The 20 coolest places in New York State

Get your fix of critter cuteness at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, where you can meet nearly 300 goats, pigs, chickens, sheep and assorted barnyard beauties who freely wander the 110-acre property. Since its launch in 2001, the rehabilitation center has taken in around 2,000 neglected and abused farm animals. And yes, you can give 'em a cuddle. Visits must be scheduled in advance, with 90-minute tours offered to adults and older kids and 60-minute tours bookable for younger families.

Best for: Cuddling cute animals

Getting there from NYC: 2 hours by car; 2 hours and 10 minutes by bus to Kingston, plus a 10 minute cab ride

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Yaddo Gardens is an artists’ community in Saratoga Springs set on 400 verdant acres. The riffraff can still cruise the beautiful Italian-style rose garden, peep the ivy-covered Tudor mansion, check out the idyllic pools, and enjoy the lending library. Admission to the gardens is free and a self-guided walking tour is available. The gardens will reopen for the season in June 2025. 

Best for: Chilling like an artist

Getting there from NYC: 3 hours by car

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail contains more than 35 wineries over as many miles dotted around Lake Seneca in the Finger Lakes region. This upstate nook has been producing vino since the late 1800s, and these days, the wineries are picking up top prizes at national awards ceremonies and producing varieties such as riesling, pinot gris, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and mead. Yes, mead. Bring a designated driver so you can taste to your heart’s desire. 

Best for: Hitting the long and wine-y road

Getting there from NYC: 4 hours and 30 minutes by car

Perched on a bluff above a glacial lake, the Mohonk's Victorian-style buildings house a spa and white-tablecloth restaurants. While it’s tempting to stay in and admire the sweeping view, we suggest you take an adventure through the rock scramble—a complicated maze of boulders. If you’re not into overnights, day passes for hiking are also available. 

Best for: Indulging in old-time grandiosity

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour and 45 minutes by car

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets houses over 100 shops selling discounted luxury goods: Gucci, Nike, Theory, Fendi, Levi’s, Saks Off Fifth, and more bring bargain hunters out of the city for a day trip to this shopping area. Take advantage of the free VIP Shopper Club on Woodbury’s site for discounts and other perks. 

Best for: Stocking up on duds for cheap(er)

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour by car or bus from Port Authority

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Presenting your dream farm-to-table setup: Blue Hill at Stone Barns is Dan Barber’s acclaimed restaurant, set on 80 acres of bucolic farmland. The pricey experience ($398 for the tasting menu) is unlike any we’ve enjoyed in the state—you might even get whisked into the jaw-dropping kitchen for a course. You can also tour the manicured grounds, check out the freely roaming chickens, pigs and other critters, and visit the spectacular greenhouse. Those who want a more low-key meal can book a casual cafeteria lunch, starting at $42 for small plates made from farm-fresh fare.

Best for: Enjoying fancy fare on the farm

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour by car; 35 minutes by Metro-North to Tarrytown, plus a 10 minute cab ride

Descend 156 feet under the earth’s surface to view strange formations, giant boulders and an underground lake. If you feel like time-tripping to the era of Lester Howe, the farmer who discovered the cave in 1842, you can go on one of the evening lantern tours. If you’re a true daredevil, team up with spelunkers and crawl through tight spaces. 

Best for: Getting low

Getting there from NYC: 3 hours by car; 3 hours and 45 minutes bus to Schenectady, plus a 30 minute shuttle

The 65-year-old Storm King Art Center consists of 500 breathtaking acres that meld art with nature. Its rotating contemporary sculpture collection features about 100 pieces dotted around the property. In the spring, Storm King reopens with “Lynda Benglis: Water Sources,” with some pieces on view for the first time. 

Best for: Viewing fresh art in the fresh air

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour and 30 minutes by car

Spread across 5,000 acres on the west side of the Hudson, Bear Mountain State Park is just a short trip from NYC. Expert hikers can venture off the beaten path and climb up to 1,300 feet or hit the Appalachian Trail. Lazybones can get in on the fun too, by picnicking in a waterside pasture and taking in the river views. 

Best for: Taking it easy

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour by car

The Capitol Theatre started as a movie palace dating back to 1926 and these days throws concerts by the likes Wilco, Brandi Carlile, and many more top artists in a more intimate setting. It’s walkable from the train and a cluster of bars and restaurants nearby attract fans before and after shows. 

Best for: Rocking out

Getting there from NYC: 50 minutes by car or Metro-North to Port Chester

Dia:Beacon expertly mixes contemporary art with calming scenery. The foundation displays works by Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt and Louise Bourgeois, and this summer promises the debut of a Robert Irwin installation made specifically for the space. No car? The institution is a pretty five-minute walk from the Beacon train stop. 

Best for: Seeing art and clearing your head

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour and 30 minutes by car or Metro-North to Beacon

Several stone houses and a church constructed by the town's original settlers 300 years ago still stand. Marvel at the architecture and furnishings of the residences during the Historic Huguenot Street tour while several actors, dolled up in period garb, take you through the lives of its former residents. 

Best for: Going back in time

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour and 35 minutes by car (parking on Broadhead Ave); 1 hour 30 minutes by Trailways bus to New Paltz

The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College is pretty marvelous—complete with a Frank Gehry center and two theaters hosting dance, performance art, plays and music. Throughout the year, the center celebrates the work of famed 20th-century Mexican composer, conductor and educator Carlos Chávez with a series of operatic and theatrical productions. Summertime is the best at the Fisher Center, when Bard SummerScape hosts eight weeks of themed events. 

Best for: Getting classy

Getting there from NYC: 2 hours by car; 2 hours by Amtrak to Rhinecliff, plus a 15 minute cab ride

East of Syracuse lies Green Lakes State Park, a 2,100-acre park with an upland forest and two stunning glacier lakes. Taking a dip here is something we can all get excited about. 

Best for: Cooling off in a lake

Getting there from NYC: 4 hours by car

Known for being the site of the original Woodstock circa 1969, Bethel Woods is still an operational outdoor amphitheater and beloved seasonal concert venue. Every summer, top acts and festivals grace the stage, and concertgoers can camp out on site, so you can fully enjoy the music without worrying about getting home. An on-site museum pays tribute to the venue’s history and acclaimed artists who have played there.

Best for: Chill summer concerts

Getting there from NYC: 2 hours by car, 2 hours via NJ Transit, 2 hours via ShortLine Hudson Bus 103

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A former upstate summer camp turned chic event venue, Cedar Lakes Estate opens its grounds to cold-weather visitors each winter season for a cozy getaway. Couples and families can book various cottages, cabins, and houses for an all-inclusive long weekend of homemade food, outdoor activities (think snowshoeing and ice fishing), craft classes, movie nights, and farm-to-table meals by the fire.

Best for: A romantic getaway in the middle of nowhere

Getting there from NYC: 2 hours by car

You don’t have to trek out to Alaska to experience mushing. This small town in the Adirondacks is known for hosting the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, and if you’re visiting when it’s chilly out, you can dip into the region’s most unique sport: Dog sledding. Mushers with their own dog sled teams offer rides over the frozen Mirror Lake when conditions are right, fighting up to 5 passengers per sled. Rides are $20 a person and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Best for: Winter adventure seekers

Getting there from NYC: 5 hours by car

The Big Apple didn’t get its name for nothing—New York State is the third largest producer of apples in America, and the state is lush with apple orchards. Fishkill Farms in the Hudson Valley offers seasonal pick-your-own apple, pears, quince, berries and more, plus a farm store to stock up on all their good produce, ciders, baked goods, and more. Lunch and brunch is served at the cafe on the weekends (often with live music), and a barbecue plus food trucks are popular amenities for visitors. Reservations are required for pick-your-own experiences.

Best for: A chill outdoor activity for food lovers

Getting there from NYC: 1 hour, 45 minutes by car from NYC

This island off of Long Island’s South Shore is known for its summer beach scene, a rich LGBTQ+ history and culture, and a carless stretch visitors navigate via bike, footpath and water taxi. Each neighborhood is distinct, with The Pines known for its gay party scene, Cherry Grove the lesbian counterpart, Kismet for its peaceful white sand beaches, and Ocean Beach for its vibrant creative community and lax open container laws. Book a house (or better yet, find a friend with beach property) and head out to the Island for an overnight or longer.

Best for: A summer party

Getting there from NYC: 1.5 hours by car or LIRR from NYC, plus a short ferry ride

Head upstate to taste one of America’s most famous foods in its founding place: Buffalo wings in Buffalo, New York. The Buffalo Wing Trail is a curated list of over a dozen spots to try the local delicacy in various iterations of crispiness and spiciness. Expect plenty of historic character at various restaurants, pubs, and buffalo wing hotspots, where a debate about ranch or blue cheese can carry your conversation over a locally brewed pint of lager.

Best for: Stuffing your face

Getting there from NYC: 6 hours by car, 1.5 hours by plane