Marisa LaScala

Looking for some classic summer fun? Roller coasters and thrill rides are not just for kids, and there are a slew of amusement parks near NYC where you can chase those heart-palpitating plunges and scream-inducing twists that take you back to your carefree days. Hitting up an amusement park can be as easy as taking the subway to Coney Island, but go a little further—say, New Jersey or Pennsylvania—and you’re in for even more thrills. You might encounter hordes of teens or families during peak times, but that’s all part of the fun. If you’re not into the jaw-dropping speeds and dizzying heights of an amusement park, there are plenty of thrilling day trips from NYC that don’t involve near-death feelings. If you need a little down time after getting jazzed up with all that amusement park stimulation, check out one of NYC’s hotel pools open to the public.

When the crammed sidewalks and packed subway cars get to be too much, get out of town for an outdoor adventure not too far from the city. To really get back to nature, you have to venture at least an hour or two outside NYC. The adrenaline rush from whitewater rafting, rock climbing or snow tubing, combined with the magnificent natural scenery, is enough to make any New Yorker forget about the Big Apple for a few hours. And if you're still not ready to go back to the concrete jungle, book a nearby hotel room to turn any of the day trips below into a relaxing weekend getaway. Queue up the road trip songs!