From majestic mountains to lovely lakes, from skylines to coastlines, from small-town charm to big-city energy—New York, a state unlike any other, has it all. Travelers will want to indulge in the farm-fresh dining and innovative culinary experiences, wander wooded paths while taking in the wonders of nature, reconnect with our story and the people and the places that made history, and rediscover their inner artist at a world-class museum or an outdoor sculpture park. No matter the season, visitors will find:
History and heritage
From Indigenous peoples to founding fathers, from leaders of the suffrage movement to innovators in industry, technology, and art, educators will appreciate the plethora of historical attractions found across New York State. Visitors to the Ganondagan State Historic Site, the original site of a 17th century Seneca town, will be engrossed in Native American history and experience a full-sized long house and the Seneca Art & Culture Center. Those creating Revolutionary War and military itineraries will want to include the George Washington Spy Trail on Long Island, the turning point of the Revolutionary War at the Saratoga National Historical Park, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. New York State’s impact on civil rights cannot be overstated and can be experienced at sites like the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Immerse yourself in the moments and movements that shaped our country—it all happened in New York State.
Arts and culture
New York State is the epicenter of fine and performance arts—from the bright lights of Broadway to the storied stage of the Chautauqua Institution. Literary icons called New York State home, and groups can take in the homes and studies of icons like Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman, or visit the sites that inspired “The Great Gatsby” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Home to the influential Hudson River School art movement, New York enjoys renowned museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, and many more. Students will be captivated by the hands-on glass-making experiences at the Corning Museum of Glass, can time travel to the 1960s and the Woodstock Festival at the Museum at Bethel Woods, or laugh the day away learning about the comedic arts at the National Comedy Center.
Outdoor adventures
New Yorkers love getting outdoors! Make some time to walk the Highline in New York City, some of the 750 miles of the Empire State trail, or among the treetops in the Adirondack State Park at the Wild Center’s Wild Walk—all where history, nature, art, and recreation come together. Groups have a choice of over 180 state parks, each with unique learning opportunities, like Letchworth State Park and Niagara Falls State Park. They can celebrate New York’s Olympic History in Lake Placid at the Olympic Center and Museum and at the various Olympic sites. They can skate the Olympic Oval, take a bobsled ride, or ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the top of Whiteface Mountain. Top off your Olympic day with a ride on the longest coaster in North America at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Cliffside Coaster.
Fun & games
Waterparks, ziplines and theme parks, aquariums and animal parks, hiking, biking and sailing— New York knows how to have fun. Statewide, there are cruises and kayak tours on the Erie and Champlain Canal as well as throughout the 1000 Island Seaway region. New York is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Jackie Robinson Museum, Watkins Glen International, several minor league and two major league MLB teams, three NFL teams, three NHL teams, and two NBA teams. There is serious fun to be had across the state. A visit to the National Museum of Play at The Strong will have tours of all ages playing along—this is the world’s only museum dedicated to the exploration and discovery of play. The museum is located in the Neighborhood of Play, offering interactive toy technology exhibits, an outdoor board game-themed garden, a gaming-themed restaurant, and a hotel. Days spent on a farm or apple- picking at an orchard are also tour favorites—don’t miss the apple cider doughnuts!
Treat your group to a four-season destination rich with unparalleled variety and beauty, from the tranquil white sandy beaches to the roaring splendor of over 200 waterfalls, and from the high peaks of the Adirondacks to the skyscrapers of Manhattan to storybook island castles. New York’s 11 vacation regions offer second-to-none fall foliage views and harvest meals, summertime lake cruises and lakeside wine trails, and springtime floral festivals and raging waterfalls. Welcome to New York: Everything You LOVE!
For more information, contact Danae Jones-Persip with New York State Division of Tourism at 518.402.7008.
