There’s always a new adventure to be taken in New York, but with a state as large as ours sometimes it can feel overwhelming to try and find a new attraction to head towards. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to have even the coolest of activities fall underneath your radar. Giving you some inspiration for your next day trip, here are some ideas for when you’re trying to decide the next adventure you want to take in the Empire State!
- Adirondack Experience - Blue Mountain Lake
Adirondack Experience/TripAdvisor Formerly known as the Adirondack Museum, the Adirondack Experience up in Blue Mountain Lake is a place you won’t want to miss out on visiting. Here you can learn about the unbelievable history of this special region in New York, not far from the shores of Blue Mountain Lake that you’ll have a wonderful view of. The museum has been fascinating visitors since the 1950s and never ceases to remind us of how spectacular the Adirondacks truly are. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 9097 Route 30 Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812
- Chimney Bluffs State Park - Wolcott
Kathleen C./Yelp An area that was greatly affected by Lake Ontario’s flooding this year, Chimney Bluffs State Park has been steadily regaining it’s shoreline. A beautiful place to visit during the fall when you’ll find less visitors and more foliage surrounding the area, the state park features short but sweet hiking trails that will show you how stunning this interesting New York natural wonder is. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 7700 Garner Road Wolcott, NY 14590
- OK Slip Falls - Indian Lake
Catherine Abida/AllTrails A lesser-known waterfall that takes some effort to get to, the somewhat relatively long hiking trail that leads you to OK Slip Falls is worth all the time and effort you’ll put into it. This full-day Adirondack adventure is made up of a 3-mile long trail that will take you to the waterfalls overlook area, giving you an amazing view of this 250-foot tall beauty. While this waterfall may be less frequently visited by explorers compared to some of our others, it’s worth keeping in mind that the parking on the side of Route 28 is a bit limited. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: NY 28 (Between Old Route 28D & Beaver Meadow Brook Road) Indian Lake, NY 12842
- Erie Canal Park - Camillus
2flyby/TripAdvisor Just 15 minutes outside of the city of Syracuse, the charming small town of Camillus is hiding away New York’s very own Erie Canal Park. Right along Nine Mile Creek, the park is open every day throughout the year and even has a museum and boat tours! One of the most interesting parts of this park is the fact that it features a restored aqueduct that dated back to 1844. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 5750 Devoe Road Camillus, NY 13031
- Braddock Point Lighthouse - Hilton
Braddock Point Lighthouse/Facebook Another spot that’ll take you right out along the water, Braddock Point Lighthouse is one of the most delightful places you could spend the night in New York. A place where you’ll be able to quickly feel right at home, the original lighthouse was built back in 1896 and still provides much old school charm. Featuring cozy and elegant rooms that will give you unique views of Lake Ontario, all the special touches and effort that the owners put into your stay at the lighthouse will make you want to come back for more. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 18 Clearview Hilton, New York 14468
- The Olde Country Store & More - North Cohocton
The Olde Country Store and More - 1849/TripAdvisor A great place to visit if you’re looking to take home a piece of the Finger Lakes with you, The Olde Country Store in North Cohocton dates all the way back to 1849. One of the more unique country stores that you’ll find out in this region of New York, you can find a mass variety of candy, Finger Lakes merchandise, local treats and snacks and so much more. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 2 University Avenue North Cohocton, NY 14808
- The Roxbury - Delaware County
The Roxbury/TripAdvisor Taking you out to a remote area of New York, the small town of Roxbury is home to what’s probably safe to say is our state’s most unique hotel. The colorful building with splashes of electric green paint will immediately catch your eye, but it’s what you’ll find inside of the actual rooms that will utterly wow you. Each room at The Roxbury has it’s own theme, with rooms modeled after The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek, a genie bottle, coconut cream pie and so many other quirky themes that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 2258 Highway 41 Roxbury, NY 12474
- Havana Glen Park - Montour Falls
eflon/Flickr Out in an area of New York where it feels like there’s a waterfall on just about every corner you turn, Havana Glen Park offers a more quiet and secluded experience than populated places like Watkins Glen State Park. Walk through the park and intensely beautiful gorge and you’ll get to find multiple waterfalls that will have you appreciating New York as your home state. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 135 Havana Glen Road Montour Falls, NY 14865
- Wallkill View Farm Market - New Paltz
Wallkill View Farm Market/Yelp If you’ve never made it down to Wallkill View Farm while you’ve been living in New York, making your first visit during the fall season couldn’t be a better time to experience this place. Set amongst the gorgeous scenery of New Paltz, the farm has tons of seasonal activities to enjoy like pumpkin picking, hayrides, apples, cider donuts and much, much more. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 15 Route 299 West New Paltz, NY 12561
- Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum - North Tonawanda
Jeremy S./Yelp A great family-friendly destination to check out in Niagara County, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum features plenty of fun events throughout the year. On October 13th the museum will be hosting their Spooktacular, where for just $6 dollars you can enjoy their annual Halloween Party that includes crafts, games, carrousel rides and tons of other fun activities. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 180 Thompson Street North Tonawanda, NY 14120
- The Strong National Museum of Play - Rochester
Photo Credit Not your average museum, The Strong Museum in Rochester is known for their lively exhibits and magical places like their Butterfly House. An exciting place for visitors of all ages to come and explore, you’ll find some of your favorite childhood characters hiding in plain sight all throughout the museum and find lots of hands-on activities for you to experience. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 1 Manhattan Square Drive Rochester, New York 14607
Where’s your favorite lesser-known place to visit in our state? To reminisce on all the reasons why we love living here, here are The 14 Best Decisions That Anyone Can Make In New York!
Adirondack Experience/TripAdvisor
Formerly known as the Adirondack Museum, the Adirondack Experience up in Blue Mountain Lake is a place you won’t want to miss out on visiting. Here you can learn about the unbelievable history of this special region in New York, not far from the shores of Blue Mountain Lake that you’ll have a wonderful view of. The museum has been fascinating visitors since the 1950s and never ceases to remind us of how spectacular the Adirondacks truly are. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 9097 Route 30 Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812
Kathleen C./Yelp
An area that was greatly affected by Lake Ontario’s flooding this year, Chimney Bluffs State Park has been steadily regaining it’s shoreline. A beautiful place to visit during the fall when you’ll find less visitors and more foliage surrounding the area, the state park features short but sweet hiking trails that will show you how stunning this interesting New York natural wonder is. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 7700 Garner Road Wolcott, NY 14590
Catherine Abida/AllTrails
A lesser-known waterfall that takes some effort to get to, the somewhat relatively long hiking trail that leads you to OK Slip Falls is worth all the time and effort you’ll put into it. This full-day Adirondack adventure is made up of a 3-mile long trail that will take you to the waterfalls overlook area, giving you an amazing view of this 250-foot tall beauty. While this waterfall may be less frequently visited by explorers compared to some of our others, it’s worth keeping in mind that the parking on the side of Route 28 is a bit limited. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: NY 28 (Between Old Route 28D & Beaver Meadow Brook Road) Indian Lake, NY 12842
2flyby/TripAdvisor
Just 15 minutes outside of the city of Syracuse, the charming small town of Camillus is hiding away New York’s very own Erie Canal Park. Right along Nine Mile Creek, the park is open every day throughout the year and even has a museum and boat tours! One of the most interesting parts of this park is the fact that it features a restored aqueduct that dated back to 1844. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 5750 Devoe Road Camillus, NY 13031
Braddock Point Lighthouse/Facebook
Another spot that’ll take you right out along the water, Braddock Point Lighthouse is one of the most delightful places you could spend the night in New York. A place where you’ll be able to quickly feel right at home, the original lighthouse was built back in 1896 and still provides much old school charm. Featuring cozy and elegant rooms that will give you unique views of Lake Ontario, all the special touches and effort that the owners put into your stay at the lighthouse will make you want to come back for more. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 18 Clearview Hilton, New York 14468
The Olde Country Store and More - 1849/TripAdvisor
A great place to visit if you’re looking to take home a piece of the Finger Lakes with you, The Olde Country Store in North Cohocton dates all the way back to 1849. One of the more unique country stores that you’ll find out in this region of New York, you can find a mass variety of candy, Finger Lakes merchandise, local treats and snacks and so much more. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 2 University Avenue North Cohocton, NY 14808
The Roxbury/TripAdvisor
Taking you out to a remote area of New York, the small town of Roxbury is home to what’s probably safe to say is our state’s most unique hotel. The colorful building with splashes of electric green paint will immediately catch your eye, but it’s what you’ll find inside of the actual rooms that will utterly wow you. Each room at The Roxbury has it’s own theme, with rooms modeled after The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek, a genie bottle, coconut cream pie and so many other quirky themes that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 2258 Highway 41 Roxbury, NY 12474
eflon/Flickr
Out in an area of New York where it feels like there’s a waterfall on just about every corner you turn, Havana Glen Park offers a more quiet and secluded experience than populated places like Watkins Glen State Park. Walk through the park and intensely beautiful gorge and you’ll get to find multiple waterfalls that will have you appreciating New York as your home state. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 135 Havana Glen Road Montour Falls, NY 14865
Wallkill View Farm Market/Yelp
If you’ve never made it down to Wallkill View Farm while you’ve been living in New York, making your first visit during the fall season couldn’t be a better time to experience this place. Set amongst the gorgeous scenery of New Paltz, the farm has tons of seasonal activities to enjoy like pumpkin picking, hayrides, apples, cider donuts and much, much more. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 15 Route 299 West New Paltz, NY 12561
Jeremy S./Yelp
A great family-friendly destination to check out in Niagara County, the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum features plenty of fun events throughout the year. On October 13th the museum will be hosting their Spooktacular, where for just $6 dollars you can enjoy their annual Halloween Party that includes crafts, games, carrousel rides and tons of other fun activities. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 180 Thompson Street North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Photo Credit
Not your average museum, The Strong Museum in Rochester is known for their lively exhibits and magical places like their Butterfly House. An exciting place for visitors of all ages to come and explore, you’ll find some of your favorite childhood characters hiding in plain sight all throughout the museum and find lots of hands-on activities for you to experience. To find out more information, click here.
How to get here: 1 Manhattan Square Drive Rochester, New York 14607
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