A version of this article was first published in 2017. This 9-mile lake is divided in half by the New Jersey-New York border. from Manhattan, but you’ll feel as if you’re in another state entirely. Ranking of the top 11 things to do in The Finger Lakes. 1 bedroom, Condo You'll also find a snack stand, restrooms, and shower facilities. Photo courtesy of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. 1 hour, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan #2 Best Value of 43 Beach Resorts in New York “ Room is clean warm and within walking distance of most of the fun activities of Lake George, staff is helpful and considerate, right on the lake with a beautiful private beach . Sandy Beach on East Shore Road has a concession stand, restrooms, and a shaded picnic area. Photo courtesy of Highlands Natural Pool. Buffalo is upstate New York’s most famous city, with its proximity to the USA side of the spectacular Niagara Falls and its almost equivalently important claim to fame – the invention of buffalo wings. North-South Lake – Haines Falls, New York 2 hours, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan If you're hoping to take the family camping, consider booking at North-South Lake Campground. There’s a large sandy beach and swimming area, making it perfect to cool off in whether you’re sweaty from hiking or just trying to relax. The 10 Best Lakes to Call Home The top spots to swim, fish, sail, ski, and relax. RELATED: Easy New York State Park Hikes for Families. WITHIN HOURS Find places 1 hour 1-1/2 hours 2 hours 2-1/2 hours 3 hours 3-1/2 hours 4 hours 4-1/2 hours 5 hours 6 hours 50 miles 100 miles 150 miles 200 miles 250 miles 300 miles 350 miles 400 miles from me The Catskills: Two to Three Hours by Car. ∙ Because it is less than two hours outside of the city, you can find many New Yorkers there, either visiting or staying in the second homes to escape into a more relaxed environment. ∙ Cowanesque Lake covers a wide swath of 1,085 acres that come close to the state of Pennsylvania’s northerly New York border. You don’t have to go far from New York City to enjoy the beach. Ziplining and tubing in the Catskills. Angus and Dresden are especially popular places to stay in Seneca Lake vacation rentals at the waterfront – cottages, cabins, and houses among those available. New York City does its best in trying to supply its extremely urban setting with enough green space, with many small squares and parks located within the city itself. 6 guests Photo by Bob Nasser. Now, however, it is a popular summer destination because of its prominent fishing, boating, golfing, and beaches. Lakes in the state are enjoyed throughout the summer months, and there are plenty of them. Address:790 Hulse Landing Road Wading River, NY … It’s surrounded by beautiful woodlands, making it a great destination in the fall as well as in the summer. The park is known for its scenic forested hills, many trails (including part of the Appalachian Trail), and a tranquil atmosphere. This page can help you find new awesome lakes near you, and can be particularly useful for people in search of new fishing lakes, kayaking spots, hiking trails, places to go swimming and camping, etc. The area, likely due to its location relatively close to the city, has long attracted important visitors including Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower. 2 hours from Midtown Manhattan It’s an excellent base for travellers and a very pleasant destination in itself, with leafy parks and a beautiful location on the shores of Lake Erie. ∙ This 100-acre lake in Fahnestock State Park boasts a large beach with picnic areas and hiking trails nearby, plus rowboat rentals and family camping. Many lakes are located even farther upstate, four to five hours from the city, but here are the closer lakes, all of which can easily be visited in a weekend or even a day. 2 guests At 1,803 feet above sea level, the view from the High Point Monument is a spectacular panorama of rich farmland and forest that spans three states. - within a 12 hour drive from DC, so we're thinking anywhere from NY state to South Carolina - a village/town with a charming downtown that would at least have a couple bars and restaurants (can't be too too remote) ... 2. 2020 update: Capacity will be limited, so arrive early to ensure entrance. Lower Saranac Lake. 2020 update: Capacity is limited to 50 percent. Turn on JavaScript so our search engine can do its magic. It's open for swimming daily during the summer from 10am to 6pm. - Does anyone have a suggestion for a nice resort within 2 hours of NYC for a quick (this coming weekend - Feb 20,21) - … Read more ... One of the most popular camping sites in New York State, this 14,000-acre park offers 80 campsites and enjoy swimming in the stunning Canopus Lake … Swimming is not allowed in the main reservoir. There are a few picnic tables, and sometimes a food truck or two shows up. The largest of New York's Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake is, like its neighboring lakes, a go-to spot for fishing and boating in the region, as well as home to a world-class wine trail. 3 bedrooms, House Lake George. The pool goes up to 10-feet deep and includes a fenced-off shallow children's area. And, before you go, be sure to read up on park rules and prices. Visitors can also rent a variety of boats, including canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats. ... Teatown Lake … Just a couple miles outside of New York City lies Bear Mountain State Park, a popular location for hiking, boating, swimming, and picnkicnking in the summer and for skiing in the winter. This freshwater gem in Litchfield County, the northwestern section of Connecticut, has two beaches, but just one is open to the public. Surprise Lake Loop (1 hour, 45 minutes from NYC) Be sure to wear waterproof shoes for this trek. It’s a recreation ... 2. 5. Lifeguards keep the horseplay under control (we've seen them in action!). RELATED: 15 NYC Pools Set to Reopen by August 1 for Summer 2020 Swimming, Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park is always popular in the summer. Highlands Natural Pool is carved out of a hillside in New Jersey. If you're hoping to take the family camping, consider booking at North-South Lake Campground. 1 hour, 45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan The first half of the loop has a few steep ups and ... 2. The bathhouse has restrooms with showers. Plan to get there at opening time, or make it a weekend getaway. Lake Hopatcong State Park in New Jersey offers refreshing lake swimming, grills, a concession stand, and playgrounds. 3. The playground is also closed. For more fun things to do this summer, be sure to see our Ultimate Summer 2020 Staycation Planner for NYC Kids and our jam-packed Summer Fun Guide. 1 hour from Midtown Manhattan ∙ 2020 update: Capacity will be limited, and once it is reached, non-members will not be admitted but can wait outside and may be allowed to enter as other guests leave. Swimmers, boaters, and fishermen enjoy the blue waters of Round Valley Reservoir. Remember that a lot of these state- or locally-run parks have limited parking spaces, and the pandemic has limited capacity in some cases, so once the lot is full, they'll start turning people away. Adjacent to the beach are changing stations, restrooms, a first-aid station, and concession stand. Capacity will be limited. The lake is surrounded by top destinations for spectacular scenery, such as the waterfalls and gorges of Watkins Glen State Park, and the Finger Lakes National Forest, known for its miles of hiking trails. For instance, Swan Lake is a quiet and pretty town close to Monticello and the Bethel Performing Arts Center. A water obsessive’s guide to beaches, creeks, lakes, swimming holes, and lazy, hazy rivers—all within two hours of midtown Manhattan. United States - Quick weekend getaway drive within 2 hours of NYC??? RELATED: Best Spraygrounds and Sprinklers for NYC Kids, Greenwood Lake is one of the closest swimming lakes to NYC. ∙ By Alaina Potrikus | Contributing writer. Catskill Falls; Photo Credit: Flickr.com/chethanjs. It's one of our favorite summer spots. The 8 Best Hikes Near NYC (No Car Required) 1. 2 hours, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan Travelers favorites include #1 Skaneateles Lake, #2 Finger Lakes Skiing and more. 1 hour, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan Lake Champlain. If you’re looking for a beach vacation without leaving Long Island, take a trip out to Montauk. If Lake George, Lake Placid, and the Fingers Lakes are not great enough choices for you, try planning a trip to one of the Great Lakes (Lake Erie and Lake Ontario) that border The Empire State to the north. If you can't bear to stay only one day, book a cabin or campsite along the water's edge. 1 hour, 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan The beach is protected by lifeguards, and there is a bathhouse and food concession adjacent to the beach, which is open daily July through Labor Day weekend from 10am to 6pm (weather permitting). Sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox. Prices can be found here. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley, end of Windermere Ave Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park, Best Spraygrounds and Sprinklers for NYC Kids, Best Jersey Shore Beaches for Families: Sandy Hook to Cape May, Family-Friendly Campgrounds Near NYC for Summer 2020 Camping, NYC Beaches Reopen for Summer 2020 Season, family-friendly beaches right here in NYC, Ultimate Summer 2020 Staycation Planner for NYC Kids, 15 NYC Pools Set to Reopen by August 1 for Summer 2020 Swimming, Easy New York State Park Hikes for Families, Conference House's Annual Grand Illumination. Located about two hours outside of the city lies Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania’s third largest lake. However, for most residents to truly get immersed in nature, they need to drive outside the city and experience the beautiful forests, lakes, and mountains of the surrounding states. List of lakes of New York. … The largest of New York's glacial Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake boasts a 75-mile shoreline peppered with quaint towns and villages. Swimmers love that the lake is crystal clear, offering glimpses of fish as they swim by. It’s a recreation attraction in both Pennsylvania and the surrounding states with boating, fishing (there’s lots of bass in the river), and swimming. Notch Lake. You might even run into some more serious hikers, as the Appalachian Trail runs along the side of the park. 1 hour from Midtown Manhattan 1. Swimming is permitted in the day-use area only, daily from 10am to 6pm during the summer months, while lifeguards are on duty. Set in the Adirondacks, Lake George offers lots of open space and a slower pace of life . The state park also has a merry-go-round, pool, skating rink in the winter, and museum and zoo. Lemon Squeezer and Island Pond Loop (1 hour, 20 minutes from NYC) 3. Here are the 15 best lakes in New York State: 1. There is a fee, per carload, to enter the park. Social distancing is encouraged within the pool area. Zillow has 10 homes for sale in 12516 matching 2 Hours From Nyc. Like Bear Mountain, Lake Mohonk is also located in the Hudson Valley, not far from the city. Hawley, Pennsylvania. You can search Sullivan County MLS and find plenty of vacation retreats. Beaverdam Lake. During the summer months, the clear waters of beautiful Lake Wawayanda, part of the Wawayanda State Park, draws folks from all over the state and beyond. Jump to navigation Jump to search. WITHIN HOURS Find places 1 hour 1-1/2 hours 2 hours 2-1/2 hours 3 hours 3-1/2 hours 4 hours 4-1/2 hours 5 hours 6 hours 50 miles 100 miles 150 miles 200 … Some allow barbecues; others do not. 4 guests It is one of the best campgrounds within two hours of New York City! 2 bedrooms, House View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. Calculate the distance and travel time to find cities located within hours of your location. Fishkill, New York. Lake Kanawauke. Compare top rental sites at once to get the best deal on your next trip. 2 hours by car. If you're itching to get the kids out of the city to enjoy a swim in the great outdoors, what better place than one of our area's beautiful, tranquil, freshwater swimming lakes? The largest lake in the small state of Connecticut, Candlewood Lake was originally formed to store water to generate power. There are plenty of beautiful lake communities within a 2-1/2 hour drive from NYC. Also known as: Deer Pond, Mud Pond, Third Lake, Seventh Lake, Sixth Lake, Fifth Lake, Fourth Lake, Second Lake, First Lake After long months of anticipation and hours of negotiation, the newly-acquired Essex Chain of Lakes opened in New York's Adirondacks region. ∙ Guests are asked to pay at the gate, and only towels are allowed on the beach. Tomkins Cove, New York. In addition, High Point offers more than 50 miles of trails as well as picnic and camping facilities. RELATED: NYC Beaches Reopen for Summer 2020 Season. Lakes Near New York City. Beware, this beach isn't staffed by lifeguards. Lake Taghkanic offers a sandy beach, plus playgrounds and more fun for kids. Though usually a summer destination, in the winter the lake is open for ice skating and ice fishing. Great Sacandaga Lake. Lakes Nearby Me for Fishing, Kayaking, Hiking Trails, Swimming, Camping, etc. New Paltz, New York. ∙ With over 12 MILLION vacation homes and short-term rentals on Tripping, you're sure to find the perfect place to stay. Lake Placid. 6 guests View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. 12 years ago. On the New York side, in the town of Warwick, you'll find a smallish sandy town beach for swimming, known as Warwick Town Beach or Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park. Best day trips within a two-hour drive from New York City this summer ... Head to these engaging locales that are all just a two-hour drive or less from New York City. 1 hour from Midtown Manhattan 2 guests And, no matter where you decide to stay, check out the historic, castle-like Mohonk Mountain House, which has horseback riding, boating, fishing, tennis, and golf for visitors and has hosted many famous guests, including five United States presidents. 4 guests Re: Best Lakes in New York State or surrounding area? Hopatcong State Park, at the southwest end of the lake, boasts a sandy beach perfect for sandcastles, with picnic areas, a playground, a concession stand, restrooms, and shower facilities. Lake Flower. 1 hour from Midtown Manhattan Photo courtesy of Morris County, N.J. As of July 28, 2020, swimming remains open, but there is an algae bloom watch in effect. CLOSED TO SWIMMING STARTING JULY 25 DUE TO ALGAE BLOOM. New Yorkers are lucky to be surrounded by water: When we get the urge to take a dip on a hot summer day, there are plenty of family-friendly beaches right here in NYC, plus those on Long Island or at the Jersey Shore. 1 hour from Midtown Manhattan The lake is surrounded by rolling forests and is accompanied by both the Tompkins Campground and the Lawrence Picnic Area, which together offer the ideal set of amenities for day trips or longer stays. Situated at the head of the Moose River in upstate New York, Big Moose Lake is popular for its remote location and beautiful landscapes. Zillow has 326 homes for sale in NY matching Lakefront. Picnicking, chairs, and coolers are allowed on the grassy areas while the beach is limited to towels and a water bottle. Lake Otsego. Avalanche Lake There is a snack stand and a picnic area, a beach volleyball court, hiking trails, and restrooms with changing facilities, but no showers. ∙ Kids can enjoy “Chicken Rock,” a rock from which they can jump into the 40-foot-deep lake or a rope swing as alternative methods to submerge themselves in the refreshing water. House Photo courtesy of the Village of Greenwood Lake, New York. There are plenty of picnic areas and grills, but you might want to bring a full picnic basket—there's no concession stand, just vending machines. But, for families with little kids, the ocean can be intimidating, with its choppy waves and miles of hot sand without an inch of shade. The list is not exhaustive. The best upstate New York resorts Head to these upstate New York resorts for a relaxing escape and some spectacular nature-based R&R By Marion Bernstein Posted: Tuesday October 20 2020 ∙ New Jersey's largest lake is a significant draw for swimmers during the summer. The lake gets crowded on the weekends, so be prepared to arrive early. Once the beach reaches capacity, it will close for the day. This popular swimming lake in Harriman State Park boasts a lovely sandy beach that can get crowded on hot summer weekends. Visitors can bring coolers and chairs. ∙ 2020 update: Reopened for daily swimming at limited capacity in 2020. There are more than 3,000 lakes located within the Adirondacks Region of New York making this the perfect place for your next group fishing trip. If you do go to enjoy the lake in the spring or summer, though, spend time hiking and swimming. These 20 Gorgeous Lakes In New York Are Demanding Your Attention. The rugged, yet beautiful beach at Long Island Sound is also quite swimmable. Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for in location and setting. 1 bedroom, House Day trip ideas within 3 hours of New York City: 17 fun places to visit upstate. Swimming is available at two beaches, as long as a lifeguard is present (call the campground for exact hours), and kids can stay busy with lots of additional activities, from hiking to horseshoes to playing on the playground. There are plenty of hiking trails to be found here, including trails that lead to Russia Lake, the Sisters Lake, and the Gull Lake, where visitors can camp in the lean-tos. Please click through to each venue to verify operating hours, conditions, and amenities before visiting. 1. ∙ An antithesis to the bright lights and constant cacophony of the city, the scenic wilderness and fresh air of the Catskills can be found within a two- to … This Olympic-sized freshwater natural swimming pool in New Jersey is fed by a mountain stream and was carved out of a hillside in the 1930s. 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