4 Activities to Do In Your Campervan or Motorhome Close To New York

Chances are good if you are visiting the Big Apple that you are planning to spend most of your time exploring the city—as you should. New York City is an urban landscape like no other, a melting pot for culture, cuisine, history, and architecture. Here you can visit iconic sites like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park.

But New York City is also bustling with more than 8 million residents. You might want to escape from the crowds at some point to explore the surrounding area, where there is actually quite a lot to see and do. Here are some activities in the area near NYC which are easily overlooked, but well worth a visit.

1. Drive to the Long Island Aquarium

If you drive out past Calverton, Northampton, and Riverside on Long Island, you will arrive at the Long Island Aquarium. With a ton of indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities, many of which are aimed at children, this is the perfect family destination. Take a selfie with a sea lion, ride on a boat in the bay, feed lovable stingrays, or even go on a shark dive. A visit to the Long Island Aquarium can easily fill up an entire day, so plan accordingly.

2. Visit Weir Farm National Historic Site

Another thing you can do in your campervan or motorhome is drive about two hours north from NYC to Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut, not far from Fairfield and Bridgeport. This beautiful cultivated landscape pays homage to the paintings of American Impressionist Julian Alden Weir. Here you may explore his home and studios as well as the grounds which have inspired Weir and other artists. Maybe you will even feel inspired to create some art of your own during or after your visit. Best of all, this historic site is fee free!

3. Explore Lost River Caverns

If you drive around two hours west of New York City, you will come upon a destination called Lost River Caverns in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. Here you may take a guided tour through 1,200 feet of paved underground pathways. Behold beautiful crystal formations and a spectacular underground river. Nearby, there are also nature trails as well as a picnic grove. While you are at it, be sure to visit the rock shop to bring home some natural wonders of your own.

4. Visit the Corning Museum of Glass

Up for a longer trip? It is easy to forget, but New York State spans far beyond New York City. If you drive around five hours out of the city northwest, you will reach the fabulous Corning Museum of Glass. This is a museum you probably have never heard of, but it is a hidden jewel for sure. Here you will find fascinating scientific exhibits on the nature of glass as well as high-tech applications of glass. You also can check out an amazing exhibit of glass artifacts and works of art from around the world, and even purchase cool glass artifacts from the gift shop. Don’t be surprised if you lose track of time in these amazing exhibits.

There Is More to See and Do in the Area Around NYC Than You Can Imagine

While you are on these adventures in your rented campervan or motorhome, you will doubtless find plenty of other cool diversions along the way. Enjoy the journey, and plan for spontaneous stops. That is how you discover even more hidden gems like these!