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Author: I LOVE NY Staff
Fort Ticonderoga

Memorial Day is just around the corner, marking the unofficial start of the summer season. Welcome the warm weather with an unforgettable long weekend in New York State. Beaches and parks are officially open, the sun is out, and everyone is ready to celebrate. Whether you’re with a significant other, family, friends, or all of the above—here are some great destinations to kick off your summer right!

American Roots Music Festival

Get your sunscreen ready… it’s music festival season in New York State! From jazz to blues to indie rock to classical to country, there's a festival to satisfy every music lover.

A family of four gathered around a touch tank while a boy holds a crab at the Long Island Aquarium

Moms deserve the world! From a whitewater rafting family adventure to cooking classes at The Culinary Institute of America to vibrant flower festivals, New York has something special for every mom and maternal figure in your life. Read on for some unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in the Empire State. 

A Japanese tree with twisted branches and a stone structure

New York is a great place to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. From visiting a treasured Buddhist temple in the Catskills to feeling the peace and wisdom of nature at a Hudson Valley Japanese stroll garden to enjoying Burmese cuisine in Buffalo, here are ways to learn about, appreciate, and experience Asian Pacific American culture and history in New York State! 

An aerial view of Sagamore Resort on the edge of bright blue Lake George with the Minne Ha Ha ship passing before it
Credit: Courtesy of Sagamore Resort

Get ready for some eggcellent springtime fun with colorful events, festive brunches, and more across New York State. With Easter taking place April 20 and Passover from April 12 through April 20 this year, and events taking place the week before the both holidays, there’s tons of exciting opportunities to celebrate. Here’s where you can find holiday activities and events in the Empire State.

A chocolate dipped waffle cone with a scoop of ice cream from Purity Ice Cream Co. in Ithaca

New York State is home to celebrated wine regions, the verdant farm-to-table hotbed in the Hudson Valley, and some of the best microbrews, cheeses, and chocolates found anywhere. Why not take a self-guided culinary adventure and discover the bounty of the Empire State?

Main Street in Catskill at night

How many main streets in New York have you shopped? With unique architecture, beautiful window displays, and business-lined sidewalks, the state boasts some of the best main streets for shopping. From classic souvenirs and high-end clothes

Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade - Photo by James Cahill

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!

Four people stand on podiums with raised arms under a sunny sky at the Olympic Jumping Complex, flanked by flags.

New York State has been the home of monumental moments in Black history. From Harlem’s jazz scene to Frederick Douglass’ legacy in Rochester to Harriet Tubman’s home in Auburn, explore the people, places, and stories that shaped America on a weekend getaway to New York State destinations rich in Black culture, history, and heritage.

The northern end of Lake George from a lookout on Black Mountain in the Adirondacks.

New York State is covered in beloved hiking trails that guide trekkers through its diverse natural terrains. Popular hikes are well-traveled for good reason, but don’t sleep on New York’s hidden gem hikes! Enjoy the peace and quiet of nature mostly to yourself with these hikes organized by easy, medium, and difficult. Be aware of weather conditions before heading out, and familiarize yourself with how to practice responsible recreation in New York State.