New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world. Filled with history and culture, there is sure to be something for everyone and it’s no wonder millions of people love to live there.
However, living in the city that never sleeps can get rather exhausting at times, and as much as you might love it, you’ll probably welcome a break from the rush of city life on occasion. There are many beautiful and tranquil escapes all over the United States and the world beyond, but if you’d prefer to keep things a bit closer to home, consider visiting some of the other fabulous places New York state has to offer.
Lake Placid
This idyllic village can be found in Essex County within the stunning Adirondack Mountain range. It is part of the Tri-Lakes region (which also includes Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake) and is a place of breathtaking natural beauty. This location is ideal for those who are looking to leave behind the hustle and bustle of city life, seeking to immerse themselves in nature.
The village itself was founded in the early 19th century and was involved in iron ore mining at the time. It has an interesting history and even hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, making it a popular destination for those who have an interest in winter-sports.
There are also fantastic hiking trails to explore, or if you prefer things to be a little more fast-paced, you could always go mountain biking. To truly experience the thrill of the great outdoors – rent RV in New York and park up in one of the campsites in the area.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs is another great New York state escape and those who admire the performing arts can visit the Saratoga Performing Arts Center to catch a show on during their getaway. The city also played an important part in the Revolutionary War thanks to the Battle of Saratoga, making it a good spot for history buffs to take a trip to.
Beyond this, you can attend the races at the famous Saratoga Race Course and discover the natural mineral springs that are dotted around the town. Thanks to their assumed healing powers, the springs have attracted visitors to this destination for years.
New Platz
Another beautiful village set in the gorgeous New York state country is New Platz in Ulster County. Like Lake Placid, this town and its surrounding areas offer many great hiking trails and other outdoor activities. It also hosts the New Platz regatta every year in May to celebrate the start of the summer season.
If your favorite holiday happens to be Halloween, New Platz could be an ideal destination for you to enjoy the October festivities. They have a Halloween parade through the town or there is a pumpkin carving contest that is hosted at the Bakery. You can also take a tour of the 330-year-old haunted Huguenot Street and listen as your guide shares with you the terrible tales of ghosts and misfortunes that have happened there.
Ithaca
Home to Ivy League member Cornell University, Ithaca is yet another good choice for a retreat into New York’s countryside. It has much more to offer than impressive academia accolades and visitors can explore the beautiful national parks around it and Ithaca Falls.
There are many trails to follow for peaceful walks that allow you to take in all of the natural beauty around you. Popular choices include the Cayuga Waterfront trail and the Black Diamond trail. If you want to find something to do in town, Ithaca’s Farmers Market has been operational since 1973 and has grown very popular with both locals and visitors alike.
Kingston
Another location in Ulster County is the city of Kingston, which was the first designated state capital back in 1777. There are quite a few things to see and do in Kingston, such as taking a trip to see the lovely Rondout Lighthouse which is out in the Hudson River. You can organize a boat tour to take you out to the building and enjoy the fresh air as you sail across the water.
There is also the historic Senate House which preserves a lot of the Dutch influence of the 18th century. It was also where the original New York Senate would meet after the Revolutionary War. If you don’t fancy that, you could visit the Hudson River Maritime Museum or enjoy a beautiful scenic ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad. The latter is sure to be one to please the whole family and is a fantastic way to take in the brilliant countryside at your leisure.
Beacon
If you head to Dutchess County, you can find the city of Beacon. Another ideal spot for avid hikers, you can climb Mount Beacon and take in the stunning landscape and views. Unfortunately, the incline railway that used to take visitors up the mountain ceased operations in the late 70s, but you can still catch a glimpse of where the lines are as you hike up the mountain. This a great place to visit if you rent a small RV or a camper van
Another must-see in the Beacon area is Bannerman Castle which can be found on Pollepel Island. Francis Bannerman, whose family had a military surplus business, bought the island in 1900 and built the property to safely house the many munitions the business owned, as their storage facility in New York was not big enough. Bannerman died in 1918, and sadly in 1920, there was an explosion at Bannerman Castle which destroyed part of the structure. A further fire that broke out in the 60s stopped visitors from being able to take tours of the castle. Nonetheless, there is still something left to see today and it looks enchanting and eerie as it stands alone on its little island.
New York City is truly a marvelous place to live and visit but escaping to a location that has a slower pace and being surrounded by awe-inspiring nature is the perfect way to recharge. If you’re beginning to feel the pressures of city life, book yourself some time away at one of these fantastic locations in New York state to relax and refresh your body and mind.
