Many people only consider New York City, an enormous urban metropolis, when they think of New York State. The huge State of New York, however, also encompasses rolling hills, raging rivers, gorgeous mountains, adorable towns, and cascading waterfalls. Underneath all of its natural beauty are significant historical elements that are closely connected to the region and its inhabitants. Here are 31 best places to visit in Upstate New York.
Visit Green Lakes State Park in Central New York, close to the Erie Canal Towpath, to see two stunning glacial lakes. Enjoy stunning views by hiking on any of the plenty of trails close to Green Lake and Round Lake, especially in the fall. Go swimming at the state park’s beach, work on your game at the golf course, and enjoy camping in the summer. The park offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. Definitely one of the best places to visit in Upstate New York.
The westernmost Finger Lake, Conesus Lake, attracts people yearly for its July 3rd Ring of Fire when 10,000 flares are lighted along its perimeter and fireworks erupt above. The Little Lake Brewing facility, one of the sites on the new Livingston Libation Loop that highlights wineries, cideries, and specialty microbreweries throughout the county, is located close by in the teeny town of Lakeville.
Throughout the summer, busloads of people frequent this incredibly popular park. For breathtaking 200-foot cliffs and 19 waterfalls, go along the creek. The Rainbow Falls Bridge is featured in the most recognizable image, while Cavern Cascade is the most memorable fall. The only times a shuttle is offered are during summertime and on popular weekends in fall and spring. The shuttle travels from one end of the canyon to the other.
This is the place to go if you’re seeking for a gorgeous waterfall in upstate New York. Viewers may get a sight from the top of the 167-foot waterfall or from a footbridge over the river in this location. The park’s terrain offers a variety of short hikes, while avid hikers can connect paths to create longer itineraries. Have a picnic and take in the stunning environment after a hike and a few photo opportunities.
One of the top sights to see in this little New York Community is the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On the former James Fenimore Cooper estate, the Fenimore Art Museum now houses a significant collection of American art, and the annual Glimmerglass Festival draws opera fans from all over the world. The second-most popular ecosystem in New York State, Howe Caverns, is close and offers caving and spelunking opportunities for visitors.
This ranks as one of the most distinctive upstate New York vacations for gemstone enthusiasts. Herkimer Diamonds, however, are not genuine diamonds. They are surface quartz crystals that are 500,000 million years old, and they are abundant here. These crystals were used by the indigenous Mohawk people as tools, jewelry, and later in trade. People can keep whatever they find at the mines. After that, kids can discover how to use quartz to make jewelry and other presents.
Letchworth State Park is an extraordinary gorge that the Genesee River has carved out over millennia, earning it the nickname “Grand Canyon of the East.” The river thunderously crashes down along cliffs of shale, limestone, and sandstone that rise 550 feet at their greatest point, creating dozens of spectacular waterfalls. You will find the nation’s first autistic nature trail here that has eight identified sensory sites distributed around a one-mile loop.
Ausable Chasm is a two-mile-long sandstone gorge that was cut out of the earth 500 million years ago in the eastern Adirondacks, just minutes from Lake Champlain and the Vermont border. It is a great spot to seek out waterfalls, especially the flowing Rainbow Falls, and to hike and adventure across the Adirondacks. A nearby attraction is the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, which tells the tales of slaves who crossed there in search of freedom.
One of the nicest communities in upstate New York for some restorative nature is Phoenicia. Phoenicia, tucked away in the Catskills’ High Peaks region, appears like a world apart from the big metropolis. Because of this, the town is ideal for a really calming spa getaway. The adjacent Emerson Resort & Spa has a number of spa packages and rooms for pets so you may travel with your dog. The Phoenicia Lodge is an additional option, where you can prepare your meals in a private kitchen or on a barbecue.
The beauty of the famous Niagara Falls needs no intro. The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is worth a visit if you want to understand more about the background of the Underground Railroad, which frequently ended at the Canadian border. Learn about neighborhood hero John Morrison and Harriet Tubman. The museum’s ongoing display, “One More River to Cross,” was given the 2019 Award of Excellence by the American Association for State and Local History.
Woodstock continues to uphold its friendly hippy character. Explore the galleries and museums along Tinker Street. You may also enroll in a traditional woodworking course in Woodstock, where you’ll learn how to use classic hand tools like planes, saws, and chisels. Go to Oriole 9 for some outstanding tacos. Also, for dessert, make sure you go to Sweet Dreams Organic.
In the Adirondack Mountains, there are 2,000 miles of designated hiking paths near Lake Placid and its surroundings. In addition, the area is home to 46 High Peaks, including Mt. Marcy, New York State’s tallest mountain! Some of these Adirondack hiking paths have driveable peaks with breathtaking views from the top, like Whiteface Mountain.
Jamestown, which sits at the westernmost point of Chautauqua Lake, is most known for being the birthplace of the comedian Lucille Ball. The National Comedy Center, the first museum devoted to the art of comedy, is a must-see for tourists who enjoy comedy. A little distance up the lake, at the renowned Chautauqua Institution, you can find lectures, performers, and summertime programs centered on “exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life.”
In upstate New York, Lake George–dubbed the “birthplace of the American vacation”—is one of the most well-liked destinations for families and outdoor enthusiasts. This area draws a ton of “leaf peepers” in the fall. Tourists who come to the area to experience the peak of the autumn foliage colors are affectionately referred to by this term. Lake George offers a ton of amazing wintertime activities! Gore Mountain Ski Center, an indoor water park, or ice fishing on Lake George alone are all great places to enjoy in this lovely region.
This charming community, located about an hour south of Buffalo in the slopes of the Allegheny Mountains, oozes charm as evidenced by the preserved and renovated homes and structures from the 19th century. Mountain bikers, hikers, and skiers from western New York can also use it to reach the 60 slopes and trails at the nearby Holiday Valley Resort.
A hidden gem area in the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake is just 15 minutes away from Lake Placid. Due to its position, it is the ideal place to go hiking, going on lake excursions, canoeing, cycling, paddling, and visiting some of the top breweries in the Adirondacks. For the ideal winter getaway replete with feasts, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and speakeasy experiences, don’t miss Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat. Traveling to this breathtaking New York hidden gem just for this lodge is worthwhile.
Seneca Falls is a historic location found near the northern end of Cayuga Lake. Having held the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, its significance in the women’s rights movement is what stands out most. Every July, the town hosts Convention Days, which draw large crowds. The Women’s Rights National Historical Park is also worthwhile to visit.
There are plenty more upstate New York tourism attractions in Saratoga Springs than just racetracks. The reviving Saratoga Springs Spa State Park, Yaddo Gardens, Saratoga Winery, and Saratoga Farmer’s Market are also nearby. The Adirondack trip & Charter Company also offers visitors the option to book a trip or participate in a floating school.
This opulent hamlet is a popular vacation in central New York. The 32-mile track that circles the lake is popular with serious bikers who visit. The village holds its annual Dickens Christmas event every year beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving, complete with live acts, wagon and horse rides, and a cast of Dickensian characters. Such a place surely deserves a spot among the best places to visit in Upstate New York.
Hudson is frequently referred to as Upstate New York’s Brooklyn. According to many, it is now an upscale, snooty port city that was once historically significant. And for some, the two-hour drive to New York City’s bustling streets offers a welcome break. On Warren Street, Hudson’s major thoroughfare, visitors may wander around the downtown restaurant scene.
Ithaca is a premier college town in addition to being a natural wonderland with breathtaking gorges, parks, and waterfalls like the three times higher than Niagara Falls Taughannock Falls. Aside from the city itself, there are a ton of things available, such as botanical gardens, cruises, wine trails, and an independent Discovery Trail that focuses on local history, astronomy, and earth sciences. According to rumors, it was also the origin of the ice cream sundae.
Beacon is in the Hudson Highlands. Make sure you get a room at the Roundhouse with a mountain view if you’re coming for a weekend escape from NYC. While not taking in the vista, go down the charming main street and take in Beacon’s particular art scene. Visit one of the many shops and eateries in the area. You may see some stunning waterfalls on various trails at Hudson Highlands State Park, which is just a few miles away.
With its abundance of museums, galleries, restaurants, and shops, Corning is one of the traditional upstate New York vacations. The lovely Chemung River runs alongside all of this and more. If you enjoy history, you can go to the Rockwell Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass. Downtown Corning offers boutique shopping, Dippety Do Dahs for specialty desserts, and Nickel’s Pitt BBQ for upscale American cuisine with a southern flavor.
Many places in upstate New York are identified by their closeness to a lake, and Watkins Glen, which is situated on Seneca Lake’s southern end, is no exception. The Watkins Glen International racetrack has hosted numerous events, including the Grand Prix, Nascar, and Formula One, but it is most famous for its renowned auto-racing history. It’s also a fantastic starting place for exploring the Seneca Lake Wine route, the longest wine route in the Finger Lakes that runs the entire length of the lake.
There are several excellent hiking paths in the Buttermilk Falls State Park that take you to natural pools, streams, unusual rock formations, gorges and falls. Even swimming is permitted at Buttermilk Falls’ base, but only while a lifeguard is on duty. Camp here in a tent or a cabin if you wish to spend more time here than just for a day excursion. Both traditional and contemporary cabins are available here.
When the St. Lawrence River joins Lake Ontario, the border between the United States and Canada zigzags across the breathtaking Thousand Islands archipelago. There are over 1,800 islands in the archipelago, ranging in size from small and rugged to vast and lush. The picture-perfect lighthouses and majestic castles, like the abandoned Boldt Castle, draw crowds of tourists here every summer and fall.
Geneva is a posh, charming hamlet in upstate New York. Weekend nights in the summer, Geneva’s Linden Street is shut down to provide a special community fair with an urban, cool ambiance. The Vinifera Inn, which is housed inside Belhurst Castle, is the best spot to stay in the area. Spend a leisurely afternoon wandering through the gardens and receive royal treatment at the Isabella Spa.
Pittsford, a charming community in upstate New York, is located on the banks of the Erie Canal. In the summer, tourists and residents line up to get handmade ice cream at Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery after dining at Schoen Place, which has a view of the canal. Other attractions are Rochester’s Strong National Museum of Play and the nearby Mendon Ponds Park.
Although Auburn has its fair share of small-town charm, delicious meals, and fantastic wines, its major draw is considerably more historically significant. Here, Harriet Tubman provided shelter at her house for family members, friends, and other people fleeing to the North. Three properties make up Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. Along with her house, you can visit the nearby Zion Church and the Harriet Tubman House for the Aged. That makes it one of the best places to visit in Upstate New York.
The shortest and longest zip-line canopy tour in the US is available in this alpine hamlet, which is just three hours away from NYC and offers a wide range of other adrenaline-inducing activities. This “gem of the Catskills” has a quaint Main Street with welcoming shops, bistros, and galleries.
This is a terrific choice for a traditional upstate summer getaway because guests can enjoy the day visiting the town’s vintage theme park, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, or just lounging by the lake with a glass of local wine. Another way to pass the time is on the water: book a cottage at the brand-new Cove at Sylvan Beach, where each rental comes with an own pontoon boat.
So, those are the 31 best places to visit in Upstate New York. If you are planning to visit upstate New York, hopefully this post serves as a guide.
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