There’s always a new adventure waiting to be discovered in the Empire State. Considering the size of New York, many of us have to dedicate full days or entire weekends to venturing out to certain unforgettable attractions – creating a whirlwind of opportunities for our residents to take a ton of road trips. Unsure of which destinations you want to cross off of your bucket list this year? Then take a look at these 11 ideas for amazing road trips that are certain to change your life!
- Take an epic gondola ride through the Adirondack Mountains.
wouldtravelmorebut/TripAdvisor Why put yourself through the strenuous work of climbing one our Adirondack Mountains when you can simply glide through the clouds to get a view of them all? If you’re looking for a leisurely way to get jaw-dropping views of New York’s tallest mountains then the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain is the perfect attraction for you. The ride lasts about 15-minutes long each way and can fit up to 8 people in each gondola. Open all year long, you’ll love taking this ride in the winter to view our snowcapped mountains, fall to see our spectacular foliage or during the summer when you can see all of the greenery in the area!
To find out more information about how you can take an adventure to this unbelievable ride, click here.
- Take the day to relax and enjoy one of New York’s epic train rides.
Kat Stan/Flickr Like I said, New York is a big chunk of the upper right hand corner of our country. It’s safe to consider ourselves spoiled when it comes to the vast set of train systems that we have running all throughout our the state. Bringing you to various destinations that will wow you, you’ll love enjoying any one of our trains.
To view the 9 unforgettable train rides that you can choose from, click here.
- See what it’s like to hike to our aboveground cave.
Peter/Flickr Dover Stone Church is an outdoor natural wonder that not many of our residents know about. And we can’t blame them! It wasn’t until recent years that this piece of land became public. A short hike will lead you to this natural wonder that looks too stunning to be real, a great adventure for explorers of all ages! Although we do recommend you wear a good pair of hiking boots for this adventure.
To find out more information about this gorgeous hike and cave, click here.
- Visit the one location in New York that has the most beautiful, blue water.
Jiashiang/Flickr When it comes to stunning, clear and colorful water in New York, there’s quite a few locations that you’ll hear our residents bring up in conversation. From the Peekamoose Blue Hole to Green Lakes State Park, our bodies of water are out of this world. But if you’re looking for a destination that has really blue water that’s gorgeous to view all throughout the year? Then make your way to Skaneateles Lake, more specifically the town of Skaneateles.
To view just how blue this water is and to see what it’s like to visit Skaneateles, click here.
- Test your bravery, sign a waiver and spend the night in New York’s most haunted hotel.
Carol M/TripAdvisor Ready to experience a more unconventional stay at one of New York’s hotels? Then let’s see if you have the guts to spend a night in a hotel that’s so haunted, you’re requited to sign a waiver if you stay here. Like something out of a horror movie, the Shanley Hotel in Napanoch has a long and terrifying history of being haunted and giving guests an unforgettable stay.
To find out more information about this eerie hotel and why it’s come to be known as a haunted location, click here.
- Or face your fears in an outdoor setting while hiking through New York’s Lemon Squeeze.
cttraveler66/TripAdvisor Take a trip to New York’s adventure town if you’re truly a lover of the outdoors! You may have been brave enough to sleep in a hotel full of ghosts, but are you willing to squeeze yourself through a tight crevice? A more mentally demanding hike than a physical one, you’ll have to make your way over and under large boulders, with the main challenge being the part where you climb up and through a huge crack in the mountain.
To see what it’s like to experience this insane hike, click here.
- Get a unique glimpse inside one of New York’s most interesting gated communities.
Bernardo F/TripAdvisor There are a ton of towns in New York you’ll want to make a point to visit this year. But one that will stand out to you amongst all the rest? Lily Dale. Aside from the fact that this town is a gated community, it’s also an un-ordinary place to visit because its residents are made up of Mediums. The entire town is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, with magical tree stumps, a pet cemetery and temples in the forest.
To find out more about what makes the town of Lily Dale so unique, click here.
- Head up north and take an adventure of a lifetime at America’s oldest natural attraction.
Chen Z./Yelp You might have heard of New York’s Grand Canyon of the East, but did you know there’s also a Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks? And that it’s our country’s oldest natural attraction? Simply incredible! One of my favorite reasons for loving Ausable Chasm is that there’s so much to see and do at this one place. If you’re looking to take an epic adventure but prefer to stay low to the ground or even get yourself out on the water, then it’s time you head here. Millions of visitors come to this spot every year to experience the adventure trails and float tours. Now it’s your turn!
To see all that this natural attraction has to offer, click here.
- Not ready to head indoors? Then take this easy hike in New York that will lead you to an unforgettable location.
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State When it comes to trails that are short but have amazing destinations waiting at the end of them, normally it means that we’ll have to endure a very steep adventure. But that isn’t the case at Shelving Rock Falls in Fort Ann! Right near a few of our other favorite trails, Shelving Rock Falls is an easy hike that’s only .04 miles each way. It doesn’t get any better than less than one-mile round trip!
To see what’s waiting for you at the end of this trail and to find out more information, click here.
- Pick one of New York’s many romantic spots and take a trip with your special someone.
Rachael S./Yelp While romantic trips are perfect no matter what time of year it is, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner we could all use a little inspiration! From strolling through gardens and staying at picturesque inns to glamping in the outdoors and enjoying dinner at a real castle, this list will have you feeling anxious for the upcoming holiday!
To take a peak at 10 romantic locations that we’ve picked out for you in the Empire State, click here.
- Make time to visit a secret destination that only locals know about.
jjctraveler/TripAdvisor Who said secrets aren’t any fun? Not us! If you’re looking to take a adventure at a place that’s a bit off of the beaten path, then head over to Rock City Park in Olean to be amazed. Towering rock formations and boulders will have you feeling small at this park, but you’re guaranteed to love every minute of it.
To find out more information about visiting this park, click here.
Do you have a favorite trip that you’re planning on taking at some point this year? Share with us which adventures you’re eager to make time for in 2017! If you’re looking for one more adventure to take that will please your taste buds, try exploring New York’s Cheese Trail That’s Everything You Ever Dreamed Of!
wouldtravelmorebut/TripAdvisor
Why put yourself through the strenuous work of climbing one our Adirondack Mountains when you can simply glide through the clouds to get a view of them all? If you’re looking for a leisurely way to get jaw-dropping views of New York’s tallest mountains then the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain is the perfect attraction for you. The ride lasts about 15-minutes long each way and can fit up to 8 people in each gondola. Open all year long, you’ll love taking this ride in the winter to view our snowcapped mountains, fall to see our spectacular foliage or during the summer when you can see all of the greenery in the area!
To find out more information about how you can take an adventure to this unbelievable ride, click here.
Kat Stan/Flickr
Like I said, New York is a big chunk of the upper right hand corner of our country. It’s safe to consider ourselves spoiled when it comes to the vast set of train systems that we have running all throughout our the state. Bringing you to various destinations that will wow you, you’ll love enjoying any one of our trains.
To view the 9 unforgettable train rides that you can choose from, click here.
Peter/Flickr
Dover Stone Church is an outdoor natural wonder that not many of our residents know about. And we can’t blame them! It wasn’t until recent years that this piece of land became public. A short hike will lead you to this natural wonder that looks too stunning to be real, a great adventure for explorers of all ages! Although we do recommend you wear a good pair of hiking boots for this adventure.
To find out more information about this gorgeous hike and cave, click here.
Jiashiang/Flickr
When it comes to stunning, clear and colorful water in New York, there’s quite a few locations that you’ll hear our residents bring up in conversation. From the Peekamoose Blue Hole to Green Lakes State Park, our bodies of water are out of this world. But if you’re looking for a destination that has really blue water that’s gorgeous to view all throughout the year? Then make your way to Skaneateles Lake, more specifically the town of Skaneateles.
To view just how blue this water is and to see what it’s like to visit Skaneateles, click here.
Carol M/TripAdvisor
Ready to experience a more unconventional stay at one of New York’s hotels? Then let’s see if you have the guts to spend a night in a hotel that’s so haunted, you’re requited to sign a waiver if you stay here. Like something out of a horror movie, the Shanley Hotel in Napanoch has a long and terrifying history of being haunted and giving guests an unforgettable stay.
To find out more information about this eerie hotel and why it’s come to be known as a haunted location, click here.
cttraveler66/TripAdvisor
Take a trip to New York’s adventure town if you’re truly a lover of the outdoors! You may have been brave enough to sleep in a hotel full of ghosts, but are you willing to squeeze yourself through a tight crevice? A more mentally demanding hike than a physical one, you’ll have to make your way over and under large boulders, with the main challenge being the part where you climb up and through a huge crack in the mountain.
To see what it’s like to experience this insane hike, click here.
Bernardo F/TripAdvisor
There are a ton of towns in New York you’ll want to make a point to visit this year. But one that will stand out to you amongst all the rest? Lily Dale. Aside from the fact that this town is a gated community, it’s also an un-ordinary place to visit because its residents are made up of Mediums. The entire town is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, with magical tree stumps, a pet cemetery and temples in the forest.
To find out more about what makes the town of Lily Dale so unique, click here.
Chen Z./Yelp
You might have heard of New York’s Grand Canyon of the East, but did you know there’s also a Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks? And that it’s our country’s oldest natural attraction? Simply incredible! One of my favorite reasons for loving Ausable Chasm is that there’s so much to see and do at this one place. If you’re looking to take an epic adventure but prefer to stay low to the ground or even get yourself out on the water, then it’s time you head here. Millions of visitors come to this spot every year to experience the adventure trails and float tours. Now it’s your turn!
To see all that this natural attraction has to offer, click here.
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
When it comes to trails that are short but have amazing destinations waiting at the end of them, normally it means that we’ll have to endure a very steep adventure. But that isn’t the case at Shelving Rock Falls in Fort Ann! Right near a few of our other favorite trails, Shelving Rock Falls is an easy hike that’s only .04 miles each way. It doesn’t get any better than less than one-mile round trip!
To see what’s waiting for you at the end of this trail and to find out more information, click here.
Rachael S./Yelp
While romantic trips are perfect no matter what time of year it is, with Valentine’s Day right around the corner we could all use a little inspiration! From strolling through gardens and staying at picturesque inns to glamping in the outdoors and enjoying dinner at a real castle, this list will have you feeling anxious for the upcoming holiday!
To take a peak at 10 romantic locations that we’ve picked out for you in the Empire State, click here.
jjctraveler/TripAdvisor
Who said secrets aren’t any fun? Not us! If you’re looking to take a adventure at a place that’s a bit off of the beaten path, then head over to Rock City Park in Olean to be amazed. Towering rock formations and boulders will have you feeling small at this park, but you’re guaranteed to love every minute of it.
To find out more information about visiting this park, click here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
