11 Best Upstate New York Towns For A Weekend Trip
New York, also known as the "Empire State," is just that, an empire worth of exciting upstate towns for a weekend trip. For those willing to adventure out of New York City and Long Island, there are wonderful communities further upstate that are worth exploring. From the tree-lined highways leading through adventurous thoroughfares in the Appalachian and Adirondack Mountains, to the wondrous Finger Lakes, Erie Canal, Niagara Falls, and other iconic waterways, history and scenic beauty abound in communities like Lake Placid, Cooperstown, Ithaca, and many more. Each of these amazing communities in upstate New York has something for everyone to enjoy for a memorable weekend trip.
Lake George
To the north in Warren County is Lake George, a town known as the "Queen of American Lakes," with abundant history and culture, and local events like the Adirondack Balloon Festival. A wonderful place to visit during the summer is the Million Dollar Beach, a 51-acre public beach right on the southern shore of Lake George. The beach opened in 1951, admission to the beach is free, and visitors to the beach are treated to fresh, clear water on a sandy shoreline.
Just further north and hidden from the lake is the Romeo and Giulietta's Hideaway Inn/Bed and Breakfast, a romantic getaway with an Italian theme, as it was named after the famous Shakespeare play, "Romeo and Juliet," and is a hidden gem in the resort town. The Inn has a lovely courtyard, imported furniture from Italy, and guests are served free breakfasts during their stay. The Inn is also minutes away from downtown, where guests can enjoy local shops and restaurants to their heart's desire, as well as the Adirondack Mountains.
The Adirondack Balloon Festival, which takes place in mid-to-late September, draws people to the community to witness the stunning hot-air balloons take flight above the lake and mountains, a tradition that has been ongoing since 1972. The festival includes live music, craft fairs, food vendors, and plenty of activities to keep families occupied for the weekend.
Saratoga Springs
Just south of Lake George is Saratoga Springs, a city renowned for its horse racing, natural beauty, arts and culture, and an amazing culinary scene. A wonderful place to visit in town is Congress Park, a 33-acre park right in downtown, with plenty of ponds, the Morrisey Creek flowing through, has plenty of historic memorials, has a carousel open to the pubic on weekends until May, when it opens for seven days a week, and can be rented for events, and the Saratoga Springs History Museum is in the park, which is open everyday.
What makes Saratoga Springs unique is its history with horse racing. The Saratoga Race Course features horse racing from late July until early September. The race course opened in 1863 and is considered one of the country's oldest sporting venues, still operating. The first race drew 15,000 spectators and has seen historic races take place on the course throughout the years, and will continue to see more races in the years to come.
The community also boasts incredible restaurants to visit during the weekend, including Hamlet and Ghost, the Mouzon House, and the Henry Street Taproom. The Hamlet and Ghost serves quality seafood and incredible drinks, while Mouzon House hosts lavish events, including weddings, corporate gatherings, reunions, and a monthly supper club. The Henry Street Tavern serves craft beers, local IPAs, burgers, and other well-prepared appetizers.
Lake Placid
Another incredible community in the Adirondack Mountains to visit is Lake Placid, a village known for being the host of two Winter Olympic Games in 1932 and 1980, making it a premier hub for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is an excellent place to see the vast number of Olympic artifacts and memorabilia, explore interactive exhibits, and view historic snippets posted in all of the exhibits. Another amazing place to visit in town is the Whiteface Lodge, a luxurious lodge nestled in the woods of Adirondack Park, offering its guests an incredible experience and a vast amount of amenities to enjoy in a setting with a rustic timber look.
Just next to downtown is Mirror Lake and the Mirror Lake Public Beach, where its visitors are treated to crisp and clear water, immaculate mountain views, and a small and relaxing sandy beach. There is also a pier on the beach for visitors to go fishing and swimming in, benches, and a beach house for visitors to enjoy during the weekend. Mirror Lake also has a 2.7-mile-long trail to walk or bike on, as it's referred to as Lake Placid's "Central Park" route.
Skaneateles
Just west of Syracuse is Skaneateles, a village with one of the cleanest lakes in the country, a walkable and charming historic downtown, and lovely shops and restaurants. Unlike Lake George and Lake Placid, which are in the Adirondack Mountains, Skaneateles is in the Finger Lakes region of the state.
Downtown is a wonderful mix of luxurious amenities, historical environment, lovely restaurants and shops, and the Skaneateles Lake in the center of town. Clift Park is located in the heart of downtown, offering visitors a relaxing spot to enjoy a weekend walk, and provides access to wonderful restaurants like Bluewater Grill and Gilda's Skaneateles, among others.
Weekend visitors looking for an overnight stay will not be disappointed in the heart of downtown at the Packwood House, a hotel that opened in 2003 on the site of the old Post Office. The hotel gives its guests glorious views of the Skaneateles Lake, has 19 comfortable suites, gives its guests easy access to wonderful restaurants and shops in town, and can host weddings and other memorable events. Just south of downtown is Anyela's Vineyards, a winery on the hillsides of the Finger Lakes region open year-round.
Cooperstown
In the central part of the state is Cooperstown, a village that is the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and Otsego Lake to the north. Cooperstown is a very sports-oriented community, with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in town. At the museum, visitors can explore all of the greatest baseball players who made a huge impact on the baseball diamond, see an endless amount of sports memorabilia, and see the plaques of every Hall of Fame baseball player.
A great place to stay in town for the weekend is the Inn at Cooperstown, an award-winning hotel near downtown, where guests can enjoy local restaurants, museums, and shops. The hotel was built in 1874 and has been a staple in the community ever since, offering free off-street parking and modern amenities to keep guests comfortable, including a free breakfast.
Right in the heart of town is Lakefront Park, a peaceful and scenic area with lovely views of Otsego Lake. The park hosts summer concerts every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET from July to August. Admission is free, and bringing blankets, chairs, and other picnic supplies is recommended to enjoy the music.
Schenectady
Just west of Albany is Schenectady, nicknamed "the Electric City," as the General Electric company was founded there. The Proctors Theatre is a wonderful place to visit in the city for local plays, live musicals, and other special events since 1926. Proctors is also the home of the GE Theatre, which has one of the largest movie screens in the Northeast, and the atrium at the theatre can be rented for events, as Proctors hosts various events throughout the year to keep the entertainment flowing.
Unlike Cooperstown and Skaneateles, with their lakes, Schenectady has the Mohawk River flowing through it and has wonderful parks to experience the natural side of town. Riverside Park is a peaceful park for people to enjoy the views of the Mohawk River in the Stockade neighborhood, and it is very accessible. Another park to visit is Jackson's Garden, an eight-acre garden on Union College's campus. The garden offers a relaxing stroll around the campus and features a gazebo that is open all year round.
The city boasts an impressive culinary scene, featuring excellent restaurants to visit, such as Johnny's, Ember and Cork, and Milas Restaurant and Bar. Schenectady also has a Restaurant Week from late February to early March, showcasing incredible local restaurants and their meals to the public.
Watkins Glen
Just west of Ithaca in the Finger Lakes region is Watkins Glen, a village that’s the home to the annual Watkins Glen International race and track. Unlike Skaneateles, the community is more sports-oriented, with the Watkins Glen International (Nicknamed 'the Glen'), which has hosted annual car races since 1948, NASCAR races since 1957, and other various events throughout the years, and is regarded as one of the best racetracks in the country.
The village is situated on the south bank of Seneca Lake, where the views can be enjoyed from the Pier House at Seneca Lake Watkins Glen, and Watkins Glen Beach. Both offer beautiful and charming views of Seneca Lake, giving its visitors access to the town's wonderful amenities, and are perfect spots to relax and unwind during the summer months. However, the Pier House also has a boat launch for those wanting to explore the lake, and the beach has a skate park, ice rink, and other park amenities nearby.
Just west of town is the Castel Grisch Winery, a local winery with 200 acres of land and 40 acres dedicated to vines. The winery gives its visitors spectacular views of Seneca Lake and the region while enjoying a nice wine tasting. The winery also hosts a Sunday Brunch, Weddings, the Festival of Lights, disc golf, and other various events, making for a memorable weekend experience.
Woodstock
About 53 miles south of Albany is Woodstock, a town known for its arts scene, especially with its history of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival taking place in Bethel, natural beauty with the Catskill Mountains nearby, and hosts other incredible festivals. Although the Catskills aren't as tall as the Adirondacks, there are still some amazing trails to explore, like the Overlook Mountain Trailhead. Overlook is about 4.6 miles long, with incredible views at the top. Visitors to the trail pass by an abandoned hotel, called the Overlook Mountain House, and the trail is straightforward and easy to follow.
Downtown may be small, but it is charming, relaxing, and has plenty of amazing shops, museums, and restaurants to visit. The Woodstock Artists Association and Museum is a wonderful spot to view beautifully made paintings and photographs from artists in the region since 1919. The museum hosts monthly exhibitions, has education programs for those wanting to pursue an art career, and is an iconic staple in the community.
Near the museum is the Twin Gables of Woodstock, a warm-welcoming boutique bed and breakfast that has been welcoming guests since 1926, and is within walking distance of downtown. The bed and breakfast has vibrant colors, is very relaxing with yoga on the terrace, giving people wonderful views of the trees, and offers guests a complimentary breakfast, with a 24-hour coffee and tea bar in the parlor.
Medina
Between Buffalo and Rochester is Medina, a village known for being a port town for the Erie Canal, offering cruises on the canal through North Star Cruises. The cruises go through the historic canal on a 22-foot pontoon boat or a 40-foot yacht for private tours.
The village may not be a mountain community like Woodstock, but it does have its own charm and an abundance of natural wonders. The Medina Falls is a wonderful 40-foot waterfall that can be viewed and enjoyed from the Erie Canal Heritage Trail. Another calm and natural place to visit in town is State Street Park, which has a playground, picnic benches, a pavilion that hosts concerts, and is within walking distance of the canal.
Downtown is very quaint and relaxing. A great place to experience that relaxation and unwind for the weekend is the Hart House Hotel in the heart of town. Since 1876, the Hart House has been a historic inn, which eventually became a hotel, with the original elements of the building restored and intact.
Ithaca
Just west of Cortland is Ithaca, a city in the Finger Lakes region, which is the home of Ithaca College and Cornell University and is recognized as one of America's foodiest towns. A few amazing natural wonders to visit in town are the Ithaca Falls near downtown, the Buttermilk Falls, and the Taughannock Falls, which has a 215-foot plunge and is three stories taller than the Niagara Falls. The waterfalls are beautiful, breathtaking, and offer a calming atmosphere.
Similar to Schenectady, Ithaca has a very diverse food scene with amazing restaurants to try during a weekend trip. The BoatYard Grill not only serves amazing food made from local ingredients, but also gives its patrons amazing views of Cayuga Lake and the waterfront. Not too far from downtown is the Nocturnal Café, which is a calming spot that serves kava, espresso, and tea, hosts live music, and features artists and their artwork.
A museum to visit on Cornell's campus is the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, which is known for its extensive art collection of over 40,000 works, and gives its visitors immaculate views of the city, Cayuga Lake, and the rest of Cornell's campus. Admission to the museum is free, allowing visitors to explore galleries of contemporary art, historic photographs, and different works of art from all over the world.
Niagara Falls
Just north of Buffalo and right on the border with Canada is the city of Niagara Falls, which is the home of the Niagara Falls themselves, and is a destination for daredevils and honeymooners. The iconic Niagara Falls are three waterfalls that attract tourists from all over the world. Visitors on the American side can view the falls from the Rainbow Bridge, the Maid of the Mist boat ride, on Goat Island, and Niagara Falls State Park, to name a few, to see the breathtaking falls.
An incredible hike to accomplish on the outskirts of the city is exploring the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail and Whirlpool Rapids Trail, a 3.6-mile-long trail giving visitors breathtaking views of the Niagara River, Canada, on the opposite side of the river, and it is amazing to explore all year round. Just wear plenty of sunscreen during the summer months. The Aquarium of Niagara is close by for those wanting to see exotic fish and marine life.
An excellent weekend destination in the city is the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, which offers amenities not found in places like Woodstock or Medina. These include a casino with over 3,300 slot machines, over 80 table games (please gamble responsibly), the ability to host concerts and comedy shows, a spa, pools, hot tubs, fantastic dining options, and facilities for weddings, meetings, and other events.
These 11 amazing communities add to the moniker, "the Empire State." Each with an abundance of charm and culture, but also unique in their own right, some towns are nestled in the mountains, and others have iconic lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. When people think of New York, they may think of New York City and Long Island and might even neglect the quaint communities upstate. Rethink that next weekend trip, as each of these communities has something for everyone to enjoy, whether it is fine dining, nature, or famous landmarks. These towns offer charm, amenities, and limitless natural wonders that will leave people with incredible memories for years to come.
