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
Countries
Top 10 Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in New York, United States
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. Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 516 reviews
Formerly the grounds of a hotel, this park offers stunning vistas and uncrowded trails.
Reviewed By NYlatinbeauty - Staten Island, United States
Me and my husband visited Minnewaska State Park Preserve the end of July on a very hot day.... and what a great decision to visit!! We got there around 11:00 am and there were already some vehicles waiting to enter. I do recommend getting there early; the park opens at 9:00 am, the fee is $10. We were told the wait to enter the park was going to be 45 minutes, but we got lucky didn't even wait 30 minutes. There's different trails depending on how many miles you wish to walk, but if you're not a hiker, you can take advance of the refreshing lake waters; there's a nice beach area. This is a must visit during the summer!! The views are so amazing!! Please don't miss out on the beauty of mother nature, get active and keep socially distant during this time. Enjoy!!!
2. 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.
3. Cave of the Winds
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,081 reviews
This exciting tour outfits you in a hooded raincoat and takes you into a cave and then along a catwalk near the foot of the falls for an up-close, wet and very rewarding view of the thunderous, cascading waters.
Reviewed By Kierab2013
This was such a cool experience! My family and I walked to this attraction from the Rainbow Bridge. This tour had been much lower on our To-Do list, when it should have been at the top! We went on a Monday in late August and did NOT purchase our tickets ahead of time. We purchased our tickets when we got to the stand for the next available tour that day, which ended up being in 10 minutes. We didn't have to wait long at all! You get a quick history review about the area via a room like a museum, then watch a short video about the area. Finally, you get a poncho and velcro sandals (you can keep them or recycle afterwards) and then you're set to start your self-paced tour! Keep in mind there is no where to keep your belongings except with/on you (I wore a giant backpack under my poncho and most everything stayed dry inside it - they don't allow food or drinks, except water but they said if they don't see the food then it's fine). If you don't want to get drenched, avoid the Hurricane Deck. You will get great views of the American and Bridal Veil Falls and a slight view of the Horseshoe Falls (but for that I recommend walking a bit further from where you bought the tickets to view the top of the horseshoe falls).
4. Bald Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By sydney920
Excellent time hiking with my wife and two grown boys and future daughter in-law. Easy hike, beautiful trail with several great views along the way. Great views at top also. Went earlier in the morning, were the only ones on top for at least 30 minutes. Trail was very busy on way down. Many people hiking up.
5. Niagara Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,961 reviews
Three magnificent falls, two American and one Canadian, mark the point at which the Niagara River rumbles over the Niagara Escarpment.
Reviewed By Alpana-traveltern - Lucknow, India
An awe inspiring natural wonder, made all the more inviting due to the ease of access and the all round service and facilities. The beauty and grandeur of the falls is in no way diminished by the presence of thousands of daily tourists, perhaps they only add to the overall feeling of excitement.
6. Whiteface Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,229 reviews
Whiteface may have made its name in winter, it has the highest vertical drop in the east, after all but it does summer pretty well too. The warmer months make Whiteface a natural setting for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels and ages, whether you're looking for an adrenaline rush or just an afternoon of beautiful views with your family. Take a hike along the Stag Brook Falls trail or Bear Den Mountain, play a round of Disc Golf and check out the area's most exhilarating, challenging Mountain Biking terrain. Or gather the family for an afternoon of taking it all in with a Scenic Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride to the summit of Little Whiteface. Drive the Whiteface Veteran's Memorial Highway to the summit, and lean into the Adirondack breeze as you marvel at the world below you.This well-known mountain offers exciting and scenic runs for skiers of all levels: Beginners do well on Easy Acres, which features its own ski school, novices and intermediates enjoy Little Whiteface, while experts head to the heart-pounding summit.
Reviewed By merny89 - Saratoga Springs, United States
We drove up the veterans highway to the top. Although with Covid the castle and other areas were not open we were able to park and take amazing photos. It was a great drive and the views were spectacular.
7. 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.
8. Empire State Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91,562 reviews
The Empire State Building is the World's Most Famous Building. It rises 1,454 feet from ground to antenna & features the only 360 degree open-air vantage point of Midtown Manhattan. The 86th & 102nd Floor Observatories are open daily from 12PM-9PM. On a clear day you can see up to 6 states. The brand-new 2nd floor museum (included in all ticket options) offers guests 10,000 sq ft of interactive exhibits that invite visitors on a journey beginning from the building’s construction to its current place in pop culture. The 102nd Fl Obs features floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass elevator with sound & light experience. It is the jewel of NYC. All signage, audio & exhibits in the building are available in 9 languages. We offer free Wi-Fi. The 34th St Lobby entrance features a grand staircase with a 2-story architectural model of the bldg & a high-tech LED exhibit that celebrates lighting ceremonies performed by famous, celebrity guests. Express guests receive red carpet VIP treatment.
Reviewed By PictureThisNYC - New York City, United States
Amazing experience to visit the Empire State Building for sunrise with a very small group of people for a safe & unsurpassed experience, Well worth the money, amazing views & tons of space on the observation deck that is usually very crowded. Friendly, helpful & welcoming staff made for a wonderful experience and so may great photos! Highly recommended.
9. 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.
10. Olympic Ski Jump Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,147 reviews
Visitors to this year-round training and competition site can watch daring ski-divers, or take an elevator to a platform to see how high Olympic skiers jump.
Reviewed By jimkC1474NO - Howell, United States
We spent a little over an hour at the Olympic Ski Jump Complex. We took the gondola ride to the top of the mountain, which takes only a few minutes. From there you transition to a glass elevator ride to the top of the largest ski jump which provides scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The ski jumps are so much higher than they appear on television and show just how daring (or crazy) ski jumpers are. New respect for ski jumpers! The venue is clean, masks are required and there is a little shop for souvenirs.
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