New York City is amazing and you should try to see as much of it as you can, but don’t count out all of the fun day trips in upstate N.Y. Our selection of enjoyable upstate N.Y. day trips features a variety of unique spots, including water parks, historic sites, museums, forts, beaches, an insane asylum and, yes, Niagara Falls.
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Upstate N.Y. Day Trips: Caves & Mines
Located in Schoharie County, this popular tourist attraction is one of the top spots in the state for caving and spelunking, especially since the site does not require the equipment or training typically associated with the activity. The cave, which geologists believe formed several million years ago, is composed primarily of limestone from different periods of the Earth’s early history. While you’re there, be sure to also stop by the Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology.
Visitors to this spot in Herkimer will want to bring safety eyewear, gloves and closed-toe shoes for exploring the mines, where they might find Herkimer diamonds; the eponymous gems are actually double-terminated quartz crystals and, in some cases, millions of years old. The site, open from mid-April to late October, also has campgrounds, a museum and a gift shop.
Natural Stone Bridge and Caves
Featuring the largest marble cave entrance in the nation, this Pottersville site includes formations that are over a billion years old. The park has more than 14 miles of snowshoe trails during the winter, a rock climbing wall, gemstone mining in the summer, a picnic area, museum and an ice cream stand with a devoted local following.
Great Road Trips in the Northeast
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Download Now!Upstate N.Y. Day Trips: Historic Sites
A top spot for aficionados of early Colonial history, Johnstown was founded in 1762 by William Johnson. During the Revolutionary War, approximately 1,400 soldiers fought at the Battle of Johnstown, which was one of the last of the war’s skirmishes. Famed residents of the town included Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Silas Talbot. The town’s Johnson Hall has been designated a National Historic Landmark and hosts regularly scheduled events.
Originally known as the Genesee County Poor Farm, which was established in 1826, this site was formerly a stage coach tavern before the county’s board of supervisors bought the property, which then maintained orphans, widowed women and their children, minor criminals and the mentally ill. Tours and group rates are available.
Situated on Hart Island in the Thousand Islands of the Saint Lawrence River, this well-visited landmark was considered one of the nation’s largest private homes at the time of its construction in the early 1900s. Many of the property’s rooms are left unfurnished and visitors to the island can also visit the Power House, which houses a museum, and Alster Tower. The house’s basement includes a pool, bowling lanes and a long passage to the Power House.
Forts
Fort Ticonderoga is an 18th century fort built by the French near the south end of Lake Champlain in the 1750s that played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War; while Youngstown’s Old Fort Niagara was constructed in 1678 as a means to protect the interests of New France in North America and now serves as a park and museum. Historic Fort Ontario, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, housed soldiers during the Revolutionary War and more than 900 Jewish refugees during World War II.
Upstate N.Y. Day Trips: Museums
Dedicated to the art, history and science of glass, this museum was founded in 1951 by Corning Glass Works and currently has a collection of more than 45,000 glass objects, several of which are more than 3,500 years old. The site’s galleries include pieces by artists, such as Klaus Moje and Josiah McElheny, as well as examples of Asian, European and American glassmaking. Subject matter includes glass in nature, origins of glassmaking, glass of the Romans and glass in the Islamic world.
Museum of Science and Technology
Also known as MOST or the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum, this Syracuse site in Armory Square features multiple exhibits, a gift shop and a domed IMAX movie theater. Some of the permanent displays include Earth Science Discovery Cave, Life Sciences, Science Playhouse, Technotown and the Lockheed Martin Flight and Space exhibit.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
Honoring boxers, trainers and other contributors to the sport, this Canastota museum is one of two recognized international boxing halls of fame. Ceremonies are held every year to honor new inductees, which are handled by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Categories at the museum include retired boxers whose last bout was no earlier than 1943, boxers who fought between 1893 and 1942, pioneers whose last bout was before 1892, observers (such as journalists and historians) and non-participants.
National Baseball Hall of Fame
Debuting in 1939, this Cooperstown museum is the nation’s largest institution dedicated to the national pastime. The site provides a history of baseball in the United States and includes 38,000 artifacts as well as exhibits honoring those who have played or managed the sport. A total 310 people have been inducted into the hall of fame, which draws approximately 300,000 visitors per year. The museum also has 2.6 million library items, such as newspaper clippings, and 130,000 baseball cards.
Acting as a shrine to America’s most popular gelatin dessert, this gallery is dedicated to exhibits about Jell-O and is operated by the Le Roy Historical Society. Visitors can learn about the history of the dessert, which was invented in Le Roy in 1897, as well as find some yummy recipes and a variety of items in the site’s gift shop.
Rochester’s National Museum of Play was based initially on the collection of Margaret Woodbury Strong and made its debut in 1982. It has since expanded its collection to hundreds of thousands of items. The site is the only collections-based museum anywhere devoted solely to the study of play. It includes numerous interactive characteristics of a children’s museum, making it the second largest of its type in the U.S. Exhibits interpret the elements. The museum includes displays on Sesame Street, the Berenstain Bears and Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden.
Cooperstown’s second best-known attraction, this site recreates rural life from the 19th century via exhibits and interactive workshops. The museum’s grounds contain more than two dozen historic buildings, including a tavern, farmstead, printing office, pharmacy, blacksmith’s shop, doctor’s office and general store. It is also home to the Empire State Carousel, a historic merry-go-round that took two decades to produce and features 25 hand carved animals representing the state’s agricultural resources.
Upstate N.Y. Day Trips: Parks & Outdoor Sports
One of the nation’s top tourist spots, these iconic falls should be viewed from the famed Maid of the Mist boat ride. But the falls are not the only sight in town. While you’re there, drop by Whirlpool State Park, the region’s fashion outlets, Three Sisters Islands, Seneca Niagara Casino, Aquarium of Niagara and Niagara Gorge Trail. If you have time and a passport visit the Canadian side of the falls, where the annual Shaw Festival presents theater for six months.
This scenic spot is home to a burgeoning wine region, famous lakes and hundreds of cultural and outdoor attractions. Visit Watkins Glen State Park to spy its glorious waterfalls (19 in all!) and hike its craggy gorges. Or sip your way through the vineyards of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Afterward, take in the Americana at the Rockwell Museum.
This park on the shores of Chautauqua Lake is home to the 15th -oldest amusement park operating in the U.S. and the fifth oldest remaining trolley park. Current rides and attractions at the site include bumper boats, a carousel, climbing wall, go-karts, rollercoaster, mini golf, kiddie boats, a train and tugboat paddlers. There are also tennis courts, a bathhouse and dance hall.
Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, this sandstone gorge runs through Keeseville, empties into Lake Champlain and is fed by the Rainbow Falls at its southern tip. Activities at the site include adventure trails, biking, rafting, tours, rock climbing, rappelling, tubing and disc golf. Its biking trail is more than 15 miles long and the site offers both day and night tours.
This archipelago, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border, includes 1,864 islands that range in size from 40 square miles to smaller islands with a single resident. The islands are known for being havens for nature lovers as they contain numerous government regulated parks along the waterfront. They are also popular spots for fishing, boating and vacationing.
More Fun: Beaches, Water Parks and Amusement Parks
‘Tis always the season at this amusement park, located in the state’s North Pole hamlet, which has been operating since 1949, making it one of the nation’s first theme parks. The site, which operates from summer to December, includes rides and attractions, such as the Peppermint Swing and Ferris wheel, as well as shows and a Christmas village, complete with a candy shop, post office, bakery, reindeer barn and Santa’s house.
Nicknamed the “Queen of the American Lakes,” this spot in Adirondack State Park has stunning views and a number of well-known bays; such as Silver Bay and Kattskill Bay. The locale is distinguished by “The Narrows,” a five-mile, island-filled section that is bordered by Tongue and Black mountains. Lake George is a popular tourist destination, has a summer colony and is known for being a top spot for hot air ballooning.
The Oneida County beach has a wide variety of restaurants and shops, as well as an amusement park with more than 20 rides. Sylvan also has camping areas, a marina and the Sylvan Beach Union Chapel, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Located on the eastern most section of Lake Erie, Woodlawn Beach not only has a beach, but also a 93-acre park. Its nature center and bathhouse complex features a variety of exhibits that highlight the park’s history. It also has nature trails and a playground.
The Fulton-based park offers water slides, zip lines, go-karts and a number of attractions for toddlers. Some of its most popular attractions include the tunnel twister slides, kiddie mini river, tube slides and Thunder Rush Extreme Body Slide.
This Canandaigua-based theme park owned by Bristol Mountain features nine attractions, including a raft ride, wave pool, Splash Factory and several huge slides, such as The Screamer, The Tornado, The Cliff and The Twister.
Situated in Ellicottville’s Holiday Valley resort, this outdoor adventure course features an aerial park, climbing forest and mountain coaster. From the late summer through early fall, it also offers chairlift rides. Sky High has 13 courses with varying degrees of difficulty. Children must be 7 years old to take part in the park’s rides.
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Have you gone on any of these upstate N.Y. day trips? If so, tell us about your experience in the comment section.
This article has been updated and republished from a previous version.
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You left out Beacon, NY. The dia Museum is walking distance from train station or an easy drive. The Hudson Beach Glass Gallery is stunning! Lots of great cafes plus a legendary music venue. The Town Crier moved to Beacon from Pauling a few years ago. The best latte in the Hudson Valley is to be had at Bank Square Coffee Roasters. Lovely outdoor patio. If you don’t want caffeine, they serve craft beer on tap.
As a native new yorker (NYC with best friend in the finger lakes) I have to recommend Letchworth state Park , the ‘Grand canyon of the East” as an awe inspiring place to visit.
ausable chasm is the grand canyon of the east my guy
Unless you do a search for Grand Canyon of the East….. Ausable is definitely not the Grand Canyon of the east.
You omitted Ft Stanwix National Monument, in Rome, NY.
Great trips are along the Hudson River. West Point, Hyde park, Roosevelt and Vanderbilt homes and the Rockefeller park. The Roosevelt property should include side trips you can take up to his cottage and Eleanors. Hers had a pool. Fantastic history.
Surprised you left out the Adirondack Museum (now the “Adirondack Experience”) in Blue Mountain Lake. I was in the area some years ago, saw the strong recommendation in your own AAA Guide Book, and figured I’d drive over and spend an hour or two. I left five hours later, when they closed for the day, and I’ve been a supporter ever since.
These trips definitely require an overnight stay, so probably shouldn’t be billed as day trips.
If any of these is actually a day trip for those of us who live in New York City (or its metro area), I missed it. There are plenty of great areas on Long Island and in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, etc. Perhaps you could consider something about them.
p.s.–As I like to explore with my dog, I also appreciate an indication of where she’s allowed.
For the Finger Lakes area, you should also mention the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, NY. Their website is: https://glennhcurtissmuseum.org/
There is a fascinating collection of pioneering aviation, motorcycles, antiques and changing exhibits. It was one of our favorite stops in the area that also includes great wineries and restaurants on the water.
Have been to and enjoyed most of the places above. Certainly the 1000 Islands with two castles to tour is fantastic and the Museum of Play in Rochester is wonderful for the kid in all of us.
You did not mention the Motorsport Museum in the famous auto racing town of Watkins Glen nor a museum of local NY history near Syracuse.
Not sure if I missed it? Did you alert drivers that the Hutchinson River Parkway signs were renumbered? Not to mention, that after decades of discouraging trucks from the parkway, the new appearance of the sign is more similar to the signs on the NYS 87 Thruway.
Grew up in Brooklyn…spent my summers on Schroon lake and waterskiied anywhere I could catch a ride. Knowing the area quite well…there are so many amazing places to see and visit that you failed to mention! Maybe space constraints..or man be because of my age, they may no longer be accessible to the public. Most of what we experienced for free and required getting away from the crush of society! Thanks for a couple of visual memories…
Stephanie, would you share some other options please? We are interested in what you can add to the list that maybe isn’t completely touristy (with jacked up touristy prices). Thank you!!
Enjoyed many summer vacations in Lake George Area, Lake Placid etc. when my kids were small. Many Happy Memories staying at Twin Birches!!