Best in Upstate NY
Waterfalls, wine country, mountain lakes and river towns north of New York City.
See things to do »Upstate New York at a Glance
Ask five New Yorkers where upstate begins and you will get five answers, but for visitors it means everything beyond the reach of the city's suburbs: a region larger than many states, with two Great Lakes on its edges, the largest park in the lower 48 states at its center and the Hudson River running down its eastern side. A road trip here can take in one of the world's most famous waterfalls, a hundred wineries, mountain villages that have hosted two Winter Olympics and castles built on islands in the St. Lawrence River.
Niagara Falls anchors the western end. The American and Bridal Veil falls are on the New York side, inside the country's oldest state park, while the larger Horseshoe Falls is shared with Canada. Buffalo, 20 minutes south, is a city of grand architecture and chicken wings, and the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario stretch out from there. Farther east, the Finger Lakes are eleven long, narrow lakes carved by glaciers, lined with vineyards and cut by deep gorges with waterfalls you can walk beside.
The Adirondacks fill much of the state's northern half. The Adirondack Park is a patchwork of public forest preserve and private land covering about six million acres, with 46 High Peaks, thousands of lakes and ponds, and towns such as Lake Placid and Lake George. Along the Canadian border, the St. Lawrence River breaks into the Thousand Islands, a summer boating region dotted with island cottages and a pair of Gilded Age castles.
The Hudson Valley begins just north of New York City and runs past West Point, Hyde Park and Rhinebeck. Its river towns hold presidential homes, great estates, modern art at Dia Beacon and Storm King, and a lively farm and food scene, while the Catskill Mountains rise to the west with hiking trails, waterfalls and small creek-side towns. Albany, Saratoga Springs and the rest of the Capital Region have their own guide, our sister site Best in Albany.
This guide splits Upstate New York into five areas, each with its own page of highlights and bookable tours. Separate pages cover where to eat, with every restaurant checked as operating, and the festivals worth timing a trip around. Summer and early fall are the main seasons; winter brings skiing and snowshoeing in the mountains, and some attractions, boat tours and island sites close from late October to May. Distances are larger than they look on a map: Buffalo to Lake Placid is about five hours by car, and Niagara Falls to the Hudson Valley takes most of a day. Pick one or two regions for a first trip rather than trying to see everything, and leave time for the slow back roads, farm stands and small-town diners that make the region what it is.
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Top-Rated Things to Do in Upstate New York
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best in Upstate NY may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Eat in Upstate New York
Wings at the Anchor Bar, beef on weck at an 1837 tavern, Rochester's Garbage Plate, vegetarian classics in Ithaca and dinner at the Culinary Institute of America: our dining guide covers each region with places we checked are open.
Upstate New York dining guide »
Festivals and Events in Upstate New York
Lilacs bloom in Rochester in May, summer brings Ironman Lake Placid, wooden boats in Clayton and the State Fair in Syracuse, and fall means hot-air balloons near Lake George and thousands of carved pumpkins along the Hudson.
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Upstate New York — FAQ
How far is Niagara Falls from New York City?
About 400 miles, or seven to eight hours by car. Most visitors fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport, about 30 minutes from the falls, or take Amtrak to Niagara Falls, New York.
When is the best time to visit Upstate New York?
June through mid-October. Fall foliage usually peaks in the Adirondacks in late September and moves south to the Hudson Valley by mid to late October. Winter suits skiers and visitors to Lake Placid.
Do I need a passport to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls?
Yes. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge into Ontario requires a passport or another accepted travel document, and you need it again to return to the United States.
How many days does a Finger Lakes trip need?
Two or three days lets you visit Watkins Glen State Park, a couple of wine trails and Ithaca or Geneva. Add a day for the Corning Museum of Glass.
Is the Adirondack Park a national park?
No. It is a state park created in 1892 that mixes public forest preserve with private towns and land. Most hiking trails and lakes are free to use, though some popular trailheads now require parking reservations in summer.