There is nothing quite as dreamy as being able to say “I’m heading Upstate.” And the verdict is in: Upstate New York is a stunning region that lies north and northwest of New York City. It is replete with picturesque apple picking and leaf peeping in the fall, along with cozy lodgings and exciting activities to enjoy year-round. It truly is a seemingly endless list of getaway destinations, no matter the season. What’s more, the area is incredibly beautiful. From a blueberry farm with its own treehouse to a sculpture garden and nature preserves, here are the most beautiful places to visit in Upstate New York.
Blueberry Treehouse Farm
West Falls
Blueberry Treehouse Farm has become a popular fall getaway spot for city dwellers, as evidenced by its TikTok fame. Once a private blueberry farm for 35 years, the owners, Jyl and Rico Rivera, opened the farm and cafe to the public in 2015. In addition to picking berries (the season runs from June to September), guests can relax in the stunning treehouse space, stroll along string light-lined pathways, cozy up by fire pits, play cornhole, and enjoy seasonal drinks, many of which incorporate the surrounding fruits. During the fall, the farm is only open on weekends, and it’s best to check the events calendar for live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 pm. Additionally, there is no admission fee for the rest of the year, reservations are not required, and the entire property is dog-friendly.
Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass
Corning
The glass collections at this unique museum are fascinating, but it’s the striking 100,000-square-foot Contemporary Art and Design Wing that attracts visitors to the Finger Lakes. Daily live glass-blowing demos are available, and there are exhibitions on artwork from recent seasons of “Blown Away,” artist lectures, farmers markets, and the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass (55,000 objects from the past 35 centuries). One of the visitors’ favorites is the make-your-own-glass experiences, which range from 15 minutes to an hour.
Falling Waters Preserve
Glasco
A two-hour drive from NYC, Falling Waters Preserve in Ulster County is a small and relatively unknown nature preserve that is free from the usual crowds that frequent popular trails. When you visit, you can immerse yourself in the lush environment and truly experience a forest bath as you take in the expanse of trees as far as the eye can see. Hiking the Father Charles Jorn trail will lead you to a waterfall cascading down rock ledges, and further on, you’ll reach the coastline for a mini beach and views of the Hudson River across the foliage. The preserve offers fishing opportunities, and there are historical signposts on the trail that detail the remnants of an icehouse, which once stored ice blocks harvested from the Hudson for shipment to NYC in the pre-refrigerator era. After your exploration, drive 10 minutes to the Village of Saugerties, a charming and walkable area, for food, drinks, independent shops, and a historic lighthouse.
Fishkill Creek
Beacon
Fishkill Creek is a tributary of the Hudson River that flows into a small estuary south of Beacon. The name comes from the Dutch translation for “fish creek” due to the abundance of alewife, white perch, and other fish species in its waters. At the end of Main Street, you’ll find uniquely independent businesses like the Hudson Valley Marshmallow Company and Beacon Bath and Bubble. Your ears will first notice the sound of the rushing water before your eyes are drawn to a short cascading waterfall accessible across abandoned rail tracks. Enjoy the views that open up to a truly beautiful landscape of trees, rocks, and foliage-covered mountains across the creek. It’s free and open year-round, so take nature pictures in your seasonal outfits.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff
Derby
In the tiny hamlet of Derby on Lake Erie, you’ll find Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff, an estate designed for the architect’s benefactors, the Martin family. Built between 1926 and 1931, the restored estate sits at the edge of the lake, where the 70-foot limestone cliffs served as inspiration for Wright’s work. Take a landscape tour of the property to see its gardens, pond, and the first floor of the main house. The estate is open year-round, so it’s best to book tours in advance for a lovely experience.
Griffis Sculpture Park
East Otto
In the 1960s, artist Larry Griffis had the idea to create what would become the first sculpture park in the US while watching his children play in the ruins of an emperor’s villa in Italy. Today, at Griffis Sculpture Park, visitors can bike 10 miles of trails through woods, fields, ponds, and over 250 sculptures arranged by themes such as animals, figures, and castles. The sculpture park hosts annual events with art, food, drum circles, light installations, and more. You can rent a bike from Tom’s Pro Bike in Buffalo to work up a sweat.
Ruth Reynolds Glunt Nature Preserve
Saugerties
Located on a sandbar in the Hudson River, this nature preserve in the Village of Saugerties is small but teeming with biodiversity: nesting bald eagles, ducks, and invasive species like the Eurasian water chestnut. With a marshy area and a fairly deep sandy trail, you can bask in the tranquility of the area while only hearing the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects. Just 10 minutes away is the highlight of the preserve, the Saugerties Lighthouse, which is a unique structure that doubles as a small accommodation for weekend stays. From the river deck, you can enjoy views of boaters and kayakers on the Hudson River, and in the right season, you can see beautiful fall foliage across the river.
The Secret Sidewalk
Rochester
A mile west of Ontario Beach Park in the small hamlet of Charlotte is the most idyllic street you’ll ever see. Although it’s technically in Rochester, it feels like you’ve stepped into Monet’s Garden in Sainte-Adresse in northwestern France. The Secret Sidewalk is a public walkway, but the residents of the expansive lakefront homes from the early 20th century prefer to keep their slice of paradise off the tourist radar. So, just relax, don’t take selfies, and enjoy your Abbott’s Frozen Custard like the locals do.
Troutbeck
Amenia
Follow in the footsteps of Hemingway, Hughes, Thoreau, and Emerson by visiting Troutbeck, a timeless cool kids’ club for creatives, forest bathers, and those who appreciate laid-back luxury. Since 1765, the property has served as a country inn, a tavern, and the site of two meetings that led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In this new era of digital nomadism and workcations, it’s not the mountains that are calling, but this romantic 250-acre historic estate. The numerous book nooks are intoxicating; the farm-to-table restaurant alone is worth the two-hour train ride; the wellness facility is like a shot of serotonin, and the activities are top-notch in any season – think tennis, swimming, and riverside hammocks in summer, and ax throwing, falconry excursions, and après-ski in winter. Whether you’re on or off the clock, don’t be surprised if you find yourself doodling, pouring out pent-up thoughts onto paper, and sipping an Old Fashioned like it’s your job.
Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area
Fort Edward
Fly to this 13,000-acre bird sanctuary near the historic Hudson River town of Fort Edward. The Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA) is a year-round paradise for birdwatchers amidst picturesque farmland and rolling hills, and the critical grassland habitat offers a fascinating experience for expert and amateur ornithologists to observe grassland birds. Among the more than 100 species that breed here are snowy owls, red-tailed hawks, Northern Harriers, and the state-endangered short-eared owl. Furthermore, the IBA does an excellent job of protecting grassland, biodiversity, and mitigating climate change by not releasing carbon during grassland fires. Walk the half-mile trail and take in 360-degree views from the observation deck, and if you’re a keen ornithologist, there is a public access Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area with acres of grassland habitat to spot threatened species. If you prefer, there are guided bird walks and tours available for reservation depending on the season.
The Wild Walk
Tupper Lake
Head to this 81-acre nature lover’s paradise filled with white pines and biodiversity. Nestled 45 feet above the ground in the Adirondack forest at the Wild Center (the first LEED-certified museum in New York), this permanent High Line-inspired Wild Walk exhibit is available for reservations and is the only elevated tree-top trail in the state. Tower above the ground from the special human-sized nest for a bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy, take in the spectacular panorama from atop a four-story white pine (the tallest trees in the Adirondacks) while keeping an eye out for bald eagles or act like a superhero and suspend yourself from the treetops on a web. Don’t forget to look out for the Snags – towering remnants of white pines struck and snapped off by lightning – which are home to the biodiversity of the area.
Izzy Baskette is the New York City Staff Writer for Thrillist. You can reach her at izzy.baskette@voxmedia.com or find her on Instagram.
Lauren Matison is a contributor for Thrillist.
