center. Caumsett State Historic Park and Preserve in Huntington is one of our favorites. Another nature-inspired outing: Visit one of Long Island's beautiful botanic gardens and arboretums.

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A trip to Fire Island Lighthouse is especially fun before the tourist season begins. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

4. Fire Island

Spring is a great time to see Fire Island and its lighthouse before both get overcrowded with summer tourists. The tower is open from 1-3:30pm weekdays and 10am-3:30pm on weekends. Enjoy a relaxing visit walking the boardwalk and collecting shells on the beach. 

5. Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Take a road trip to a great Long Island historical site, like Old Bethpage Village Restoration, which reopens Friday, April 5, 2024.

6. Long Island's Farms

The new season brings wine tastings, fresh flowers for Mother’s Day, strawberries, and blueberries. 

7. Explore a New Town

Why make things complicated? Pick a charming community on Long Island and spend the day exploring. We have the lowdown on things to do in Oyster Bay, Massapequa, Rockville Centre, Riverhead, Sag Harbor, Patchogue, and more.

8. Adventureland

There's no need to travel far for thrills. Adventureland has increased guests' adrenaline for over 60 years. The park reopens on Saturday, March 23, 2024, with new rides planned for the new season!

Spring Day Trip Destinations to Connecticut

9. Bridgeport

If you must leave LI, hop aboard the Port Jefferson ferry for a scenic ride to Bridgeport, Connecticut.

10. Mystic

Alternatively, consider traveling by ferry from Orient Point to New London, where the trip is half the fun. Enjoy a getaway to nearby Mystic, Connecticut, where you can experience a quaint seaside town and the largest maritime museum in the country.

11.  New Haven

Getting a pie at Frank Pepe’s in New Haven is worth the drive (or ferry ride), but do save time to stop for ice cream at Arethusa Farm Dairy.

12. Hiking Trails in Connecticut

Take a hike to see some amazing waterfalls in the Nutmeg State.

Day Trip Destinations in New York and New Jersey

13. Central Park

Explore all these fun finds in Central Park, visit the Central Park Zoo, or embark on a tour of the park's top playgrounds.

14. New York City Museums

Check out these famous cultural spots. See if your local library has free family passes to the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and others. 

15. Queens

With eight playgrounds, a zoo, a botanical garden, museums, and much more, Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens offers more activities than you can do in a day.

16. Jersey Shore

Sometimes overshadowed by other Jersey Shore beach towns, Point Pleasant, New Jersey is a great springtime destination for families. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk has rides, games, and an aquarium.

RELATED: Nature Centers Sure to Delight Long Island Kids

Enjoy panoramic views of the Hudson Valley on the famous Walkway Over the Hudson. Photo by Fred Schaeffer for Walkway over the Hudson

17. Hudson Valley

Catch sweeping views of the Hudson Valley on the Walkway Over the Hudson. This 1.3-mile pedestrian bridge is open year-round, but spring is a wonderful time to experience this easy hike.

18. Legoland New York

Got a kid with bricks on the brain? Legoland Discovery Center in Westchester is the place to be with its Ninjago City Adventure exhibit, building stations, movies, rides, and impressive Lego structures. For even more fun, travel to the Hudson Valley to visit Legoland New York. At 150 acres, it's the biggest Lego park to date.

19. Storm King Art Center

Book your tickets in advance to experience art as a family at Storm King Art Center in upstate New Windsor. Pack a picnic and take in over 100 sculptures at this massive outdoor space.

20. Coney Island

Coney Island welcomes visitors as early as April. Although it might not be warm enough to swim at the beach, there are plenty of attractions, including Luna Park, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park—the park's season opening date is March 23—and the New York Aquarium.

21. Randall's Island

The park has lots of kid-friendly activities and places to explore.

22. Governors Island

While we're on the topic of NYC, why not check out the transformed Governors Island? Enjoy Slide Hill, the Granite Scramble, an adventure playground, and more. 

23. The Bronx Zoo

The Bronx is perfect for animal and nature lovers. Check out the New York Botanical Garden. The Bronx Zoo's Wednesday admission is a pay-what-you-wish donation, making a family zoo trip more affordable. Tickets for this discount day must be made online in advance and are released at 5pm the Monday before.

24. Six Flags Great Adventure

Thrill-seeking families should head to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, which reopened on March 16. From a drive-thru safari to an epic new safari resort opening this summer, Six Flags is quite the exciting destination for families. 

RELATED: The Best Long Island Playgrounds for Toddlers

Take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird

25. Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty Museum has lots of interactive exhibits and touchable artifacts for kids.

26. Long Island City

Soar to new heights at iFly in Long Island City. Or visit Socrates Sculpture Park where kids and adults can enjoy the beautiful park, sculpture events, and activities, all of which are completely FREE.

27. Diggerland

Dig with an excavator, drive a dump truck, and more at Diggerland USA in Southern New Jersey. The venue also recently opened a water park. 

Originally published in April 2018, this post was updated in March 2024.