June 5, 2023
Follow us
Summer Day Trips
Compiled and photographed by Sarah Einhorn
I find myself getting cabin fever once summer sets in. I love to get away and enjoy the outdoors,
but it’s not always practical to go on overnight or long-distance trips. Responsibilities and work can keep you tethered to the city, but for many people Sunday is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy some fresh air.
Below is a mix of ideas of places to visit that appeal to a variety of tastes, all within an hour’s drive of Marine Park.
Untemeyer Gardens Conservatory
914-613-4502
I couldn’t believe that there is no entrance fee at the Untemeyer Garden. It is one of the more hidden gems in the area. The beauty and design of the garden exceeded my expectations.
Visiting the garden is not very tiring. The formal gardens don’t span a very large area but each of the three developed areas are magnificent in their own right. The walled garden is a Persian-style garden with flowers and canal interspersed with Greek architecture and intricate mosaic panels. Leading from the Walled Garden is a vista with 135 steps down toward ancient Roman columns and panoramic views of the Hudson River. A wooded path leads from the vista to the magnificent Temple of Love, a natural rock outcropping with cantilevered terraces, winding steps, and waterfalls. Atop the waterfalls there is a terrace that offers beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Hours:
9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Price: Free
Approximate Distance from Marine Park: 55minutes
Keansburg Amusement Park
275 Beachway Avenue
Keansburg, NJ 07734
732-495-1400
The best part of Keansburg Amusement Park is that it caters to all ages. The park is big, but not too big. There are two areas of just kiddie rides. There are family and thriller rides such as a roller coaster, log flume, a 10-story high drop ride, large swing ride, and many options of arcade games. Fast Trax Go Karts has two go kart tracks, one for kids and one for adults, which are family favorites. For a bonus and a full day of fun, visit the beach directly behind the amusement park, from which you can enjoy a view of the New York Skyline on a clear day. Next to the amusement park is a separate water park, Runaway Rapids, under the same ownership.
Hours: Vary. Call or check the website.
Price: Keansburg is a pay per ride park. Ticket prices begin at $45 for a sheet of 50 tickets; larger packages are available. Ride prices start at 2 tickets and go up to 6 tickets for the more exciting rides. Go Kart tickets are purchased separately.
Approximate Distance from Marine Park: 1 hour
————-
Paterson Great Falls
72 McBride Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 523-0370
Who would believe that a 77-foot-high waterfall calls itself home within the industrial city of Paterson, NJ? When visiting, you can almost imagine that you are in a remote state park, for all the beauty it offers. The parking lot is across from the falls with picnic tables and some grass. There is an access bridge and walkway that takes you right near the falls, where you can enjoy it from up close. The waterfall is a series of wider and narrower cascades set in a chasm. The mist from the powerful waterfall reaches the visitors walking alongside the waterfalls.
Price: Free
Approximate Distance from Marine Park: 1 hour
Overpeck Park
40 Fort Lee Rd
Leonia, NJ 07605
Overpeck Park is the perfect destination for both old and young, featuring walking paths, kayak and canoe rentals, and a most enjoyable, original playground that can keep children entertained for hours. There is a large climbing area, a toddler climbing area, swings, a monkey bar area and the highlight of the park: four connected 15-foot rope climbing structures with a small trampoline in the center.
Overpeck Park Kayak Center rents canoes as well as a limited number of kayaks. It is always smart to arrive early to ensure availability, as there is no reserving in advance. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and children under five are not allowed onto the boats.
When arriving at the roundabout, which has a sign for Overpeck Park, take a right and cross over the two wooden bridges. The first parking lot is for the kayak center; there is a separate lot that leads to the playground, but you can also access it via a scenic pathway alongside the water.
Park Hours: 7 A.M. – 10 P.M.
Approximate Distance from Marine Park: 45 minutes
————-
Teatown Lake Reservation
1600 Spring Valley Road
Ossining, NY 10562
(914) 762-2912
The Teatown Lake Reservation is a charming combination of nature and education. The Education Center has exhibits featuring reptiles, turtles, fish, and other small animals found in the area. Outside there is the Raptor Loop with a variety of birds of prey and eagles for visitors to admire and learn about. There are a few hike options with 15 miles of trails on a variety of levels. The path around Teatown Lake is scenic and not difficult. We went only on part of the hike and then turned around since we had a stroller, and the tree roots got in the way. We enjoyed the scenic views and colorful trees, which made an excellent background for nature lovers and photographers.
In the summer, the two-acre Wildflower Island is a haven of plants, trees, and roughly 280 species of wildflower.
Hours: 9 A.M. – 5 P.M. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. Wildflower Island is only open at specific times or by guided tour.
Price: Free. $7 parking fee
Approximate Distance from: 1 hour
Pedego Electric Bike Rentals
73 S Franklin St Suite 1
Nyack, NY 10960
One beautiful sunny day, I visited Nyack’s Pedego bike rental with my girls. Simon Kaff, the owner, was extremely helpful, selecting bikes and helmets for each of us. He gave us instructions on how to use the bikes and quick pointers of which path to take to the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Riding across the 3.6-mile bridge was exhilarating! One side of us had cars speeding by and the other side offered some of the most amazing views of the Hudson River and the Hudson Valley. We spent about an hour including the stops we made at the overlooks. After enjoying the ride across the bridge, we headed back in the direction of the Pedego storefront and continued past until we got to the end of Franklin Street. From there we continued to my favorite spot in the area: Nyack Beach State Park. We rode down the hill to the path between the Hudson River and Hook Mountain, where enjoyed the views and silence. We biked to the end of the Nyack Beach path where there was a sign pointing to Rockland Lake. At that point we headed back, enjoying the views of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and the towns across the Hudson River.
The bike rental is little more than two blocks away from the bridge, with paths clearly marked and set up in a safe way. The bridge path is marked half for pedestrians and half for bikers. There are six overlooks modernly designed for pedestrians and bikers to view the area and sit if they choose. There is also lots of information about the area on computerized boards at each overlook.
Address:
73 S Franklin St Suite 1
Nyack, NY 10960
Phone Number:
845-675-0444
Hours: Vary. Check online for current hours.
Price:
$25 per hour
$75 half day
$100 full day
Reservations are suggested, especially during weekends and holidays.
Approximate Distance from Marine Park: 1 hour
You must be logged in to post a comment.
