I Love New York Blog

The southern shore of Lake Ontario covers more than 200 miles of prime New York State waterfront, offering exciting getaway ideas for families, fishing enthusiasts, history buffs, and more. It leads into the St. Lawrence River and the remarkable Thousand Islands-Seaway region, a fishing, boating, and sightseeing paradise. Read on for ideas on how to spend a weekend enjoying this Great Lake and scenic river, as well as the cities, towns, and attractions that make this area such a sought-after destination. Outdoors enthusiasts take note: 30 state parks along the shores are offering half-price vehicle entry and camping through October 14, 2019. Make your reservation now⁠! 

Participating state parks include:

• Lake Ontario: Chimney Bluffs; Fair Haven; Fort Niagara; Four Mile Creek; Golden Hill; Hamlin Beach; Lakeside Beach; Mexico Point boat launch; Oak Orchard; Sandy Island Beach; Selkirk Shores; Southwick Beach; Westcott Beach; Wilson-Tuscarora.
• St. Lawrence River: Burnham Point; Canoe-Picnic Point; Cedar Island; Cedar Point; Coles Creek; Dewolf Point; Grass Point; Jacques Cartier; Keewaydin; Kring Point; Long Point; Mary Island; Robert Moses; Rock Island; Waterson Point; Wellesley Island. 

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Meet Buffalo, New York’s second-largest city—home to world-famous food, a legendary minor league baseball team, and tons of fun things for the whole family to do. Niagara Falls is just a short drive away, but it doesn’t have to steal the spotlight! Buffalo is bursting with places to eat, explore, stroll, and even dig for treasures. Read on to see why your kids (and you) will fall in love.

There's no denying that waterfalls are some of the most spectacular (and Instagram-worthy) of Mother Nature's creations. Upstate New York, thanks to tens of thousands of years of shifting plates and erosion (and occasionally human engineering), is home to some incredibly stunning falls. Here's just a few of the gorgeous waterfalls you'll want to snap a selfie in front of this fall.

After the initial few weeks of jubilance about being out of school for the summer, the kids may soon tire of video game controllers, ice cream headaches, and staying outside until the street lights come on. Banish that boredom by planning a summertime adventure in New York State. We have five awesome summer weekend getaway ideas that are fab for the whole fam, from beachside to bayside to inside our great museums!…

Mexican culture thrives in New York State, especially on May  5, better known as Cinco de Mayo. Contrary to popular belief, this holiday is not Mexico’s Independence Day. It’s the anniversary of the Mexican army’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Today, New Yorkers celebrate with dancing, music, and of course, food and drink. Here’s where to experience Cinco de Mayo in New York State.

Buckle up, folks! Some serious family bonding is on the agenda this summer. Soak up the sights, sounds, flavors, and experiences of New York on some of the most scenic drives across the state. In between games of “I Spy” and pit stops for photo ops, these routes, which include one-, two-, and three-day trip options, will lead you from one unforgettable destination to the next. Get together a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes and hit the road!…

The Greater Niagara region has been a hot spot for travelers for a loooong time. After all, if Niagara Falls isn’t on your bucket list, you probably don’t have a bucket list. The region is also full of art, culture, history, flora-and-fauna-and-Americana, and signature sandwiches oozing with flavor. You’re about to find out that this region is much more than waterfalls and wings—but definitely get in on both of those during your visit!…

For many of you, spring break is just around the corner! But we know that you’re busy and don’t have time to plan the perfect New York getaway—so we did the hard work for you! These trip ideas are quick, easy, and filled with fun activities to please the whole family. We’ve rounded up kid-friendly lodgings and activities to help you make the most of the warmer weather and free time. Don’t sit out spring break, go find some adventure! Or relaxation. You’ve got options.

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.

Anybody can do dinner and a movie—but how about impressing that extraordinary someone in your life with an extraordinary date? 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.