Last-minute summer escapes: Weekend, day trips near Long Island

You can accomplish a lot in the 1,440 minutes that make up a single day, especially if you're using that time for a last-minute summer getaway.

Here are four locales that are less than a three-hour drive from Long Island. Each is perfect for an end-of-summer trip, whether you're traveling as a family, with friends, or with a significant other.

Rockaway Beach, Queens

New York City’s only legal surfing beach is a popular destination for city residents — and a quick drive for Long Islanders looking for a free,  5.5-mile sandy haunt. The beach is open for swimming from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. when lifeguards are on duty. There’s a map that’s updated daily that provides beach conditions because riptides are fierce on some days. There’s also a bike and skate path as well as beaches designated for fishing and kayaking.

The boardwalk is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Before you go it’s wise to have a destination in mind. The beachfront goes from Beach 9th to Beach 149th St., so do your research to ensure your destination  fits your vibe.

If you want to skip the beach, walk along the boardwalk, with its shopping, spray park, playgrounds and roller hockey rink. There are also beach volleyball courts, fitness equipment and food options including sit-down restaurants such as the self-pour tap parlor Tap That.

There’s more casual fare, too, at food stands such as Tacoway Beach and Rippers, a burger joint right off the beach. Don’t rule out the concessions, either. Beach 97 has eight food options including Korean, Peruvian and American food.

Check out the Rockaway Hotel and Spa, a short walk  from the beach. Book a treatment and stick around for a wellness class ($25 per person). There’s also a four-hour spa day pass ($550) that gives you access to a steam sauna, infrared sauna and heated outdoor pool.

Mystic, Connecticut 

There’s a lot more than the eponymous Mystic Pizza in this quaint seaside town. (Although that’s worth checking out, too) Locals and visitors love the Mystic Seaport Museum ($22 ages 4-17, $35) and Mystic Aquarium (tickets range from $28.99 ages 17 and younger, $34) for good reason. Seaport Museum visitors can hop on a sailboat (additional fee), check out the recreation of a New England coastal village, and tour a working shipyard. The Mystic Aquarium has a sea lion show, public feedings of Beluga whales, seals and African penguins, and a fun touch tank. Its new indoor Aerial  Adventure Course is another way to pass the time for kids taller than  4 feet, teens and adults.

A lesser-known venue, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center ($7 ages 12 and younger, $10), is a wildlife sanctuary, natural history museum and gardens. There are also more than  10 miles of trails to walk along and access to them is free.

If you get hungry, Olde Mistick Village, a Colonial-inspired attraction, is right next to the aquarium. It’s filled with shopping and restaurants that cater to all taste buds. You can’t come to Mystic without eating seafood. Try Sea Swirl, which is known for fried clams and bread cones filled with all types of lobster. Another option is the Dog Watch Café. Come for the indoor and outdoor seating with breathtaking views as well as lawn games, fire pits and an outdoor play area. Stay for the house-smoked barbecue and lobster rolls.

Block Island, Rhode Island

This tiny island is  3 miles wide and  7 miles long — you could walk it in a day if you want to. It’s a place to go if you want to hit a beach with crystal clear — but cool — water, do a little shopping and listen to live music. The best way to get there is by ferry. You can take the Block Island Express from Orient Point or Montauk. The Orient Point ferry costs $90.90 for a car and one passenger. Additional adult passengers are around $36.60 round trip. The same trip for kids under 12 is $13. The Viking Fleet Montauk ferry departs at 9 a.m. and arrives around 10:15 a.m. ($90 round trip, $60 for kids). The return ferry is 6:15 p.m.

The biggest attraction — literally — are the Mohegan Bluffs, which are clay cliffs overlooking the ocean. On a clear day you may even see Montauk Point. It’s worth taking the walk since — once you get to the top — you can walk down wooden stairs for beach access.

If you’re in the mood for a little history, check out one or both of the island’s lighthouses, the North Light House and the Southeast Lighthouse, which has tower access and a museum ($20, Kids under 9 are free). If you’re lucky, you’ll find one of the 550 glass floats that are hidden each season along the greenway trails, in town, or on the beach. The pretty, clear baubles are handcrafted by artist Eben Horton and found by Orbivores all season long.

After working up an appetite biking, kayaking, and hiking, quench your thirst and hunger at one of the island’s casual or upscale restaurants, many of which have live music. If you want a little luxury, reserve a VIP table on the beach at Ballard’s Beach Resort or sit at the daiquiri bar for a more casual meal.

Other must-tries include The Oar, a dog-friendly spot famous for its sushi, seafood including steamers and lobster dinners, and mudslides and Poor People's Pub, a family-friendly restaurant with pizza, burgers and barbecue.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of America so a visit there is like an experiential history lesson. Founded in 1682, there are plenty of historical sites including the Independence National Historical Park, a 1-mile square area that’s home to UNESCO World Heritage site Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center. Both attractions are free aside from a $1 reservation fee for Independence Hall. There’s also a Museum of the American Revolution ($59 for an online family four-pack ticket or $25 for adults and $19 for the military, students, teachers, and seniors), which has plenty of hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, exhibitions and costumed living history displays. The National Constitution Center (open Wednesday through Sunday; $15) houses an original copy of the Bill of Rights and brings the Constitution to life with a 360-degree live production of Freedom Rising, an interactive show.

Philly is also known for its art and culture. The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s front steps are the same ones featured in the movie "Rocky." Once inside (closed Tuesday and Wednesday; $30), tour the American and contemporary art galleries and take advantage of Tour in a Day suggestions to hit all the highlights. If you’d like something a little more avant-garde, try Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, (closed Tuesdays, $15) in South Philly. The indoor and outdoor museum takes up nearly half a city block and features sculpture and mixed media art installations using mosaics and common household items. Younger and older kids may also enjoy the Please Touch Museum with its interactive exhibits and the Philadelphia Zoo (starting at $20), the oldest operating American zoo with close to 2,000 animals including big cats that walk catwalks in the sky.

While there are more than 6,000 restaurants in the area, one of the best places to eat ( and find famous Philly cheesesteak) is Reading Terminal Market. Earning the designation of the oldest public market,  this fun locale features more than 75 stalls where you can get any type of food your heart desires, including gluten-free and vegan offerings.