The Best Day Trips for a Long Weekend

Though summer holidays may look different this year, there's no reason you still can't take advantage of the warm weather to escape the city and enjoy the great outdoors. Below, we've gathered a selection of beautiful day trips you can take from each of our six cities. All you need is a car, a picnic basket full of food (as local restaurants may be closed), and – it goes without saying these days – a mask.

Important to note: social distancing measures still apply in all of these parks, and many of them have closed facilities and bathrooms. Check the parks website daily to find out the latest information.

From New York City 

The Delaware Water Gap: Only an hour-and-a-half drive from the city, the Delaware Water Gap offers over 100 miles of beautiful trails for hiking and exploring. Some campgrounds are also open if you're looking to stay the night, but make sure you call ahead to confirm they're open, as many places' policies are changing daily. Be aware that some facilities (including some bathrooms) at the Water Gap remain closed, though the trails and parking lots are open. Parking lots to some of the more popular trails fill up at 9:00 AM on the weekends, so make sure you either head out early or hit up one of the lesser known trails. You can find all updates to the park and their guidelines on their website.

From Chicago

 

The Fort Sheridan Nature Preserve: Only a 40-minute drive from downtown (and also accessible via the Metra Rail train line from Ogilvie Transportation Center), Fort Sheridan is ideal for finding a breath of fresh air in a picturesque setting. Though not a large spot, it does offer free public access to Lake Michigan and over four miles of trails for biking, walking and fishing, with dramatic views available from the lake overlook.

Another option for Chicagoans is to hit the golf courses that have also re-opened, though there are still some restrictions in place (read the latest guidelines here).

From Washington, D.C. 

 

Patapsco Valley State Park: Maryland state parks are open for the most part (as are its beaches), and Patapsco Valley has over 200 miles of trails to explore. We recommend going early as the park does enforce a strict "Filled to Capacity" policy and will not allow any visitors in after a certain point (a plus for social distancing purposes). The park also offers camp sites for sleepovers and some prime fishing spots.

Alternatively, beaches in Maryland are also open for the season if you'd prefer to do some sunbathing or swimming (you can find the full list of regulations here).

From Boston

 

Newport, Rhode Island: The famous mansions of Newport are beginning to open up again (The Breakers and Elms are the only ones currently open). But even if touring the mansions is not your thing, you can still take a walk along the famous 3.5-mile Cliff Walk (which, arguably, is the best part of the tours anyway). And you can learn all about the Gilded Age mansions from afar using the Cliff Walk's app, which delivers important information about 16 different points of interest. Note that though most of the walk is relatively easy, the last portion near the Breakers does become rocky and more challenging, so sturdier shoes are recommended.

 

From Los Angeles

 

Angeles National Forest: Only a half an hour drive from The Emerson and Argyle House, the forest recently reopened 23 trails in the San Gabriel Mountains.  A few public facilities (think bathrooms and water fountains) remain closed and social distancing requirements are still in place. Several campgrounds and picnic areas are open; check their website for the latest updates.

Some beaches are open in LA as well, but with many restrictions, including closed parking lots. The Los Angeles Times is tracking the most up-to-date information on openings and closures here.

From San Francisco

Napa Valley: Going out to Napa is always a beautiful drive from the city, and new guidelines from the state are allowing wineries, tasting rooms and hotels to open. Dine-in restaurants are also open, though making a reservation is highly recommended.  You can check out a full list of open restaurants here. If you're still wary about dining out at a restaurant, you can always go for a hike in one of the many state parks in the area.

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