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THE 15 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN UPSTATE NEW YORK YOU DIDN'T KNOW EXISTED By LAUREN MATISON
3/28/2016
NEW YORK
JIM VALLEE/SHUTTERSTOCK
There's so much more to upstate New York than Niagara Falls, despite what
family road trip movies and various desktop wallpapers might tell you. In fact,
there are beautiful places to see all over upstate New York, from the Catskills
to Rochester -- most of which you probably haven’t even heard about, let
alone seen. That’s about to change. From a field of gold to the Grand Canyon
of the East, these are the places worth discovering on your next weekend
getaway.
GARY GLASER/SHUTTERSTOCK
Letchworth State Park Castile
Try your hardest not to Instagram with the hashtag #beautyoverload when you
visit Letchworth State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” It
harbors three spectacular waterfalls, where you’re guaranteed to see
rainbows. Whether you hike along the 66 miles of trails, take an air balloon
ride, or kayak down the roaring Genesee River, this is one for the New York
sightseeing bucket list.
COURTESY OF THE SAGAMORE
The Pavilion at The Sagamore Lake George
The Sagamore Resort has been around for over 100 years, but you’ll be
forgiven for not knowing about this hidden gem, perched on Green Island in
the middle of six-million-acre Adirondack Park. Come summer, the most
picturesque place in the state to have a mid-afternoon cocktail (like a
refreshing Country Thyme Lemonade) is the upper deck at the resort’s
Pavilion restaurant.
COURTESY OF THE CORPORATION OF YADDO
Yaddo Gardens Saratoga Springs
Yaddo Gardens is where New Yorkers can go to finally understand the true
meaning of peace. Part of an artists’ community that’s situated on a 400-acre
estate dating back to 1900, Yaddo is a closely guarded local secret, so expect
to stroll by sculptures and rose bushes in the company of Saratogans and
resident artists. And since this is the closest thing to The Shire outside of New
Zealand, you will sense the urge to frolic or hug a tree. Don’t fight it.
COURTESY OF STU GALLAGHER
McGregor Vineyard Dundee
The Finger Lakes wine region may not boast as many awards as Napa, but
standing amidst the grapes of McGregor Vineyard, you’d argue it’s more
beautiful. Located off the beaten wine trail overlooking the bluff of Keuka
Lake, McGregor’s perch is so stunning you’d stay and drink the wine even if it
were bad. Fortunately, it’s really, really good. Bring a picnic, grab a bottle of
Black Russian Red, and watch the light dance across the lake until they kick
you out, which they won’t.
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COURTESY OF BRETT MAURER
Whittaker Falls Martinsburg
In a little unheard of town tucked away at the end of Whittaker Park, you’ll
discover a waterfall inside a waterfall inside a waterfall. Pack your camping
gear because you won’t find a more breathtaking -- and crowd-free -- spot to
pop a tent. Just be prepared to wake up at night when nature calls, again and
again.
FLICKR/JOHN MCCULLOUGH
Rainbow Falls Bridge Watkins Glen
Get this gorgeous place to yourself by coming early in the morning, when the
busloads of tourists haven’t yet arrived. There are 200ft cliffs and 19
waterfalls, including the famous Cavern Cascade, but the most jaw-dropping
spot to soak it all in at Watkins Glen State Park is the Rainbow Falls Bridge.
COURTESY OF KAREN WHEELER-LOCKWOOD, LOCKWOOD LAVENDER FARM
Lockwood Lavender Farm Skaneateles
On a hillside overlooking Skaneateles Lake (pronounced skinny-atlas), is the
120-acre Lockwood Lavender Farm and New York’s own piece of Provence.
Grazing sheep, baby goats, and endless rows of lavender amounts to a purple
dreamscape worthy of back-to-back Instagram posts.
COURTESY OF GRAYCLIFF/PATRICK MAHONEY
Graycliff Estate Derby
Instead of yet another weekend spent Netflix-and-chilling, head upstate for a
behind-the-scenes Master Architectural tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright house.
Built from 1926-1931, the Graycliff Estate sits at the edge of Lake Erie, where
the 70ft limestone cliffs served as inspiration for Wright’s work.
COURTESY OF MORGAN SAMUELS INN
Morgan Samuels Inn Canandaigua
You’ve seen one ivy-covered B&B, you’ve seen ‘em all, right? Wrong. Save
the money on a trip to England’s Lake District and instead book a room at the
most beautiful bed and breakfast in New York State. While the 1810 mansion
is close to Letchworth State Park, Watkins Glen, and the Finger Lakes’
cheese, wine, and beer trails, you’ll find it hard to stay away from this soul-
stirring setting for very long.
FLICKR/MIGUEL VIEIRA
The Devil’s Path Catskills
You will sweat in places you didn’t know you could sweat from, but it’ll be
worth it for the spectacular views from various summits like Twin Mountain,
Indian Head, and Plateau Mountain. With over 14,000ft of elevation change,
this 25-mile trail is considered by many to be the toughest hike in the East.
(Duh, it’s called Devil’s Path.)
FLICKR/WILD CENTER
The Wild Walk Tupper Lake
Channel your inner Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at this 81-acre
playground for nature lovers. Nestled 45ft up in the Adirondack forest at The
Wild Center (the first LEED-certified museum in New York), the permanent
High Line-inspired Wild Walk exhibit reopens Memorial Day weekend and is
the only elevated treetop trail in the state.
COURTESY OF THE CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS
The Corning Museum of Glass Corning
The glass collections at this offbeat museum are intriguing, but it’s the striking
new 100,000sqft Contemporary Art + Design Wing that has out-of-towners
(and non-glass gurus) planning a trip to the Finger Lakes for more than just
wine and waterfalls.
COURTESY OF MIKE FROM ROCHESTER SUBWAY
The Secret Sidewalk Rochester
A mile west of Ontario Beach Park, in the little hamlet of Charlotte, is the most
idyllic street you’ve ever seen. Though it’s technically Rochester, it feels like
you’ve landed inMonet’s Garden at Sainte-Adresse in northwestern France.
The Secret Sidewalk is a public walkway, but the residents who live in those
big lakefront homes from the early 20th century would prefer their slice of
paradise remain off the tourist checklist, so keep your cool, don’t take selfies,
and just enjoy your Abbott’s Frozen Custard with the rest of the locals.
COURTESY OF BEAVER BROOK
Beaver Brook Barryville
Vimeo co-founder Zach Klein literally wrote the book on Cabin Porn so you
know his 55-acre upstate hideaway will be a night to remember. Tucked away
in a woodland preserve, this almost-too-beautiful retreat is only for those lucky
ones who get accepted to Klein’s artist residency program, which includes
accommodations in a converted 19th-century barn, a sauna, hot tub on the
river, and an eternity of peace.
FREDERICK FARMS
Frederick Farms Clifton Springs
Every August, 700,000 sunflowers bloom across the rolling hills north of
Seneca Lake. Dairy and sunflower farmers John and Jan Frederick offer
wagon rides through their fields of gold, which will forever be the annoyingly
unsurpassable highlight of summer.
Lauren Matison is the Green Getaways correspondent at Travel + Leisure and
the co-founder of offMetro.com. She thought she might leave New York one
day, but after working on this story, now she knows that will never be possible.
Follow Lauren onTwitter and Instagram