Best time to visit New York State

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New York State

14 THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK STATE (SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 07)

Fall Foliage

Fall Foliage

late September–October • nature

The most beautiful time of year in New York State

Maid of the Mist Boat Rides

Maid of the Mist Boat Rides

mid-May–October • activity

A unique way to "explore the roar" and get as close to the famous falls as possible

Eternal Flame Falls

Eternal Flame Falls

September–May • nature

The eternal fight or rather a cooperation of the two natural powers of water and fire at the Eternal Flame Falls

New York Renaissance Faire

New York Renaissance Faire

August 17-October 6, 2024 (weekends and Labor Day) • event

Are you ready to escape modern reality?

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

April–September • nature

Attracted by fruits and nectar, these birds are often spotted in the gardens

Hiking Trails Close to Niagara Falls

Hiking Trails Close to Niagara Falls

April–mid-November • activity

Get your heart pumping from these mesmerizing views

Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Falls

April–November | best April –May • nature

One of the most beautiful New England waterfalls

The Catskill Mountains (The Catskills)

The Catskill Mountains (The Catskills)

May–October • nature

Hundreds of trails, dozens of waterfalls and picturesque lakes in upstate New York

Ithaca Falls

Ithaca Falls

year round (best time: May–October) • nature

Plan a picnic by one of the state's best waterfalls

Lake Placid Fall Foliage

Lake Placid Fall Foliage

late September–early October  • nature

The jewel of the Adirondacks looks the most beautiful in the fall

Beach Season on Long Island

Beach Season on Long Island

May–October • activity

The favorite summer getaway for wealthy Manhattan residents, celebrities, and hipsters

Adirondack Lakes

Adirondack Lakes

May–October • nature

Thousands of pristine lakes are known as the jewels of the Adirondack region of New York

Mount Marcy

Mount Marcy

May–October • nature

The highest summit of New York is the most popular hiking destination in the Adirondack's high peaks

Hilton Apple Fest

Hilton Apple Fest

October 5-6, 2024 • event

The annual tradition, luring 50,000 apple foodies from across the state and beyond

57 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Feast of San Gennaro

Feast of San Gennaro

out of rangeSeptember 14–24, 2023 • event

Eat the best Italian food, watch colorful parades, and attend free concerts

Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival

Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival

out of rangeAugust 30–September 1, 2024 • event

A massive summer ballooning event in Upstate New York

The Great New York State Fair

The Great New York State Fair

out of rangeAugust 23–September 4, 2023 • event

Discover lots of delicious food, exciting competitions, exhibits, and thrilling entertainment at the oldest state fair in the U.S.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade

National Puerto Rican Day Parade

out of rangeJune 9, 2024 • event

One of the largest cultural celebrations in the U.S.

Adirondack Balloon Festival

Adirondack Balloon Festival

out of rangeSeptember 19–22, 2024 • event

Admire the foliage of the scenic Lake George area from a hot air balloon

Jones Beach Air Show (Bethpage Air Show)

Jones Beach Air Show (Bethpage Air Show)

out of rangeMay 25-26, 2024 • event

Watch the amazing United States Navy Blue Angels over Long Island

Wellsville Balloon Rally

Wellsville Balloon Rally

out of rangeJuly 19-21, 2024 • event

Witness 35 hot air balloons gracefully float above the fields of Allegany County

Geneseo Airshow

Geneseo Airshow

out of rangeJuly 13-14, 2024 • event

Enjoy a jaw-dropping show at this unique drive-in event

Thunder on the Buffalo Waterfront Air Show

Thunder on the Buffalo Waterfront Air Show

on holdJune 19–20, 2021 • event

The magnificent Blue Angels of the U.S. Navy flying over Buffalo

Astoria Park Carnival

Astoria Park Carnival

unconfirmedJune 7–11, 2024 • event

Have an amazing time at New York's best carnival

Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival

Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival

out of rangeJune 7-9, 2024 • event

Welcome to a fantastic ballooning occasion held at the Cambridge Central School

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

out of rangeNovember 29, 2023–early January 2024 • event

For over seven decades, the Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center has stood as a holiday beacon for New Yorkers

Dansville Balloon Festival

Dansville Balloon Festival

on holdSeptember 2–5, 2022 • event

Each Labor Day weekend, the skies above the Dansville Airport are decorated with colorful hot air balloons

4th of July

4th of July

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

Amazing fireworks, special cruises, and lots of activities for the whole family

Letchworth State Park Fall Foliage

Letchworth State Park Fall Foliage

out of rangeOctober 18–21, 2023 • nature

Don't miss one of New York's most beautiful fall destinations

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets

out of rangeNovember–early January • event

New York City markets will help you get into the festive spirit and buy some presents for the whole family

Christmas in the Country in Hamburg, NY

Christmas in the Country in Hamburg, NY

out of rangeNovember 2–5, 2023 • event

This four-day extravaganza is an amazing opportunity to purchase something truly unique for your beloved ones

Hamburg Fairgrounds Festival of Lights

Hamburg Fairgrounds Festival of Lights

out of rangeNovember 24–December 30, 2023, select dates • event

The largest holiday festival in western New York State

Spiedie Fest

Spiedie Fest

unconfirmedearly August, 2024 • event

Impressive hot air balloons, family entertainment, and three nights of concerts

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

out of rangeSeptember 15–November 19, 2023 • event

Hudson Valley's biggest Halloween event

Buffalo Pride

Buffalo Pride

out of rangeJune 2, 2024 • event

The biggest LBGTQ event in Western New York

Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse

out of rangeApril 8, 2024 • event

Some spots on Earth wait for the moment of solar totality for hundreds or even thousands of years. To capture a spectacle, you have to be truly lucky

Lake George Winter Carnival

Lake George Winter Carnival

unconfirmedFebruary 5–27, 2024 (on selected dates) • event

A family-friendly month-long celebration of winter

Pageant of Steam

Pageant of Steam

out of rangeAugust 9–12, 2023 • event

Visit a huge outdoor display of operating farm machinery, dating back to the early 1900s

LaFayette Apple Festival

LaFayette Apple Festival

out of rangeOctober 12-13, 2024 • event

A fun-filled celebration of the fall harvest and nature's bounty

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

out of rangeFebruary 2-11, 2024 • event

Celebrate winter in the picturesque Adirondack region

New York Capital District Renaissance Festival

New York Capital District Renaissance Festival

out of rangeJune 8-9, 2024 • event

Escape modern reality to the Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont

Nyack Springfest Street Fair

Nyack Springfest Street Fair

out of rangeApril 14, 2024 • event

A legendary celebration of spring, food, and shopping

Wings Over Batavia

Wings Over Batavia

out of rangeAugust 31-September 1, 2024 • event

Don't think airshows can be family-friendly? Try this event!

Rochester International Jazz Festival

Rochester International Jazz Festival

out of rangeJune 21-29, 2024 • event

Join thousands of jazz fans at this resplendent music fest

Ice Tsunami

Ice Tsunami

out of rangemid-February–late March • nature

Surreal walls of broken ice occasionally pile up on lake shores

Ithaca Apple Festival

Ithaca Apple Festival

out of rangeSeptember 29–October 1, 2023 • event

Get a sense of fall at this vibrant harvest festival

Hudson Valley Pirate Festival

Hudson Valley Pirate Festival

out of rangeMay 11-12, 2024 • event

A themed, family-friendly festival by the Wallkill River

Niagara County Peach Festival in Lewiston

Niagara County Peach Festival in Lewiston

out of rangeSeptember 7–10, 2023 • event

Explore the world of peach cakes, pies, and shortcakes at the annual fruit extravaganza

Skiing near NYC: The Catskill Mountains

Skiing near NYC: The Catskill Mountains

out of rangeDecember–early April (best in January–February) • activity

Winter destinations in upstate New York offer a decent amount of snow for a weekend getaway

Cooperstown Winter Carnival

Cooperstown Winter Carnival

out of rangeFebruary 1-4, 2024 • event

Join winter fun activities on the bank of beautiful Otsego Lake

Clayton Christmas Parade

Clayton Christmas Parade

out of rangeDecember 2, 2023 • event

A beautiful parade and fireworks by Cape Vincent and Alexandria Bay

National Buffalo Wing Festival

National Buffalo Wing Festival

out of rangeSeptember 2–3, 2023 • event

One of the best food festivals in the U.S. celebrating iconic chicken wings

Skiing in the Adirondacks and Lake Placid Region

Skiing in the Adirondacks and Lake Placid Region

out of rangelate November–mid-April (best in February–March) • activity

Discover some of the best ski resorts in the Northeast

Saratoga Balloon & BBQ Festival

Saratoga Balloon & BBQ Festival

out of rangeJune 23–25, 2023 • event

Over 30 balloons and some of the best food vendors in New York is a perfect summer weekend formula

Penfield Fireworks

Penfield Fireworks

out of rangeJune 29, 2024 • event

Check out one of the 4th of July celebrations in Monroe County, NY

New York Faerie Festival

New York Faerie Festival

out of rangeJune 28-30, 2024 • event

Embrace the opportunity to become someone else at the resplendent celebration, shrouded in enchantment and mystery

Discover Niagara Shuttle

Discover Niagara Shuttle

out of rangeMay 26–October 9, 2023 • activity

Leave your car behind and explore the top sites on the hop-on/hop-off shuttle for free

Niagara Falls International Marathon

Niagara Falls International Marathon

out of rangeOctober 27, 2024 • event

The challenge that's worth a place on your bucket list

Corning Parade of Lights

Corning Parade of Lights

out of rangeNovember 25, 2023 • event

A holiday festival in a picturesque river town

Winter Birds

Winter Birds

out of rangemid-November–February • nature

Every winter, the Niagara River becomes a shelter for countless gulls, canvasback, ducks, geese, swans, and other waterfowl

Manlius Fireworks

Manlius Fireworks

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

Check out the 4th of July in a town in Onondaga County, east of Syracuse

Capital Holiday Lights in the Park

Capital Holiday Lights in the Park

unconfirmedlate November–early January • event

Get into the holiday spirit with family and friends in Albany Washington Park

Festival of Lights at Otsiningo Park

Festival of Lights at Otsiningo Park

out of rangeNovember 19–December 31, 2023 • event

Over a hundred animated displays to get you into the Christmas spirit

Syracuse Winterfest

Syracuse Winterfest

out of rangeFebruary 15-25, 2024 • event

Check out one of Central New York's coolest traditions from 1985

Saratoga Brewfest

Saratoga Brewfest

unconfirmedlate June 2023 • event

A large beer festival near Saratoga Springs

LuminoCity Festival

LuminoCity Festival

out of rangeNovember 9, 2023–January 7, 2024 • event

Magical immersive light installations in the park

Boonville Oneida County Fair

Boonville Oneida County Fair

out of rangeJuly 23-28, 2024 • event

The annual showcase of agriculture and plenty of traditional fun

Sterling Renaissance Festival

Sterling Renaissance Festival

out of rangeJuly 6-August 18, 2024 • event

One of Cayuga County's best summer attractions, held since 1976

ZooBrew

ZooBrew

out of rangeSeptember 8, 2023 • event

Live music, drinks, and delicious food at Seneca Park Zoo

Hudson Highlands State Park Fall Foliage

Hudson Highlands State Park Fall Foliage

out of rangemid-October  • nature

Discover some of the most scenic views in the Hudson Valley

Vision Festival

Vision Festival

out of rangeJune 10–18, 2023 • event

The premier live FreeJazz event in NYC

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