Compiled and Photographed by: Sarah Einhorn of BeenThereDoneThatTrips.com
The million dollar question on Chol Hamoed is what to do, what trip to take. Problem is, most people don’t want it costing millions or even hundreds of dollars. I know lots of people look for ideas that are affordable, better yet if the trip is free. Here are some ideas of trips that do not cost anything but are more than just local parks.
Teatown Lake Reservation: Ossining, NY
The Teatown Lake Reservation is a charming combination of nature and nature-education. The Education Center features exhibits of reptiles, turtles, fish and other small animals found in the area. Outside there is the Raptor Loop with a variety of birds of prey and eagles for visitors to admire and learn about.
There are a few hike options with 15 miles of trails on a variety of levels. The path around the Teatown Lake is scenic and not very difficult.
We went only on part of the hike and then turned around since we had a stroller and the tree roots get in the way. We enjoyed the scenic views in the late fall. The air was crisp and refreshing. We enjoyed what was left of the colorful trees and the crunching of the leaves under our feet. We saw an excellent place for nature lovers and nature photographers.
In the spring and summer the two-acre Wildflower Island is a haven of plants, trees and wildflowers home to roughly 280 species. Wildflower Island is only open at specific times or by guided tours.
Address:
1600 Spring Valley Road
Ossining, NY 10562
Phone Number:
(914) 762-2912
Hours:
Nature Center:
9am-5pm, 7 days a week
Trails:
Open dawn to dusk, 365 days
Price:
Free. $7 for parking
Approximate Distance from:
Brooklyn Bridge: 1 hour
Lakewood: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Monsey: 40 minutes
Website: teatown.org
——————
The charming Cape May County Zoo was created in 1978 within the Cape May County Park. At the time of the zoo’s opening, there were just a few basic animals. Over the years more and more animals were added.
Today the zoo consists of 550 animals representing 250 species with a beautiful playground for children. It is such an enjoyable zoo, in fact, just as enjoyable as other expensive zoos, that you’d never believe that admission is free.
Address:
707 N Route 9,
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone Number:
(609) 465-5271
Hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Price: free
Brooklyn Bridge: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Lakewood: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Monsey: 3 hours
Website: www.cmczoo.com
————-
————-
Staten Island Ferry: Manhattan, NY or Staten Island, NY
What better way to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and parts of the New York City skyline than on a free ferry ride? The Staten Island Ferry began as a free ferry to help with traffic between Manhattan and Staten Island. There are still many people who use it as their mode of transportation to and from work. Therefore, it is not advisable to go for a leisure ride during rush hour. There are approximately 70,000 passengers riding the ferry per day, equaling about 22 million a year!
The ferry terminal in Manhattan is right near Battery Park. Parking in that area is expensive (about $60 a day). It may be advisable to come to the Ferry via public transportation. The ferry ride takes approximately 25 minutes and passes both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. There is a nice viewing area at the Staten Island terminal, where you can sit in benches and watch the water.
Manhattan Terminal Address:
4 Whitehall Street
New York NY 10004
Staten Island Terminal Address:
1 Bay Street
Staten Island NY 10301
Phone Number:
212-639-9675
Hours:
The ferry departs about every half hour. For a more detailed schedule check the website.
Price: free
Approximate Distance from:
Brooklyn Bridge: 5 minutes
Lakewood: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Monsey: 55 minutes
To the Manhattan Terminal
Website: http://www.siferry.com
————-
Lasdon Park, Arboretum & Veterans Memorial: Katonah, NY
I decided to take a walk and enjoy the Lasdon Park and Arboretum one mild summer day. I didn’t need to think twice about whether it was worth a visit since there was no outrageous entrance fee. There actually is no entrance fee at all, although donations are appreciated.
The gardens are beautiful. In addition to regular flowers and trees seen at gardens there were also some more unusual trees and flowers we noticed.
We entered the park opposite the pretty Lasdon Memorial Garden which boasted a fountain in the center with a statue of two children playing on top. We continued toward the greenhouse and museum which was closed when we visited so we headed up to the popular dinosaur garden an area of the garden that has many large dinos placed around the garden.
We continued to the lake and Chinese Garden through a beautiful path with some unusual trees. After walking about fifteen minutes we got to the serene lake. We sat down on one of the benches and enjoyed our picnic lunch. When we were done we continued a bit around the lake before heading back to the car after a very enjoyable day.
Address:
2610 NY-35
Katonah, NY 10536
Phone Number:
914-864-7263
Park Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: Free. Donations are appreciated.
Brooklyn Bridge: 1 hour
Lakewood: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Monsey: 45 minutes
Website: http://www.lasdonpark.org/
————-
Sandy Hook Lighthouse: Sandy Hook, NJ
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in the country, is located on the magnificent Jersey Shore in Fort Hancock and is a National Historic Landmark. Anyone over 48 inches tall can join a free tour and climb the 103 steps of the seven-story high tower.
The view from the top is breathtaking. You can see the beach and on a clear day, you can even see the Manhattan Skyline. At the base of the lighthouse is the visitor’s center where you can sign up for a tour and see different exhibits displayed.
We visited the lighthouse on a weekday in the spring. It was a great choice since it was not very hot and the beaches were practically empty. We did not have to pay for parking and we were able to enjoy our own private beach.
Address:
128 South Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ 07732
Phone Number:
(732) 872-5970.
Lighthouse tours:
Offered first-come first served, from 1 PM to 4:30 PM. Children MUST be at least 48 inches tall to climb the tower. A video in the adjacent barn is always open
Lighthouse Keepers Quarters and Visitor Center: open Friday-Monday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Price:
There is a $20 charge per day for beach parking from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Touring the Lighthouse is free.
Approximate Distance from:
Brooklyn Bridge: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Lakewood: 55 minutes
Monsey: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Website: https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/sandy-hook-lighthouse.htm
————-
I was extremely impressed with Muscoot Farm. It is not your typical farm but a combination of history, agriculture and wildlife in an ideal setting. The farm is set on 777 acres with more than 6 miles of hiking trails through the beautiful scenic areas.
When we visited one very sunny day this summer. We enjoyed strolling around the grounds and visiting the many animals including goats, chickens, pigs, turkeys and ducks. The horses and donkeys were staying in the huts to avoid the hot sun. We were able to spot the cattle from afar.
There are historic farm buildings to explore milk house, the ice house, the brooder house, and the carriage house as well as the museum house.
There are many picnic tables scattered throughout the grounds and many outside the concession stand under the shade. The beautiful butterfly garden at the side of the concession stand has pretty flowers to walk through.
Address:
51 NY-100
Katonah, NY 10536
Phone Number:
914-864-7282
Hours:
10AM–4PM
Price:
Free. Donations are appreciated
Brooklyn Bridge: 1 hour
Lakewood: 1 hour 50 minutes
Monsey: 45 minutes
Website: http://muscootfarm.org/
————-
Watkins Glen State Park: Watkins Glen, NY
If you do not mind a long car ride, Watkins Glen State Park is worth the trip. Located in the Finger Lakes Region, this beautiful natural wonder is a must-see.
Just as we arrived at Watkins Glen it started raining. We were told that all the waterfalls are within the first mile and a half, it didn’t sound too bad. There was also an option of taking a shuttle to the top of the 2 mile path and walk down. Since I didn’t want to wait we started hiking immediately. The entrance to the Gorge Trail is through a cave-like opening. The pathway takes you past the glen’s stream which descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs.
There are 19 waterfalls in total. We made our way to the path right near the water. We were spellbound! Because of all the rain the waterfalls seemed more like explosions than like waterfalls. It was breathtaking and scary at the same time. I was afraid to go too far because the stone steps and walkways were very slippery from the rain, but on the other hand I couldn’t tear myself away from that beauty too soon. The most amazing thing for us was taking the path behind and practically under one of the waterfalls. If you stuck out your hand you can touch the water. I was afraid of the sheer force of the falls. We didn’t stay for too long and made our way back to the car just as the rain stopped.
Watkins Glen is a great place to stop on the way up north to Niagara Falls since it is not terribly out of the way.
Address:
1009 N Franklin St
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Phone Number:
607) 535-4511
Hours:
Park is open year round dawn to dusk.
Price:
Free.
Parking fee: $10 per vehicle. Shuttle fee: $6 per person one way
Brooklyn Bridge: 4 hours, 40 minutes
Lakewood: 4 hours, 50 minutes
Monsey: 3 hours, 50 minutes
Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/142/details.aspx
————-