New York State has an important place in the history of the United States. In fact, about one-third of the battles of the revolutionary war took place in New York State. While many people quickly think of New York City when they think of this area, visitors will find a great deal of the state consisting of lush green areas, plenty of history and lots to see and do.
Some of the highlights of the state include the Adirondack and the Catskill mountains. There are also plenty of winding white-sand beaches found on Long Island. A site that you will surely not want to miss when you visit is Niagara Falls.
The state of New York boasts quite a bit of public transportation including trains and buses. That said, if you desire to get a little off the beaten path, a rental vehicle makes a perfect way to get there. SUVs are a great choice for large groups or families looking for adventure. For a couple that is visiting for a weekend, a premium sedan offers a good choice.
- 1. Lake Placid
- 2. Niagara Falls
- 3. Central Park
- 4. Statue of Liberty
- 5. Corning Museum of Glass
- 6. National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
- 7. Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
- 8. Green Lakes State Park
- 9. Fort Stanwix National Monument
- 10. Smith Point County Park
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in New York State
Must-see attractions in New York State
1. Lake Placid
Located in the northern part of New York State, Lake Placid is a great destination all year. You can go hiking in the nearby Adirondack Mountains and boating on the lake in the summer months, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter at Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort. There are several places to stay around the lake, whether you want a resort or a campground. You can also visit the former site of the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics.
Address: Just east of the town of Saranac Lake, NY, off of Highway 86
Entry fees: Free
Hours: 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours or longer
2. Niagara Falls
As one of the true natural wonders of the world, this is a can’t-miss location in the state of New York. There are two principal parts to Niagara Falls: A Canadian side and an American side separated by Goat Island. Taking a boat tour to the base of the falls is an adventure you are sure not to forget.
Address: 322 Prospect St., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
3. Central Park
This iconic park located in the center of New York City has a rich history with plenty to see and do for visitors. The park covers roughly 843 acres and it is the most visited urban park in the country. The park offers plenty of great walking paths in a lush green setting, plus several water features to explore. There are also plenty of great food and live entertainment options within the park.
Address: North 110th St. to 59th St. between 5th Avenue and Central Park West in Manhattan
Entry fees: Free
Hours: 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours or more
4. Statue of Liberty
This very famous statue has a location on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The statue made of copper was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. One way to see the statue is to take a boat ride out to the island (with the option of also going to nearby Ellis Island). If you are a little more adventurous, taking a helicopter tour around the statue and around the entire New York area is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Address: Located on an island in New York Harbor and only reachable by ferry
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours or more
5. Corning Museum of Glass
When you visit the town of Corning in upstate New York you can make a stop at this unique museum that boasts a collection of around 50,000 glass objects. Some of the objects are over 3,500 years old. One of the highlights for families here is the fact that kids can make their own blown glass items.
Address: 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
6. National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
For every baseball fan in the world, this museum in Cooperstown is one you don’t want to miss. The museum tells the story and history of the game and features a large collection of memorabilia and paraphernalia associated with the history of baseball. Once inside the museum, you will find several interactive and informative exhibits to teach you more about the game.
Address: 25 Main St., Cooperstown, NY 13326
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
7. Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
These gardens have a location inside of South Park in Buffalo, New York. The gardens offer lush green landscapes and plenty of walking trails to take a stroll. When you visit in the evening hours, you get a unique perspective under the lights of all the plant life here. Visiting here in the wintertime is also a unique experience to see all the greenery set against a snowy backdrop.
Address: 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo, NY 14218
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
8. Green Lakes State Park
If you’re looking for a quiet spot to get out into nature, this park just east of the city of Syracuse is for you. Beyond the great natural setting, the park also features a fantastic golf course. There are beaches here for swimming during the summer that offer attentive lifeguards. In the middle of the park is Round Lake, which has the designation of being named a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.
Address: 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, NY 13066
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
9. Fort Stanwix National Monument
Some of the amazing history of this part of the world is told at this national monument. This makes a great place for families to spend an afternoon exploring. The fort has been meticulously reconstructed to give it the same appearance as when it was first built. When you visit, you’ll find that there are plenty of exhibits to explore plus there are tours offered to teach you more about the fort.
Address: 200 N. James St., Rome, NY 13440
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
10. Smith Point County Park
If a summertime trip to the beach sounds like a great idea when you visit New York state, this is a fantastic spot to choose from. This sprawling sand beach on Fire Island on Long Island offers gentle waves that make a perfect swimming location for visitors of all ages. During the summer months, you’ll also find quite a few live music performances on the beach. If you are lucky, you may even see a deer running up and down the beach.
Address: 1 William Floyd Pkwy, Shirley, NY 11967
Entry fees: Free
Hours: 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
Best Places to Eat & Drink in New York State
With so many great places to visit in New York, it’s no wonder that there is a wide variety of great cuisine to match the experiences. This includes plenty of waterfront dining on the ocean and lakes, and also some of the finest dining in the world in places like New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Shadow on the Hudson: This restaurant on the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie has a patio that sits roughly 40 feet above the banks of the river and makes a great place to watch the sunset. The menu here includes things such as burgers, pasta, a seafood raw bar and plenty of signature cocktails.
The View at Mirror Lake: This restaurant which sits in Lake Placid in upstate New York is widely regarded as the finest restaurant in this quiet and serene area. Here you can spend an early afternoon or evening gazing across the lake and enjoying a menu created from locally sourced ingredients, plus they grow their own vegetables on site.
Arthur Avenue Retail Market: If you’re looking for a different kind of dining experience in New York City this one is sure to catch your eye. This food hall sits in the Belmont section of the Bronx and offers a market full of Italian-American dishes and classic Italian food. Some of the items you will find here include focaccia sandwiches, baked pasta and even freshly rolled cigars.
