I live in Manhattan and have recently purchased a car ( crazy, but true) I'd love to take advantage of the nice weather (coming) and find some places to go for a day or even overnight or two.....suggestions for sightseeing, scenic places, beaches, concert venues, and shopping will all be welcome......
Thanks, Susan

Susan, you need to get a good book on the subject. I haven't used it, but here's one
http://www.amazon.com/Daytrips-New-Y...325498-5211915

Some of my favorites

Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Spring Lake, NJ
Hudson, NY (antiques)
Greenwich, Ct.
Nyack
Cold Spring
Rhinebeck
Sagamore Hill (Long Island) & Old Westbury Gardens

The Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT about 2 hours from NYC....

http://www.mayflowerinn.com/home_inn.shtml

Wonderful place to visit. Have a nice time.

Bear Mountain State Park

West Point Military Academy

FDR's home in Hyde Park

For shopping Woodbury Common is only about an hour north of the city

Saratoga is great off season (don't do end of July through August since it's mobbed with people for the racing)

The Hamptons, North Fork - tons of places - just don;t do the height of the season - lots of little museums and galleries, wineries, historical houses etc

When you go to Woodbury, head upstate on the thruway farther and get off at the Saugerties exit. You can go to Katterskill Falls from there which is on Hunter Mountain.

Nice cool place to get away from the city summer.

Try Caramour in Westchester for outdoor concerts, and The Planting Fields in Oyster Bay.

Take a look at our day trip blog:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...rips/tpod.html
We don't have much now, but we take a day trip 2-3 times a month.

This week, New Hartford CT for a long weekend.

We live in a great area, you can take daytrips every weekend and never run out.

Thanks eveeryone for your suggestions..they sound lovely.....i even just thought of another one myself.....the Mohonk Mountain House