Daily Daydream: An Island with NYC Views

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

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Randall’s Island is many a New Yorker’s favorite summer day-trip retreat. The recently cleaned up and restored island now offers more than 60 sports fields (including baseball, soccer, and football), a golf center, and tennis courts.

The island offers amazing views of New York City. Take them in as you bike or walk down the many car-free pathways. There’s also lots of greenery to satisfy city-dwellers, including well-kept gardens, wild wetlands, and other natural areas.

In the summer, Randall’s Island hosts tons of events, including music festivals, art fairs, and sports competitions.

Where is it? Between Manhattan and Queens. Fly to LaGuardia Airport (check prices).

Where to Stay? Stay back on Manhattan: The Franklin is well-situated for getting to Randall’s Island.

What Else Should I Know? Take the M35 bus or drive across the RFK Bridge to access the island.

Who’s it For? Families, swimmers, singers.

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(Photo: Shutterstock/Norbert Rehm)

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