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Best Places to Visit in New York State

Niagra Falls
Image by stanbalik from Pixabay

Best Places to Visit in New York That are Not the City

New York is a large state with many natural beauty sites that are worth visiting. You could spend months traveling the state exploring everything the state has to offer. Years ago I took the family to Niagara Falls and camped at the National Park.  We were able to see the falls and take many hiking tours around the area.  To this day this is one of our favorite vacations as there is so much to do and see. Our 3 best places to visit in New York that are not the city are listed below, you should definitely put these on your bucket list:

3 Best Places to Visit in New York

Niagara Falls

Niagra Falls
Image by stanbalik from Pixabay

One of the top spots to visit in New York outside of the city itself is Niagara Falls, and one of the world’s great natural wonders. It’s the collective name of three falls along the international border between the U.S. and Canada near Buffalo, New York, and the province of Ontario, with American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the U.S. side. By taking the Maid of the Mist tour, you’ll get a close encounter with the powerful 3,160 tons of water plunging 32 feet per second. Visit Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest in the U.S. which spans 400 acres at the edge of the falls, to walk the scenic trails, view the gardens and experience the Cave of the Winds for another closeup look at the falls by descending 175 feet into Niagara Gorge where you’ll marvel at the cascades from the Hurricane Deck.

White Plains

Just 33 miles from New York City, White Plains offers something for everyone, from shopping enthusiasts to nature lovers, culture vultures, and foodies. It’s not only a great place to call home (you might even want to check out the White Plains homes for sale), but it’s a fabulous place to visit, offering a small-town vibe with big-city amenities. Enjoy beautiful parks like the more than 700-acre Saxon Woods Park, which has serene hiking trails, an 18-hole golf course, mini-golf, a pool, and a water playground. Cranberry Lake Preserve covers 190 acres that include cliffs, vernal pools, forest, and swamps, as well as featuring a history trail that leads to the remains of an early 20th-century stone mine and 19th-century farmhouse. There are multiple farmers’ markets, lots of outstanding restaurants, a skating rink, and a 15-screen movie theater.

Syracuse

Syracuse has an artistic vibe with plenty of galleries and works to explore, along with a thriving food scene that includes a long list of food trucks with unique offers and farm-to-table eateries. The city also hosts a number of jazz and blues festivals worth planning a trip around, as well as a zoo, the largest mall in the state, impressive architecture to gaze up at, and a hands-on science and technology museum for all ages.

Ithaca

Ithaca New York
Image by bapreston from Pixabay

This college town is one of New York’s most popular tourist destinations, located at the tip of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region, renowned for its many vineyards and wineries, art-house cinemas, and hiking trails. In the summer, the funky downtown is the place to be with lots of street musicians for entertainment. At Cornell University, you can check out an outstanding art museum – the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art showcases over 30,000 pieces in its collection with a focus on Asian art. To explore nature, head to one of three beautiful state parks: Taughannock Falls, Robert H. Treman, or Buttermilk Falls. Taughannock is the park’s namesake waterfall and is considered one of the most spectacular natural attractions in the northeast, plunging 215 feet.

Now that you know the top 3 spots to visit in New Your State, start planning your visit this coming year. Drop us a line after your visit letting us know how you liked it and share some pictures with our viewers.  I hope you enjoy your time in these wonderful places in New York! After visiting New York explore the rest of our wonderful country as there is a lifetime of things to see and do.