13 Family Weekend Getaways from NYC

Sarah Calamita:  This is one of the best weekend trips you can make! The museums are all free, amazing farmer's markets, take a stroll down the Mall, see the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the White House, National Harbor and the restaurants. Don't forget to check out Old Town in Alexandria (cute shops, restaurants, harbor) and Georgetown (Georgetown cupcakes!)

There is much to do in this chocolate-loving town! At Hersheypark amusement park, kids get a thrill out of the coasters, water park and games, while they adults especially enjoy everything from dark chocolate spa treatments to golf. Hershey is also home to the Hershey Story Museum, with sweet activities like their hands-on Chocolate Lab. Kids can create and take home delicious hand-poured chocolate creations.

Check out Lehigh Valley's 3 incredibly charming cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. All day attractions nearby include Crystal Cave, DaVinci Science Center, and the Crayola Experience. Kids can create and mold their own crayons, transform themselves into a coloring page or create drip art masterpieces! The quaint cities of Lehigh Valley also welcome your family overnight with delightful B&Bs and boutique hotels.

The Poconos have something to offer no matter what season it is. Winter skiing and snowboarding, summer hiking and swimming, and plenty more indoor and outdoor options. The Poconos are also home to a variety of family friendly attractions like animal parks, family fun parks and water parks. Consider lodging atop a mountain peak or an inn with vintage charm. You can even bunk your family up in a dude ranch for the weekend!

Undoubtedly one of the best family vacation spots for kids studying American history, you won't want to miss Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and many more historically significant sites. Kids will love the Please Touch Museum, one of the nation's best interactive museums. Just make sure to leave room in your itinerary for sampling all...the...cheesesteaks.

Bear Mountain State Park is a beautiful area roughly an hour away from Midtown Manhattan that offers an array of family friendly activities including hiking, fishing, boat rentals, ice skating and a popular Merry-Go-Round! Rugged mountains, shaded groves, and rivers present a stark change from city life!

Bear Mountain also features trailside zoo museums where families can meet native wildlife or learn about the local geology. Perfect for a day trip, but there are plenty of nearby accommodations to make it an extended stay.

Rocking Horse Ranch is a family friendly dude ranch located 90 minutes north of New York City. This all inclusive offers horseback riding, indoor and outdoor pools, bonfires, hiking, water skiing, mountain tubing and may more family fun activities. Included in the price of your stay is a kids camp where your children will be entertained and stay active. With 113 rooms, Rocking Horse Ranch keeps their guest list low ensuring you won't have to wait in long lines to join your favorite activities.

The Catskill Mountain regions are roughly 2 1/2 hours away from Midtown Manhattan and make for a great family getaway. There are different types of accommodations for families such as a resort stay, camping, or even an authentic farm stay where families can pitch in with farm work and get a full countryside experience. The Catskills have a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, paddling and fishing. Be sure to visit one of the Catskill's beautiful waterfalls! Some amazing waterfall hikes even allow easy access for young children.

Fire Island is a beautiful New York oasis located off Long Island. There are different areas to visit depending on the experience desired. For families who prefer more action such as dining out and treasure-laden shopping, Ocean Beach may be the perfect place for you. For a more nature-centered experience, check out Sailor's Haven, where families can take a tour of the sunken forest or meet sea critters at the nature center touch tank. Your family will also have its pick of charming hotels.

This stunning area of the state offers so many outdoor activities for families including an accessible, elevated hiking trail called the Wild Walk and a thrilling adventure through the Ausable Chasm. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, this amazing experience gets families down into the depths of the region with hiking trails or rafting tours. There are plenty of camping or hotel accommodations with rustic charm and mountain views.

This quaint maritime town is a charming little getaway for families. The town has so much more to offer for families aside from the famous Mystic Pizza Shop, including the Mystic Aquarium, harbor cruises, paddling, and a bustling small downtown district to enjoy a seaside meal together.

Located in Montauk, this is a 189-site campground on the ocean. The grounds have picnic areas and fireplaces. The park is home to "walking dunes" (shifting dunes), playing fields, a playground, and a fresh water lake. With so much to do, this a great destination for families. There are hot water showers in the park, as well.

A popular Halloween destination, Salem has fun attractions year-round as well! Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the Salem Witch Trials at the Salem Witch Museum. Families can also explore historic Pioneer Village and the New England Pirate Museum. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site has a huge recreation of the Friendship vessel from the 17th century. There a many hotels, inns, and B&Bs that are centrally located to it all, and are as charming as they are historic.