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Author: Erin Faherty

Erin Faherty was a member of the Digital Marketing Team of I LOVE NY from 2018-2021. She is obsessed with traveling and always up for an adventure.

Market Street Brewing Co. & Restaurant street view

Corning, New York is the perfect stepping stone to explore the southern Finger Lakes. You’re probably most familiar with the name as a tribute to glass art and innovation, thanks to the famed Corning Museum of Glass, a must-see while in town—but you’ll find much more to love in this charming city along the Chemung River.

Clinton Square Syracuse

Syracuse’s prime location along the Erie Canal helped establish it as an industrial powerhouse, but today, the powerhouses in the city are barbecue, family fun, shopping, college basketball, and of

Dark pink cherry blossoms surround the Unisphere at flushing meadows corona park

If you visit New York City without visiting at least one outer borough, you’re not really seeing New York City. While Brooklyn gets a lot of attention, we’d like to introduce you to Queens. Queens is the most culturally diverse county in the US so you can bet your taste buds will be pleased. The borough is also home to world-class museums, exciting sports, and excellent views. Here's how to spend a weekend in this diverse, appealing borough! Credit: @nyclovesnyc on Instagram

Rows of colorful chocolates behind the glass in a shop
Credit: @onlyheretoeat on Instagram

You know about the M&Ms store in Times Square, we’ve told you where to get some of the best chocolate-covered donuts in the state, and we’ve even spilled the

Broadway sign NYC

You don’t have to go to Times Square and the Theater District in NYC to have an all-star Broadway experience that will still leave you singing your favorite tunes for months.

Walkway Over The Hudson - Photo Courtesy of Beautiful Destinations

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly getaway, look no further than New York State. The environment is important to us, as demonstrated by our 180 state parks and more than 50 nature reserves. More than a century ago, a “Forever Wild” clause was added to the New York Constitution to protect more than 2.6 million acres of the Adirondacks and more than 287,000 acres in the Catskills and keep them as a Forest Preserve.

Street view of Troy, NY
Credit: @sandrafoyt on Instagram
Updated 4/2/26

Troy sometimes gets overlooked as a small city outside of Albany (just 15 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 boost 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.

NYS Capitol Building

Credit: @abovealbany & @Amityphotos.com

The Capital-Saratoga region is well-known for its Revolutionary War history, farming communities, and craft beverage scene. But did you know that the potato chip was invented right in Saratoga or that the character of Uncle Sam is said to be modeled after a former resident of Troy? Settle in as we take you through 11 more secrets of the Capital-Saratoga region for foodies, history lovers, appreciators of art and architecture, and travelers looking to get off the beaten path.

View of Bannerman Castle from Breakneck Ridge in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. A mostly undeveloped preserve of nearly 6,000 acres, Beacon, NY, Dutchess County, Hudson Valley Region

The Hudson Valley has been a hot spot for centuries so you can imagine how many secrets it must hold. We’ve uncovered off-the-beaten-path attractions and experiences below, including how to make a luxury resort more affordable and where to find one of the best hot dogs you’ll ever try. The picturesque scenery, the farm-to-table dining, and charming small towns that will round out your visit are not secret, nor is it a surprise that the Hudson Valley is one of the easiest getaways from NYC. Start planning your trip now, especially if you’d like to experience the splendor of fall foliage season.

Boldt Castle in Thousand Islands

The name of the Thousand Islands is not an exaggeration—there are more than 1,800 islands straddling the US-Canada border in the freshwater St. Lawrence River. The gorgeous coastline, spectacular castles, and the opportunities for boating and fishing make this region something of a best-kept secret in itself.