8 Can’t-Miss Places to Visit in New York State (That Aren’t in NYC)

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New York City might get a lot of attention but New York State has much to offer too. It has 58 species of wild orchid and it’s the home of the Flower City, Rochester. It has some of the most beautiful wild places in the world.

Whenever people travel to New York all they seem to have visited is New York City. Here, we forgo NYC and share with you some other beautiful places to visit in New York State.

1. The Finger Lakes

A region in New York State that offers peaceful relaxation is the Finger Lakes. What a contrast from New York City. Take a few days to enjoy this freshwater lake paradise.

Visit in May to September and enjoy the outdoor life with hiking, boating, and camping. Later visitors can enjoy spectacular fall foliage displays. Winter offers winter sports for the active visitor.

The Seneca Wine Trail has over 35 places to sample wine, cider, and craft beer too. Enjoy the region’s specialty grape, Riesling. After that, it’s only fair to try the chardonnay, cabernet, Gewurztraminer and pinot noir.

2. Niagra Falls

No visit to New York State is complete without a visit to Niagra Falls. These three falls, to be accurate, drop over 165 feet and have the most water flow of any falls in the world.

The Niagra Falls can be viewed at night when they are lit dramatically. During the day you can take a boat trip into the misty river rapids just below the falls. Walkways around Prospect Point Park offer spectacular views too.

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3. The National Soccer Hall of Fame

If you are considering a trip to New York State and want more than the New York City experience then consider a visit to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY. Baseball, Football, and Basketball are not the only games in town. Soccer is a massive sport around the world and here in the US too.

This is where you’ll find the oldest soccer ball in the world as well as 80,000 other exhibits. World Cup Trophies, memorabilia and tons of fun stuff make this a great day out.

Don’t think soccer is all Oneonta has to offer. There’s roller skating, glassblowing, butterflies and more. Read this interesting article for the low down on more fun things to do in Oneonta, NY.

4. The Adirondack Park

With 6 million acres of mountain landscape to offer the Adirondack Region is a national resource for conservation and fun. There’s a mix of privately and publicly owned land here. There are wilderness, lakes, timber, and trails interspersed with towns and villages for you to explore.

The hiking trails are exceptional. The 2000 miles of New York hiking trails have something for everybody from gentle strollers or seasoned long-distance explorers.

For visitors who like their recreation wet, the 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, as well as 3,000 lakes, have much to offer. Try canoeing and kayaking or wild swimming. If you’d rather stay dry, try capturing the mountains and lakes in photography or just look at it in awe.

5. Cold Spring

A small village often visited by New Yorkers seeking peace and quiet is Cold Spring. It’s easily accessible by rail from NYC but still retains its small village feel. Bring or hire a bike and enjoy the surrounding countryside or walk on the hiking trails.

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If riding a bike or hiking sound too energetic, you might prefer and boutiques and antique shops in the downtown area. Have lunch or dinner in one of the many restaurants. Sample some live entertainment or people watch in the riverside park.

6. Thousand Islands

The world famous Thousand Island Dressing, invented in honor of this beautiful region combines mayonnaise with ketchup with hard-boiled egg pressed through a sieve. It’s a delicious accompaniment to seafood or steak and you might even find something similar to this classic dressing comes with a Big Mac. The Thousand Island region also has something for every taste.

Charming bays, photogenic lighthouses, and fascinating museums await visitors hoping to look and learn. More active visitors can camp, dive, play golf or fish. Try a tour and learn about the region.

Book a table in one of the many restaurants and taste the fine produce and experience the friendly service. Don’t forget to order the house dressing.

7. Buffalo

Buffalo sits to the east of Lake Erie. Its culture is rich and with art, science and military museums you will come away feeling both uplifted and better informed than before your visit.

The Albright-Knox Gallery should be your first stop on the cultural trail. Take a trip to the Erie County Naval and Military Park for some military history. The Buffalo Museum of Science and Buffalo Zoo will complete a well-rounded education.

For a well-earned rest, take a break on the beach. The Woodlawn Beach State Park is the place to go for beautiful views and to get sand between your toes.

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8. Rochester

In the west of the state sits Rochester. The City is dynamic and exciting but it also balances this with green space and natural areas. You can explore the hiking trails as well as visit art galleries and dine in smart restaurants.

This is the home of the marshmallow, French’s mustard, and gold teeth. That’s a rich culture worth getting to know better. Don’t leave out the Seabreeze Amusement Park for some good old-fashioned white-knuckle thrills.

Great Places to Visit in New York State

Take a trip to New York State and give New York City a miss. It’s busy, it’s brash and it’s been done. Take a tour of these great places to visit in New York State and enjoy the beauty of the wilderness and the joy of simplicity.

Here are more ideas for a great vacation.