Car-free Memorial Day weekend getaways for Long Island families
People arrive to visit the beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Credit: Getty Images/Kena Betancur
You don’t need a car to pull off an easy, family-friendly trip this Memorial Day. In fact, skipping the drive can make things feel like a true escape. Ferries and trains turn travel time into part of the experience, and these three destinations keep everything close enough to explore on foot once you arrive.
Cold Spring, New York
If you’re looking for something slow-paced and scenic, Cold Spring is one of the easiest car-free getaways you can do from Long Island. The Metro-North Hudson Line ride hugs the river with sweeping views that are part of the appeal, while the charming downtown offers easy access to hiking trails, local shops and the waterfront all within a short walk of the station.
Getting there
Take the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal, then transfer to Metro-North’s Hudson Line to Cold Spring. Tickets to Cold Spring cost $16 to $22 each way for adults, with $1 fares for ages 5 to 17. The trip typically takes a little over an hour and the station puts you right in the village.
What to do
The business district of Cold Spring in the Hudson Valley. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo/Philip Scalia / Alamy Stock Photo
While the popular Breakneck Ridge trail is closed for renovations, Little Stony Point offers an easy alternative with scenic trails, river access and plenty of space to picnic. Additional hikes within walking distance of the station can be found online.
Back on Main Street, browse a stretch of antique shops, bookstores and local favorites like Split Rock Books (97 Main St., splitrockbks.com, 845-265-2080), a cozy, highly rated indie shop. For a casual bite, stop into Cold Spring Depot (1 Depot Square, coldspringdepot.com, 845-265-5000), a local favorite inside a restored 1893 train depot with additional outdoor seating. For something sweet, stop by Moo Moo’s Creamery (32 West St., moomooscreamery.com, 845-204-9230) before heading to the waterfront.
A view of Indian Brook Falls near Cold Spring. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo/Buddy Mays / Alamy Stock Photo
Where to stay
Cold Spring’s lodging options are small, charming and centrally located. Cold Spring Hotel & Cafe (124 Main St., coldspringhotelny.com, 845-264-0824) offers some of the area’s more affordable rates, starting around $175 per night Sunday through Thursday when booked by phone. Nearby, Pig Hill Inn (73 Main St., pighillinn.com, 845-265-9247) is a cozy bed-and-breakfast with rates starting around $215 per night. For river views, Hudson House River Inn (2 Main St., hudsonhouseinn.com, 845-265-9355) has rooms as low as $259 per night.
Asbury Park, New Jersey
For families craving a beachy kickoff to summer, Asbury Park offers a lively boardwalk scene with just enough edge to keep it interesting for both kids and adults. New Jersey Transit drops you within walking distance of the ocean, so there’s no need to deal with shore traffic.
Getting there
Take the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station, then transfer to NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line. Some trains run direct to Asbury Park, while others require a quick transfer at Long Branch. NJ Transit tickets to Asbury Park cost $19 each way for adults and $9 for kids. The New Jersey trip takes less than two hours and the station is about a 10-minute walk to the beach.
What to do
Head to Asbury Park, New Jersey, for a lively beach getaway with boardwalk attractions, seafood spots and easy train access from Long Island. Credit: AP/Tassanee Vejpongsa
The beach and boardwalk are the main draw, especially over Memorial Day week when everything comes alive. Beach passes are required starting May 23 and typically cost $7 to $10 per day for adults, while kids 12 and under are free. Passes can be purchased online at apbeachpasses.com, at ticket booths, the Beach Office (732-502-8863) or at on-site credit card kiosks.
Along the boardwalk, you’ll find casual seafood spots, pizza and plenty of places for ice cream. The Silverball Retro Arcade (1000 Ocean Ave., silverballmuseum.com, 732-774-4994) is a standout, packed with vintage pinball machines and classic games, with admission starting at $17.
For a break from the beach, browse the Asbury Park Boardwalk shops or head into town for a meal. Porta (911 Kingsley St., pizzaporta.com, 732-776-7661) is a go-to for wood-fired pizza in a lively, warehouse-style space, while Iron Whale (1200 Ocean Ave., ironwhalenj.com, 732-361-5185) offers seafood and expansive ocean views just steps from the sand.
People walk on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Credit: New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism
Where to stay
Asbury Park has no shortage of hotels, but rates climb quickly over holiday weekends, making budget-friendly options harder to find. Just south of Asbury Park, Ocean Grove offers a quieter alternative within a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive of the station.
The Laingdon Hotel (8 Ocean Ave., laingdonhotel.com, 732-774-7974) features unobstructed ocean views, shared terraces and complimentary breakfast, with Memorial Day weekend rates starting around $235 per night. Nearby, The Majestic Hotel (19 Main Ave., majesticoceangrove.com, 732-775-6100) starts around $329 per night and includes beach access to Ocean Grove, along with chairs, towels and bicycle rentals.
Mystic, Connecticut
For a classic New England coastal getaway, Mystic hits that sweet spot between educational and fun.
Getting there
The Cross Sound Ferry passes by the Orient Point Lighthouse, off Orient Point, known as the Coffee Pot, built in 1899. Credit: Randee Daddona
From Long Island, take the Cross Sound Ferry from Orient Point to New London. The ride takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and Mystic is just 15 minutes away by ride share or a short hop on Amtrak.
Walk-on ferry tickets cost about $20 per adult each way and $7.50 for children under 12. Bringing a car bumps the fare to around $70, making the car-free option a significant savings strategy (and parking at Orient Point is free). From New London, a ride share to Mystic typically takes about 15 minutes, while Amtrak service between the two stations runs roughly $12 to $23 depending on timing.
What to do
Before heading to Mystic, consider a quick stop in New London at Sarge's Comics & Games (124 State St., 860-443-2004), a short walk from the station and one of the largest comic book, trading card and toy stores in the area.
The Charles W. Morgan whaling ship at Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic. Credit: Jessica Hill
Mystic Seaport Museum (75 Greenmanville Ave., mysticseaport.org, 860-572-0711) is the centerpiece of the town. More than a traditional museum, it’s a recreated 19th century village where kids can climb aboard tall ships, watch demonstrations and explore at their own pace. For a different perspective, book a 30-minute ($8) or 90-minute ($29) waterfront cruise. Admission is $32 for adults and $25 for children ages 17 and under.
Hands-on experience with rays at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Credit: Mystic Aquarium/craig orsini
The Mystic Aquarium (55 Coogan Blvd., mysticaquarium.org, 860-572-5955) is another must, especially for younger kids. Beluga whales, sea lions and interactive exhibits keep it engaging. Tickets range from $34 to $43 for adults and $26 to $32 for children ages 13 and under, depending on the day.
Downtown Mystic is made for strolling, with candy shops, toy stores and easy dining options throughout. Start with pastries and coffee from Sift (5 Water St., siftbakeshopmystic.com, 860-245-0541), then grab a casual lunch at Mystic Fish Camp (4 E. Main St., mysticfishcamp.com), known for serving meals in a retro tin lunchbox.
Restaurant and tourist attraction Mystic Pizza is a must-visit destination. Credit: Jessica Hill
For dinner, Engine Room (14 Holmes St., engineroomct.com, 860-415-8117) is a go-to for burgers and bourbon, while The Shipwright's Daughter (20 E. Main St., shipwrightsdaughter.com, 860-536-7605) offers elevated, seasonal fare. Don't skip Mystic Pizza (56 W Main St, mysticpizza.com, 860-536-3700), the nostalgic pizza spot that inspired the 1988 film.
Where to stay
Availability is limited over Memorial Day weekend, but rooms can still be found with advance booking. The Inn at Mystic (3 Williams Ave., innatmystic.com, 860-536-9604) is within walking distance of the train station and has rates starting around $255 per night. For a more central stay, The Whaler’s Inn (20 E. Main St., whalersinnmystic.com, 860-536-1506) offers boutique accommodations in the heart of downtown, with rates starting around $450 per night.
