Discover the 15 best activities in New York State beyond the hustle of NYC

While New York City dazzles with its bright lights and endless energy, just outside the five boroughs lies a more laid-back experience waiting in the Empire State.

Art enthusiasts can explore engaging outdoor museums and themed gardens, while thrill-seekers can enjoy Olympic-style rides or hike high above the forest canopy. Those wanting luxury can visit grand, castle-like estates, while others can relax at the venue of a renowned music festival.

For the inquisitive—whether it's a passion for baseball, a fascination with glass art, or a craving for chicken wings—there are countless ways to indulge your interests. The diverse activities available reflect the rich variety of the regions, ensuring everyone departs with a taste of the New York spirit.

1. Experience art sculptures at Storm King Art Center

Storm King Art Center—located a scenic 60-mile drive north of New York City—showcases dramatic sculptures that harmonize with its stunning landscape. Nearly 90 artworks are displayed across the outdoor museum’s sprawling 500 acres, encompassing woodlands, fields, meadows, and hills, where the natural setting enhances the impact of these large-scale installations.

2. Honor women’s rights at national parks

New York State plays a pivotal role in the history of the women’s suffrage movement. Seneca Falls hosted the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention, and the town’s Women's Rights National Historical Park stands as a tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of these American trailblazers.

Other significant locations include the Harriet Tubman National Historic Park, featuring the home, church, and grave of the abolitionist icon, as well as Hyde Park’s Val-Kill, known as the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, where visitors can walk the very grounds that the First Lady frequented daily.

3. Experience the thrill of a coaster on an Olympic bobsled track in Lake Placid

Fortunately, you don’t need to be an Olympian to enjoy the bobsled track that was used in the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

In 2020, the nation’s longest mountain coaster, the Cliffside Coaster, opened at Mt Van Hoevenberg, allowing visitors to hop into a vehicle and race through the twists and turns of the track, while an audio system shares stories about the Olympic athletes who once navigated that same exhilarating path.

For an extra thrill, the Olympic Sports Complex also offers a bobsled experience on a half-mile track, reaching speeds of up to 55 mph.

4. Create your own glass masterpiece at the Corning Museum of Glass

Nestled in the Finger Lakes, the Corning Museum of Glass elevates glass to an art form. It features the world’s largest collection of glass, with more than 50,000 artifacts that span 3500 years, and serves as a premier library and one of the top glassworking schools. Visitors can participate in the fun by choosing to make their own glass, whether crafting a blown ornament or a sandblasted piece.

5. Explore the grand mansions along the Gatsby Gold Coast on Long Island’s North Shore

Hidden within the suburban expanse of Long Island lies a realm of luxury, if you know where to seek it. In Huntington, visit Oheka Castle with its French-style estate and gardens, recognizable from numerous films and celebrity weddings, then explore the Vanderbilt Mansion’s museum and planetarium in Centerport, or admire the Guggenheim Estate on the Sands Point Preserve—better known as the fictional East Egg from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.

6. Witness the merging tides from Montauk Point Lighthouse

If Montauk truly represents The End, then Montauk Point Lighthouse—the oldest lighthouse in New York State, established in 1796—provides a view of what lies beyond. Perched at the easternmost tip of Long Island, the panoramic view from the top reveals both the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound, showcasing the natural phenomenon of their converging tides.

7. Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown

The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum is located in a small Central New York town with just one stoplight—fitting, as the museum houses over 40,000 three-dimensional artifacts along with countless baseball cards, reflecting a more leisurely era and the sport's humble beginnings.

For fans eager to delve into their favorite team's history, the museum offers the Starting Nine scavenger hunt, guiding you to some of the most unexpected items from your team's past.

8. Discover herbs at the Cornell Botanic Gardens

Spanning over 500 acres of gardens and natural landscapes, the Cornell Botanic Gardens—open to visitors for free—reveals a vibrant side of the Ivy League campus beyond its elite facade. One charming feature is an herb garden with themed beds, including one curated by literary references in poetry, prose, myth, folklore, and drama, such as The Scarlet Pimpernel.

9. Savor international flavors at the Culinary Institute of America

The students at the Culinary Institute of America have one primary way to hone their skills—by serving eager diners. Nestled along the Hudson River on a 170-acre campus in Hyde Park, the institute features restaurants to suit every palate: the farm-to-table American Bounty, the contemporary French Bocuse Restaurant, the regional Italian Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici, and the comforting dishes at Apple Pie Bakery Café.

10. Explore the Opus 40 earthwork sculpture in Saugerties

Often referred to as the Stonehenge of North America, the 6.5-acre earthwork sculpture Opus 40 was crafted by artist Harvey Fite over nearly four decades. It beautifully combines enchanting elements with a hint of mystery. Built from local bluestone and inspired by the stonework of ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures, this site serves as both a sculpture park and museum, hosting concerts, theatrical performances, and nature walks.

11. Embark on a bike tour exploring the history of buffalo wings in Buffalo

The tale of the buffalo wing is legendary: one Friday night in 1964, Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar, found herself in a bind when her son Dominic's friends arrived, famished.

In a stroke of creativity, Teressa used leftover chicken parts typically reserved for stock—specifically the wings—and deep-fried them. She added her secret sauce, establishing her Buffalo restaurant as the self-proclaimed birthplace of the original buffalo wing.

While this is the most widely shared version, it may not tell the whole story! Black entrepreneur John Young already operated a successful eatery called Wings and Things on Buffalo’s east side in the 1960s, featuring his own unique mambo sauce. His establishment was a favorite among the late-night crowd and even Buffalo Bills players.

While the restaurant is no longer in operation, Buffalo Bike Tours offers a Wing Ride from May to October, allowing participants to uncover the city's hidden chicken history, complete with tastings at various local wing joints.

12. Experience the frozen beauty of Niagara Falls

The power of Mother Nature is on full display at Niagara Falls, where an astounding 3160 tons of water cascade over this natural marvel every single second.

Yet, nothing is more enchanting than witnessing this force come to a halt—at least the illusion of it. During certain weather conditions, the surface water and mist freeze, creating ice formations that can accumulate up to 40 feet thick below. While the water continues to flow beneath, the sight makes for breathtaking photographs.

13. Cruise along the Canadian border through the Thousand Islands

For nearly a century, Uncle Sam Boat Tours has been navigating Canada’s Thousand Islands from Alexandria Bay, New York. These cruises meander along the St. Lawrence River, offering views of everything from historic castles to contemporary mansions, including a recommended stop at the unfinished 120-room Boldt Castle, complete with a drawbridge and an Italian garden. Adventurous souls can also opt to paddle the river.

14. Take on the Fire Tower Challenge in the Adirondacks

Scattered across various peaks in the Adirondacks are 25 fire towers that once aided forest rangers in spotting wildfires. Now repurposed, these towers serve as stunning viewpoints for hikers, offering elevated views of the expansive mountain vistas. Those who conquer all the towers will earn a special patch as a reward.

15. Discover peace, love, and music at Woodstock

Now known as the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the site of the iconic 1969 Woodstock Festival is located in Bethel, a 58-mile drive southwest of the town it was named after. Reflect on the events of that tumultuous decade at the festival-themed museum, or immerse yourself in your own musical experience at the outdoor amphitheater, which accommodates 16,000 people.