What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “New York”? New York City, probably. And, really, who could blame you? It’s one of the most famous cities in the entire world!
There’s more to New York than the city that bears its name, though. A lot more. So if you’re planning to take a trip to New York, don’t limit yourself to just the Big Apple. There’s still a whole state left to explore!
In case you need some convincing, here’s a list of 25 of the best places to visit in Upstate New York. From the dramatic grandeur of the New York State Capitol to the majestic beauty of Whiteface Mountain, Upstate New York has just as much to offer as its namesake city.
New York State Capitol – Albany
The New York State Capitol is the heart of New York State, making it the perfect place for us to start things off.
The New York State Capitol is located in the state’s capital city; that much is obvious. What might not be so obvious, however, is that Albany is the capital of New York, not New York City!
As you tour the New York State Capitol, take time to admire the building’s elegant, late 19th-century architecture. It took 32 years and more than $25 million to make, after all.
Blithewood – Annandale-on-Hudson
As far as picnic spots in Upstate New York go, Blithewood is hard to beat. This historic, 45-acre estate is located on the campus of Bard College.
Blithewood Garden, which dates back to the early 1900s, has the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains as its backdrop. So pack some lunch, find a shady spot, and enjoy the view.
Dia Beacon – Beacon
A pilgrimage to Dia Beacon is a must for art aficionados visiting Upstate New York. Located in a former Nabisco box-printing facility, this museum has more space than NYC’s Guggenheim, Whitney, and MoMA combined; 160,000 square feet, to be exact.
With all that space, there’s clearly a lot to see at Dia Beacon. Modern art is the focus at Dia, as reflected by the museum’s permanent collection and the temporary exhibits that pass through its doors.
Free tours of Dia Beacon are available at 12:30 and 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex – Buffalo
Even if you don’t know anything about architecture, you probably still recognize the name Frank Lloyd Wright. He’s the architect responsible for famous buildings like Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and the Guggenheim in New York City.
The Martin House Complex is another one of Wright’s famous works. It features two houses, a carriage house, a gardener’s cottage, and more.
Tours of the complex range from the one-hour Martin House Tour to the in-depth All Wright All Day Tour. The latter includes stops at some of Wright’s other projects in the area.
Letchworth State Park – Castile
In a part of the country known for its natural beauty, Letchworth State Park still manages to stand out.
How? Probably because of the massive rock walls that earned it the nickname “Grand Canyon of the East.” They reach heights of up to 550 feet at some points!
Letchworth State Park’s three waterfalls are another standout feature, as are its 66 miles of hiking trails. Cabins and campsites are available to rent if you’re looking to spend the night in the great outdoors.
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets – Central Valley
Shopaholics, rejoice! One of the best places to shop in all of New York State is Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
Woodbury Common is located in Central Valley, about 60 miles north of New York City. Its prime location has made Woodbury Common a popular tourist attraction since it opened in 1985.
After being expanded in 1993 and again in 1998, Woodbury Common spans more than 800,000 square feet. This makes it one of the largest outlet malls in the world. Its roster of about 250 stores includes brands like Adidas, J.Crew, and Ralph Lauren.
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum – Cooperstown
Take me out to the ballgame! Or maybe just the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Founded in 1939, this institution and the town it’s located in are as synonymous with baseball as peanuts and Cracker Jack.
There are a variety of exhibits for you to explore at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just getting into the game, you’ll leave with an even greater appreciation for America’s pastime.
Corning Museum of Glass – Corning
Prepare to never see glass the same way again after visiting the Corning Museum of Glass. Seriously, this museum proves that glass can be so much more than windows and what we drink out of.
Incredible works of art can be found around every corner at the Corner Museum. And they’re all made of glass! While there, you can also learn about the history of glass, watch live glassmaking demonstrations, and more.
Art Omi – Ghent
With all sorts of sculptures spread out across 120 acres in Upstate New York, Art Omi melds rural with surreal; “surrural,” if you will. It’s the kind of place you have to see to believe.
There are more than 60 sculptures to discover at Art Omi. Pick up a map from the visitor center to make sure you don’t miss any of them. Once you’re done exploring, head back to the visitor center for a bite to eat at Café Omi.
The Culinary Institute of America – Hyde Park
Do you love food? If you do, you’ve got to get a taste of what’s cooking at The Culinary Institute of America.
No, you don’t have to be a student, or pretend to be one, to get in. In fact, they encourage visitors to dine at their variety of on-campus restaurants. These restaurants provide students with valuable hands-on experience.
Tours of the campus are also available for nominal fee. Just make sure to reserve your spot ahead of time.
Lake George
Like Buffalo, Syracuse, and so on, the town of Lake George is a quintessential part of Upstate New York.
What makes Lake George so special, you ask? Well, it’s got pretty much everything you’d expect from a tourist town. There are fun things to do, plenty of places to shop and eat, and, oh yeah, a big, beautiful lake.
Activities you can take part in on the town’s namesake lake include boat rides, kayaking, fishing, and more. When the weather’s cold, the lake becomes a popular spot for ice-related activities like ice skating and ice fishing.
Lake George Expedition Park – Lake George
If you’re looking to have a bit of good, old-fashioned fun while in Lake George, look no further than Lake George Expedition Park.
The reason we say “old-fashioned” is because one half of Lake George Expedition Park, the Magic Forest amusement park, dates back to 1963. More than 50 years later, Magic Forest continues to delight visitors of all ages with its classic attractions and kitschy charm.
The other half of Lake George Expedition Park is Dino Roar Valley. This attraction is a half-mile-long nature trail populated by animatronic dinosaurs. It also features a fossil dig site, a replica dinosaur nest, and more.
Lake Placid Olympic Center – Lake Placid
The 1980 “Miracle on Ice” is one of the most iconic moments in sports history. See where it took place at the Lake Placid Olympic Center.
The Lake Placid Olympic Center is home to the Herb Brooks Arena, which hosted various events during the 1980 Winter Olympics. One of these events was the Miracle on Ice.
For those who don’t know, the Miracle on Ice was a men’s ice hockey game played between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets were the clear favorites, being that they were the four-time defending gold medalists. The U.S. managed to edge them out, though, in a win that truly was nothing short of a miracle.
Tours of the Olympic Center are available. They take about one hour and cost only a few dollars.
Jell-O Gallery – Le Roy
There are few foods weirder than the curious confection that is Jell-O. That’s precisely what makes the Jell-O Gallery such a fun and fascinating place to visit.
Located in Le Roy, the “Birthplace of Jell-O,” the Jell-O Gallery has been delighting visitors for decades.
Some of the questions you’ll find answers to at the Jell-O Gallery include: Why did the inventor sell his rights to Jell-O for $450? Who eats the most Jell-O? And why did a group of hospital technicians test a bowl of Jell-O with an EEG machine?
Well, any guesses?
Mohonk Mountain House – New Paltz
Don’t let the name fool you; the Mohonk Mountain House is anything but a “house.” It’s more like a castle in the middle of the woods.
The Mountain House was founded in 1869 by the Smiley family. It was a luxury resort back then and is still one today. What’s changed is the size; in the past 150 years, the Mountain House went from 10 rooms to 259 and 300 acres to 1,325.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a guest at the Mountain House to enjoy the many amenities it has to offer. That’s because it’s also open to visitors just looking to spend the day.
Niagara Falls
You didn’t really think we’d leave Niagara Falls off this list, did you? Of course not! Our list wouldn’t be complete without it.
There are many ways to see the falls. You could view them from a distance, obviously, or up close via attractions like the Maid of the Mist boat tour. You’re in for an unforgettable experience either way.
And the falls are just the beginning. The city of Niagara Falls is home to plenty of other tourist attractions too, including an aquarium, museums, and more. You can also bring your passport and visit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls while you’re there.
Eternal Flame Falls – Orchard Park
Now let’s go from one natural wonder to another: the Eternal Flame Falls. Yes, it looks just as magical as it sounds.
The Eternal Flame Falls is a small waterfall that gets its name from a natural gas seep tucked behind the falls. A lighter is all it takes to get the “Eternal Flame” going, so bring one in case it isn’t lit when you get there.
Sweet Sue’s – Phoenicia
Nothing prepares you for the day quite like a big breakfast, which is what they specialize in at Sweet Sue’s. Located in the small town of Phoenicia, this charming breakfast joint is a popular pit stop for travelers making their way upstate.
Sweet Sue’s claim to fame is their pancakes. These are no ordinary pancakes, mind you. These pancakes are as big as the plates they’re served on and come in flavors ranging from strawberry and banana to hearty buckwheat.
But pancakes aren’t all they do at Sweet Sue’s. Their menu also features French toast, huevos rancheros, chorizo hash, and more.
The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor – Queensbury
You’ve probably heard of Six Flags Great Adventure; six Flags Over Texas too. But have you ever heard of The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor? They’re Upstate New York’s very own Six Flags amusement parks!
The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor are located in the town of Queensbury, just outside of Lake George. The two parks feature more than 135 rides between them, ranging from roller coasters to water slides.
The best part? You can visit both parks for the price of one!
For even more fun, book a stay at the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge located across the street from the parks. It’s got an indoor water park, along with plenty of other kid-friendly amenities.
Nick Tahou Hots – Rochester
Some places are synonymous with their signature dish. New Jersey, for instance, has pork roll. Philly, cheesesteaks.
Rochester is another one of those places. Their signature dish? The Garbage Plate.
Garbage Plates taste a lot better than they sound; though, that’s not saying much. They can be made up of all sorts of ingredients, hence the name. Ingredients you would find on a traditional Garbage Plate include home fries, macaroni salad, baked beans, and pretty much any meat you can think of.
The Garbage Plate was invented at Nick Tahou Hots in 1918. More than 100 years later, it’s still the best place to get one.
The Strong National Museum of Play – Rochester
No matter your age, you’ll feel like a kid again at The Strong National Museum of Play. As you can tell by the name, this museum explores the many ways we play.
With two floors and more than a city block long, you better believe there’s a lot to see and do at The Strong. They’ve got exhibits on all kinds of subjects, including board games, dancing, pinball, and more.
But that’s not all! The Strong is also home to attractions like a restored carousel from 1918 and a butterfly garden.
Yaddo Gardens – Saratoga Springs
Step back in time as you immerse yourself in the old-world charm of the Yaddo Gardens. These gardens date back to 1899, and not much has changed since then.
Features of the Yaddo Gardens include a rose garden, rock garden, statues, fountains, and a 180-foot-long pergola.
The gardens are open to the public 364 days a year. The only day they aren’t open is Travers Day. That’s when the Travers Stakes horse race takes place at the nearby Saratoga Race Couse.
Drop-in tours are offered at certain times of the year as well. Check their website for more information.
The Wild Center – Tupper Lake
Take a walk on the wild side at The Wild Center. This museum lets visitors get closer to nature with its variety of “edutaining” indoor and outdoor experiences. These experiences include live animal exhibits, educational films, walking trails, and more.
The Wild Center’s flagship experience is an attraction called Wild Walk. Inspired by the High Line in New York City, Wild Walk is an elevated walkway suspended above the Adirondack forest.
Watkins Glen State Park – Watkins Glen
If there was a competition for the most beautiful place in all of New York, Watkins Glen State Park would probably take the cake.
Okay, maybe we shouldn’t go that far. The competition is stiff!
Watkins Glen State Park really is beautiful, though; all 778 acres of it. The centerpiece of the park are the Rainbow Falls and the bridge that runs across them. Other highlights include Jacob’s Ladder, a 180-step stone staircase, and 200-foot-high cliffs.
Whiteface Mountain – Wilmington
In the mood for a challenge? Try scaling the side of Whiteface Mountain. This mountain is the fifth highest peak in New York. From the top, you can see mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire, and even skyscrapers in Montreal!
There are a few ways to reach the peak of Whiteface Mountain. The easiest way is to drive up most of the way, then take the in-mountain elevator up to the top. You can also walk up a staircase reminiscent of a miniature Great Wall of China.
There are also trails of varying difficulty and length leading up to the peak. You know, just in case you actually are looking for a challenge.