NEWSLETTER
Go solo on your next adventure in New York State! With unique lodging, award-winning wineries, and exhilarating outdoor experiences, New York State has endless opportunities to explore. From finding serenity in the mountains to sampling local cuisine during a farm stay, you’ll have an extraordinary self-indulgent journey.
Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available. Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing.
Updated 8/1/22
Take a group cooking class at the Carriage House Cooking School (Adirondacks)
Courtesy of @carriagehousecookingschool
Expand your palate—and recipe book—by learning how to make a new dish at the Carriage House Cooking School in Peru. “Risotto Stirred Simplicity” is just one example of the interactive cooking classes available for all levels of cooks. The class will help you master the art and science of making great risotto as you create three scrumptious dishes that spotlight sausage, seafood, and mushrooms. Participating in a class is a great way to meet other travelers while learning about the flavors and ingredients of the local region. Price varies depending on the class.
Sip wine along Seneca Lake (Finger Lakes)
Embark on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail to discover picturesque wineries located along one of the pristine Finger Lakes. With award-winning wines and breathtaking views, enjoy wine tastings at your pick of more than 30 wineries, which include Glenora Wine Cellars in Dundee, Miles Wine Cellars in Himrod, Three Brothers Wineries & Estates in Geneva, and Belhurst Estate Winery in Geneva. If you’re interested in tasting at multiple wineries, look into transportation options with local limousines and tours. Also, check out the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail and the Keuka Lake Wine Trail to explore other top wineries in the Finger Lakes.
Enjoy a farm stay at WhistleWood Farm (Hudson Valley)
Courtesy of @starr24
With uniquely decorated rooms and treats such as homemade pies throughout the day, WhistleWood Farm Bed and Breakfast in Rhinebeck offers a simple yet incredible farm stay. Using locally sourced ingredients, WhistleWood Farm features breakfast dishes like buttermilk pancakes, eggs, fruit, and more. During the day, interact with the animals on the farm—horses, cows, chickens, and donkeys—and walk along the farm’s trails to get a sense of the beauty of the Hudson Valley.
Take an outdoor skills workshop with ADK Mountain Club (Adirondacks)
Courtesy of @adkmtnclub
Outdoor enthusiasts or aspiring outdoor enthusiasts—get ready to explore the wilderness by taking a skills workshop with the ADK Mountain Club. Some of this year’s workshops include “Backcountry Water Monitoring,” where you learn how to identify native and non-native species on the water “Map and Compass Fundamentals Workshop,” where you develop important map and compass skills, and “Outdoor Leadership,” where you learn how to become an outdoor leader. Some workshops are free while others have a cost, and registration is available online.
Relax at YO1 Health Resort (Catskills)
Get pampered on a getaway to YO1 Health Resort in Monticello, an Ayurvedic health center with personalized treatments. Day passes include a massage, a mud or hydrotherapy treatment, a yoga session, a meditation session, three vegetarian meals, a fresh cold-pressed juice, and access to the locker room, indoor pool, fitness center, and walking/biking trails. A three-day wellness program and health management programs are also available. Take some time to yourself or interact with fellow guests during your visit. Please make reservations in advance.
Go whitewater rafting (Thousand Islands-Seaway and Adirondacks)
Are you ready for a thrilling whitewater rafting experience? The Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers should be next on your list! With rafting trips in both the Thousand Islands and Adirondacks, there are ample opportunities to explore from the water. The Black River, near Watertown, offers a fun experience in the summer months. Each trip includes an “on-river snack” and beverage. The Hudson River trip in the Adirondacks features 15 miles of Class 3–4 rapids. If you’re looking for a less adrenaline-fueled trip, try rafting in the summer or fall, as the rafting season runs April through October. Both trips focus on safety and are led by experienced guides. Also, check out the Adirondack River Outfitters whitewater rafting trips in the Black River, the Hudson River, and the Moose River. For exhilarating rapids, visit Moose River in April. For less intense water, go later in the season when the river is perfect for beginners and families. Price varies for both whitewater rafting providers.
Go underground at Howe Caverns (Central New York)
Head 156-feet underground to explore impressive caves and rock formations illuminated by colorful lights at Howe Caverns. With a temperature of 52 degrees all year long, the caves are the perfect location for visitors of all ages—any time of the year! The Traditional Tour offers a 90-minute experience with exploration on foot and by boat. For a nighttime experience, try the two-hour Lantern Tour—offered by reservation-only Friday and Saturday nights in the summer and on select weekends in the winter. The Lantern Tour is only for guests 16 years of age and older. Price varies and reservations must be made online. Open everyday 9am-5pm through Labor Day. Tours leave every hour. Advance tours must be booked online.
Visit Montauk Lighthouse (Long Island)
A trip to the East End of Long Island isn’t complete without stopping at the Montauk Lighthouse. The National Historic Landmark, built in 1796, was the first lighthouse in New York State. Once you’ve seen the views from the lighthouse grounds, learn the significant history of the Montauk Lighthouse at their on-site museum, where you’ll see photographs, documents, and more showcasing the site’s story. Adults: $13; seniors: $8; children (up to 12 years old and with a minimum height requirement of 41”): $5.
Explore the Saratoga Spa State Park (Capital-Saratoga)
Whether you’re driving along the Avenue of the Pines or walking along a tree-lined path in the woods, the Saratoga Spa State Park is a not-to-be-missed destination that’s beautiful throughout the year. The more than 2,000-acre park is home to a multitude of outdoor activities. Take a drink from the mineral springs, and see the geyser and limestone formations. In the summer months, swim in the park’s pools, and, in the winter months, go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or ice skating. Price varies depending on the season and activity, sometimes it’s free.
Sit at the bar and eat dinner at a Buffalo Corner Tavern (Greater Niagara)
From classic dishes and drink specials to original decor and friendly faces, a stop at one of Buffalo’s Corner Taverns will make you feel like a local on your solo journey. With each corner tavern offering its own unique history, enjoy a meal at the bar while hearing stories from years past. Rohall’s Corner, located on the corner of Amherst and Reservation Streets in the Black Rock neighborhood, features several different wines and beers—some even served from their authentic wooden coolers. The Place, located in Elmwood Village on the corner of Lexington and Ashland Avenues, initially opened in the 1870s and was officially named “The Place” in 1941. Their chef created menu changes daily to offer the most exciting, fresh options. No matter which Buffalo Corner Tavern you choose, the combination of history and hospitality won’t disappoint.
Participate in a workshop at the Living Glass Gallery (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Channel your creativity at the Living Glass Gallery in Westfield. The glass studio and gallery offers classes year-round for learners 12 years of age and older. Learn how to create stained glass pieces—there are classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced artists—or create a mosaic piece during “The Art of Mosaics” workshop. While you’re there, browse the gallery for beautiful creations by Living Glass Gallery’s owner, Denise Williams, and other local artists. The gallery is open on Saturdays from 10 am–4 pm or by appointment. Summer hours are from May–August and include additional open days. Price varies.
Browse the extensive collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)
With more than two million pieces on display, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the Met, is an oasis for art appreciators of all generations. Representing more than 5,000 years of history from across the world, the Met features current exhibitions that run for a shorter amount of time and ongoing exhibitions that act as staples of the museum. The Met also hosts pieces by renowned artists, such as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock, to name a few. Open daily; Sunday–Thursday from 10 am–5:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am–9 pm. General admission price varies.
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