This is a guest post. All opinions are my own.

When most people think of New York, their mind immediately goes to New York City. While the city is an adventure in itself, sometimes people want something more simple or outdoorsy as an activity.

There are plenty of other things to do in the state of New York, and a lot of outdoor adventures to consider. The best part is that these adventures are all within a day’s travel from the city, so even if you were planning on staying in the city and decided you wanted a weekend adventure, you can easily hire a long distance car service NYC to get you to your destination.

Go to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a bit of a distance from New York City, but still easily reachable within a day. You can often take bus tours that take you to Niagara Falls. However, along the way, you’ll also get to see other canyons and lakes.

If you want to have a fast-paced adventure and not just see the falls from an overlook on-high, consider a jet boat ride. Niagara River has Class 5 rapids that you can travel through in a jet boat. You have the option to enjoy a fully immersive experience where you get soaked by the water, or you can get on a covered boat where you can be on the water and experience the rapids without getting wet.

Have Fun White Water Rafting
Adjacent to to New York City Is the Hudson River, which begins far upstream in the upper part of New York State. If you want to get away without traveling far, consider going white water rafting down the river. Starting on the upper part of the river near the Adirondacks? (should name the town), the rafting adventure is 17 miles long and has rapids between Class 3 and and class 5..

While you are fighting through the rapids, you’ll have a chance to take in the gorgeous view of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains and feel like the city is far behind you.

The guides are great as well, offering you the history of the white water rafting and surrounding areas, and showing you where the best views are before they throw you into the next set of rapids.

See a Waterfall
Sure there are the Niagara Falls, but if you want to interact with a waterfall and go into nature to see one, there are plenty of other falls around New York. There are options at all sorts of distances and directions away from the city, so you can plan them into your travels, or even
based on their difficulty.

For example, Indian Brook Falls located in Constitution Marsh and Audubon Center (where is this?) is a short walk that takes minimal effort. It’s only about a five-minute walk from the parking lot. Despite it being a short and relatively easy walk, the falls are gorgeous and surrounded by nature. Many people stop by just to take a picture, but you can also enjoy the refreshing water or have a picnic.

There’s also Gorge Trail which is a slightly longer hike, about two miles depending on which entrance you take, but the hike is still relatively easy. While this waterfall is open all year round, it is best to see it in fall, when all the leaves are changing colors. (Again, where is this?)

Another option is located in the Catskill Mountains. Known as Kaaterskill Falls, this waterfall is definitely worth visiting. You might not be able to get as close as with some of the other falls, but it is exhilarating to watch the water cascade 260 feet down before settling in a pool located at the bottom. The trail is a little difficult, with some of the hike being on the highway and some of it being very steep.

Swim

If you enjoy swimming, you don’t just have to settle for your hotel pool. Located near Grahamsville, New York, you can swim at a blue hole known as Peekamoose Blue Hole. You do have to get a permit to visit, so this can’t be a last-minute destination, but planning a day or
two in advance is worth it for this swimming hole.

The water is cool and clear, making it the perfect swimming destination in the summer. It also is located in the sun, so you can quickly dry off and have a picnic in some of the nearby sunny patches.

There are also places nearby to go fishing, with brown and brook trout abundant in the creek. So your whole family can have a relaxing and enjoyable experience swimming, relaxing in the sun, hiking in the nearby Sundown Wild Forest, and fishing to your heart’s delight.

Hike to Old Fire Towers
Do you enjoy stopping to watch a brilliant sunrise or sunset? You won’t often get a chance to watch one in a place quite like the Fire Towers in Mount Beacon They are near the Hudson
River and is a fairly easy hike, but can be a bit tiring as you are constantly winding your way uphill. (name of town?)

Along your hike, you will be able to see gorgeous views and even the city skyline. There’s even a casino that may seem like it offers the best view, but that isn’t the case because if you continue along the service roads, you will come across a spectacular Fire Tower.

It provides a breathtaking 360-degree view. On a really clear day, you can even see the city of New York from the tower. Whether at sunrise or sunset, you can see the stunning colors in all their glory. Stop, catch your breath, eat a snack, and watch the views.

Whether you decide to continue on your hike from there is up to you, but at least you’ll have a memory that isn’t easy to forget.

Emily

Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.

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