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Author: Ross D. Levi

Ross D. Levi is the Executive Director & VP, NYS Division of Tourism / Empire State Development. He also did marketing in the film industry for studios including Universal, Miramax and 20th Century Fox, and is a published author and lecturer on cinema.

A couple ice skating at Mohonk Mountain House
Credit: @morningtimelimetogether on Instagram

Anybody can do dinner and a moviebut how about impressing that extraordinary someone in your life with an extraordinary date?  With Valentine’s Day soon approaching, planning a special romantic outingwhether it's an evening or a weekendis 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.

Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.

Nicole Brydon Bloom and Blake Ritson in a scene from the Gilded Age filmed at Old Westbury Gardens
Credit: Barbara Nitke/Courtesy of HBO

Want to immerse yourself in the New York high society of yesteryear? As HBO’s The Gilded Age wraps up its second season, the battles between New York’s ‘old and

Santa's Workshop - Photo Courtesy of Santa's Workshop

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.

Mount Hope Cemetery

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. 

Rich orange leaves blanket Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in the fall
Credit: @arturoexplores on Instagram

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

Headless Horseman Hayride & Haunted House

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, creepy, and the not-too-scary things you need to check out for Halloween. 

The entrance to LEGOLAND New York

Credit: @kathybucciotv on Instagram

Tucked amid the gentle rolling hills of the Hudson Valley, the quaint village of Goshen, which dates back to the early 1700s, is full of history, architectural gems, and a charming walkable downtown that make it easy to see why Smithsonian Magazine named it one of the best small towns in the U.S. to visit. There’s plenty of fun and adventure to be had at the Northeast’s first LEGOLAND theme park

Sagamore Hotel - Photo Courtesy of The Sagamore

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.

People wave their arms in the air as they ascend the Jack Rabbit roller coaster at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester
Credit: @ianbeers on Instagram

Looking for thrills and chills this summer? New York's amusement parks have you covered with some of the world's best and most iconic roller coasters!

Masks are

A giraffe licks a hand at Animal Adventure Park
Credit: @slevels07ec on Instagram

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.