With a plethora of unforgettable adventures hiding in plain sight, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction when it comes to figuring out what trips to take in the Empire State. From places to eat to new outdoor explorations, we love finding new activities that will help keep you busy. We’re always excited to put together another list of fun day trips in Upstate NY, so here’s another batch of some of the absolute best day trips in New York state that will leave you falling in love with your own backyard.

1. Quaker Area - Allegany State Park
royalpalmtree/TripAdvisor
Allegany State Park - Quaker Area, Rte 1, Salamanca, NY, USA
Dan K/TripAdvisor
A state park so big it had to be divided up into two areas, Allegany State Park's Quaker Area is home to one of New York's most odd geological wonders. In the southern sections of the Quaker Area, you'll find trails that are filled with unordinary rock formations that will have you tilting your head sideways. Known as our Thunder Rocks, explorers are able to climb up on the towering rocks and explore all around them along our trails.

Take a tour of the Quaker Area of Allegany State Park for one of our first New York day trips in this video from Full Time Dream:
2. Record Archive - Rochester
Record Archive/Facebook
Record Archive, 33 1/3 Rockwood St, Rochester, NY 14610, USA
Record Archive/Facebook
One of the craziest, most unique stores you'll stumble upon in New York, Record Archive puts you in a sea of vintage finds. Filled with over 250,000 records, the store has a variety of vinyl, CDs, cassettes, audio equipment, old school toys, vintage bicycles and movies. The fun never stops! The store often holds concerts and has live music, making for an entertaining day trip to say the least.
3. Sonnenberg Gardens - Canandaigua
Peter C in Toronto Canada/Flickr
Sonnenberg Gardens, Gibson Street, Canandaigua, NY, USA
Solonesh/TripAdvisor
One of New York's secret gardens that you're guaranteed to love, Sonnenberg Gardens is hiding out at the northern end of Canandaigua Lake. Featuring a mix of styles, every area of the property is unique and looks like something out of a fairytale. Open seasonally, you'll want to make sure you visit this place at least once this year before it closes again for the season!
4. Bannerman Castle - Dutchess County
Joseph O./Yelp
Bannerman Castle, Pollepel Island, Fishkill, NY 12508, USA
Elizabeth C./Yelp
Another adventure that's back open for the season, tickets to visit Bannerman Castle are already selling out fast! You'll be able to experience a half-hour boat ride to the island where the ruins of one of New York's historic castles remains. Once you reach the island, you'll go on a guided walking tour, where you'll learn about the castle's long history and get to see the gorgeous gardens that are still here today.
5. Secret Caverns - Cobleskill
alexuswebb/TripAdvisor
Secret Caverns, 671 Caverns Rd, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA
hmh717/TripAdvisor
The underrated attraction that's often overshadowed by its neighbor Howe Caverns, Secret Caverns offers a more personal alternative when it comes to exploring New York's underground world. Taking you below the surface, you'll walk a half-mile through this cave until you finally reach a waterfall at the end! Allowing you to touch your surroundings and even bring cameras to take pictures, you'll love taking this unique little day trip.
6. Buttermilk Falls State Park - Ithaca
Changju L/TripAdvisor
Buttermilk Falls State Park, 106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Changju L/TripAdvisor
Before you know it, your free time will be spent trying to find a serene place to cool off during our hot summer days. Forget diving into a backyard pool when there's refreshing places like Buttermilk Falls State Park that you can visit! One of the main features of the park, at the base of Buttermilk Falls you'll find a natural pool that you're able to swim in. Making for a great day trip, visitors can explore the trails in the park to work up a sweat before cooling off in the water.

Join MikeGetsLost as he hikes to the falls in Buttermilk Falls State Park one of our favorites day trips in upstate NY:
7. America's Next Pizza Capital - Lake George
Giuseppe's Pizzeria of Lake George, NY/Facebook
Lake George, NY 12845, USA
Globeater M./Yelp
Interested in visiting a town where you can spend every meal eating nothing but pizza? Then head up to Lake George to fulfill your cheesy dreams. Lining the main streets of this small town are pizza shops that offer mouthwatering menus, giving you plenty of options to chose from when it comes to picking somewhere to eat.

Related Stories

The Small Town Lake In New York That's An Idyllic Summer Day Trip

The Small Town Lake In New York That's An Idyllic Summer Day Trip

 This Off-The-Beaten-Path Beach In New York Is The Perfect Place To Escape

This Off-The-Beaten-Path Beach In New York Is The Perfect Place To Escape

 Most People Don't Even Know This Little-Known Destination In New York Even Exists

Most People Don't Even Know This Little-Known Destination In New York Even Exists
8. New York's Ice Cream Trail - Adirondacks
Google Maps
Martha's Dandee Creme/Facebook
If there's anything better than road trips and ice cream, please let us know! Until then, we will forever be drooling over this Adirondack Ice Cream Trail that we put together for you guys. Starting off in Lake George, bringing up around Lake Placid and back down the town of Speculator, this road trip not only gives you some of the best views in our Adirondack Park but also fills your stomach with delicious dairy desserts.
9. Mountain Coaster of a Lifetime - Ellicottville
Holiday Valley Resort/Facebook
Holiday Valley Resort, 6557 Holiday Valley Rd, Ellicottville, NY 14731, USA
Holiday Valley Resort/Facebook
If the idea of soaring through the air sounds a bit too adventurous for your taste, then try taking a ride on New York's epic mountain coaster! Right at the Holiday Valley Resort in the town of Ellicottville, the mountain coaster nearly 5,000 feet long. Equipped with breaks that allow you to go however fast or slow you'd like, this unforgettable ride makes for one amazing day trip.
10. Hither Hills State Park - Montauk
JWTraveler2015/TripAdvisor
Hither Hills State Park, 164 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954, USA
kktraveler/TripAdvisor
Head out to the end of the world and you'll find that one of New York's most gorgeous beaches is right here in Montauk. With two-miles of white sandy beach, this secluded setting will take you away from the rest of the state. With neverending views of the ocean and some of the softest sand you've ever felt beneath your feet, you'll easily want to turn this day trip into a weekend getaway.
11. New York's Little Mount Rushmore - Prattsville
edbishop55/TripAdvisor
DianeTheAdventurer/TripAdvisor
One of the many charming towns you'll find out in Greene County, Prattsville is home to a fascinating man-made wonder that's hiding out in nature. Known as Pratt Rock, there's a Mount Rushmore-lookalike that's tucked away within the woods. So get outdoors and experience a short but somewhat steep hike that features rewarding views a unique piece of New York's history.
12. New York's Fountain of Youth - Saratoga Springs
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
Orenda Spring, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
Kristi13085/TripAdvisor
One of the many natural wonders you'll find within Saratoga Spa State Park, Orenda Spring is known as being one of New York's best natural springs. All throughout the city you can find roughly twenty mineral springs, with the majority of them being right in our state park. With each spring being different from the other, they all are said to have their own magical healing powers and medical benefits.
13. Wolf Mountain Nature Center - Smyrna
Wolf Mountain Nature Center/Facebook
Wolf Mountain Nature Center, 562 Hopkins Crandall Rd, Smyrna, NY 13464, USA
Wolf Mountain Nature Center/Facebook
A place that's almost right in the center of our state, Wolf Mountain Nature Center is a day trip that's perfect for all of our residents to take. Getting you outdoors and up close to a variety of beautiful exotic animals, this sanctuary is home to wolves, coyotes and even Arctic foxes! Offering a variety of ways for you to enjoy this amazing place, this non-profit establishment is run entirely by volunteers.
14. Bully Hill Winery - Hammondsport
Bully Hill Vineyards/Facebook
Bully Hill Vineyards, Greyton H Taylor Memorial Drive, Hammondsport, NY, USA
Bully Hill Vineyards/Facebook
If you're looking to spend some time in the sun without working up a sweat or doing any major exploring, then perhaps sitting outdoors with a glass of wine in your hand is exactly what you need. Taking you out to one of our favorite towns in the Finger Lakes, the charming town of Hammondsport has plenty of great tasting wine waiting for you. With jaw-dropping views of Keuka Lake, this day trip to the Bully Hill Vinyards will leave you feeling completely relaxed and full of joy.

Take one of the best day trips in New York State by visiting Bully Hill Vineyards. Enjoy a tour of the winery in this video from Homesteading With Sadie:

Which place on this list of fun day trips in Upstate NY would you like to visit first? If you need more day trip inspiration, take a look at our bucket list of the most unique places you should go to in New York. Start planning now for next year’s adventures!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

best day trips in New York

Kim Magaraci | October 14, 2020

What are the best small towns in New York?

Some of the best small towns in New York include:

 

New Paltz is one of the most popular small towns for visitors in the early spring months or in the fall. It is a gorgeous town in the Catskills and easy to access from anywhere in the state! Pawling is another scenic town, where you'll be able to go hiking along the Appalachian trail or visit the charming Daryl's House music venue - owned by Daryl Hall himself. If you prefer to head up north, visit Tupper Lake! This Adirondack town is tiny and welcoming to anyone visiting the High Peaks region. No list of the best small towns in New York would be complete without a mention of Hammondsport, which is in the heart of New York's wine country and nicknamed the "coolest small town in America".

What are the most beautiful places in New York?

Some of the most beautiful places in New York include:

 

New York's stunning state parks show off scenic views that are so beautiful, it's hard to believe. A hike through Watkins Glen State Park shows off gorges, waterfalls, and caves that will make you feel like you've discovered Middle Earth. A grueling (but doable!) hike to the top of Cascade Mountain in Adirondack State Park shows off 360-degree High Peak views you'll never forget. Letchworth State Park combines history and scenery for an unforgettable adventure.

Where can I find more of the best photos of New York?

You'll find a collection of rural photos of New York here if you feel like taking a virtual tour of our prettiest small towns. For more photos of New York that are sure to make you appreciate the beauty of the Empire State, join our New York Nature Lovers Facebook group, or subscribe to the Only In New York newsletter.

Related Articles

Explore New York