From the sandy shores of Long Island to mighty Niagara Falls, New York State is home to more than 200 state parks and historic sites, where beautiful views and outdoor adventures await. In 2024, New York State Parks and Historic Sites celebrates its Centennial, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of its parks and sites system. Learn more about New York State Parks and Historic Sites here.

Whether you climb the lighthouse for a bird’s eye view at Rock Island Lighthouse State Park in the Thousand Islands, walk the trails and check out the 19 waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes, go hot air ballooning over the “Grand Canyon of the East” at Letchworth State Park in the Greater Niagara region, take the ferry to Governors Island, hike the majestic Adirondack High Peaks, paddle the tropical blue waters of Green Lakes State Park, sample the healing waters of Saratoga Spa State Park, or just explore your local outdoor retreat, there’s always something new to experience.

In 2026, the United States will commemorate its 250th birthday. New York State played a pivotal role in the creation of this country as the location for key battles during the Revolutionary War and serving as the nation’s first Capital. The commemoration will highlight not just the Revolutionary War, but also the subsequent 250 years of action towards those ideals.

Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh is the nation’s first public historic site, and the General spent more time there than any other place during the Revolution. Wander the battlefields of the Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater where the halting of the British in 1777 is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War, and one of the 15 greatest battles in world history.

In Seneca Falls you’ll find the Women’s Rights National Historical Park which tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in 1848 in the Wesleyan Chapel, and the struggle for rights and equality.

In Auburn, NY, Harriet Tubman’s chosen home, visitors can follow the footsteps of this civil rights hero, learn about the Underground Railroad, visit the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center.

The North Creek Depot Museum in the Adirondacks is where, in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt first learned of President McKinley’s death and started his midnight ride to Buffalo to be inaugurated as president. Experience the historic moment further at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo through interactive exhibits.

Book lovers, pack your bags for a literary adventure in New York State! From browsing the iconic stacks of the New York Public Library, to hunting for treasures in the Catskills’ Hobart Book Village, to visiting the study of Mark Twain and the homes of Washington Irving, Walt Whitman, and other famous authors, get ready to write your own chapter of bookish bliss with these literary destinations in New York State.

Click your heels together three times and get ready to embark on a whimsical journey through The Land of Oz in New York State! “There’s no place like home,” and for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum, “home” was Chittenango. Follow the yellow brick road (literally!) to the All Things Oz Museum, where you can explore original movie props, dazzling costumes, rare collectibles, Judy Garland’s autograph, and more.

Explore the Gold Coast mansions that inspired The Great Gatsby at Oheka Castle and Sands Point Preserve on Long Island, or see the restored Colonial fortress of the French and Indian War era at the Fort William Henry Museum in the Adirondack region, prominently featured in Last of the Mohicans

Embark on a literary pilgrimage through New York State to the places your favourite authors called home. Step inside the carefully preserved Adirondacks cottage of Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde author Robert Louis Stevenson to see first-hand where he spent a winter crafting The Master of Ballantrae.

In the heart of the Bronx, you’ll find the cottage where Edgar Allan Poe spent his final years and penned many of his most enduring works including Annabel Lee, The Bells, and Eureka.

Explore The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in the Hudson Valley village where the classic American tale was set. Visit author Washington Irving’s gravesite on a free self-guided walk of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and get a taste of mid-19th century life at the writer’s two-room Dutch stone cottage Sunnyside on the banks of the Hudson River.

Chemung County in the Finger Lakes is also known as Mark Twain Country. For 20 years, Twain and his family summered at his sister-in-law’s farm in Elmira where the “father of American literature” spent his days in his octagonal study penning some of his greatest classics. Today, you can visit the study on the campus of Elmira College and pay tribute to the famous author at his final resting place in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Embrace the elements and a world of outdoor adventure in New York State. Magnificent natural landscapes span the Adirondack Mountains to the Finger Lakes to the pristine beaches of Long Island to the thundering waters of Niagara Falls. New York offers an unparalleled range of outdoor activities in these stunning settings.

Hike to a waterfall in the Hudson Valley, raft through class V rapids in the Adirondacks, glide gently through glacial lakes in a crystal kayak, sail the waves of Lake Ontario, fish for salmon in the Salmon River, or cycle across some of the 750 miles of trails on the Empire State Trail (electric bikes are readily available!) And in the winter months, ski or snowboard some of the best terrain in the nation, or snowmobile through wide-open trails in the Catskills.

Take in breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake from a kayak or boat or get a unique view of Letchworth State Park as you float peacefully in the skies from a hot air balloon, or explore some of the 150 beautiful waterfalls in Ithaca such as Buttermilk Falls and Taughannock Falls.

If you don’t fancy taking a flight yourself, why not visit the annual Adirondacks Balloon Festival in September which attracts more than 100,000 people over the 4 days. It’s also been named as one of the Top 100 events in North America!

There are multiple companies who offer customers of all abilities a relaxing paddle or peddle on the historic Erie Canal Waterway and Heritage Trail. Beginners and experts alike enjoy the flat, tranquil waters of the canal. The recreational kayaks, canoes, and SUPs are designed for those with little or no paddling experience. For those wanting to spend a bit more time on the canal, houseboat rentals are available too!

From the bright lights of Broadway to the spiralling halls of the Guggenheim, New York State’s museums, galleries, theatres, and historic sites are the best in the world and provide endless opportunities to experience art and culture in every corner of the state. Bring out your inner artist at the Fenimore Art Museum, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, or the Rochester Contemporary Art Center, which draws visionaries from around the globe. Laugh your way through Jamestown at the National Comedy Center and with comedic legend Lucille Ball at the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy, featuring exhibits and festivals that attract top-notch funny people. Have fun with creative, interactive activities at museums like The Strong Museum of Play and the Corning Museum of Glass. Architecture buffs will be thrilled with the opportunity to visit multiple Frank Llyod Wright homes and structures throughout the state, including the famed Martin House.

Whether you’re into Shakespeare, opera, ballet, jazz, musical theatre, or want to see the biggest names in music on tour, you’ll find it all in New York’s iconic performance spaces from Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall to Shea’s in Buffalo and Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

• Niagara Falls, Greater Niagara – Explore the oldest State Park in America before experiencing the Maid of the Mist
• The Corning Museum of Glass, Finger Lakes – Explore the world’s best collection of art and historical glass
• National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Central New York – Over 38,000 artefacts honour the game’s greatest players
• Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain, Adirondacks – Home of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics Bobsled and Luge complex, ski jump and Olympic museum. Travel to nearby Tupper Lake to experience the Wild Center and the Wild Walk
• Saratoga Race Course, Capital-Saratoga – Visit the third oldest racetrack in the US which is considered to be the oldest sporting venue of any kind in the country
• Bethel Woods, Catskills – Home of the Woodstock Music Festival, it is now a world class concert venue and museum
• Culinary Institute of America – Dine at the college’s famous, student-staffed restaurants and café or take a cooking class
• OHEKA Castle, Long Island – The prize jewel of historic hotels in Long Island, the most sought-after getaway in the famous Gold Coast
• National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum – Laugh the day away at the nations first cultural institution dedicate to comedy
• Explore the Great Lakes Seaway Trail – By boat, bike or car, this New York State Scenic Byway follows some of the most loved waterways in the state, including the St. Lawrence Seaway in the Thousand Islands
• New York City – Where arts, culture, history and fun come together in one seamless package – this iconic city will be your entry and first stop in the state
• Empire State Trail – Cycle or walk some of the 750-mile multi use trail spanning from New York City to the Canadian border, and from Albany to Buffalo. Much of the East/West portion of the trail follows the Erie Canal, offering a perfect opportunity to get out on the water as well