I Love New York Blog

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In New York State, cute critters are more than internet clickbait; they can be part of a great getaway for every member of the family. Your choices aren’t limited to zoos and aquariums, though New York has a world-class collection of those across the state. There are also farm experiences, animal sanctuaries, nature preserves, and even online animal encounters, all providing unique animal experiences and chances to interact with wildlife. No two visits are ever the same, not only because living creatures are unpredictable, but because these destinations are constantly adding new exhibits, experiences, and even residents! Here’s what’s unique when it comes to meeting irresistible furry, feathered, and finned friends across New York State.

Updated: 1/10/2022

Anybody can do dinner and a movie—but how about impressing that extraordinary someone in your life with an extraordinary date?  With Valentine’s Day soon approaching, planning a special romantic outing—whether it's an evening or a weekend—is a sure way to make you a hero, and New York State provides a breathtaking array of activities that will help you break the ice on a new romance or warm up a lifelong partnership.

Thoughts unavoidably turn to the North Pole this time of year, and the lesser-known North Pole sits in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain in New York's Adirondack Park. It's a real town (hamlet, actually, in the town of Wilmington) in the state's northeast corner, just about 12 miles from Lake Placid. Appropriately, it's home to Santa's Workshop, believed to be the nation's oldest theme park.

With a famous name that appeals to the Halloween fan in everyone, Sleepy Hollow is a great weekend getaway destination, and not only on October 31. As the birthplace of the Headless Horseman, and with neighboring Tarrytown being the former home of Legend of Sleepy Hollow author Washington Irving, the village goes all out for Halloween, with weekly festivals, hayrides, and parades. The area also offers a plethora of multi-season attractions that travelers can enjoy all year round.

As autumn brings a chill to the air, haunted houses, hayrides, and attractions all across New York can send a chill down your spine. Here are the freaky, spooky, and the not-too-scary things you need to check out for Halloween. …

For those who seek it, New York State has a darker side to show off to fans of the offbeat, eerie, or macabre. Discover ghosts, haunted hotels, and creepy graveyards when you check out these spooky spots. 

Oscar night is upon us on March 4 -- and that's the closest thing we have to a national holiday for film. So it’s a perfect time to look at all the attractions and locations there are for movie lovers to visit all across New York State.

Canandaigua literally means "the chosen spot," and this charming Finger Lakes town, just 24 miles south of Rochester on the northern shores of Canandaigua Lake, is the right choice for an active but relaxing getaway.  Unlike many vacation spots, it favors neither summer nor winter, but instead always has a great variety of things to see and do any time of year. …

Looking for thrills and chills this summer? New York's amusement parks have you covered with some of the world's best roller coasters! In addition to these favorites, keep an eye out for news on Darien Lake's newest coaster, Tantrum, scheduled to open in 2018.

Love is in the air! Whether you're looking for post-nuptial bliss or just a relaxing weekend getaway for two, New York's iconic honeymoon spots have got something for every type of romance-seeker.