NEWSLETTER
Memorial Day is just around the corner, marking the unofficial start of the summer season. Welcome the warm weather with an unforgettable long weekend in New York State. Beaches and parks are officially open, the sun is out, and everyone is ready to celebrate. Whether you’re with a significant other, family, friends, or all of the above—here are some great destinations to kick off your summer right! Photo Credit: Carl Heilman.
Visit the Birthplace of Memorial Day (Finger Lakes)
Waterloo is the perfect place to celebrate Memorial Day for any history buff, as it’s where the holiday was first observed! Enjoy a weekend-long lineup of events including a car show, Civil War reenactors, cannon firing demonstrations, an Arts & Craft vendor show, 5K tribute to the fallen, fireworks, live music and so much more. While in town, check out the National Memorial Day Museum to learn about the history of the holiday and visit the American Civil War Memorial to pay tribute to the sacrifice made by citizens of Waterloo during the Civil War. Set up camp at the Waterloo KOA or book a stay at del Lago Resort & Casino, enjoy classic eats at Connie’s Diner, shop at the Finger Lakes Premium Outlets, and don’t leave town without bringing home some treats from Muranda Cheese Company.
Catch a Patriotic Drone Show and America 250 Commemoration at Jones Beach State Park (Long Island)
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Jones Beach on Long Island is home to more than six miles of white sandy beaches along the Atlantic where you can soak up the sun and enjoy a nice swim, swing into a game of mini golf, zip through the air at WildPlay, catch a concert, and more. For Memorial Day Weekend, you’ll also get to step back in time as Jones Beach transforms into a Revolutionary War Village in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Encounter reenactors portraying signers of the Declaration of Independence, members of the Culper Spy Ring, and George Washington, Revolutionary War encampments, a fife and drum band, Colonial era cooking demonstrations, history-themed family games, plus inflatable play areas for kids to enjoy. You’ll want to stick around because once night falls, a dazzling patriotic drone show will light up the sky over the Atlantic Ocean in front of the Central Mall.
Explore the Collection of the New York State Military Museum & Research Center (Capital-Saratoga)
Pay a visit to this museum in Saratoga Springs dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and disseminating the stories, history, and records of New York State's military forces and veterans this Memorial Day Weekend. Travel through time with stories of the Native American Warriors to today's Homeland Defense Forces via unique exhibits and tours. It’s a poignant time to explore the permanent exhibit, Battleground For Freedom: New York During the Revolutionary War, as the nation marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and visit the nearby Saratoga Battlefield, where the American victory at the Battles of Saratoga marked the turning point of the Revolutionary War. Round out your visit with our guide to 48 Hours in Saratoga Springs.
See History Come to Life During Memorial Day at Fort Ticonderoga (Adirondacks)
Photo Credit: Carl Heilman
Spend the holiday weekend at one of America’s most important historic landmarks. Step back in time at the site of America’s first victory in the Revolution and experience military history during the REAL TIME REVOLUTION® Living History Event: Memorial Day Weekend. Experience life in May 1776 for Continental Army soldiers as reenactors demonstrate everything from their weapons to their rations and join the Fifes & Drums of Fort Ticonderoga for a special commemorative ceremony on Sunday. You can also sail around Lake Champlain on a guided 75-minute narrated tour aboard the Carillon. There will be daily tours in the fort, weapons demonstrations, and museum exhibits. Stay in Lake George, an hour away, the birthplace of the American vacation.
Memorial Day Weekend 2026 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Central New York)
Grab your tickets to this year’s Memorial Day weekend of fun at the National Baseball Hall of Fame for three days of events for the whole family! On Friday, children ages 7-12 can learn from former big league players at the Cooperstown Clinic at the iconic Doubleday Field. Catch the Hall of Fame Military Classic: A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice on Saturday, featuring a home run derby, seven-inning legends game, postgame Kids Dash, and chance to meet Hall of Fame legends and Military Classic participants. If you’re a golfer, don’t miss the Hall of Fame golf tournament for an unforgettable day on the historic Leatherstocking Golf Course. Make the most out of your trip with our guide to 48 Hours in Cooperstown.
Big Boats and Baseball in the Big Apple (New York City)
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Explore history, science and service on the Hudson River at the Intrepid Museum, where you can walk the decks of the legendary aircraft carrier and catch close-up views of 28 aircraft, including the world’s fastest military jet. The museum is recognizing the nation’s men and women in uniform with a special lineup of Memorial Day Weekend events including a free showing of Top Gun on the flight deck, the Battle of the Big Bands celebrating the music, dance, and style of the swing era, and a solemn Memorial Day ceremony. Grab a hot dog and savor some classic summertime fun as the New York Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series at their home in the Bronx. Plan more sightseeing adventures with our guide to 48 Hours in Manhattan.
Admire Classic Vessels at the Antique Boat Museum (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Learn about the boating history of the St. Lawrence River and get out on the water. Tour the French Bay on a St. Lawrence skiff, take a speedboat ride in a triple cockpit runabout, and take a peek inside George Boldt's houseboat from 1903. The Antique Boat Museum officially opens for the summer season on May 9! Book a waterside stay to explore more of Clayton and Alexandria Bay including Bold Castle, River Rat Cheese, and Coyote Moon Vineyard.
Go Prehistoric at Panama Rocks Scenic Park (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Stay in the shade and explore 15 acres of the Paleozoic ocean floor at Panama Rocks, believed to be the most extensive formation of glacier-cut, ocean-quartz conglomerate in the world. Climb along crevices reaching 60 feet in height and venture through caves. Hike through the ancient forest and avoid the blistering summer sun. Get in some laughs in nearby Jamestown (just 20 minutes away) at the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.
Get Splashed on a Maid of the Mist Boat Tour (Greater Niagara)
Credit: @niagarafallsadventures on Instagram
Feel the cool mist on your face as you take a boat ride past the base of Niagara Falls. This 20-minute tour will show you the rock formations that help tame the falls and the immense falls themselves. Don’t be afraid to get a little wet—approximately 3,160 tons of water flow over the Falls every second! America’s oldest state park has even more to love like the Cave of the Winds & The World Changed Here Pavilion and Top of the Falls Restaurant. Add a visit to nearby Buffalo into the mix to make your weekend even more unforgettable.
Get Artsy at the Woodstock-New Paltz Arts & Crafts Fair (Hudson Valley)
The Hudson Valley kicks off every summer with their Memorial Day weekend Arts & Crafts Fair in New Paltz. Shop around the festival for unique homemade products created by some of our nation’s finest artisans and craftspeople. Enjoy free crafting demonstrations, live entertainment, and local Hudson Valley food and drink. Treat yourself to an all-inclusive stay at the historic Mohonk Mountain House and enjoy everything from hiking and biking to wining and dining in New Paltz.
Don't forget to share your summer vacation with us on Instagram and X with #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!