Top Things to do in New York
Top Hotels in New York
- 1. Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea
- 2. Margaritaville Resort- Times Square
- 3. The Draper, Ascend Hotel Collection
- 4. Arlo Midtown
- 5. Pod Times Square
- 6. Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square-South, NY
- 7. Arlo NoMad
- 8. Artezen Hotel
- 9. Park Central Hotel New York
- 10. PUBLIC Hotel
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in New York That You Shouldn't Miss
New York State has it all – booming metropolises, majestic waterfalls, mountains, wine country, chicken wings. Yes, NYC is a magnet for tourists, but an exploration of the rest of the state can be equally thrilling. The Finger Lakes Wine Region is a vision of serene waters, quaint B&Bs, and pretty vineyards. Movie buffs will love Rochester, home of the George Eastman House and one of the world’s most comprehensive film archives. On your way to Niagara Falls, stop in Buffalo to fuel up on spicy wings.
Restaurants in New York
1. Watkins Glen State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,539 reviews
The cascades of 18 waterfalls are the calling card of this state park.
Reviewed By marvi62 - Lafayette Hill, United States
We went to Watkins Glen (4th visit) on Tuesday, arriving around 11 am. The NY state Covid regulations in effect right now clearly state that masks are required, even outdoors, when passing within 6' of another person. These rules are posted at the entrance of the park, as is the one way direction for walking the Gorge trail right now. However, I would estimate 60% or more of park attendees did not put on masks when passing- and the Gorge trail is 2' - 3' wide in many locations. A number of hikers also ignored the one-way rule, coming back on the narrow Gorge trail instead of taking the designated trail back. It took us about 2-1/2 hours to hike the mile up the Glen, since my husband took a lot of photographs. The hike back down only took about 20 minutes. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes or good sneakers (the soles of your shoes will get muddy, even on a sunny day). There are bathrooms by the entrance, but none on the trail. Admission to the park is $8, payable by cash or credit card in a self-ticketing machine in the two parking lots (main lot plus 2nd lot across the street). Watkins Glen is an absolutely stunning gorge. I just recommend going really early to minimize close encounters with other hikers. The only park ranger I saw in our entire visit was the man in the Information Center near the park entrance.
2. Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,524 reviews
The Martin House (Buffalo, NY, 1903-05) exemplifies Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie House ideal and ranks as one of his finest residential works. Designed for Larkin Soap Company executive, Darwin D. Martin, the multi-residential estate is a one-of-a-kind composition consisting of the main Martin House, the smaller Barton House, a carriage house with chauffeur’s quarters and stables, a glass-roofed conservatory linked to the main house by a 100-foot pergola, and a gardener’s cottage. Tours explore the restored and reconstructed buildings, surrounding landscape, and an extensive collection of art glass and furnishings, all designed by Wright, which together form a totally integrated architectural masterwork. We welcome you to this National Historic Landmark.
Reviewed By bonnieh111 - Palmyra, United States
Went to the Darwin D Marting House and the summer home and I really enjoyed the tour. The guide was very good and didn't mind all of my questions, If you like architecture or how the wealthy lived, this is a must see.
3. Green-Wood cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,047 reviews
Reviewed By 377dawnp
It may seem a bit creepy but I love this place because of its beauty and serenity. Green Wood is notable for the number of celebrated and famous people buried there. Yet it's a place for the living--the landscape, the monuments and Victorian statutory and vintage headstones make it an outdoor museum that transports you to a bygone era. One could get lost there along its many winding paths-- signage not withstanding. On one secluded hilltop, I even saw a contemporary yet bucolic scene of a family lazing on the grass for an afternoon near loved ones. Whether your loved one is among the famous or not, it's one of the finest and most beautiful spots in Brooklyn. See it to believe it...acres and acres, so get a map. It's worth the trip!
4. USS Slater DE-766
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 432 reviews
During World War II 563 Destroyer Escorts battled Nazi U-Boats on the North Atlantic protecting convoys of men and supplies. In the Pacific, they stood first in line to defend naval task forces from Kamikaze attacks. Today only one remains afloat in America. Step back in time. Return to 1945 aboard USS SLATER. See how Sailors worked, hear the sounds of a living ship, touch a piece of American history, and walk the decks where hundreds of Sailors have walked before.
Reviewed By Q5053BDscotta
Having visited most of the WWII museum ships on the east coast (and some on the west), I can say that the USS Slater beat them all in terms of a restoration that made you feel as though you were on the ship when it was in service. My nine-year-old son, who only had a passing interest in WWII, loved the tour, which included tour guide (Austin) demonstrations as to how to get into a top bunk, direct an anti-aircraft gun, and use a signal light. My son particularly liked seeing and holding munitions that were near some of the armament on board because it gave him a greater appreciation for the effort that gun crews needed to expend when defending the ship. The guide answered my son’s many questions that ranged from medical care, living conditions, and general quarters patiently and clearly. My son has already made me promise to take him to see the U.S.S. Massachusetts at Falls River the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York.
5. Gantry Plaza State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 467 reviews
Reviewed By untdrum99 - Cebu City, Philippines
Gantry Plaza State Park is located in Long Island City in Queens and is a great park with a lot of family-friendly activities with a dog park, sand volleyball, dining, open spaces, and with some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, especially at sunset. There is also a ferry that goes across to Manhattan, but is also conveniently located near a couple of subway stops. Entrance to the park is free. It's a former dockyards so it is interesting to see how they have repurposed the area into something everyone can use. There is free parking located nearby on the street.
6. Phelps Mansion Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 176 reviews
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR AN UPDATE ABOUT TOUR TIMES AND AVAILABILITY: The Phelps Mansion is a Historic House museum. We are open for tours Fri-Sun(Last tour at 3:30pm) Reservations are strongly encouraged. Admission is $7 students and senior 62 and over $5, kids 12 and under free. Come see the "jewel on Court st". Visitors to the Phelps Mansion should enter through the ballroom entrance located down the driveway side of the mansion. (Look for the open flag)
Reviewed By 129lorie
My favorite part of the tour was admiring the amazingly beautiful woodwork. It was also interesting to learn of how Mr. Phelps made his money. We were also informed about how the gas lighting was converted to electric. There were several photos of nearby historic places which our guide was quite knowledgeable of. There was even a gift shop with many interesting books. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Phelps Mansion and reccommend it to others.
7. Lyndhurst
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
Lyndhurst mansion is closed but the grounds are open! Daily Grounds Passes are available through December 20th. Overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, is Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions. Designed in 1838 by Alexander Jackson Davis, its architectural brilliance is complemented by the park-like landscape of the estate and a comprehensive collection of original decorative arts. Its noteworthy occupants included: former New York City mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt, and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Lyndhurst is a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Reviewed By an0nym0us9999 - Memphis, United States
Lyndhurst was a dream estate built by Mr. Pauling that was sold to Jay Gould that overlooked the Hudson River. During Halloween, the house was decorated with Halloween decorations that took away from the overall historic feel of the house but was entertaining. I took the tour of the house it lasted about an hour and a half and get a good look at the furniture that was in the house during Jay Gould’s life. The house itself wasn’t anything extremely impressive. The most memorial piece of information about the estate for me was that the TV series, Dark Shadows, was filmed at Lyndhurst, and Barnabas’ and Angelique’s paintings from the TV series were displayed in one of the rooms. The house was built in a gothic revival style where ever door, window, room, furniture and et cetera had a parallel matching accompaniment. It was a enjoyable historic site to explore.
8. Mohonk Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Mohonk Preserve is the largest private nature preserve in New York. The Preserve protects 8,000 acres of the Shawangunk Ridge and inspires people to care for, enjoy, and explore the natural world. Preserve lands are open sunrise to sunset every day for hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, horseback riding, and nature study. A current membership or day pass is required to access the lands. Admission to the Visitor Center is always free.
Reviewed By UrbanMonkey48 - Langhorne, United States
Aside from the Mohonk Mountain House hotel itself, you can visit as a day guest, pay a fee and enjoy miles of hiking or cross country skiing on beautidul trails that go through the woods and/or cliffs. The scenic biews are spectacular.
9. Letchworth State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,554 reviews
Letchworth State Park, the "Grand Canyon of the East," is where a 17-mile stretch of the Genesee River roars through the park's scenic gorge with three major waterfalls and cliffs as high as 600 feet, surrounded by lush forests. Recently named Best State Park in the nation, Letchworth's new Humphrey Nature Center is a must-see. Walk the seven-mile Gorge Trail with jaw-dropping views at the overlooks or take the trail to the water's edge. I addition to trails, several hundred campsites and cabins, other amenities and activities include a pool, playground, athletic fields, festivals, cultural events, history and performing arts programs, guided walks, whitewater rafting, and hot-air ballooning.
Reviewed By awanderfulplan - Ohio, United States
Known as the Grand Canyon of the east, this park is 17 miles long with the Genesee River running through it and features several beautiful waterfalls. There are over 20 trails throughout the park to explore. We only had one day at the park but I could easily see spending a week here, hiking all the trails. There are 4 entrances to this park. I definitely recommend entering through either the Portageville or Castile entrance! I also recommend to start your day as early as possible to beat the crowds, especially on the weekend. When you enter the park you'll get a really great park and trail map, but here are a couple that I found online that are great. Entry to the park was just $10 for the entire day for our whole family which is really awesome! It felt a lot like driving through Yellowstone where you drive around, stopping at scenic overlooks and maybe taking in a few hiking trails. Upper and middle falls: The upper falls and middle falls are the highlight of the park and is often the most congested. I would start your day off here for sure so you can enjoy it and take pictures without the crowds. Both are very easily accessible from the parking lot. We actually parked near the upper falls and then drove to the middle falls so we didn't have to back track but the trail between them is super easy and serene. The upper fall is 70 ft. high and is located right beneath the Portage High railroad bridge. If you drive towards the Portageville entrance you'll actually see a small pull off area to see the top of the fall from underneath the railroad bridge. The middle fall is 107 ft high and likely just as wide. You can view this from two observation points, one right next to the waterfall and another further down the path gives you a picturesque view of the immense waterfall. This was one of my favorite waterfalls in the park! Visitor Center area: Also near the visitor center is the museum, Glen Iris Inn, council grounds, a civil war monument, trout pond and the Humphrey nature center. We did not spend time at any of these since we were only here for a day but likely worth stopping at if you have more than a day in the park. Inspiration point: This is definitely a stop you'll want to make! From here you will have a great view of both the upper and middle falls. Lower falls: THIS IS NOW OPEN!!! It actually opened the day we visited on 7/16/20. About 2 miles downstream from the Upper Falls you'll find the lower falls. This isn't quite as accessible as the other two but you can get really close to this waterfall, enough to feel it's mist! This does require a moderate hike but is beyond worth it! Park at the octagon area for easiest access to the stairs that lead you to the lower falls, it's right behind the playground. You could park where the trail starts, it's mostly flat and shaded but there are a couple of stair cases to climb. Parking at the octagon area will save you 10 minutes each way off your trip! From the top of the stairs it is about 127 steps down and then back up but they aren't bad. Take a bottle of water to cool off after you've traversed back up it. Once you get to the very bottom of the steps, walk a little straight ahead to find the steps that lead you down to the footbridge. This can be hard to find if you aren't looking for it. The footbridge is a stone footbridge, the only one over the gorge that actually connects both sides of the park. After you're done visiting there, head back up to the main trail, where the original 127 steps ended and continue down the trail to get to the lower falls. From here it was a super easy and flat hike that did not take long to reach the falls. You'll see a meadow open up and the mist from the falls. You are close enough that you can cool off in the mist which is really awesome!!! I don't think the signs or markings for this trail is very well marked so it can be confusing to know if you are on the right trail. We were very lucky that a park ranger was on the trail and confirmed that we were going the right way. Once you're done visiting, turn around back down the path you came and back up the stairs to get back to the parking lot. At the lower recreation falls you'll also find a snack bar, plenty of picnic tables and playgrounds. At the octagon area you'll also find a nice playground and plenty of picnic tables. Scenic overlooks: There are several pull of spots that you can park and get different views of the gorge, I highly recommend stopping at these. Archery Field overlook offers a nice horseshoe view of the gorge. Humphrey's overlook and great bend overlook, and Snake Hill Overlook was neat as well. Be sure to stop at Wolf creek to enjoy the rolling river under the bridge and some nice scenery. Tea table has some really neat stone slab picnic areas as well as a gorgeous view. Gardeau overlook, Hogsback, and Mt. Morris Dam overlooks were also neat stops. My personal favorites were Inspiration point, Archery field, Humprhey's and Wolf Creek. Hiking: There are over 20 trails in the park! Here is a great resource that outlines each of them. We took a couple of easy ones and a moderate one; 19 is a short easy hike to a cute waterfall and we did a portion of 13 which is moderate to go down to the river in addition to of course the Lower falls trail. There are definitely a lot more trails we'd love to explore sometime but since we only had a day we picked just a few. There are trails on both sides of the park but those on the side with the waterfalls are certainly the most trafficked. We drove along the other side of the park and it was certainly a bit more rustic. There actually isn't a cost at all to get in through the Parade Grounds entrance. I highly recommend checking out CNY Hiking for an overview of each trail, they have an awesome summary of every single trail. During COVID, we visited on a weekday to avoid crowds as much as possible and did not run into any issues with social distancing. In the very few spots where we were anywhere near someone we put up our masks.
10. Boldt Castle and Yacht House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,953 reviews
A visit to the magnificent Boldt Castle offers a glimpse into one of the most compelling love stories in history. At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC, set out to build a full-sized Rhineland Castle in Alexandria Bay, on Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise. Beginning in 1900, Boldt's family shared four summers on Wellesley Island while 300 workers, stonemasons, carpenters and artists fashioned the six story, 120-room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge and a dovecote. In 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegrammed the island and commanded the workers to immediately "stop all construction." Louise had died suddenly. A broken-hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Three hundred workers laid down their tools. Boldt never returned, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.
Reviewed By burr6013 - Mississauga, Canada
Boldt Castle is the former, private mansion of American millionaire George Boldt, the past general manager of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and the past manager of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. Built between 1900 and 1904 on Heart Island (part of the Town of Alexandria in Jefferson County) in the St. Lawrence River, the six-storey mansion, built in the Châteauesque architectural style, is maintained by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority and is both a tourist attraction and a major landmark. Boldt engaged the architecture firm of G. W. & W. D. Hewett and hundreds of workers to build the “castle” as a gift to his wife, Louise Kehrer Boldt. Construction ceased abruptly in early 1904 after the unexpected death of Boldt’s wife. Boldt never returned to Heart Island. Heart Island was later acquired by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 1977, along with the nearby yacht house on Wellesley Island, for one dollar. Since then, the Thousand Islands Bride Authority has spent over $15 million restoring and improving the site. Boldt Castle is open to guests mid-May through mid-September. It is accessible by ferry, private boat, and by tour boat. For a fee ($13.00 for adults [13+] and $7.50 for children [5-12]), guests can explore most of the site’s buildings (Boldt Castle, Power House, Alster Tower, and George C. Boldt Yacht House) and grounds (operating hours vary by the time of the year). There is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection office on Heart Island as visiting the island is considered entering the United States (guests visiting from Canada require appropriate documentation). Most of the rooms on the castle’s first floor and many of the rooms in the second floor are furnished with modern pieces. Some of the rooms from the second floor up to the top floor house exhibits related to the Thousand Islands region during the era in which the Boldts lived. The basement is largely unfinished with a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a long passageway to the Power House. Built to hold a generator to supply the island with power, the Power House now serves as a museum. Exhibits detail how power was obtained in the early 1900s. There are also exhibits in the Power House on how tools and equipment got to Heart Island to enable construction efforts. Budget about 90 minutes to appreciate everything Boldt Castle offers. A shuttle boat links Heart Island to the George C. Boldt Yacht House. Be aware that a visit to Boldt Castle involves extensive walking and stairways. Docking at Heart Island is free.
