IN NEW YORK

1. Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

NYC and its surrounding areas can’t go unmentioned in this article. You can visit Coney Island in Brooklyn for the day and enjoy the amusements, boardwalk, beach, and more fun! Check out the calendar for the Luna Amusement Park here to see their operating hours. Visitors can easily spend an entire day at Coney Island between the amusement park and the beach. You can extend the day by grabbing dinner at a local restaurant. One of my favorite NYC restaurants is Olio e Piú in Greenwich Village! Their ricotta toast and handmade pasta dishes are out of this world! A casual favorite spot of mine is Tacombi, which has multiple locations throughout the city and serves up mouth-watering Mexican dishes!

2. Untermyer Park & Gardens, Yonkers, NY

Untermyer Park & Gardens is a historic garden with European influence located in Yonkers, NY. I visited last year and absolutely adore the beauty of this place. Visitors can spend a few hours walking around and taking photos here, and then enjoy a local eatery for dinner! I enjoyed a delicious meal at Cocina Chente in the Bronx after visiting the gardens. Untermyer Park & Gardens is also on my list of 12 Instagrammable photo spots in NYC!

3. New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is a breath-of-fresh-air spot in the city to admire nature’s beauty. Tickets are required to enter the garden and can be purchased here. The Garden is open from 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Sunday and is only open on Mondays when there is a federal holiday. Spend a few hours here and grab a bite to eat on the premises or at a local restaurant. You can also check out the Bronx Zoo nearby and have a fun New York day!

4. Woodstock, NY

Woodstock, New York is only about an hour and a half drive from Bergen County and is a cute town to walk around. I visited about two years ago and made a whole day of it. Grab a bite to eat in the town of Woodstock and hike the nearby Overlook Mountain. Check out my vlog below to see how we spent the day here!

5. Mount Beacon Park, NY

If you are into the outdoors and hiking, then visiting Mount Beacon Park in New York is a great day trip for you! Mount Beacon Park is roughly an hour’s drive from North Jersey, 1.5-2+ hours from Central Jersey, and 2.5-3+ hours from South Jersey. Start the day trip with an incredible lunch at Hudson Taco in Newburgh, and then cross the Hudson River to Mount Beacon Park.

We hiked to the Mount Beacon Fire Tower when we visited, and found the hike to be moderate, with some moderate ascents. The views are stunning, especially during the summer and fall months! Add more to this day trip by making a pitstop in the nearby downtowns of Cold Spring and/or Beacon. Check out my vlogs below to see how I spent two different days in this area.

6. The Town of Cold Spring & Breakneck Ridge Trailhead, NY

Cold Spring is a quaint New York downtown with history, shops, local eateries, and scenic views. I recommend grabbing brunch or lunch at Hudson Hil’s Cafe, which is a casual sit-down restaurant nestled in the heart of Cold Spring. Cold Spring is roughly an hour’s drive from Bergen County and two hours from Monmouth County, and is a worthwhile day trip!

If you are into hiking and like a challenge, I recommend checking out Breakneck Ridge Trail at the Hudson Highlands State Park while here. We trekked the long loop, and found this hike to be pretty challenging with the rock scrambles, but overall enjoyable! The views are stunning throughout the majority of this trail, making this a memorable trek! Check out my vlog below to see how I spent the day here!

7. Bear Mountain, NY

Bear Mountain is a popular New York hiking spot located about a 0.5 to 2-hour drive from those who reside in the top half of New Jersey. This is another great outdoorsy day trip for those who admire a scenic hike. There may be a fee to enter – check out more info here.

8. Harriman State Park, NY

Harriman State Park is very close to Bear Mountain and offers a wide array of hiking trails and scenic woodlands for all levels! One of the best trails to hike at Harriman State Park is the Reeves Brook Loop Trail. This moderately challenging loop offers multiple scenic vistas and has plenty of streams winding throughout the trail. The Reeves Brook Loop Trail is roughly four miles and typically takes around 2+ hours to complete.

Parking and public restrooms are available at the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center, which is where the hike begins. When doing this loop trail in the counterclockwise direction (starting on white trail markers), hikers must climb a moderately challenging and steep rock scramble to get to the main vista. It is advised that beginners or families with young children start this hike clockwise (on red trail markers). Visitors who begin the hike clockwise can follow the red trail markers to the blue trail markers and enjoy stunning vistas from the top of the mountain. Hikers who follow this route can then turn around to get back to the parking lot the same way they came, avoiding the steep rock scramble. As a somewhat experienced hiker, I personally loved the rock scramble here and found it to be a fun trek, but please use your own discretion to decide which route is best suited for you! Read more about the other trails at Harriman State Park here.

9. Storm King Art Center, NY

The Storm King Art Center is a unique spot to visit in the summer. Visitors can explore the property and check out uniquely crafted sculptures and large art displays. The Storm King Art Center is closed on Tuesdays and operates Wednesday through Monday from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Tickets must be purchased prior to arrival and more info can be found here.

10. Teatown Lake Reservation, NY

Teatown Lake Reservation in Westchester County, NY is a 1,000-acre nature preserve and education center. The Reservation is roughly a 40-minute to 2-hour drive from the top half of New Jersey depending on where you reside. Hiking trails are open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk, and parking costs $5.

11. Walkway Over the Hudson Bridge & Poughkeepsie, NY

Visiting the Walkway Over The Hudson Park is a great day trip in New York State. This walking bridge is located roughly a 1+ hour drive from North Jersey and a 2+ hour drive from most of Central Jersey. While this may be a bit far from South Jersey, if you get an early enough start to the day, I think this can still be a worthwhile trip!

The scenic walkway connects from Highland, NY to Poughkeepsie, crossing over the Hudson River. Visitors can walk across the bridge and check out the town of Poughkeepsie and Marist College. Marist College has a beautiful campus, and is worth checking out while in the area! Finish off the day by grabbing a delicious dinner at Hudson Taco on the way back down to Jersey. Hudson Taco is a riverfront restaurant located in the heart of Newburgh. This charming, hip restaurant is a must-visit whenever I am up in this area of New York!

IN CONNECTICUT

12. New Haven, CT

New Haven, Connecticut is a great day trip from Northeast Jersey as it is about a two-hour drive from Bergen County. I visited nearly two years ago and enjoyed visiting the area. While in New Haven, visitors can grab Frank Pepe’s famous pizza and walk around the local neighborhoods and parks. Visitors can also explore the beautiful and historic Yale University campus. Check out my vlog below to see how I spent a fun day in New Haven!

13. Mianus River Park, CT

Mianus River Park, on the Greenwich/Stamford border in Connecticut, is a nature reserve with trails, a 2-mile-long river, scenic forestland, and more nature-esque beauty. If you are looking for an outdoorsy escape, then this is a nice day trip option from Northern New Jersey. This park is roughly a 1-2 hour drive from North and Central Jersey, depending on where you are located.

IN PENNSYLVANIA

14. Philadelphia, PA

A day trip from Jersey to Philly is a classic but goodie! Explore the city streets and check out the Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, Independence Hall, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, and so much more! Enjoy a delicious cheesesteak from Cleaver’s, or one of Philly’s local spots, and have yourself a day!

15. Longwood Gardens, PA

Longwood Gardens is located directly outside of the main city of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, PA. Tickets are required for timed entry to the gardens and can be purchased here. Give yourself at least a few hours to explore the property and take in the beauty of these stunning botanical gardens! A visit to Longwood Gardens can also be combined with a trip to Philadelphia as they are so close.

16. Delaware Water Gap, PA

The Delaware Water Gap lies between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Delaware Water Gap includes 40 miles of the Delaware River, 100+ miles of hiking trails, and even a few beaches. Visitors can go rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, hiking, and more here. I recommend grabbing a sweet treat at the Village and Farmer Bakery while you’re in the area.

17. Allentown, PA

Allentown is an eastern Pennsylvania town not too far from the Garden State! If you are into museums, you can check out the Allentown Art Museum, the Mack Trucks Historical Museum, the America on Wheels Museum, and more. Dorney Park is also right around the corner if you are interested in a summer waterpark and amusement adventure! There are numerous parks in the Allentown area worth checking out such as the Allentown Rose Gardens, which include walking paths, pavilions, and a scenic garden. The charming downtown of Bethlehem, PA is also about a 15-minute drive from Allentown, and it definitely worth checking out if you are into local shopping and eateries!

18. Jenkins Arboretum and Morris Arboretum, PA

There are quite a few arboretums and nature reserves in Pennsylvania not too far from New Jersey. The Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is roughly a 20-30 minute drive outside of the City of Philadelphia. This Arboretum, located in the town of Devon, is free to enter and offers 48 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands. Visitors can also enjoy 1.2 miles of walking trails here.

Roughly a 25-minute drive from The Jenkins Arboretum is the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. Entry to the Morris Arboretum is $20 per non-member adult and tickets can be reserved here.

19. Valley Forge National Historic Park, PA

Less than a 10-minute drive west of the Jenkins Arboretum lies Valley Forge National Historic Park. With a history dating back to the late 1700s, Valley Forge is a great spot for those who love nature but also a historic back story. Enjoy many miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, multi-use trails, biking trails, and more! Learn more about Valley Forge here.

20. New Hope, PA

The charming town of New Hope in Bucks County, PA is a popular downtown to stroll on a warm, sunny day. (or really any time of the year)! Go back in time and take in the beauty of the scenic town alongside the Delaware River. Enjoy shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Visitors can also walk across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge to Lambertville, NJ for additional shopping and dining options. A popular local attraction in this area is Peddler’s Village. Peddler’s Village is about an eight-minute drive from downtown New Hope and is home to numerous restaurants and shops.

Comment down below if you plan to take a trip to any of these places!

The post 20 Day Trip Ideas From New Jersey (Less Than A 1-3 Hour Drive) appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.

I love a good day trip to the city! Exploring the different neighborhoods, trying new restaurants, getting pictures etc… Many are familiar with the iconic and classic photo spots of NYC: Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc… I’ve recently discovered some lesser known photo-ops in the city and have taken some great photos in these spots. Here are 12 instagrammable photo spots in New York City that are both iconic and lesser known to check out during your next visit!

1. The Washington Mews

The Washington Mews is a small cobblestone street located near NYU and Washington Square Park. This charming street is lined with old-fashioned homes which were once horse stables. The buildings have been re-done since previous centuries and are now luxury homes. I love taking photos here during the spring and summer months as the vines on the buildings and shrubbery are in full bloom and add a lot of color.

LOCATION: Between University Place and Fifth Ave, and Washington Square N and E 8th Street.

2. The High Line

The High Line is an elevated park that stretches about 1.45 miles long on NYC’s west side. The famous park offers beautiful views of the cityscape, some greenery and art sculptures.

LOCATION: Western Manhattan alongside 10th Avenue from W 30th Street to Gansevoort Street

3. The Brooklyn Bridge

One of the most iconic photo spots in New York is the Brooklyn Bridge as it offers a picturesque view of the skyline. It tends to be quite crowded on a sunny weekend, so keep that in mind if you are planning to do a photoshoot. I like to get my pics on the end of the bridge closer to the Brooklyn side, as I find the Manhattan side to be more crowded.

Check out my blog post on How to Spend the Perfect Day in Brooklyn

4. Pebble Beach/Brooklyn Bridge Park Areas

There are plenty of photo opportunities within Brooklyn Bridge Park. You can sit on the lawn of Bridge Park and snap a casual photo with the skyline or either of the two bridges (The Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge) in the backdrop. I personally love taking photos at Pebble Beach, a small riverside beach with a classic view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.

LOCATION: Parks and beach can be accessed off of Plymouth Street or Furman Street

5. Washington Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn

Washington Street is one of the most famous spots in Brooklyn to take pictures. Located in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, this cobblestone street offers a remarkable view of the Manhattan Bridge with the distant Empire State Building situated right in the center. You can capture this photo by standing on Washington Street between Front Street and Water Street.

6. In Front of the Museum of Natural History

This is a spot I came across last year while in the city, and I just loved the gated look with lots of flowers and greenery.

LOCATION: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

7. Outside Byrant Park Grill

Another famous spot to visit, especially during December and January when the Bryant Park Ice Skate Rink is open. The Bryant Park Grill is a restaurant that is beautifully decorated on the outside. I snapped some pics here a few months ago and loved the abundance of greenery and vines on the building.

LOCATION: In Bryant Park, 25 W 40th Street

8. Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn

Fort Greene Park, a park with history that dates back to previous centuries, is home to 30 acres of land. I took some photos here last year during the fall season and think this park is worth checking out! You can take pictures near The Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument where you’ll find a widespread staircase. There are also some grassy areas with lots of plant-life and trees great for a nature-y aesthetic, plus opportunity to get picturesque brownstones in the background.

LOCATION: Dekalb Avenue and S Portland Ave, Brooklyn

9. South Portland Ave, Brooklyn

If you are looking for a great spot to shoot some street style pics, then you’d love South Portland Ave. This street is home to beautiful brownstones and it makes for a more unique photo opportunity.

10. Brookfield Place

Located south of Tribeca, Brookfield Place is a beautiful luxury mall that lies along the Hudson River. You can get some cool pictures here with the boats and views of the Hudson. The interior of the mall is also nicely decorated and can make for some nice photos as well.

LOCATION: 230 Vesey St, New York, NY

11. Central Park

A classic spot to visit while in the city is Central Park. The 2.5 mile-long park is home to numerous photo spots! You can grab a pic at Central Park Lake, and you can even rent a boat at the Loeb Boathouse and paddle through the lake. Other spots within the park that make for great photos are: Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, Bethsheda Terrace/Fountain, Gapstow Bridge, The Carousel and more!

12. Untermyer Gardens and Conservancy, Yonkers

I came across this gem of a place last year as I was searching for nearby gardens in the tri-state area. Untermyer Gardens is located in Yonkers and I drove in from New Jersey as they have a parking lot on the premises. It is free to visit this location, and you can easily spend a few hours here wandering around and taking in its beauty. If you are looking for a garden aesthetic with European influence, then this is a great spot to visit!

LOCATION: 945 N Broadway, Yonkers, NY

While there are definitely way more than 12 Instagrammable photo spots in NYC, these are just a few that I’ve loved recently! Feel free to check out the location of each photo spot via the map below.

Comment below your favorite NYC photo spot!

The post 12 Instagrammable Photo Spots in New York City appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.

This past weekend, my boyfriend and I took a day trip to Brooklyn. We explored the bustling streets of the famous NYC borough, and of course enjoyed some amazing eats! While I always adore a Manhattan adventure, I truly enjoy delving into the streets of Brooklyn. Keep on reading to find out how to spend the perfect day in Brooklyn, NY!

Transportation from Manhattan to Brooklyn

We arrived to NY Penn Station from New Jersey on Saturday afternoon, and immediately hopped on the C-line subway to downtown Brooklyn. We took the subway to the “Jay Street-Metro Tech” stop in Brooklyn, and took a short walk to Fort Greene Park. There are other subway lines that can take you to Brooklyn, but this is how we got there.

Fort Greene Park and Historic District

Fort Greene Park offers spacious grassy areas, tennis courts, beautiful fall foliage, The Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, and more. We made our way through the quaint city park, and continued to explore what the Fort Greene Historic District has to offer. We walked onto Dekalb Ave where local businesses set up booths for the greenmarket every Saturday. The greenmarket is a street market where local vendors sell fresh produce, breads, cheeses and more.

On Dekalb Avenue, you can see beautiful brownstones lining the street, but this isn’t the only spot in Brooklyn to view these homes. We crossed Deklab Ave and began walking on South Portland Ave, which is a beautiful street lined with many of these classic brownstone townhomes. We stopped and snapped some aesthetic photos in front of the brownstones.

Lunch at Tacombi

From South Portland Ave, we walked down to Lafayette Street which is full of local restaurants, cafes, and some shops. On Lafayette Ave is one of Tacombi’s locations, where we had a delicious and quick bite for lunch. Tacombi has become one of our favorite New York eateries to grab fresh tacos, burritos, and guac. We both had the chicken burrito and shared a small chips and guac.

TACOMBI RESTAURANT RATING

Food: 4.7/5

Atmosphere: 4.5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

Downtown Brooklyn

After our satisfying lunch at Tacombi, we walked more into downtown Brooklyn. We stopped into Brooklyn Baklava, where I bought a pack of fresh walnut baklava bites. The staff inside this local bakery are very friendly and also gave us free samples of Turkish delight and baklava. Brooklyn Baklava is located on 4th Avenue where you can see the famous Barclay’s Center in the near distance.

DUMBO

From downtown Brooklyn, we walked up to DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge Park. DUMBO is one of my favorite parts of Brooklyn to wander around as it has iconic photo-spots and views of the skyline, bridges, and river, amazing restaurants, and loads of shops. You can’t visit DUMBO without walking on the famous Washington Street which offers a picturesque view of the Manhattan Bridge with the Empire State Building between its arch.

If you walk on Washington Street towards the water, you will arrive to Bridge Park. Here you can relax on the grass along the East River, and take in the scenic view of the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge. Along Bridge Park is Pebble Beach, a very small rocky beach along the river with iconic views of the skyline. You can also check out Jane’s Carousel along the waterfront, and the Time Out Market. The Time Out Market is a food hall offering delicious eats from many local restaurants and bakeries.

Brooklyn Bridge

From the Time Out Market, we walked to the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge and began our 1.1 mile trek across to Manhattan. I will never get tired of the skyline views from the Brooklyn Bridge. I recommend walking across around sunset, but anytime of the day is beautiful.

Dinner in the Lower East Side at Spaghetti Incident

Once we crossed over into Manhattan, we walked through the Lower East Side and Little Italy. Little Italy was popping when we visited as it was a Saturday night. Here you can dine at a local Italian restaurant and enjoy the city ambience. I usually crave Italian food when I go to the city, and we actually chose a place just about a 10-15 minute walk from the famous Little Italy neighborhood.

Nestled on a more calm street in the Lower East Side, Spaghetti Incident is a hidden gem for handmade pasta. This was our second time dining here, and everything was delicious. The menu offers dishes such as homemade arancini, burrata, salads, fresh pasta, and desserts. I had the spinach fettuccine which is served in a rich gorgonzola cheese sauce with fresh parmesan and black sesame seeds. My boyfriend had the mushroom gnocchi in a butter and sage sauce, which was a daily special. Entrees are priced around $18-$24, which is pretty standard for a casual Italian restaurant in the city. Portions are sizable, but not too overwhelming. We were able to make a reservation just a few hours before we dined in. They also have a very cute setup for outdoor seating which we enjoyed.

SPAGHETTI INCIDENT RATING

Food: 4.8/5

Atmosphere: 4.7/5

Service: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Dessert in the Lower East Side

After dinner, we walked about five minutes to Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Shop in the Lower East Side. Van Leeuwen has many locations throughout NYC and makes homemade ice cream with both classic and unique flavors. This sweet treat was definitely a delicious way to end off our perfect day in the city!

CHECK OUT MY VLOG FROM MY DAY IN BROOKLYN HERE

The post How to Spend the Perfect Day in Brooklyn appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.