I Love New York Blog

You may be surprised at how easy it is to get to the nearby regions of the Hudson Valley and Long Island from New York City, even if you don’t have access to a car. We’ve got some easy day trips (or weekend getaways) on the train to show you a whole new New York than you may be used to, from beautiful beaches to marvelous mountains. With gorgeous scenery outside the window and no worries about driving or parking, everyone in the family can enjoy the journey as well as the destination. New York Getaway packages from Long Island Railroad and Metro-North make it even easier to have two vacations in one or an escape from your daily routine in the city!…

Great weather means even better Instagram posts hitting the feed! In celebration of spring warming up New York State, we’ve put together a few of our favorite posts of the season. From hiking to flower festivals, there’s no denying spring is in the air! For a chance to be featured on the @iloveny Instagram feed make sure you’re using #SpringIntoNY on all your spring pics, and see if you can capture our state as beautifully as these 'grammers did.

We have a winner! In ILOVENY.com's fourth annual Bracket, we rounded up some of the most popular and beloved destinations across New York State to find the #1 fan choice and YOU chose Maid of the Mist, the iconic boat tour of Niagara Falls USA! Stay tuned for news about the lucky winner of the annual Bracket sweepstakes, who will get to select one of the amazing travel packages listed below in the guide to this year's contestants. Read on to see where you should plan your next New York vacation!…

Bye, snow boots, bye, winter coat! We’ve been over the cold weather for a minute, and now that spring is finally here, it’s time to celebrate. New York is about to blossom with lively activities and festivals, memorable exhibits, and natural beauty returning to its most vibrant state. Read on for your complete New York State Spring Bucket List to ensure that you have a blast this season.

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.

Credit: Sean Mills

You’re probably most familiar with Long Island as a summer vacation destination, and we don’t blame you for that. After all, Long Island’s gorgeous, award-winning beaches attract summer visitors from around the world, city-dwellers looking for a weekend escape, and celebrity-moguls such as Robert DeNiro, Kelly Ripa, Steven Spielberg, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. But there are three other seasons of the year, and this region of New York State shines through them all, even when the sun doesn’t. Off-the-beaten-path destinations on Long Island offer surprises for all kinds of visitors, from families looking for relaxing nature or enriching cultural experiences to travelers looking to explore one of the first LGBT communities in the country.

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.

New year, new adventures—and no better place than New York! 2019 is the year to stand in awe at the top of Niagara Falls, taste new foods, and meet a world-famous giraffe. Make the most of the cold weather at the country’s premier ski destinations and savor summer by kicking back on idyllic beaches. We’ve pulled together some of the most quintessential New York experiences in the state for you to check off your bucket list this year. So read on and start planning your 2019 travels!…