I Love New York Blog

In case you missed it, February 20 was National Love Your Pet Day, but let’s be honest, what day isn’t? We know it’s hard to truly enjoy yourself when spending time apart from your fur baby, but finding pet-friendly accommodations isn’t always easy. Well, you and Fido are in luck. New York State has plenty of pet-friendly getaway options, from campgrounds, beaches, and dog parks, to upscale inns and hotels. Read on to find the trip that’s pawsitively perfect for you and your pooch.

With waterfront parks, open-air restaurants, vintage boutiques, and historic downtowns, these New York villages are storybook settings you can revisit time and time again. Explore these walking-friendly, charming locations and see why people are falling in love with New York's villages. …

How do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day? Whether you hail from Irish ancestry or just want to get decked out in green, here are some St. Patrick's Day parades and festivals in New York State to make this holiday the best one yet. Céad míle fáilte to New York!…

Every family has their classic vacation go-to destinations. But what about when your kids (and you) are craving something a little different? Give your crew a taste of something exciting and new when you venture to one of New York’s lesser-known treasures. Your next unforgettable escape is hiding right around the corner.

New York State is home to some of the country’s most beautiful and thrilling skiing destinations. It should be no surprise that it’s also home to amazing après-ski options, no matter what you’re looking for. Get cozy over a craft beer or local wine, warm yourself to the core in a steamy sauna and treat your muscles to a Swedish massage, or delight the kiddos and keep the fun going until bedtime. If you’re exploring Whiteface Mountain or Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks, read on to find amazing options nearby to craft the perfect winter experience.

In like a lion, out like a lamb, March can be a bit fickle. But this means you get to enjoy the last of your winter fun plus a fresh taste of spring weather. And even better, New York has amazing events all month long to make the most of it. Since some parts of the state are in winter mode longer than others, get ready for a mix of winter and spring carnivals, St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and Mardi Gras celebrations to help you savor the change in seasons.

It's never too early to start planning your summer vacation, but it's also not too late. Now's the time to figure out things to do this Memorial Day Weekend and beyond. Some of New York State's most glorious summer destinations book up before spring even makes its official entrance, so do yourself a favor and start planning your sunny getaway now. Here are just a few summer vacation ideas that are sure to help you relax and keep your whole crew entertained. …

There are easy escapes from the stress of everyday life right here in New York State. Retreat at these bliss-inducing spas where heated pools and massages will melt away your worries. After an afternoon (or a weekend) ​at these calming retreats, you'll have no trouble facing the world. …

Credit: Sean Mills

You’re probably most familiar with Long Island as a summer vacation destination, and we don’t blame you for that. After all, Long Island’s gorgeous, award-winning beaches attract summer visitors from around the world, city-dwellers looking for a weekend escape, and celebrity-moguls such as Robert DeNiro, Kelly Ripa, Steven Spielberg, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. But there are three other seasons of the year, and this region of New York State shines through them all, even when the sun doesn’t. Off-the-beaten-path destinations on Long Island offer surprises for all kinds of visitors, from families looking for relaxing nature or enriching cultural experiences to travelers looking to explore one of the first LGBT communities in the country.

Credit: @troyinnovation

Troy sometimes gets overlooked as a suburb of Albany (just 20 minutes up and across the Hudson River from the capital), but it has come into its own in recent years as enterprising newcomers aim to put this city of 50,000 on the map. A former steel and textile manufacturing center, Troy once produced detachable collars for men’s shirts, thus you’ll see the nickname “Collar City” around town. At the peak of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s, Troy was the 4th-richest city in the United States. Today, another revolution has arrived as Trojans passionate about revitalizing their hometown have gone all in on farm-to-table dining, trendy breweries, unique shopping, and performing arts, all while preserving a mix of Victorian, Greek-Revival, Gothic-Revival, and Georgian architecture. Here’s how to enjoy a weekend in an emerging enclave that’s on the verge of evolving from hidden gem to hip destination.