Photo: Sylvan Beach Amusement Park at dusk. Scott Schild | sschild@nyup.com
By Alaina Potrikus | Contributing writer
» Check out our updated list, now with 59 day trips
A day trip in Upstate New York can lead to all kinds of adventures. Take a selfie with statues of women's rights legends Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Chase waterfalls from Niagara to the gorges of Ithaca to Ausable Chasm in the Adirondacks. Get wet at water parks in Canandaigua or Old Forge, and catch sunsets on Million Dollar Beach in Lake George or atop Mount Defiance at Fort Ticonderoga. Check out these ideas when planning your next day trip in Upstate New York.
Photo: Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com
Spend the day with Upstate New York's most famous giraffe, April, and her new offspring. The private zoo in Harpursville opens for the season on May 13, with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is cash-only (with an ATM on site), and visitors can purchase food for various animal encounters (carrots for the camels and giraffes are $3, grapes for the monkeys and lemurs are $2). The park's other inhabitants include zebras, black bears, buffalo, pot-bellied pigs and hedgehogs, a mountain lion and Tibetan yak. The park is about a 15-minute drive from Binghamton; grab lunch at the Main Street Grill and Bakery in nearby Afton, designed to mimic the pace and menus of eateries in New York City.
Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
Hit the road for Jamestown, hometown of famed comedienne Lucille Ball. The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum is home to reproductions of the sets from the television show, "I Love Lucy," Ball's Emmy awards, props, costumes and rare memorabilia from the legendary 1950s comedy television show. Look for the multi-story mural of the iconic Vitameatavegamin advertisement, as well as a depiction of the conveyor belt scene in the chocolate factory. In the nearby village of Celeron, visitors can take a selfie with a bronze statue of Ball made headlines in recent years. The original "Scary Lucy" statue was replaced last summer with a more flattering sculpture, which shows Ball in a polka-dot dress. Also nearby: Southern Tier Brewing Company, which offers tours and tastings throughout the week (check their website for hours, which change seasonally).
Photo: Main Street in Beacon. Dominick Fiorille for NYup.com
For art, antiques and culinary delights, spend a day in Beacon, located on the Hudson River in Dutchess County. The DIA art museum is located in the former Nabisco box factory and houses an impressive collection of large-scale contemporary exhibits. More galleries are scattered throughout downtown Beacon, along with antique and jewelry stores and farm-to-table restaurants and brewpubs. Grab lunch at the Dr. Who-themed restaurant, The Pandorica, or bring home baked good from the Beacon Bread Company. For unique souveniers, visit Dream in Plastic, a quirky toy shop, or Hudson Beach Glass, which features glass-blowing demonstrations and a sculpture gallery.
Photo: Scott Schild | sschild@nyup.com
Strong National Museum of Play
For a family-friendly day trip, head to the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. Little kids will love the reproduction of Sesame Street, where Big Bird overlooks the famous stoop at 123 Sesame Street. Kids of all ages — and adults too — will enjoy the Wegmans Super Kids Mart, with child-sized grocery carts, shelves filled with lifelike products and a working checkout station where pint-sized cashiers can scan their own bar-coded items. Parents will enjoy a stop at the Toy Halls of Fame, which includes classic toys from the past, from Etch-a-Sketch and G.I. Joe to Atari and Easy Bake Oven. Don't forget to stop by the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden, the only year-round indoor butterfly garden in Upstate New York, and take a ride on the restored 1918 carousel and the Strong Express, an indoor locomotive. Have lunch at the Strong's cafeteria, with a la carte options including Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Subway, or have a sit-down meal at Bill Gray's Restaurant or at the vintage Skyliner Diner located in the museum's atrium.
Photo: Scott Schild | sschild@nyup.com
Heralded as the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park boasts nearly 600-foot cliff walls and three major waterfalls along the Genesee River. More than 66 miles of hiking trails wind through the park, as well as amenities for whitewater rafting and kayaking, seasonal hot balloon rides, horseback riding and biking. Be sure to check out Inspiration Falls, the state's tallest plunging waterfall with a total drop of over 350 feet. In the evening, visit the Charcoal Corral and Silver Lake Twin Drive-In Theater in nearby Perry, with an 18-hole mini-golf course, giant inflatables, weekly car cruise-ins, live music and outdoor double features on the weekend.
Photo: Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
The 9,800-acre site outside of Seneca Falls is home to six active bald eagles nests, with observations of nearly 60 eagles in recent years. Take a one-mile hike along the Seneca Trail from the Visitor Center, or stay in your car for the 3.5-mile Wildlife Drive through the preserve. Binoculars are available for loan to help visitors see waterfowl, herons and other marsh birds, Canada geese, bald eagle, osprey, harriers and other birds of prey, and shorebirds. Other wildlife sightings include muskrat, white-tailed deer, mink, fox and coyote. Cap your visit with a trip to Montezuma Winery in Seneca Falls, known for dry to sweet wines including riesling, blueberry, rhubarb and the most popular, Cranberry Bog. The winery is also home to Hidden Marsh Distillery, which produces brandy, whiskey and liqueurs from locally-sourced ingredients. Be sure to check out the flagship Bee Vodka, handmade in small batches from New York honey.
Photo: Gary Walts | gwalts@nyup.com
Take a step back in history at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, where two crucial battles of the War of 1812 took place overlooking Lake Ontario. The site hosts numerous activities throughout the year, with living history reenactments, cannon and artillery demonstrations and other educational opportunities. Families will enjoy a side excursion to Old McDonald's Farm, where visitors can hand-feed beef cows and dairy goats, ride a pony and take a tour of the farm via tractor. For meals, head into the village for brick oven pizza at Goodfellos or dinner or brunch in the courtyard of Tin Pan Galley. Try the 1812 Amber Ale or Thousand Islands Pale Ale at Sackets Harbor Brewing Company, and end your visit with a scoop from Saturdays, Sundaes & More, the village ice cream shop.
Photo: Scott Schild | sschild@nyup.com
The two-time home of the Olympic Games isn't just a winter destination. The Lake Placid Olympic Center is open year-round; the complex houses the rink where the U.S. Hockey Team's Miracle on Ice took place in 1980. For an active visit, check out High Peaks Cyclery, which offers mountain bike, kayak, canoe and hiking gear rentals to explore the Adirondack Mountains year-round. SUP Lake Placid rents stand-up paddle boards and kayaks on Mirror Lake, and hosts outdoor yoga classes. For an easy day hike, head to nearby Cascade Mountain, one of the easiest High Peaks to climb with a spectacular panoramic vista at the summit (4,098 feet). Take a break with a drink at Big Slide Brewery, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery or the Great Adirondack Brewing Company.
Photo: Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com
Spend a day in an authentic English Renaissance village, where a cast of royals, townspeople, thieves, beggars, artisans and craftspeople transport visitors to the realm of Warwick, England, in 1585. Daily activities at the 35-acre park include parades, jousts and duels, archery demonstrations, period music and dancing, and performances on 12 stages, including a "Wench auction." The menu is fit for a royal feast, with turkey legs, steak-on-a-stake, mile high cakes and adult beverages including ale, wine and mead. Rent a period costume near the main entrance or purchase apparel, jewelry, headpieces, armor and weaponry at the Royal Marketplace. Themed weekend celebrations include an Ale Fest, Highland Fling, Pirate Invasion and Fantasy, Fairies and the Future. Admission is $24.95 for adults, $12.95 for children; tickets can be purchased in advance online.
Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com
The Finger Lakes community of Corning offers a ton of activities for visitors of all ages. No trip to Corning is complete without a visit to the Corning Museum of Glass; sign up ahead of time to make your own glass project with the help of experts, or stop into one of the group glassmaking demonstrations held throughout the day. Spend the rest of your day exploring the "Crystal City," starting at the Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum featuring American artists. For lunch or dinner, head over to the Gaffer District, which has been recognized by Bon Appetit as a notable destination for food along the Appalachian Trail. The area has grown to include over 45 restaurants and over 50 places to shop for unique items; end your day with a treat at the Old World Cafe and Ice Cream shop, featuring a Victorian ice cream counter and old-fashioned homemade candies.
Photo: Joed Viera for NYup.com
Salamanca and the Enchanted Mountains
Known as the Enchanted Mountain region for its picturesque scenery, Allegany State Park offers sandy beaches, 18 different hiking trails and 5.6 miles of bike trails for outdoor adventures. Head to the Red House area of the park, where a Tudor-style administration building overlooks the lake and offers a restaurant with a full menu and patio seating. Step into the past at the Salamanca Rail Museum, a fully restored passenger depot that dates to the early 1900s. Try horseback riding at Crosspatch stables, which offers guided trail rides and Chuckwagon dinners. Before heading home, try your luck at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, with slot machines, table games, restaurants and other activities.
Photo: Robert Mescavage | Hunter Mountain
Hunter Mountain welcomes visitors year-round for outdoor activities and draws big crowds for music festivals, like the Taste of Country Music Festival and Mountain Jam Fest. Take a scenic skyride to the 3,200-foot summit of Hunter Mountain, where you can see the high peaks of the northern Catskills, the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts and the Green Mountains of Vermont. For a more adventurous ride, check out New York Zipline Adventure Tours, the longest and highest zipline canopy tour in North America featuring over five miles of ziplines, some reaching heights of nearly 600 feet above the ground. The Hunter Mountain resort also offers fly fishing, 4-by-4 off road adventures, hiking, golf and disc golf. Try a local brew at Hunter Mountain Brewery, which offers a full lunch and dinner menu, outdoor dining and live music.
Photo: NYup.com archive
Utica
The home of the world-famous Boilermaker Road Race, the city of Utica has been growing its offerings for visitors in recent years. The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute is home to a permanent collection of 300 years of American painting, 19th-century decorative arts, European Modernism and Japanese prints. Tour the Saranac brewing facility on Varick Street and try pints or flights in the 1888 Tavern tasting room. Kids will love the Utica Zoo or the Utica Children's Museum, both small facilities that serve up big fun for all ages. For a culinary tour, be sure to try Utica's signature chicken riggies (at the Chesterfield Restaurant), Utica greens (a la Georgio's Village Cafe) and tomato pie (try Roma Sausage & Deli) and halfmoon cookies for dessert (check out Holland Farms Bakery).
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Built in 1900, the nearly 12-acre conservatory and surrounding formal gardens offers visitors a chance to experience the flora of the Florida Everglades, the Panama cloud forest, the American desert and the Asian rainforest. The centerpiece is the glass conservatory, modeled after the famous Crystal Palace in England. Be sure to visit the Palm Dome, a 67-foot-tall room filled with palms and tropical fruit trees. A new exhibit highlights aquatic gardens and the Asian rainforest, with a peaceful pond (and a family of koi fish), waterfall, moon gate and collection of orchids and bonsai. Kids will love the Wegmans Family Garden, where they can plant seeds, build sand castles, water the garden and take part in other activities. The outdoor gardens include a Peace Garden and Healing Garden.
Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@nyup.com
Cazenovia
Start your day in the historic downtown business district, where flag-lined sidewalks connect visitors to the shops, restaurants and events that keep the community bustling with activity. Pack a picnic and head to Lakeland Park, located across from the Brae Loch Inn at the intersection of Forman and Albany streets. The picturesque park includes a dock and diving board and sandy beach. Lifeguards are on duty from June to August; a public bathhouse offers restrooms and showers. Take a drive to nearby Chittenango Falls State Park, home to a 167-foot waterfall that dates back more than 10,000 years. A trail winds through the 194-acre park, which offers picnic areas and fishing. Or head to Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, a 104-acre property filled with outdoor sculptures nestled along four miles of trails. Kids will love Critz Farms, a year-round agritourism destination that offers U-pick fruit crops, a giant playground and barnyard petting area (Be sure to check out the gift shop for local treasures and Harvest Moon Cidery and Winery for adult beverages). For dinner and drinks, wine lovers can head north of the village to Owera Vineyards, with a tasting room overlooking Cazenovia Lake and brick oven serving up tasty flatbreads. For a local brew, head south of the village to Empire Farmstead Brewery, a new stop on the local brewery trail that features an outdoor dining space to enjoy flights and pints.
Photo: Gary Walts | gwalts@nyup.com
Since the early 2000s, wind turbines have been popping up across Upstate New York. The giant towers have drawn onlookers since the beginning, and several of the wind farms have installed visitors centers to allow interested tourists to get a closer look at the clean energy giants. At the FREE Center in Fenner, informational kiosks that outline the renewable energy efforts in Madison County are set up off of Bellinger Road. Visitors can picnic beside one of the towers, which weighs more than 187 tons and stands 212 feet from the ground to the center hub, and 329 feet from the ground to the tip of a blade at its full height. Check out the full-size turbine blade on the ground to get a sense of the size and weight of the structures. Maple Ridge Wind Farm, New York State's largest wind farm, is located in Lowville in Lewis County, with 195 turbines that produce enough electricity to power approximately 136,000 homes, about 2 percent of New York State's residential electricity need. Pull over at the visitor's center kiosk on Eagle Factory Road off Route 177 for a panoramic view of the 21,000 acre site on the Tug Hill Plateau, about 75 miles northeast of Syracuse.
Culinary Institute of America
For a taste of the Hudson Valley, head to Hyde Park, where a group of restaurants run in conjunction with the Culinary Institute of America are serving up unique cuisine. There's Ristorante Caterina deMedici for Italian lovers, the Bocuse Restaurant for a French fine dining experience, and American Bounty Restaurant and Tavern, focusing on regional and seasonal products. Bring home a sweet treat from the Apple Pie Bakery Cafe, with baked goods and desserts like red velvet, carrot cake and pineapple upside down cake macarons, Nutella doughnut holes, lemon elderflower eclairs and classic apple pie. The restaurants are part of the educational experience for students at CIA, who spend time in both the front and back of the house to learn and master the full scope of restaurant operations under the guidance of expert chef-instructors.
Photo: Teri Weaver | syracuse.com
The Finger Lakes community draws visitors each year for the crystal clear waters of Skaneateles Lake and the quaint culture of the picturesque downtown. Take a cruise of the 16-mile-long lake with Mid-Lakes Navigation, which offers lunch cruises featuring Dinosaur BBQ, romantic dinner cruises and more family-friendly sightseeing cruises aboard a the Judge Ben Wiles, a replica steamship. Explore the downtown shops, restaurants and galleries at your leisure, and be sure to walk out on the pier for a beautiful view of the water and the surrounding landscape. Landmark restaurants include the Sherwood Inn, Doug's Fish Fry, The Krebs and Blue Water Grill. Enjoy an afternoon tasting at Anyela's Vineyard, which overlooks the village, or head to Mirbeau Inn and Spa for a day of relaxation at the estate built to mimic the French landscapes of Claude Monet.
Photo: Kate Collins | kcollins@syracuse.com
Women's Rights National Historic Park
Step back in time in Seneca Falls to learn about the efforts of women's rights leaders and other reformers in the 19th century. Start your day at visitor center to pick up maps and daily schedules — be sure to check out the life-size bronze statues of the women and men who organized the first Women's Rights Convention, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass. Head to the adjacent Wesleyan Chapel, where the convention was held in 1848, and follow the tour to the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, which the famous suffragette called the "Center of the Rebellion." Be sure to stop by the National Women's Hall of Fame, which honors more than 250 women from Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. (Note: a new home for the hall and the Center for Great Women is under construction at the 1844 Seneca Knitting Mill; for now, it remains at a historic bank building on Falls Street in the heart of downtown.)
Photo: Jeff Goulding for NYup.com
Mohonk Mountain House
Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, the Victorian castle resort built in 1869 has served as a getaway for the Rockefellers, Andrew Carnegie and five U.S. presidents: Chester A. Arthur, Rutherford B. Hayes, William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt and Bill Clinton. Day guest packages allow visitors to enjoy the amenities of the resort without spending the night. Spa packages include access to the eucalyptus steam room, sauna and outdoor heated mineral pool; reservations at any of the award-winning restaurants comes with access to the resort and grounds for the day. Day passes for hiking include access to 85 miles of trails, ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. Take the three-mile hike to the Sky Top Tower, a 100-foot-tall stone building at the peak of the preserve with panoramic views of the Catskills, or enjoy the woodlands on horseback or by horse-drawn carriage. Tennis packages are available, along with tours of the historic house, greenhouse and Victorian gardens and afternoon tea and cookies. The other recreational activities at the resort include disc golf, rock climbing, boating, golf, mounting biking, archery and tomahawk throwing.
Photo: The Associated Press
For a fast-paced adventure, head to Watkins Glen International, where racing weekends feature sports car, endurance and stock car events. Visitors can experience the iconic racetrack themselves by driving their own vehicle around the 3.4-mile Grand Prix circuit behind a pace car. After two laps, cars will have their photos taken the start/finish line. The Finger Lakes Wine Festival also draws crowds to the site. Other Watkins Glen excursions: Farm Sanctuary, a 175-acre refuge for more than 500 rescue animals; Watkins Glen State Park, known for its gorge trail and 19 waterfalls; and the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, with more than three dozen wineries and vineyards, plus a growing number of breweries and distilleries.
Photo: The Associated Press
Advertised as the "High Line of the Forest," the Wild Walk gives visitors a chance to walk among the trees on a trail of bridges at the 81-acre Adirondack campus. The park includes a four-story twig tree house, a spider's web-like net for climbing, and a nest that visitors can climb into to see the view from 42 feet in the air. While in Tupper Lake, stop by Little Wolf Beach, one of the largest public beaches in the Adirondacks, with lifeguards watching over a floating dock with trampoline and rope swing. Or take in a movie at Adirondack State Theater, which opened its doors in 1914.
Photo: Mike Lynch for NYup.com
Guaranteed to delight young audiences year-round, Santa's Workshop near Whiteface Mountain has been an Adirondack tradition since 1949. The storybook village includes Santa's House, the reindeer barn, a bakery, candy shop, blacksmith and toy shop. Rides include a sleigh coaster, bobsled ride, Candy Cane Express train, ferris wheel and Christmas carousel. Summer hours at the park are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, from June 27 to Sept. 3. Autumn and winter hours vary.
Photo: Mike Lynch for NYup.com
Billed as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, the sandstone gorge south of Plattsburgh offers spectacular views of primeval rock formations including Elephant's Head, Column Rock Hyde's Cave and Jacob's Well. The adventure center offers a variety of activities, from low-intensity hiking to more adventurous rock climbing, rappelling and cliff walks. Visitors can tube or raft down the Ausable River (bring water shoes), experiencing the towering cliffs, rapids and whirlpool basin. Fifteen miles of mountain biking trails for beginner and advanced riders wind through the Adirondack terrain.
Michael Franklin | UpstateAerialPhotography.com
Explore the Thousand Islands with a boat tour, where seasoned guides share the stories of the more than 1,800 islands that cover 50 miles of the St. Lawrence River between New York and Canada. Set aside time to explore Heart Island, home of the six-story, 120-room Boldt Castle with an indoor pool, stunning grounds and panoramic views of the St. Lawrence. Weekend festivities take over downtown Alexandria Bay throughout the summer, with live entertainment for the whole family.
Photo courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga
Located at the southern end of Lake Champlain, the Fort Ticonderoga facility recreates life in the mid-1700s with musket firing demonstrations each day at 11 a.m. and cannon firing demonstrations at 2 p.m. In addition to military history, have a picnic atop Mount Defiance, where panoramic vistas include Lake Champlain and the High Peaks; reach the picnic pavilion by car or hike up the mountain trails once traversed by troops. Rent a canoe to explore the fort by water, or take a boat tour of the Ticonderoga Peninsula aboard the 49-passenger tour boat Carillon.
Photo courtesy of Enchanted Forest Water Safari
The fun never stops at Enchanted Forest, the state's largest water theme park with more than 50 rides and attractions. The water park includes relaxing tube rides to high speed slides, including the newest double-tube ride "The Silverback," a 100 foot drop into a large 40-foot-diameter bowl. Need a break from the water park? Take a six-mile paddling tour of the Moose River and return via the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. For an aerial view of the High Peaks, ride the scenic chairlift to the top of McCauley Mountain.
Photo: raddiec via flickr
Nicknamed "Queen of the American Lakes," the resort town north of Albany has been a favorite since the late 19th century, when John D. Rockefeller was a regular visitor. Spend the afternoon at Million Dollar Beach at Lake George Beach State Park, named one of the best beaches for families for its cleanliness, public facilities and panoramic views of the lake and Adirondacks. Hop aboard the Minnie-ha-ha, one of the last steam paddlewheel boats in America, for an hour-long cruise of the lake at sunset (or catch fireworks on Thursdays during the summer).
Photo: The Associated Press
Place a bet on the thoroughbreds at Saratoga Race Course, the third oldest race course in America. Races run six days a week, and visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drink for a picnic. Walk through the downtown business district to Congress Park, where you can take a ride on the historic wooden carousel. Drive down the Avenue of the Pines to enter Saratoga Spa State Park, where you can walk past the marble colonnades and reflecting pool of the spa complex. Grab tickets for a nighttime concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
The shelter cares for farm animals that were victims of cruelty and neglect, rescued from stockyards, auctions and slaughterhouses. Each of the sanctuary's animals has a name and a story, including Clyde, a chicken found on the streets of New York City; Harper and Atticus, a pair of goats whose mother was rescued from a downstate farm; and Elvis, rescued while awaiting sale to at a veal auction. Expect to interact with the animals - some of the pigs enjoy belly rubs, and sheep are likely to nuzzle you as you walk through the pasture. Tours are given on weekends, and a cafe offers vegan food options.
Photo: Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com
The underground limestone cavern is the largest cave open to the public in the Northeast and the second most visited natural attraction in New York State (after Niagara Falls). A 90-minute walking tour and boat ride takes visitors 156 feet below the ground to stalactites, stalagmites and an underground lake millions of years in the making. Above ground, the High Adventure Park includes a zip line, ropes course, rock wall and the H20-GO Ball, a 12-foot inflatable ball that takes riders down a 1,000-foot hill.
Photo: Kathe Harrington for NYup.com
Get up close and personal with a variety of exotic and domestic animals that were hand-raised at The Wild Animal Park. The stars of the park are a pair of giraffes — Jase and Jasmine — which visitors can hand feed from a new deck. While you're in Chittenango, take a walk down the Yellow Brick sidewalk to the All Things Oz museum, a tribute to the village's native son L. Frank Baum, author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Adults can stop at the Yellow Brick Road Casino, which opened in May 2015. Or head up to Chittenango Falls State Park, home to a 167-foot waterfall.
Photo: Scott Schild | sschild@nyup.com
The vacation community on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake is perfectly sized for a day trip. Spend the afternoon at Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, a throwback to the town's early resort days with a vintage Kiddieland with 10 rides for smaller guests, classic arcade games like Skeeball, the Galaxi steel roller coaster and bumper boats.There are plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing. Be sure to grab an ice cream cone and stroll through the downtown district after catching the sunset on the beach.
Photo: Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
You can start at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but there is a lot more to do in this lakeside community. Plan a side trip to the Farmer's Museum and ride the Empire State Carousel. Or walk the grounds of Hyde Hall, a 50-room mansion overlooking Otsego Lake, and take a walk on the beach at Glimmerglass State Park. Enjoy a tasting at one of the six stops on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail; Brewery Ommegang offers a cafe menu of Belgian favorites (try the frites — handcut fries that are twice fried and served with dipping sauces).
Photo: The Associated Press
Cross this one off your bucket list: A trip to see one of the natural wonders of the world. Board the Maid of the Mist boat tour to get within soaking distance of Horseshoe Falls; for an even wetter experience, take the Cave of the Winds tour, where a poncho is required for the Hurricane Deck that brings visitors beneath Bridal Veil Falls. End your day with fireworks, which go off at 10 p.m. every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday from May 1 to Oct. 31.
Photo: Joed Viera for NYup.com
Start your visit at Holiday Valley's Aerial Park, a series of platforms, bridges and zip lines that create 13 different courses (the largest in New York State). Check out the climbing forest — a three-dimensional version of a climbing wall that is one of only three in the United States. Take a ride on the Mountain Coaster, a roller coaster ride down the terrain that includes curves, jumps and spirals. After an adventurous day, enjoy the small-town charm of Ellicottville and take home a sweet treat from Watson's Chocolates, known for its sponge candy.
Photo: Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com
The 15.5-acre Seneca Park Zoo is the perfect size for children and adults alike. African lions prowl a savannah-like enclosure in the "A Step Into Africa" exhibit, which also is home to elephants and olive baboons. While in Rochester, try the city's signature dish at Nick Tahou Hots, home of the "Garbage Plate," — where customers choose two selections of eggs, grilled cheese, fried ham, fried haddock, a cheeseburger, hamburger, red hot, white hot, Italian Sausage or chicken tender and two sides. And if you're on a budget, there are several free things to do in Rochester.
Provided photo
The 56-acre Roseland Water Park offers attractions for the entire family, from a splash pad for little kids, a lazy river for adults, a family raft ride that mimics whitewater rafting, a wave pool and high-intensity slides like the Cliff, which drops riders 65 feet at speeds of 30 mph. For a bigger rush, head over to the new Roseland Wake Park, the first full-sized cable wakeboarding park in the Northeast that pulls riders through a 2,100-foot continuous loop course on the lake that includes ramps and rails for tricks and stunts.
Photo: Lauren Long | llong@syracuse.com
Visit the Women's Rights National Historical Park and the National Women's Hall of Fame and take a selfie with statues of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass and Lucretia Mott. Take a stroll through Seneca Falls, the quaint community that is widely believed to be the inspiration for Frank Capra's holiday classic, "It's A Wonderful Life." Plan to visit several of the wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, including Belhurst Castle in Geneva, where you can dine at outdoor tables overlooking the lake. Not up for a wine tour? Make time to shop at Waterloo Premium Outlets or spend several serene hours birdwatching at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo: Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com
With more than 150 waterfalls within 10 miles of Ithaca, you don't have to go far for a spectacular view. Check out Taughannock Falls State Park, home to a 215-foot waterfall (three stories higher than Niagara Falls) and walk the gorge and rim trails. Robert H. Treman State Park offers public swimming at the stream-fed pool beneath Enfield Falls; nine miles of trails follow the gorge past 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls. After a day of hiking, enjoy the atmosphere at the newly renovated Ithaca Commons, a four-block pedestrian area with more than 100 shops, restaurants, street vendors and street entertainers.
Photo: Scott Schild | sschild@nyup.com
Read more: Summer bucket list for Upstate NY
Have the best summer ever: 45 fun things you must do before fall.
Ad Choices