{"id":72781,"date":"2023-10-24T06:04:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T10:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=72781"},"modified":"2023-10-24T06:23:59","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T10:23:59","slug":"5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-trip-to-upstate-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/72781\/5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-trip-to-upstate-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Trip to Upstate New York"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York City may be the greatest city in the world, but Upstate New York might as well be the greatest state in the U.S. There&#8217;s a good reason why it&#8217;s called the Empire State. The fact that it has played a large role in the expansion and prosperity of the country speaks volumes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only does it hold historical significance, but the state is beautiful in all aspects. Much of this beauty lies in Upstate New York, with its vast valleys and townships that have stood the test of time. While visiting the Big Apple, why not <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/48218\/outdoor-adventures-new-york\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">escape the city&#8217;s noise and congestion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and enjoy the sights and sounds of Upstate New York?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Where Is Upstate New York?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travelers think about Upstate New York as an area north of New York City excluding the city itself. However, the term has always been a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesunion.com\/hudsonvalley\/travel\/article\/where-does-upstate-new-york-begin-17459400.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">subject of confusion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> even among longtime residents. Some may agree that towns and cities like Bear Mountain and Newburgh set the demarcating line between the Big Apple and the Upstate area.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Others think there&#8217;s no such thing as a physical boundary. You only need to know if you&#8217;re already within upstate territory. The lack of traffic and the feeling of fresh, clean air are some of the signs that tell you have escaped the urban jungle.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whichever school of thought you subscribe to, you can just agree that Upstate New York looks and feels different compared to the metropolitan area it&#8217;s mostly famous for. It\u2019s a challenge for every traveler to look past NYC and savor every bit of what the Upstate has to offer. Here are some of the best things you can do in Upstate New York that will make for a memorable out-of-town trip.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Take a Tour to Niagara Falls<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider this in everyone\u2019s list of must-see Upstate attractions, but to be able to view Niagara Falls in person is an altogether magical experience. You will have to be there yourself to believe that the place isn\u2019t just any ordinary natural wonder.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can choose walking tour packages offered by different travel guides. These tours will take you across the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/72250\/ny-city-to-canada-6-beautiful-places-you-need-to-visit-in-canada\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American and Canadian borders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and treat you to a wonderful array of natural attractions. Consider taking a tour of all three waterfalls comprising the area itself, but the most scenic among them has to be Horseshoe Falls.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Watch this to get a glimpse:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8Kt6rjuM3R8?si=RkT7iLK99ug5cLzS\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Go Boating in the Major Lakes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think boating is a great cure for wellness, then the entire state has some of the best places for you to drift away. Even the city of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmyboat.com\/journal\/company-news\/2023s-most-popular-boating-cities-in-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York is the 18th most popular boating city in America<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because of the plentiful waterfront areas littered across the Big Apple.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know for sure that Upstate New York won\u2019t disappoint because some of the country\u2019s best-looking lakes are found in this vast expanse. A case in point is Lake Seneca. Perfect for swimming, fishing, and water sports like kitesurfing. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptny.org\/newsandmedia\/e-news-1\/2020\/02\/20-attractions-along-erie-canal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Erie Canalway<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also a top destination for people wanting to learn more about the area\u2019s shared history with Canada. The canal features a cruise tour that travels 500 miles across all the major lakes in the region.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to be closer to nature, then consider the Great Sacandaga Lake with its rich wildlife consisting of bald eagles and freshwater fish that includes rainbow trout and rock bass. Be sure to bring along a rod in case you\u2019re in the mood to catch some delicious fish for dinner.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Watch this video to learn more:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W-I1nTvrrnU?si=6KnnX32RJIEvJK08\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Watch Horse Racing At the Saratoga Race Course<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the 1860s, the Saratoga Race Course has seen its fair share of major horse races. Located in the sleepy town of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/24768\/things-to-do-in-saratoga-springs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saratoga Springs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the race course is regarded as one of the country\u2019s oldest sporting venues, the top spot being given to the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a place to watch horse racing history unfold, the Saratoga Race Course has nurtured a notorious reputation as the place where champion horses either lost big or retired. It was in 1973 that Secretariat was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/saratogaliving.com\/when-secretariat-lost-at-saratoga\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outraced in the Whitney Handicap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going beyond its moniker as the graveyard of champions, the Saratoga Race Course should be on anyone\u2019s list of attractions to visit in Upstate New York. Make sure to book your trip for August so you can witness Travers Day, one of the country\u2019s most iconic sporting events.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Watch this video to get a glimpse:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XfT_VSndOEA?si=JmKG_QyWH1ZszAEY\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Go Rock Climbing At Ausable Chasm<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If watching horses outrace each other isn\u2019t your thing and you gravitate more towards extreme activities, then Ausable Chasm might be the best place to satisfy your hunger for adventure. Situated in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/61545\/3-ways-to-find-fall-in-the-adirondacks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adirondacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the chasm features scenic sandstone formations that would remind you of the Grand Canyon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to activities, there\u2019s a long list of adrenaline-pumping options for extreme adventurers like you. There are countless hiking trails you can take on foot or by mountain bike. The place is also a great venue for rock climbing and rappelling. If you haven\u2019t tried both, then Ausable Chasm should give you everything you need for a breathtaking experience in Upstate New York.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Watch this video to learn more:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yEPjAx5jpUA?si=TGGEBVzG4JCFOAKk\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Visit Bannerman Castle<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t have to visit Bavaria in Germany to look at castles that became the inspiration for royal dwellings in famous fairytales. Just drive to Beacon and you will find Bannerman Castle. Sitting solitarily on Pollepel Island in the middle of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/60758\/easily-explore-history-culture-and-nature-on-the-hudson-river-with-this-new-app\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hudson River<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the structure isn\u2019t a real castle. It\u2019s an abandoned warehouse used by the military as a storage facility for munitions.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, it\u2019s a major tourist draw in the Hudson River. Walking tours and cruises are available to anyone interested in seeing the structure in all its glory and learning about the importance of preserving heritage buildings. Occasionally, the place is used as a venue for live concerts, film screenings, and canoe tours, with the main structure standing gorgeously in the background.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Watch this video to learn more:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zetJILSLJDI?si=Y5d178zWrHESo5jJ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Endnote<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does a trip to Upstate New York sound like a good idea to pursue next year? Make your plans as early as now with these suggestions. There are numerous surprises waiting for you there.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New York City may be the greatest city in the world, but Upstate New York might as well be the greatest state in the U.S. There&#8217;s a good reason why it&#8217;s called the Empire State. The fact that it has played a large role in the expansion and prosperity of the country speaks volumes. Not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":72782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786,325,745],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-72781","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-boating-adventure-activity-2","8":"category-new-york","9":"category-upstate-new-york-destination"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":72782,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Ways-to-Make-the-Most-of-Your-Trip-to-Upstate-New-York-350x230.jpeg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/149"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72781\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}