Top destinations in New York State showcase delightful small-town vibes

Breathtaking American scenery, quirky thrift shops, amazing hiking trails, and some of the finest bakeries await you. Welcome to New York State! From its northern peaks to southern shores, the Empire State is teeming with outdoor fun, vibrant art, delectable cuisine, and warm-hearted locals.

Unsure where to begin? Explore these ten must-visit spots in New York State for an unforgettable experience.

1. Hudson, NY

Ideal for experiencing small-town charm

Located in Columbia County, just 45 minutes from Albany, the charming city of Hudson is brimming with vintage shops and small-town allure. Warren Street boasts a remarkable array of boutique stores in historic buildings, each offering something special. Begin your adventure at Spotty Dog Books and Ales, an exceptional bookstore featuring a full bar.

Scattered throughout the area are delightful antique stores and a range of cafes, including Supernatural Coffee + Bakery, famous for its exquisite lavender honey latte.

Just outside the city lie some of the finest hiking paths in the Hudson Valley, including the trail at High Falls Conservation Area, a moderate 1.5-mile trek over rocky terrain that culminates in a breathtaking waterfall.

For a place to stay, The Maker offers 11 luxurious boutique rooms, each themed to reflect the area's vibrant artistic community, adorned with antiques and historical elements. Their café features delicious pastries like twice-baked pistachio croissants from Bartlett House.

Another excellent choice is the Amelia Hotel, located just two blocks from Warren Street, featuring a heated outdoor pool, spacious soaking tubs, a lovely lounge, and complimentary drinks and baked goods.

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2. Beacon, NY

Ideal for art lovers and gourmet dining

A visit to the Dia: Beacon gallery is essential when exploring Beacon, NY. This spacious, light-filled 300,000 sq ft venue, housed in a repurposed factory, features monumental conceptual art by Gerard Richter, Louise Bourgeois, and Richard Serra. Nearby, Storm King Art Center offers a stunning 500-acre outdoor sculpture garden that combines fine art with the beauty of nature.

After soaking in the art, indulge your taste buds at Roundhouse, a charming farm-to-table restaurant with a view of a waterfall. Delight in creative dishes like Spicy Lobster Mac n’ Cheese, complemented by a signature cocktail or a glass of wine. Then, head to the trendy HÅKAN Chocolatier for artisanal chocolates that make the trip worthwhile. For a casual meal or drinks, visit Max's on Main for hearty pub fare and local brews.

Travel tip: Situated about 70 miles north of New York City, Beacon is easily accessible by car (a 90-minute drive) or a two-hour ride on the Metro-North Railroad. Dia: Beacon and Main Street are only a 10-minute walk from the train station, making it a convenient car-free getaway.

3. Woodstock, NY

Ideal for indie shops and outdoor adventures

While the iconic 1969 music festival was actually held on a dairy farm near Bethel, Woodstock is still alive with tie-dye culture, featuring independent art and the abundant nature of Catskill Park. It's an excellent spot to reconnect with nature—hike up Overlook Mountain for sweeping views of red spruces, balsam firs, and red oaks.

A prohibition on chain stores helps maintain the town's free-spirited vibe. Tinker Street, Woodstock’s main thoroughfare, draws visitors with its eclectic gift shops and cozy cafes. There are numerous dining options, but for a truly special breakfast, take a 20-minute drive to Phoenicia Diner, renowned for its incredible pancakes. They even offer a cookbook and pancake mix to enjoy at home after your visit to NYC.

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4. Ithaca

Perfect for hiking through gorges and soaking in the college atmosphere

Describing this Finger Lakes treasure, the somewhat cheesy yet fitting slogan “Ithaca is gorges” truly captures its spirit. Here, you'll discover a range of hiking trails, from leisurely walks to challenging treks, and a multitude of waterfalls at locations like Taughannock Falls State Park, Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls State Park, and Robert H. Treman State Park, where you can enjoy a swimming hole by the waterfall during summer.

Treetops, a six-story treehouse located behind the Cayuga Nature Center, is a striking attraction where visitors of all ages can explore and play. Additionally, there's a farmer's market offering a variety of international culinary delights alongside plenty of fresh local produce.

Enjoy a meal at College Town Bagels, then head to Cornell University's campus to see the AD White Library, a breathtaking space boasting over 90,000 books, towering bookshelves, and beautifully crafted metal walkways.

For a cozy, modern hotel in a central location, consider Hotel Ithaca, which is budget-friendly and within walking distance of popular attractions. For a more rustic experience, try Firelight Camps; located near Buttermilk Falls, it offers comfortable full-size beds (with some tents equipped with electricity and heating) in safari-style accommodations nestled in the woods.

Travel tip: Buses from Greyhound and other services connect Ithaca to NYC in about five hours. It's quicker and more convenient to fly into Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, or you can drive in just over four hours.

5. The Hamptons

Ideal for stunning beaches and delicious dining

If you’re a food lover, the Hamptons should be on your radar. With numerous farm stands, gourmet markets, and seafood shops offering fresh, top-quality products, you’ll never go hungry in this upscale part of Long Island.

Each region of the Hamptons has its own charm, from Montauk’s expansive beach, state park, and iconic lighthouse to Bridgehampton, known for its famous shops—be sure to visit Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen, celebrated for its ripe-banana ice cream—and exceptional dining spots like Elaia Estiatorio, renowned for its fresh fish and homemade spreads.

Montauk offers a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere at the tip of the Hamptons, making it a perfect spot to explore the entire south fork. While in town, be sure to stop by Duryea's restaurant during the summer, ideally timed for sunset—the views are breathtaking, and the staff provide cozy, clean blankets for you to wrap up in as the evening cools. If you're feeling hungry, their lobster Cobb salad, brimming with lobster meat, is a must-try.

Planning tip: For accommodations, consider the Montauk Beach House. The beautifully decorated rooms feature large mirrors, soaking tubs, and comfy beds, while the common area boasts a bar and two expansive pools, all conveniently located within walking distance of the beach.

6. Lake Placid

Best for winter adventures

Nestled in the beautiful Adirondacks, Lake Placid is an absolute delight, especially during the winter months. As the host of the 1980 Winter Olympics, the village embraces its heritage in some fun ways—like the opportunity to ride a bobsled while quoting lines from the movie Cool Runnings as you speed down the icy track. Plus, don’t miss the mountain coaster that winds along the longest former bobsled trail in North America.

Visitors can take the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the summit of an active ski jump in the Whiteface ski area, where aspiring Olympians practice at impressive heights. Be sure to check out the tobogganing shoot before making your way to Mirror Lake for some ice skating.

Just across the street is the Dancing Bear, a charming breakfast spot situated within the High Peaks Resort. Mirror Lake Inn boasts fantastic rooms and a stunning indoor pool complete with a grotto and a spacious hot tub, perfect for socializing without feeling cramped. The latest addition to the area is the Grand Adirondack Hotel, which stylishly revamps a historic Main Street hotel.

Planning tip: There are a few flights from Boston and New York's JFK airport to Adirondack Regional Airport, located 17 miles northwest of Lake Placid, but many visitors opt to drive (NYC is about five hours away). Alternatively, you can take the Amtrak train to Westport, then catch a bus to Lake Placid.

7. Buffalo

Best for sports enthusiasts and spicy wings

I might be a bit biased, but I absolutely adore Buffalo, my hometown. Situated in the western part of New York, this 'city of good neighbors' has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, showcasing its historic architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House and the stunning art deco Buffalo Central Terminal.

Experience zip-lining above the city at Buffalo Riverworks, or sip on margaritas at Casa Azul or Breezy Burrito Bar in Elmwood Village, known for its charming local boutiques and one of the top farmers markets in the region – the Elmwood Village Farmers' Market, which takes place on Saturdays along Bidwell Parkway. The revitalized Canalside area offers ice bikes for rent in winter and a bike ferry to the outer harbor, featuring the Buffalo Main Lighthouse.

If you're visiting in the fall, make sure to get tickets for a Buffalo Bills NFL game. The tailgating experience is unmatched, with a fanbase famous for their enthusiastic approach to pre-game festivities. The tradition of breaking tables, started by fans, has grown so popular that even baby-friendly versions exist. During a wildcard Bills game in Houston, Walmart stores ran out of folding tables entirely!

Buffalo boasts incredible food options. Check out Toutant for gourmet Southern dishes, Remington Tavern and Seafood Exchange for fresh seafood, Bar-Bill in East Aurora and Wingnutz in Amherst for wings, and Jay's Artisan Pizzeria and La Nova for delicious pizzas. For accommodations, consider the Curtiss Hotel, featuring an amazing pool and rooftop bar.

Detour: While you're in Buffalo, consider a trip to Niagara Falls. The iconic falls are just under an hour's drive north of downtown Buffalo.

8. Canandaigua

Best for relaxing lakeside views

Canandaigua, the fourth-largest of the Finger Lakes, is known for its scenic beauty and serenity. The charming lakefront city boasts a delightful main street lined with pastel-colored Queen Anne houses, historic stone churches, and shops featuring rustic vintage signs.

I highly recommend a stay at Lake House Canandaigua – it's an ideal spot to soak in stunning lake views, just a short walk from the vibrant boathouses at Canandaigua City Pier. During the summer, visit Roseland Wake Park to try your hand at a new water sport…without needing a boat.

For a tasty meal, Rio Tomatlan serves up mouthwatering tacos and guacamole, along with delightful cocktails like the Cachonda, crafted from tequila, triple sec, house-made hibiscus syrup, and fresh lime juice – be sure to ask for it spicy!

Don't miss Cheshire Farms Creamery where you can grab a box of cinnamon buns to take home (stash them in your trunk to resist munching on them during the drive). The creamery is also famous for its ice cream, featuring natural flavors like fresh Concord grape, made from grapes harvested locally in the fall.

9. Sleepy Hollow

Best for a spooky atmosphere

Located about an hour from New York City, Sleepy Hollow is an ideal fall destination. The town has a chilling connection to Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, fully embracing its eerie narrative to the extent that it changed its name from North Tarrytown in the late 1990s.

Visit the Old Dutch Church, stroll across the Headless Horseman Bridge, and snap a photo with the Headless Horseman statue before exploring more attractions, like the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, which was once half a mile offshore but is now reachable via a footbridge.

I highly recommend staying at the Tarrytown House Estate, particularly in the King's Mansion. The rooms are stunning, adorned with art, and feature a terrace with views of the Hudson River (plus the lights of New York City on clear nights). Don't miss dinner at the hotel's Cantonese and pan-Asian restaurant, Goosefeather, owned by celebrity chef Dale Talde.

Planning tip: Tarrytown Station offers regular train services to NYC via the Hudson Line of the Metro-North Railroad, taking less than an hour.

10. Lake George

Best for autumn foliage

Nestled in the expansive Adirondacks, Lake George is truly a gem, particularly in the fall when the landscape bursts with vivid reds, oranges, and yellows. Stroll along the main strip in downtown, filled with quirky souvenir shops, or treat yourself to a scoop (or two) at the charming Scoop’s Ice Cream Parlor.

You can't go wrong dining at any of the local eateries. Cate's Italian Garden serves up Italian classics like fried calamari and lasagna, while the Algonquin Restaurant in Bolton Landing offers an amazing lobster roll. For hearty pub fare, check out Log Jam, known for its generous portions of comfort food, steak, and lamb chops.

The undisputed best place to stay is the Sagamore Hotel. This stunning hotel offers breathtaking views, especially if you opt for a suite with a terrace. Spend your evenings on the balcony, taking in views of Lake George that feel more like Hawaii than New York. Plus, the amenities are excellent, featuring two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a hot tub, and easy access to Lake George for floating or swimming.

Detour: Take a short drive off the main route to discover Adirondack ATV Tours, near Whitehall. Join a group for an exhilarating ATV adventure, racing through mud, dirt, hills, and over jumps—after a thorough safety briefing, of course.