Hi, we are spending 8 days in Manhattan in April. This will be our 2nd visit in 10 months and would like this time to take a day out of the city. We don?t want the hassle of a hire car so will rely on public transport. Can anyone please give me some suggestions for a destination and/or activity, preferably no more than 1.5 to 2 hours away? Many thanks.

There were some threads on this about a year ago, which I have topped for you ("Day Trip from NYC", and "train trip out of new york-city") Some places mentioned are West Point and New York State generally, some website you might find useful

West Pont has a website that includes has public transport info and driving directions, as well an information on visits to the school and the surrounding areas. Take a look at http://www.usma.edu/. From the main page click on "Visiting West Point" to get driving directions and visitor information. The academy is well worth a visit, you can take tours guided given by cadets.

I would recommend doing a tour of one of the historic homes along the Hudson, such as the Vanderbilt Mansion or Kykuit the old Rockefeller Mansion. These and other homes of the "robber barons" of the late 19th and early 20th century are in the Hudson River Valley area, esp along the Hudson. Huge homes and acres of gardens and woodlands. Take a look at http://www.hudsonvalley.org/web/kyku-main.html

There is a lot to see and do in this area, including outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing. Take a look at the links on the West Point website or the New York State tourism website at http://www.iloveny.state.ny.us/

I live in the West Point area and I just want to let you know that due to new security measures visitors can no longer just walk through the grounds of the academy on their own. I used to love to walk there after work and on weekends during the spring and summer. You have to take the bus tour that leaves from the visitor's center. It's about one hour and you are taken to key points on the grounds. The museum, in Olmstead Hall, is located next to the visitor's center. It's free and you can walk through on your own. If you decide to go to West Point you should check out the schedule for Eisenhower Hall Theater. You can catch a road tour of a Broadway show or a singer or band. Also, you must show a photo id to take the bus tour. Gray Line has a bus that leaves from Port Authority once a day. It adds up to about an 8 hour day. You can finish the day with lunch or dinner at The Thayer Hotel. The restaurants in Highland Falls (the town outside the West Point gates) are okay. Schade's offers burgers, ribs, pizza, etc. and Tony's makes pizza and pasta dishes. Park Avenue Tavern is another burgers and fries joint and West Point Pizza, IMO, is not very good. Andy's is the place to go for a greasy breakfast and there's a Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's in town too. Steer clear of the Chinese restaurants there.

If you like history and good food, Philadlephia would fit the bill.

You can take Amtrak from NY Penn Station to Philadelphia 30th Street Station in 1.5 hr.

www.gophila.org

I wouldn't venture too far if I were you - while in New York why not get the full city experience? Take the subway into one of the outer boroughs and explore the neighborhoods on foot. You can see how real NY lives.

Have you been to the Cloisters way up on the West side? It's like taking a trip out into the country. Beautiful grounds, and the interesting buildings and medieval art collections in what appears to be old European settings. It's part of the Metropolitan. You can get there by subway or bus. Great place for a picnic and sitting on the hill and watching the Hudson.

Or check out going to Staten Island -- free to get there on the ferry, then take a bus to several interesting places.

1.5 to 2 hours away? Well you could go visit JFK airport!

if you are limited to public transportation then would agree with posting above. Westpoint ...not sure how to get there or the Rockefeller mansion...To get hear you will take train from Grand central for approx 45 minutes along Hudson River. visit site mentioned or go the Metro North train site. I know they encourage this in some type of package. I think they have shuttle from train to mansion...5 min drive.

The Rockefeller preserve surrounds the Mansion and offers free access and great hikes/walks amongst its 1000 acres where you can walk thru a working cattle farm, wild turkey and deer, streams and views of Hudson....I run there every week..its great. You would never know you are 45 from midtown NYC