The wait is over: summer has arrived in New York. That means the days are longer, the kids are out of school, and there’s no snow. Here are 19 fun ways to make this summer the best ever in Upstate New York. There’s no better way to experience the great outdoors than to spend a few days sleeping under the stars.
But for those who don’t want to rough it up, luxury camping is another option. Glamping combines the grandeur of the great outdoors with all the amenities of luxury lodging. You don’t have to lug around any heavy equipment and can avoid sleeping on the ground. Upstate NY has some top-of-the-line glamping sites worth checking out.
there’s plenty of amusement parks in Upstate New York! water slides, roller coasters, amusement park rides never get old
Only a few hundred drive-in theaters remain in America. Luckily for us, there are plenty throughout Upstate New York. Most theaters allow customers to bring their own food and drink—and some even allow pets. So grab some snacks and cozy up in your car and enjoy a movie this summer.
There’s something about the natural beauty of swimming holes that make people love them. And in every corner of Upstate New York, there’s one that’s perfect to take a relaxing dip. The Catskills region alone is home to numerous swimming holes worth venturing out to, including Peekamoose Blue Hole.
Buy yourself some peanuts and cracker jacks and enjoy America’s pastime while watching one of Upstate New York’s minor league baseball teams. Check the schedules of local team and head out during a special, fun promotional night.
It’s no coincidence that two of the three best state parks in the country are in Upstate New York. Sure, Letchworth State Park and Watkins Glen deserve their spot in the top three, but every state park is special for its own reason and worth exploring. So go visit one you’ve never been to before and enjoy New York’s natural beauty.
“Turn off the television, put away the phone, get in the car, roll down the windows and just drive”
Summer is also a great time for a good old-fashioned road trip through Upstate NY. Take low-way, the old-way, on a route 20 road trip from Buffalo to Albany. Along the way, tour classic Upstate New York by visiting Cazenovia, Skaneateles and other towns.
But the roads aren’t just for cars—they’re for motorcycles, too. With plenty of rolling hills, high peaks, back roads and curves throughout the Upstate, there are numerous motorcycle routes worth driving in Upstate.
Attend a festival! Boredom isn’t an option when there are numerous events and festivals taking place every weekend in Upstate New York. There’s the NYS Blues Fest, the Sterling Renaissance Festival, the Oswego Harborfest and a long list of plenty others. But don’t limit yourself to just the major events; check out one of the unique, obscure festivals in the state, including Sauerkraut Weekend, the Bagel Festival and Hobofest.
Upstate New Yorkers love picking their own fresh fruit, including apples in the fall and strawberries in late spring. Summer is blueberry season. Whether going with the family or trying to impress someone on a first date, blueberry picking is a sure bet in the summer. Picking usually starts in early July and continues through mid-August, when blueberries ripen.
Hungry? Then eat! Go order a garbage plate from Nick’s in Rochester, a coney from Heid’s near Syracuse, Buffalo wings from Anchorbar in Buffalo, and any other food from Upstate NY we all love. It’s never a bad time to try a new restaurant, so be sure to check out some of the best places to eat across Upstate NY. And since it’s summer, it’s the optimal time to enjoy a waterfront restaurant.
If you’re looking for a summer camp for a kid (or if you miss going to summer camp as a kid), then Upstate New York has you covered. Sure, there are plenty of camps that offer campfire sing-alongs and canoeing.
Summer camps are always fun for kids, but have you heard of adult summer camp? Located in the Southwoods of the Adirondack mountains, Camp No Counselors allows grown-ups to getaway and relive the glory days as a camper. The only available weekend left is September 17-20, so register while there’s still space left.
