Vacation In Upstate New York
Vacationing in the lower 48 includes visits to Florida (Disney World!) or California (Universal Studios!) or Hawaii (paradise, right?). But a great place to vacation is Upstate New York. Upstate New York vacation offers loads of fun without the stress of crowded tourist destinations. The following 7 areas of Upstate NY offer activities for 1 day and overnights for everyone from families to corporate retreats, international travelers and more. Following is a comprehensive guide to each region’s area highlights and attractions, as well as accommodations, dining and recreation choices.
Let’s face it: these days, there aren’t many places left in our world that haven’t been discovered by the vacationing masses. From the beaches of Thailand and the pyramids of Egypt to Machu Picchu and London’s famous Big Ben, it seems like everywhere people travel to has become a tourist attraction. Fortunately, Upstate New York has managed to escape this fate…at least so far!
I am delighted to invite you to the Upstate New York State Tourism Bureau – offering information & guided trips for Upstate New York. Our expert team has a wealth of knowledge about the area, garnered from decades of experience. We can help you plan the vacation of your dreams whether on a guided trip or with independent travel.
Want to get away from it all and go on a relaxing, enjoyable vacation? We have just the thing for you — Upstate New York! With vast, beautiful nature and the best natural lake in the United States, there’s no reason not to consider this state.
In the popular imagination “Upstate New York” calls to mind blissful vacation spots and remote countryside, even if the area also includes industrial cities like Rochester, Utica, and Syracuse. Many Manhattanites consider “Upstate” to be the regions just north of the New York metropolitan area, while others say it’s anywhere beyond the reach of the Metro-North Railroad line.
Vacation In Upstate New York
No matter how you define it, the “Upstate” area covers most of the state and includes a wide variety of places to visit for a getaway. For the purposes of this travel guide, Upstate New York refers to the areas north of Kingston.
Bucolic scenery and pristine wilderness sites draw many visitors to Upstate New York. Tranquility and awe for nature’s splendor are found in the wide-open spaces, dense woodlands, and babbling freshwater streams. Since the 19th century, Upstate New York’s breathtaking waterfalls and soaring mountain peaks have inspired artists. The beautiful landscapes still dazzle visitors today.
From the resorts of the Catskills and the artsy towns of the Hudson Valley to the rugged forests and rivers of the Adirondack Mountains, Upstate New York offers something for everyone. Plan a fabulous getaway to one of the Empire State’s idyllic locations with our list of the best getaways in Upstate New York.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. The Catskills
Forested rolling hills, gurgling brooks, and flower-filled meadows define this lovely pastoral region. At the heart of the Catskills, the 700,000-acre Catskill Park is protected as “Forever Wild” land. The park’s pristine rivers provide drinking water for New York City.
For decades, the Catskills were synonymous with summer vacation. New Yorkers have been drawn to the region’s wide open spaces and beautiful scenery since the 19th century. The fresh air and slow-paced country towns provided a welcome escape from the sweltering heat and congestion of New York City.
In its heyday (1950s and 60s), hotels and all-inclusive resorts flourished; there were over 500 accommodations in the region. At that time, the Catskills had many Jewish family resorts where Jewish comedians made a name for themselves. For a taste of the “Borscht Belt” (Jewish family resort) culture, watch the film Dirty Dancing or episodes 3, 4, and 5 of Season two in the Netflix series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Although the legendary Jewish resorts (The Concord, the Nevele Grande Resort, and Grossinger’s) have all been shuttered or torn down, it is still possible to find resorts in the Catskills that offer a similar vacation experience complete with social events and recreational activities. Some resorts include meals and entertainment along with accommodations.
A Borscht Belt relic of the 1960s, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge has been modernized with minimalistic contemporary-style decor to suit today’s guests. The hotel features a gourmet restaurant with sweeping mountain views. A variety of on-site activities keep guests busy throughout the year.
In the shadow of Windham Mountain, Christman’s Windham House is a historic inn set on a 300-acre property. The resort includes inviting hotel accommodations, two golf courses, tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.
The Sunny Hill Resort has been welcoming guests since the 1950s and still delivers a classic Catskill vacation experience with meals, daily activities, social events, and entertainment. The 600-acre resort property includes a lake, outdoor swimming pool, spa, tennis courts, basketball court, softball field, bocce ball court, and 18-hole championship golf course.
The Great Northern Catskills area boasts the highest mountain peaks of the Catskills and the most dramatic scenery. Here, you’ll find fabulous hiking trails, ski resorts, and iconic nature sights. Kaaterskill Falls, the state’s tallest waterfall, and other picturesque spots like Kaaterskill Clove and the Sunset Rock overlook were painted by the Hudson River School artists.
Relaxing weekend getaways and outdoorsy summer vacations are the main reason to plan a trip to the Catskills region. The top things to do in the Catskills include outdoor activities, like fly-fishing, camping, canoeing, and kayaking.
Besides outdoor recreation and sightseeing, tourists will enjoy visiting the Catskills’ cute small towns. A few tourist favorites include Livingston Manor, built up along the Willowemoc Creek in Sullivan County; Tannersville in the Great Northern Catskills near fantastic hiking trails and ski resorts; Phoenicia, a tiny hamlet at the heart of the Catskills; and Woodstock, a charming village brimming with art galleries, locally owned shops, artisan boutiques, and top-notch restaurants.
2. Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley offers New Yorkers a dose of nature without being far from culture. Amidst apple orchards and wooded rolling hills, you will find picture-perfect small towns that offer the finest cappuccinos at trendy cafés, gourmet restaurants that serve farm-to-table cuisine, world-class museums, art galleries, elaborate gardens and sculpture parks, and fancy boutiques.
One of the top weekend getaway destinations for New Yorkers, the Hudson Valley begins around Yonkers and extends north to Troy in Rensselaer County. The valley spreads out in length for about 150 miles, sandwiched between the Catskills and the Berkshire Mountains. Both mountain ranges provide stunning scenery, which was captured by the Hudson River School artists of the 19th century.
The Hudson River School Art Trail indicates the beautiful locales that Thomas Cole and other celebrated artists painted. Tourists can visit these sites to admire the natural splendor and get a sense of how the artists created magnificent landscape paintings.
This pastoral region is also home to several National Historic Landmarks and Historic Sites (Lyndhurst, Olana, and the Thomas Cole National Historic Site). Thomas Cole was the founding father of the Hudson River School of art.
Many of the Hudson Valley’s top attractions are just outside the New York metropolitan area. The quaint riverside towns of Cold Spring and Beacon in the Lower Hudson Valley are easy day trips from New York City (less than a two-hour train ride or drive). Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are colonial-era villages just 30 miles north of Manhattan (less than a one-hour ride on the Metro-North Railroad).
The Lower Hudson Valley (Cold Spring, Beacon, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow) is not really considered Upstate New York. Most people consider that Upstate New York begins somewhere in the Middle Hudson Valley.
Highlights of the Middle and Upper Hudson Valley include New Paltz, a historic village near popular hiking trails; Kingston, a bustling town full of shops and restaurants; Hudson, an 18th-century seaport, now a hub of art galleries, cafés, artisan shops, upscale boutiques, and gourmet restaurants; Catskill, an artsy small town that is home to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site; and the 17th-century village of Kinderhook, birthplace of U.S. President Martin Van Buren.
3. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls ranks as one of the top tourist attractions in New York State. This dramatic, awe-inspiring nature site is found along the border of the United States and Canada. Three separate waterfalls comprise Niagara Falls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls, which is largest (both the widest and the tallest).
The best way to view Niagara Falls is from the Observation Tower or by taking a boat tour. Hornblower boat rides take passengers into the basin of Horseshoe Falls for close-up views. Maid of the Mist boat tours begin at the Observation Tower, cruise past American Falls and into the Horseshoe Falls basin.
The Niagara Falls State Park is open year-round. Tourist information is available at the Visitor Center, along with a film screening about the history of Niagara Falls. The park also has hiking trails, an aquarium, and several restaurants
