Whenever I mention New York origins to people, they sometimes respond with something like, “But you don’t sound like you’re from New York.” Did they remember that there is an entire state outside New York City? But as anyone who has visited the area knows, best places to see in upstate new york is anything but forgettable, with its breathtaking mountains, an abundance of lakes, and quaint little towns. These are the top 20 attractions in upstate New York for individuals who have yet to go or wish to see more of them.
Best Places to Visit in Upstate New York
Lake Conesus
The westernmost Finger Lake, Conesus Lake, attracts large crowds yearly for its Ring of Fire celebration on July 3rd, when 10,000 flares are fired around the lake’s perimeter, and fireworks burst overhead. The Little Lake Brewing facility is located in the small village of Lakeville. Take advantage of the 90-mile self-guided Inspirations Trail’s newly installed street murals and artwork while you’re there.
Cooperstown
Among the noteworthy sights in this charming New York community that are well worth seeing is the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Built on land previously owned by novelist James Fenimore Cooper, the Fenimore Art Museum boasts an extraordinary collection of American art, and every summer, opera enthusiasts travel from far and wide to attend the Glimmerglass Festival. The second-most popular natural attraction in New York State is a cavern or spelunking site accessible at Howe Caverns, some 38 miles east.
State Park Letchworth
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park” boasts a spectacular canyon that the Genesee River has sculpted over millennia. There may be numerous breathtaking waterfalls with striking sandstone, limestone, and shale cliffs that reach a maximum height of 550 feet.
The Niagara Falls
To learn more about the history of the Underground Railroad, which frequently ends at the Canadian border, make sure to visit the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and the famous Niagara Falls. Find out about local heroes like John Morrison and Harriet Tubman.
Jamestown
Jamestown, at Chautauqua Lake’s southwest edge, is most renowned for being the hometown of comedian Lucille Ball. The National Humor Center is the first museum devoted to humor, A short trip up the lake offers the prestigious Chautauqua Institution, known for its summertime activities, speakers, and performers centered around the “exploration of the best in human values and the enrichment of life.”
The Ellicottville
Located in the Allegheny Mountains’ foothills, approximately one hour south of Buffalo, this charming community is evident from its well-maintained and restored 19th-century homes and buildings. It’s also the destination for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts from western New York who want to slalom down the sixty slopes and trails at nearby Holiday Valley Resort or mountain biking.
Seneca Falls
This historic site is said to have inspired Bedford Falls, the community depicted in Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It is located close to the northern tip of Cayuga Lake.” The Women’s Rights National Historical Park is also worth visiting, and the town’s Convention Days, which take place in July, draw many people.
Skaneateles
This posh hamlet in central New York is another famous fall foliage and wine-tasting destination. Its name means “long lake” in native Iroquois. This is also A favorite spot for severe cyclists who come to bike the 32-mile loop around the lake. The village celebrates Dickens Christmas every year, beginning with Thanksgiving weekend. It features a cast of Dickensian characters, live entertainment, and horse and wagon excursions.
George Lake
Since few lakes in New York state are famous for scuba diving, tourists are frequently shocked to learn that qualified divers can explore shipwrecks from the 18th century, containing the oldest intact warship in North America, at the bottom of Lake George. This Adirondack hamlet is a popular summer destination, so much so that summer crowds may grow dense. However, winter activities abound, with family-friendly events like snowshoeing and a carnival held in February.
Lake Saranac
For generations, the Adirondack Mountains have drawn the attention of urbanites, including billionaires such as the Guggenheims and Vanderbilts, who possessed the opulent yet rustic estates known as the Great Camps. Initially a Rockefeller Great Camp, The Point continues to welcome visitors with all-inclusive vacations that evoke the era, complete with meals dressed in black tie. The resort is close to Saranac Lake, a charming community surrounded by lakes and mountains home to various eateries, galleries, and boutiques.
Ithaca
Ithaca is not simply a premier college town, but it’s also a natural wonderland, home to parks, canyons, and waterfalls like the three-times-higher Taughannock Falls than Niagara Falls. There’s a self-guided Discovery Trail, wine trails, boat trips, and a botanical garden. Emphasizes earth science, astronomy, and local history, just a few of the many things to do in the city. There are rumors that the ice cream sundae originated there as well.
Montour Falls and Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, located on the southernmost point of Seneca Lake, is one of the places in upstate New York best described by how close they are to one of the state’s lakes. The Watkins Glen International racetrack is most recognized for its illustrious auto racing past. It has hosted numerous events, including Formula One, Nascar, and the Grand Prix. It’s also a great place to start the Seneca Lake Wine Path, the most extensive wine path in the Finger Lakes, which covers the entire length of the lake.
Saratoga Springs
It would help if you didn’t avoid Saratoga Springs because it’s already well-known as a popular vacation spot. Spending a day at the races, whether at the renowned Saratoga Race Course or the National Historic Landmark Saratoga Spa State Park, has a traditional, ancient vibe. The Spa Little Theatre, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and additional locations have been hosting excellent productions, demonstrating the strength of the art community.
The Thousand Islands
The magnificent Thousand Islands archipelago, where the river joins Lake Ontario, is bisected by the U.S.-Canadian boundary as it meanders through the St. Lawrence River. There are over 1,800 islands in the archipelago, ranging from small and rocky to vast and verdant. Every summer and fall, crowds swarm to this location to take in the breathtaking views of majestic lighthouses and lighthouses such as the abandoned Boldt Castle.
Pittsford
Pittsford, a charming upstate New York village, is located alongside the Erie Canal and is known for its wealth. With exceptional programming, the town and many others along the historic canal that links the Atlantic and the Great Lakes commemorate their bicentennial this year. This includes a sunset boat cruise on the Sam Patch, a reenactment of a package boat from the 1800s. In the summer, locals and guests eat at Schoen Place, which has a canal view, and then wait in line for freshly produced ice cream at Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery. The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester and Mendon Ponds Park, which is nearby, are two further points of interest.
Ausable Divide
Located near Lake Champlain and the Vermont border in the eastern Adirondacks, Ausable Chasm is a two-mile-long sandstone gorge formed 500 million years ago. It’s also great to explore the Adirondacks on its many hiking and adventure paths and chase waterfalls, especially the tumbling Rainbow Falls. Additionally, the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, roughly an hour’s drive north, is just a short distance away and relates the tales of slaves who fled to freedom at the Canadian border.
Beacon
This settlement on the Hudson River received much attention and visitors thanks to the renowned collection of modern art known as Dia Beacon. More admiration for the numerous additional galleries, boutiques, Vintage shops, breweries, and cafés that have settled on its alluring Main Street followed with that focus. Climb Mount Beacon or take a boat tour to Pollepel Island, often called Bannerman Island. Native Americans thought the island was home to evil, haunted spirits.
Windham
This mountain hamlet, about an hour’s drive from New York City, beckons travelers with many endorphin-boosting activities, such as North America’s longest and fastest zip-line canopy tour. This “gem of the Catskills” has a quaint Main Street with quaint galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. The Wylder Windham Hotel reopened in August 2022 and features a heated pool, a pickleball court, and weekend wine tastings.
Buffalo
Don’t discount Buffalo-based only on its notoriously harsh winters. With the restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, the reopening of a historic carousel on the Buffalo Waterfront, and the significant expansion of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery), the city is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Beach Sylvan
Given that we’re showcasing the communities surrounding the Finger Lakes of New York, Oneida Lake, and the village of Sylvan Beach both merit recognition. It’s a terrific choice for a traditional upstate summer vacation where guests may kayak or stand-up paddleboard, spend the day at the town’s vintage amusement park, or laze around the lake with a glass of local wine.
