dunican:

Niagra is a very long ride much more than 200 miles! ...... 200 miles outside NYC...Fall......kids....Hmmm!

How about fall apple/pumping picking!! You could head up to Northern New Jersey/NYS border to Warwick NY Off Rt. 94. The area is also has a very nice fall color show as well! I cannot remember the farm that I was about to recommend..but if that sounds like something you would want to do...I will look it up for ya! About 200 miles R/T!!
John

Niagara is a very long haul. Depending on what time in the fall, the mountains north of New York City could be a spectacular blaze of autumn colors. However, I don't know if this will impress a 5 yesr old. The apple picking idea is a good one. I believe Hunter Mountain NY has their ski lift running in the fall - this could be exciting for the kids. There are many hiking and walking trails throughout the mountains of that area, some with some very pretty waterfalls and lookouts. However, if you are going in November, this area is grey and barren by then, with not much open until ski season. As for Connecticut, there is some beautiful scenery in the northwestern corner of the state, and Mystic Seaport is also interesting.

For really little ones I guess it depends if even the 2hrs+ for Mystic is too much. Dionsaur Park in Rocky Hill would be less of a hike.

The 2 yr old might not get as much out of it, but there is the Old Rhinebeck aerodrome of WWI bi-planes. Great dog fight show on the weekend. Also look into the Catskill game farm.

You and your car can take the ferry from Long Island to New London, CT. From there you could drive to Mystic which has a great aquarium, the Seaport etc. I believe the ferry company is called Cross Sound Ferry.

I agree with the last post about New London/Groton..what a beautiful area. My sister lives there, right on the shore and it is wonderful.( obviously, once you get to New London, stay off the highways and stick to Rt 1 or something similar for the sights. You can visit the Coast Guard Academy in New London (beautiful etched glass windows in the chapel) - you can also tour a submarine. Groton is a Navy sub base,& GD makes subs there, fascinating to see them, and any local boat tour will take you very close,I cant imagine your kids wouldnt think that was cool. There's a ferry that goes out to Block Island (not sure about seasonal trips though, you'll have to check.) The New London Ledge lighthouse is 'haunted'.

Mystic and the Seaport are lovely and fun and if you wander a bit north on Rt 1 you'll come to the famouns Mewport RI mansions. Plenty of things to see and do along the way. Check the Mystic area ( ask @ seaport) to see if you can take a daytrip or half day on a schooner, its an experience in itself and wonderful scenery. I know many of them do go out in fall.

The 2 yr old is ify for more than a few hours, but will be in a life jacket and almost zero chance of falling overboard (rails are MUCH higher than a 2 yr old!)

Okay, growing up in this area I have to disagree with some of you about something: Mystic Seaport. I went there with a group of families when I was 10 and all of us kids ranged in age from 3-10, and we were BORED SILLY. We still laugh about it as The Worst Trip Ever ("Oh look - here's a boat. Here's another boat") Maybe it's just something that appeals more to adults. Granted, we did not go to the aquarium.

When I was a kid, I LOVED going to the Bronx Zoo. It's HUGE. We used to go every week because it was free on Wednesdays (I wonder if it still is?). I still enjoy going there. The apes know sign language!!

The Botanical Garden (also huge) is right across the street and is appealing to both kids and adults. Kids run around like crazy there in the big open spaces. We used to love to feed the ducks and squirrels and see if the ducks would go over the waterfall (they never did).

Also, we used to do day trips to Catskill Game Farm - another fun place for kids, maybe 2 hours outside the city. There were animals walking all around that you could pet. We have the cutest photo of my sister there hugging a llama. I wonder what it's like these days?

Ditto on what suzanne said. Growing up here I remember going to Mystic on class trips and hated it. I think it's more of an adult thing. One class trip I did enjoy is the Essex Steam Train. You ride the train for a while and then get on a riverboat and go by Gillette Castle. I've been meaning to to do it again as an adult but haven't taken the opportunity. They have a special sometimes where they have a Thomas the train replica pulling the cars.

http://essexsteamtrain.com/

I agree with the suggestions made by others.

Please note that Niagara Falls is actually closer to Washington, DC, than to NYC. If you don't believe me, check your road atlas!

Would second the recommendations on Bronx Zoo.
Apple picking could be tough on the little ones, depending on the orchard you pick. Blue Jay Orchard in CT is laid out on relatively flat and compact piece of land and might be a good choice

Other recommendations would be the Maritime Acquarium in Norwalk(quite a bit closer to NYC than Mystic Acquarium). you could even couple it with a vist to Stepping Stones Children Museum that is 5-10 minutes away in Norwalk as well.

Also would suggest you consider NJ Children's Museum - my kids loved that place when they were between 4 and 8

If you'd like a day trip, board a ferry and hop over to New Jersey. You can stop at the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, or go all the way to Jersey City and take in the Liberty Science Center in Liberty Park. A great hands on place for the kids.

I know you got all this advice from your other threads to go to Connecticut, but I have to agree with Suzanne & Loki about Mystic being a bit boring. The Intrepid air & space museum- a battle ship is IN NYC-no travelling needed. And the South Street Seaport in NYC has ships I think you can board & tour. The aquarium I mentioned yesterday in one of your other posts is 1/2 hr drive from Southampton in Riverhead. And Connecticut feels very much like the Southampton area. So a pointed question. Is this side trip mostly for the adults or the kids? If it's the kids, I still think Pennsylvania Dutch country (Amish) would be more interesting for the kids to see- people living without any modern conveniences. I think it's fairly near Hershey, home of the chocolate maker with an amusement park (not sure if it's open this time of year) & other kid-oriented activites.

Have a look here.

http://www.padutchcountry.com/attractions/amusements.asp

Bucks County in Pennsylvania is also a pretty area near NYC but I think it's not as interesting for kids. Look for info on buckscounty.org

The other thought that I don't think anyone has mentioned is-if you'll be here in early to mid October when the leaves turn, many people take car rides to see the leaves in upstate Ny & into New England. Look at the website berkshires.org for info.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be a great trip.

Well, she said defensively, I think CT has a lot to offer. (It's where I live.)

My grandson is 4, and has been enjoying visits to the Mystic Aquarium since he was 2. (I agree that the Seaport is more adult-oriented.)

I have a great book we use when planning day trips: "Fun with the Family in Connecticut" by Doe Boyle. You'll find it on Amazon. Hundreds of places to see, things to do, with full info on age-suitability and (most important) where you can eat nearby. It's a great resource.

And the ferry idea from LI to New London is good too. There's also one from LI to Bridgeport if you want to check out the Norwalk area. The Litchfield Hills are lovely in fall, lots of hikes and fun things to do.

So much to do and so little time! But CT would be a nice contrast to your time in the city, and maybe more relaxing.
My 2 cents.

We just returned from a couple of days in the Pa Dutch country which one of the responders (mclaurie)is recommending. I am 58 year old kid and I have to say I have not been so bored with a vacation destination in a long time. I would not recommend it for anyone unless they are overly interested in gift shops selling preserves (pickles, etc) and hand made quilts.
The Amish are not exhibits and do not appreciate it when tourists treat them as such.