Ramapo Valley County Reservation

Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (4.9-mile loop with rolling climbs (with shorter options available))
Highlights: beautiful lake, multiple views, NYC skyline, waterfall, wild cactus grove
Distance: 4.9 miles, Loop
Approximate roundtrip time: 3 hours (or 1.5 hours for the up/back to Cactus Ledge)
Total ascent: 948 ft
Max elevation: 800 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a pleasant, moderately difficult hike to see a wide variety of interesting stuff, including views of the NYC skyline, a nice waterfall, and a wild cactus grove that exists in northern New Jersey for some reason.

Harriman State Park: Jackie Jones Fire Tower

Scenery:
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 (short-ish hike with mostly gentle inclines)
Highlights: fire tower, gorgeous views, NYC skyline, ruins, that "new fire tower" smell
Distance: 2.8 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: 553 ft
Max elevation: 1,330 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a short hike to a fire tower with awesome views of the New York City skyline (with lots of other non-skyline-related beauty, too).