NEWSLETTER
Back-to-school season is here, but there’s plenty of summer fun still to be had! Make time for more adventures before the kids head back into the classroom and the summer sun sets. Savor seasonal summer foods, catch a flick at the drive-in, get your adrenaline pumping at thrilling amusement parks, and lots more throughout New York State!
Originally published 08/08/2023 Updated 07/29/2026
Hang Out With Furry Friends
Credit: @ag.aperture on Instagram
Pay a visit to penguins, cheetahs, sloths, and more than 11,000 animals at the Bronx Zoo. Be sure to check the website for exciting new exhibits like World of Darkness, where you will step into the dark and discover the mysteries, adaptations, and surprises of animals that thrive in darkness. Say hi to more than 700 animals that call the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse home including miracle “eletwins”, Yaad and Tukada, the only pair to be born in the US and the fourth in the world! Attend exciting elephant-centric events like Asian Elephant Extravaganza (August 15) or stretch into yoga with the elephants on select days through the end of August. Admire all kinds of wildlife from mammals and birds to reptiles and invertebrates at the Buffalo Zoo. Get to know your animal neighbors at the only zoo dedicated to New York native species like bobcats, mountain lions, otters, bald eagles, gray wolves, and more at Zoo New York in Watertown.
Get Your Fill of Fairs and Festivals
For an unforgettable end to summer, plan a day (or more) at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse (August 26-September 7). Each year, it’s packed with midway rides, world-class musicians, classic fair food, and enough fun that the whole family will be talking about it well past summer. County fairs are one of the greatest highlights of a New York summer, and the Erie County (Aug. 12-23) and Dutchess County (Aug. 25-30) fairs are some of the largest in the state, jam-packed with hours of fun with midway rides, petting zoos, craft tents, demolition derbies, fried Oreos (of course), and even live performances from artists like Chase Matthew and Journey from the Heart. The Altamont Fair (August 18-23) is bringing dock diving dog shows, reptile exhibits, and a full circus into the mix, while the Columbia County Fair (September 2-7) is saddling up with a painted pony rodeo, racing pigs, and monster tractor pull. Travel back to 1585 at the Sterling Renaissance Festival (weekends until August 16) for more than 100 daily live shows, jousting demonstrations, family games, fine arts and crafts, and so much more. Partake in a rollicking romp through Elizabethan England, set within the Majestic Groves of Sterling Forest at the New York Renaissance Faire, each weekend from August 15 through October 4.
Fly Through Aerial Adventure Parks
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End summer with high-flying family fun on ziplines, rope courses, leaps of faiths, and more at aerial adventure parks statewide. Maneuver and zip through WildPlay Thacher State Park’s adventure courses (open until October 31). There’s something for everyone at Adirondack Extreme (open until November 7) in Bolton Landing with a variety of packages of ranging difficulty that include 12 ziplines, 130 obstacles, a leap of faith, and a ropes course for kids 6 and up. Don’t let the rain ruin your summer fun and climb through on one of the world’s tallest indoor ropes courses, Palisades Climb Adventure Course in West Nyack. There’s over 75 different challenges from advanced circuits for experienced climbers to Sky Tykes for toddlers under 48”. Peek’n Peak Mountain Adventures (open until October 25) in Clymer has a 2,000 foot giant dual zipline and the Soaring Eagle zipline, ropes courses with challenging obstacles, and a chairlift ride that brings to the top of the mountain.
Root for the Home Team
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Grab your ball cap, a bag of Cracker Jack, and tickets to the home game to cheer on your favorite NY baseball team. Cheer on New York’s beloved major league teams: the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and Mets at Citi Field. Minor league baseball packed with major league fun can be found in all corners of the state from the Buffalo Bisons to the Brooklyn Cyclones.
The action doesn’t end at baseball! Shift gears and ride over to the Watkins Glen International for the Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, one of the largest vintage racing events in the country (September 10 - 13). Dive into the Lake George Triathlon Festival (September 5 - 6), where athletes swim, bike, and run through summer’s most scenic destination. Horse racing fans will want to gallop over to the Saratoga Race Course for the Travers Stakes (August 29), or hit up the Hamptons and watch top equestrians from around the world compete for more than one million dollars at the Hampton Classic Horse Show (August 23 - 30).
Hit the Rides at Amusement and Water Parks
Photo Courtesy of Seabreeze Amusement Park
Buckle up for one last ride on rip-roaring roller coasters and super-soaking water slides. Plan the ultimate day of family fun at LEGOLAND in Goshen, the largest LEGOLAND theme park in the northeast with seven LEGO-themed lands, a Water Playground, and an entire LEGO-customized resort. Six Flags Darien Lake (open until October 11) has a water park and more than 45 rides for all ages from the Ride of Steel (one of the tallest roller coasters east of the Mississisppi) for thrill-seekers, to mini-monster trucks and the Darien Lake Railway for the little ones. Seabreeze Amusement Park (open through September 13) in Rochester might be home to the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in America, the Jack Rabbit, but it also has family and kiddy rides, high-flying thrills, and a water park. The family is sure to love NYC’s most famous amusement park, Luna Park on Coney Island with everything from rides to carnival games, to a classic arcade. There’s no doubt that the kids will sleep well after spending the day on over 30 adult and kiddie rides at Long Island’s Adventureland (open until November 1). Get your adrenaline pumping on speedy roller coasters, make memories on family rides, and cool off at the water park at Enchanted Parks Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor (open until October 25) in Queensbury.
Explore State Parks
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Spend the dog days of summer in the great outdoors at New York’s expansive and unique state parks. A trip to Niagara Falls is one vacation you’ll never forget. Hop on the Maid of the Mist boat tour, journey down to the Cave of the Winds, or take a ride on the Niagara Scenic Trolley for an out-of-this-world adventure. Spend the day at Letchworth State Park and discover why it’s known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” and was recently voted best state park in the country! Experience the unrivaled beauty of three powerful waterfalls weaving in between cliffs and 66 miles of trails including the Autism Nature Trail. Hike through 19 magnificent waterfalls at a Finger Lakes favorite, Watkins Glen State Park. Walk along the Buttermilk Creek as it maneuvers through cascades and rapids at Buttermilk Falls State Park, then take a dip in the natural pool.
Journey Under the Sea
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Make a new aquatic acquaintance with a penguin, clown fish, shark, or sea lion. The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead promises hours of deep sea fun with a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, touch tanks, and the largest all-living coral reef in this hemisphere. Via Aquarium in Schenectady has over 2,000 sea creatures and 25,000-square-feet of oceanic experiences to explore. Rescued wildlife like jellyfish, seals, sea lions, penguins, and seals find a home at the Aquarium of Niagara. Pay a visit to New York’s aquatic residents like sharks, sting rays, and sea turtles at the New York Aquarium on Coney Island and the little ones will have a blast in the playquarium.
Sunbathe at the Beach
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Nothing screams summer like a day laying out on the beach, building sand castles, and making long-lasting memories. Relax on the sandy shores of Coopers Beach in Southampton. It’s continuously rated one of the top beaches in the country by Dr. Beach with gorgeous oceanside views with a backdrop of lavish and historic mansions. Also on Long Island is Jones Beach with a 6.5-mile shoreline to search for sea shells and a boardwalk filled with concessions. You don’t have to spend a million dollars to plan a family day on Million Dollar Beach in Lake George; this 51-acre beach on the “Queen of American Lakes” is free and open to the public! Find a tropical vibe just 40 minutes south of Buffalo on the shores of Lake Erie at Sunset Bay Beach. Catch some sun on the sandy coastline, play games in the arcade, grab a bite to eat at Cabana Sam’s, and end the day with ice cream from the “Beaches and Cream” ice cream stand.
Post Up at the Drive-In
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Watching movies under the open night sky is a summer staple, and New York boasts 23 drive-ins with star-studded scenery. Catch a double-feature framed by mountain views at the Unadilla Drive-In, or take your pick from four nightly showings at the Malta Drive-In! At the Transit Drive-In, you can play a round of mini-golf before showtime. Four Brothers Drive-In brings the fun with a playground, mini golf, pergola and fire pit, art walk, and you can even camp on-site overnight after your movie. The Twist Ice Cream Shop at the Jericho Drive-In serves the best soft serve and sundaes in town to pregame your double-feature. For some cinematic history, head to New York’s oldest drive-in theater, the Finger Lakes Drive-In, which has been making summer memories since 1947.
Get Amped Up at an Amphitheater
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Your favorite artists. Legendary venues. One unforgettable night. Whether you’re lounging on the lawn or snagging a seat inside one of New York’s alluring amphitheaters, these summer shows will have you cheering for one more song. Saratoga Spring’s beloved SPAC is showcasing Mötley Crüe, TLC and Salt-N-Pepa, Luke Bryan, and Pitbull. Laugh with John Mulaney, hit all the right notes with Josh Groban, and rock on with Lynyrd Skynyrd & Foreigner at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in the Catskills. Northwell at Jones Beach is offering an oceanic oasis for Rod Stewart, Deep Purple with Kansas, Chris Stapleton, and Empire of the Sun. Empower FCU at Lakeview in Syracuse is keeping the party going with Billy Idol, Tim Mcgraw, and the Goo Goo Dolls. The vibes are high in Lewiston, where Artpark ushers in Howard Jones, Turnpike Troubadours, and Andy Grammer.
Make a Splash
The water’s still warm, soak it up all season long, whatever way floats your boat. Soar above Lake George and take in unparalleled views with Parasail Joe’s, or beat the heat with Fire Island Parasail as you enjoy incredible views of the Fire Island National Seashore and Atlantic Ocean. Float through serene stretches where the Lackawaxen River meets the Delaware River on a tubing trip with Kittatinny. Keep it simple and dip, dive, or cannonball into your new favorite swim spot. For tropical vibes, paddle across turquoise waters in a crystal kayak at Green Lakes State Park. And for the ultimate aquatic adventure, take a deep dive into the St. Lawrence river for one-of-a-kind diving experiences, from shipwrecks to drift and historical dives.
Savor the Season
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Some foods just taste like summer, and now’s the time to grab them while they’re hot (or perfectly chilled). Ice cream stands are a warm-weather classic, and few do it better than Martha’s in Lake George (conveniently next to The Great Escape), where the rotating menu of 37 soft serve flavors includes favorites like raspberry cream twist and peanut butter. In Schenectady, Stella’s Creamery is scooping up premium homemade custard in up to 50 mouthwatering flavors, from banana cheesecake to German chocolate cake. Over in Saugerties, Alleyway Ice Cream is a hidden gem earning big praise, with creative flavors like key lime crunch and honeycomb chocolate swirl.
Nothing says summer like a lobster roll by the water, so head to the Hamptons and grab a hot or cold roll and other seafood staples at Lobster Roll aka LUNCH before heading to the beach. In Manhattan, Smithereens is showing off a New England-inspired, high-end menu where the lobster roll is the star of the show, and the candied seaweed is a dessert delicacy. In the Thousand Islands, Bella’s welcomes you onto a riverside patio to enjoy lobster benedict for breakfast and a lobster roll for lunch.
Book a Shoreline Stay
Photo courtesy of the Sagamore Resort
Make time for one more getaway. The Sagamore Resort, perched on a secluded part of Lake George, is the picture-perfect place to dive off the dock, lounge by the infinity pool, or tee off on the scenic 18-hole golf course before retreating to luxury lodging. At Capt. Thomson’s Resort in Alexandria Bay, marvel at the sunrise and sunset on the St. Lawrence River from your private balcony, and explore the majestic Thousand Islands with a boat tour during the region’s most stunning season. Reserve a room at The Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, set on the shimmering shores of Otsego Lake, where you can paddle out in a canoe or rowboat, cast a line, or make a grand slam memory at the Baseball Hall of Fame just a mile away.
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