7 Amazing Cultural Day Trips in the Northeast

Julia Malacoff
Oct 04, 2016

When you can’t get away for a real vacation (and who can during the fall, when you’ve used all your vacay time to take an epic beach vacation?), a day trip can be just what the doctor ordered. From outdoor art venues to beachfront towns, there’s something along the East Coast for everyone — no matter where you live. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group of friends, these mini-destinations won’t disappoint. Read on for seven places in the Northeast that’ll make you want to hop in the car or book a train ticket ASAP.

1. Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, NY: One of the most incredible sculpture parks in the world lies just an hour away from New York City. With large-scale works by artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Maya Lin and Richard Serra, it’s truly an art lover’s paradise. And even if you’re not that into the arts, it’s still worth the trip to enjoy the incredibly unique landscape. Storm King is set on 500 acres of beautiful rolling land, smack dab in the middle of the Hudson River Valley (read: You’ll see all the seasons). If you get tired of walking, there are bikes to rent and a trolley that treks you around the grounds. Pro tip: Bring a picnic and a blanket so you can stay the whole day.

2. Salem, MA: Especially around Halloween, Salem is a super fun day trip by car or commuter rail from anywhere in the Boston area. Not only can you take a haunted tour of the town or see a live spell-casting demonstration (spooky!), but you can also visit tons of historic buildings and learn everything you can possibly imagine about the Salem witch trials. Definitely make time to check out the seaside shopping district, right on the quaint waterfront, which has plenty of delicious food options. The creepy history freaking you out? Take in just a small sip of history (and of local cider, wine and witches brew — AKA beer) on the Salem Spirits Trolley.

3. The Glass House, New Canaan, CT: This beautiful glass home sits on 49 acres and is surrounded by sculptures and other art installations. You can visit the house, which was built by architect Philip Johnson, from May through November. The site is especially gorgeous in the fall, when the changing leaves interplay with the house. This isn’t the best spontaneous trip, since you should make tour reservations in advance. But trust us, it’s totally worth it. (Photo via The Glass House)

4. Provincetown, MA: Another quick trip from Boston, P-Town is known to be a lively, indie and super LGBTQ+-friendly community. Situated on the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is the quintessential New England beachside town. Get some sun and try to spot dolphins on Race Point Beach, stop into museums (the Whydah Museum, with its pirate shipwreck treasure, is especially fun), check out the view from Pilgrim’s Monument and then get in on the *very* fun nightlife scene. If you feel like a sleepier day trip, with the highest concentration of bookstores on Cape Cod, Provincetown is a book lover’s dream.

5. The Poconos, PA: Relatively close to both Philadelphia and New York City, the Pocono Mountains have so much to offer. Take a hike on one of the many trails (from newbie to expert), go horseback riding, ski in the winter and swim in lakes (any of the *150* of them) in the summer. The options here are pretty much endless, and the mountain views (try to visit at least once during autumn) sweeten the deal. (Photo via Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau)

6. Dia:Beacon, Beacon, NY: Easily accessible from anywhere in the New York area via Metro North, Dia:Beacon is a contemporary art space that fills way more square footage than you’d ever be able to find in NYC. Spend the day roaming through its vast collection, both indoors and outdoors, and stop for lunch at their excellent cafe. For New Yorkers stuck in the concrete jungle, this is an amazing escape into nature. (Photo via Dia:Beacon)

7. Newport, RI: If you love mansions and gilded-era architecture, Newport is the place for you. Tour massive Great-Gatsby-era homes like The Breakers, The Elms and Rosecliff. Don’t worry, the Instagram-worthy interiors are plentiful. Spend your day touring as many estates as possible, and finish off with dinner near the waterfront at Malt or the White Horse Tavern.

What’s your favorite day trip on the East Coast? Let us know @BritandCo! 

(Photos via Getty)

Girl Scouts Just Gave Us An Official Update Amid Contaminated Cookies Rumor

Numerous rumors about potentially-contaminated Girl Scout cookies have been floating around, and Girl Scouts of the USA is finally addressing them.

Sources reported the presence of toxic metals and glyphosate in the popular cookies and noted that it poses “profound ethical and public health concerns.” Here’s what Girl Scouts had to say.

Scroll on to learn more about what’s going on with the latest Girl Scout cookie contamination news.

Girl Scouts of the USA

The idea that Girl Scout cookies might be contaminated first arose in December 2024 when GMOScience and Moms Across America released a joint-commissioned reporttitled “Danger in the Dough: Unveiling the Toxic Contaminants in Girl Scout Cookies.”

The report found that 100% of the Girl Scout cookie samples they tested were positive for glyphosate and toxic metals and 88% of samples were positive for all 5 toxic metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury), with significant percentages of the samples testing positive for cadmium and lead.

Girl Scouts of the USA

In the report, both groups said that the continual sale of Girl Scout cookies poses “profound ethical and public health concerns,” and slightly called out Girl Scouts of the USA for not allocating more money towards “better ingredients."

The GMOScience and Moms Across America report also cited a lack of government oversight when it comes to food safety and that entities like the FDA and EPA “have not fulfilled their commitment.”

Girl Scouts of the USA

Despite the reports about contamination, Girl Scouts of the USA says Girl Scout Cookies are “safe to consume.” In an official statement, they assured the public that their cookies comply with FDA and EPA food safety standards. They also noted that heavy metals are not purposefully added to their cookies.

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA made sure to note that “environmental contaminants” like heavy metals and glyphosate can occur naturally in soil, though in very small, trace amounts.

The FDA verified this, saying naturally-occurring heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury are just a “reality about our food supply.”

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA highlighted that their cookie suppliers “continue to ensure the integrity of [their] recipes and the safety of all Girl Scout Cookie products in accordance with federal regulations and Global Food Safety initiative standards.”

Girl Scouts of the USA

The real issue at hand is not just Girl Scout cookies – it’s that our frameworks for food safety have plenty of wiggle room for toxic metals and chemicals to be present in our food.

In fact, it’s become so common that we tend to forget all about it – likely why cookie lovers were up in arms about the contamination news.

Girl Scouts of the USA

GMOScience and Moms Across America echoed this exact sentiment in their report, calling for the development of organic and regenerative farming to eradicate potential contamination altogether.

They also called on Girl Scouts of the USA to play a larger role in “transforming our food and farming system.”

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Travis Kelce Just Addressed His "Crazy Decision" Amid Retirement Rumors

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a Super Bowl tough loss on February 9, 2025, and there's one major thing on everyone's mind now — is Travis Kelce retiring? The subject's come up multiple times throughout the 2024-2025 NFL season, but much like his brother Jason the previous year, Travis hasn't given a definitive answer on the matter. Amid everything from Taylor Swift wedding rumors to starring TV roles (anyone else watch Grotequerie?!), the Chiefs tight end definitely has a lot going on right now. Could all this — plus an overall great football season, sans the Super Bowl loss — add up to the end of his NFL career? Here's what we know so far.

Scroll to find out everything we know about if Travis Kelce's retiring.

On February 12, 2025, Travis Kelce opened up about his potential retirement on the New Heights podcast. "I know everybody wants to know whether or not I'm playing next year, and right now, I'm just kicking everything down the road," he said. "I'm not making any crazy decisions."

Travis shared that the Super Bowl loss a "tough pill to swallow" and a "tough reality," but also noted that the Chiefs team is focused on "being there" for each other in the aftermath.

"I'm gonna take some time to figure it out. And, I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, it's a wholehearted decision," he said. "I'm not half-a--ing it, and I'm fully here for them."

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- YouTube

During the 2025 Super Bowl, Travis only made four catches, resulting in a gain of 39 yards — his "lowest postseason output since 2019" according to The Athletic. Still, USA Todayreported that he broke Jerry Rice's record of 35 career Super Bowl catches. However, it was pretty clear that even a record-breaking performance wasn't enough to bolster Travis's mood.

The football star didn't hold a larger post-game conference, but he noted that they "haven't played that bad all year" and said that the Chiefs "couldn’t get it going offensively" to a few reporters. He acknowledged, "You don't lose like that without everything going bad," before leaving for the night.

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Still, Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes was asked about what comes next for Travis's career. "I'll let Travis make that decision on his own," Patrick said. "He's given so much to this team and to the NFL, and he's been such a joy, not only for me to work with, but for people to watch."

Mahomes notes Travis "still has a lot of football left in him" and that he "always makes plays in the biggest moments." He said, "But I know he still has a love for the game, and he’ll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own."

Patrick reassured everyone, "He knows he’ll come back here with open arms. We love that guy not only for the football player, but for who he is every single day."

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Travis made his way to the suite with Taylor and his family after the tough Chiefs loss. It was a stark contrast from his "fight for your right to party" vibes of last year, so we hope we was able to find some comfort among his loved ones. And as for if Travis is actually retiring, we'll definitely keep an eye out for what he says and does next. 👀

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The 8 Best TV Shows To Watch On Max This Month

We can always count on our favorite streamers to give us the best content, like, ever. In addition to The Best New TV Shows Coming To Netflix In February, there are some truly stellar titles on Max this month — including a few you can already watch! We might have to wait a few more months for The Last of Us season 2, but these new TV shows make that wait a little easier.

Here are the 8 best TV shows on Max in February 2025.

1. The White Lotus Season 3 — Stream on Max February 16, 2025

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Start your spring break early by joining the new White Lotus cast in Thailand. This season, which debuts new episodes every week at 9PM EST, explores all things pleasure and pain, and trust me: you'll be on the edge of your seat the whole time.

The White Lotus season 3 stars Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Blackpink’s Lisa Manobal.

2. Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe In Freedom Cannot Rest — Stream on Max February 25, 2025

Daily Express/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images

This 6-episode docuseries tells the story of the racial justice communities and leaders working today, following the birth of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

3.The Pitt — Stream new episodes on Max every Thursday

Warrick Page/Max

This entire 15-episode drama takes place over the course of a single shift at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency room, broken down into 15 one-hour segments. I'm hooked!

The Pitt stars Noah Wyle, Tracey Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, and Katherine LaNasa.

4. Baylen Out Loud — Stream new episodes on Max every Monday

TLC

This new TV show follows Baylen Dupree, who's making her way through love and life in West Virginia with extreme Tourette Syndrome.

Baylen Out Loud stars Baylen Dupree.

5. 90 Day: The Last Resort — Stream all episodes on Max now

TLC

These 90 Day duos are facing reality while at a group couples retreat — and they have to figure out if they're going to continue their happily ever after or go home on their own.

90 Day: The Last Resort stars Ed Brown, Yara Zaya, Angela Deem, Jovi Dufren, and Kalani Faagata.

6. The Takedown: American Aryans — Stream all episodes on Max now

Max

This documentary show follows the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas over the last 20+ years — and the murder of a young woman that changes everything.

The Takedown: American Aryans is directed and produced by Neil Rawles.

7. The Fall of Diddy — Stream all episodes on Max now

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True crime fans will want to tune into this series, which examines the allegations against rapper and executive Sean Combs.

8. The West Wing — Stream on Max now

NBC

Get your old school TV kick with the OG political drama, which follows the lives of the people working inside the White House.

The West Wing stars Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Janel Moloney, and Richard Schiff.

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