Credit: @wildflowerauberge on Instagram

Make 2023 a year of new discoveries in New York State with a host of fresh openings offering plenty of exciting things to see and do. Learn about everything from Broadway to one of baseball’s greatest legends at new museums, embark on a wellness retreat favored by the stars, go on a safari adventure, and more! Here’s our roundup of what’s new and coming soon all across the state. Also check out 23 New York State Trips to Start Planning for 2023 for even more travel inspiration! 

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.

What's New In: New York City | Long Island | Adirondacks | Finger Lakes | Greater Niagara | Hudson Valley | Catskills | Central New York | Capital-Saratoga | Chautauqua-Allegheny

New York City

Museum of Broadway, Manhattan

Costumes from the musical "Cabaret" on display at the Museum of Broadway in New York City
Credit: Kim McVeigh

Both theater fans, and those who have only seen a Broadway show or two, will love the Museum of Broadway in Times Square. Opened in November 2022, this interactive multi-level attraction is the first permanent museum dedicated to New York City theater. Explore the timeline of NYC’s famed stages and take the ultimate selfie in themed exhibit spaces that pay tribute to ground-breaking and beloved plays and musicals, including “Oklahoma!,” “Rent,” and “The Wiz,” with fun props, costumes, and renderings. Check out our TikTok video for an inside look at the museum! $39 general admission, plus tax and service fee.

Jackie Robinson Museum, Manhattan

An exhibit showcasing various artifacts including a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform at the Jackie Robinson Museum
Credit: @ericmonacelli on Instagram

Sports fans can learn more about the life and legacy of baseball icon Jackie Robinson at the Jackie Robinson Museum in Tribeca. Unveiled in September 2022, this museum pays tribute to the Brooklyn Dodgers great and New York resident who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier. Artifacts on display range from Robinson’s U.S. Army uniform and game-worn Dodgers home uniform, to his 1947 Rookie Of The Year Award. In addition to his sports career, the museum also features Robinson’s activism and work in advancing economic opportunities for all. $18 adults, $15 seniors, students, visitors with disabilities, and children ages 5 to 17.

Tin Building by Jean-Georges, Manhattan

Exterior view of the Tin Building by Jean-Georges in the Seaport
Credit: Anna Pakman

There’s something new, exciting, and delicious at the Seaport. The Tin Building by Jean-Georges, housed within the old Fulton Fish Market and set in the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge, has swept in a sprawling culinary epicenter with full-service restaurants, gourmet grocery stores, quick service counters, and bars. Pull up to the sushi and sake counter at Shikku, dig into a plate of white curry sweet potato dumplings, mushroom and walnut bolognese, and other vegan and vegetarian fare at Seeds & Weeds, and enjoy some Italian favorites with a twist at Frenchman’s Dough. 

Bronx Children’s Museum, The Bronx

Having made its debut in December 2022, the Bronx Children’s Museum is the first museum of its kind in the “Boogie Down.” Geared to infants up through fourth graders, this 13,800-square-foot museum has installations and exhibits incorporating different connections to the Bronx while fostering young visitors’ creativity. Among them, a 35-foot-long water table mimics the borough’s waterways while “The Block” replicates a miniature version of a neighborhood. $8 general admission.

New York Aquarium, Brooklyn

Two woman stand in a tunnel as sharks swim above them at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island
Credit: Julia Larsen-Maher/WCS

Uncover the secrets of the deep blue sea at the New York Aquarium, which fully reopened last summer after a major renovation. Marvel at the underwater views of the sea lions and other aquatic residents at the new “Sea Change” exhibit which also teaches a valuable lesson on the impacts of climate change to their natural environments. Walk through the shark tunnel, visit the touch pool, experience the theater in 4-D, and more at this must-see attraction on Coney Island’s famous boardwalk. $29.95 adults, $27.95 seniors, $25.95 children and free for ages 2 and under. 

Second City, Brooklyn

Get ready to laugh it up in Brooklyn. Second City, the Chicago-based comedy empire that launched the careers of John Belushi, Dan Akyroyd, Bill Murray, Joan Rivers, and countless others, is opening its first NYC location this summer. Plans for the 11,900-square-foot space, in the hip neighborhood of Williamsburg, include a mainstage theater, seven classrooms, and a full-service restaurant and bar. 

Louis Armstrong Center, Queens

Louis Armstrong House Museum _  Photo by Julienne Schaer - Courtesy of NYC & CO
Credit: Julienne Schaer/NYC & CO

Queens is honoring the legacy of its hometown hero with the new Louis Armstrong Center, scheduled to be completed in the spring. It will be located across from the historic house in Corona where the musician and his wife, Lucille, once lived. The upcoming center will contain a gift shop, the Louis Armstrong Archives, a state-of-the-art exhibition curated by jazz pianist Jason Moran, and a 75-seat performance space. $15 adults, $12 seniors, students, active duty military, visitors with disabilities.

Long Island

Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, Stony Brook

A stage with concert poster hanging above it on display at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame
Credit: Marta Zielinska

Last November, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame opened the doors to its permanent home in Stony Brook, celebrating more than 120 artists and performers that have been inducted since its founding in 2004. The center puts Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage to the forefront with a large exhibition space exploring the region’s music history and club scene, a theater, performance space, and an official “Hall of Fame.” You’ll get to see unique items up close and personal from Dee Snider’s elaborate costumes to Billy Joel’s motorcycle to Joan Jett’s beloved 1983 Jaguar. $19.50 adults, $17 seniors, $15 students with ID and free ages 12 and under.

Adirondacks

New Ski Trails At Gore and Whiteface Mountains, North Creek and Wilmington

Two of the Adirondacks’ major ski resorts are getting new trails meaning there’s even more ways to enjoy a day out on the slopes. Gore Mountain’s “Backwoods,” a 60-foot wide intermediate run on Burnt Ridge Mountain, provides easier access to the resort’s North Creek Ski Bowl, where cross country skiing, twilight skiing, and snowshoeing take place. Whiteface Mountain has two new trails — the expert-run Yellow Dot and the beginner-focused Ausable Run— that will provide visitors with more ground to cover.

Bluebird Lake Placid, Lake Placid

Rendering of the new Bluebird Lake Placid boutique hotel
Rendering courtesy of Elder & Ash

Lake Placid is welcoming a brand new hotel to its ranks. Bluebird Lake Placid, a modern boutique property, will sport an Après Only bar and tasting room celebrating classic New York ski culture and a “Party Friends Suite” accommodating groups of up to eight. The hotel's 90 rooms and suites are designed with Japanese and Scandinavian influences for a chic contemporary look and relaxing vibe. The hotel is less than a mile away from the newly-revamped Olympic Center and Museum, which celebrates Lake Placid’s time as host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games, and is accepting reservations starting February 1, 2023. Prices starting at $179/night.

Finger Lakes

Expansion of The Strong Museum, Rochester

The butterfly conservatory at the Strong Museum of Play
Credit: @dickbennettphotography on Instagram

Even more play is on the way at The Strong Museum, thanks to a 90,000-square-foot expansion that will be at the heart of the new  “Neighborhood of Play.” The space will house an interactive gallery filled with innovative exhibits and experiences, including the World Video Game Hall of Fame. You can stay at the center of it all at the new 125-room Hampton Inn that will also exhibit select artifacts from the museum’s  collection. $19 general museum admission for ages 2 and up.

Hotel Canandaigua, Canandaigua

Elevate your Finger Lakes getaway with a stay at this new lakefront hotel nestled on the shores of Canandaigua Lake. Climb aboard the Canandaigua Lady right outside the resort for a lunch or dinner cruise on this historic steamboat or see a concert under the stars at CMAC, located just a half a mile away. The hotel will also boast a restaurant and seasonal outdoor bar, pool, spa, meeting rooms, and a Grand Ballroom overlooking the lake. Rates start at $249. 

Greater Niagara

Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls

Rendering of the new Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park
Rendering courtesy of G.W.W.O via New York State Parks

In May 2023, the Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park will open a $46 million, 28,000-square-foot facility featuring an immersive experience and exhibits highlighting natural, industrial, and Indigenous American history. The Welcome Center will be all-electric and incorporates a variety of other sustainable operating systems.  

Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum, formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, will hold its grand reopening on May 25 following the completion of a three-year, $200 million construction project. More than 30,000 square feet of space has been added to display special exhibitions and showcase the museum’s extraordinary collection of modern and contemporary art, elevating Buffalo’s profile as a world-class cultural destination. The showstopper will be the new Town Square, an indoor public gathering space covered by a stunning piece of artwork entitled Common Sky, which integrates the museum’s striking architecture with the beauty of the surrounding Frederick Law Olmsted landscape. Other additions include more than half an acre of new public green space and five classrooms.

Hudson Valley

Wildflower Farms, Gardiner

Flames shoot out of a welcoming fire pit inside the great porch at the Wildflower Farms resort
Credit: @wildflowerauberge on Instagram

Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collections bloomed in Gardiner in autumn 2022. This new luxury resort, nestled on 140 secluded acres in the Hudson Valley, focuses on nature and wellness in all senses with programming that puts guests directly within these farmstead surroundings. Try your hand at foraging or baking focaccia bread or head out on a winter hike. Be amazed at the beauty of the property’s grounds – orchards, heirloom gardens, a namesake farm, and fields of wildflowers. Their suites, cottages and cabins overlook the Shawangunk Ridge, with furnishings reflective of a high-end catalog. Prices start at $1,199/night.

The Ranch Hudson Valley, Near Tuxedo Park

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by The Ranch (@theranchmalibu)

The Ranch, a celebrity-favorite wellness retreat with locations in Malibu and Italy, is opening its first East Coast location on a historic lakefront estate nestled on 200 acres in the woodlands of Hudson Valley in late 2023. The Ranch Hudson Valley, just a 45-minute ride from NYC, will immerse guests in nature as they experience the core elements of The Ranch program – hiking, fitness classes, yoga, deep tissue massage, and a plant-based diet. It will offer 3-day and 4-day wellness programs of varying intensities. 

Inn at Bellefield, Hyde Park

Located across from the esteemed Culinary Institute of America, the The Inn at Bellefield, Residence Inn by Marriott is an all-suite hotel featuring nature-inspired spaces, a fitness center, market with locally-made products, and more. Its bar will be stocked with local beers, wines, and spirits while overall the hotel will incorporate mobile check-in and key entry. Located just 90 minutes from NYC, it’s the perfect place to spend a night, weekend, or few weeks basking in the scenic overlooks of the breathtaking Hudson River Valley. The Inn at Bellefield is expected to open in late 2023.

Catskills

AutoCamp Catskills, Saugerties

Picnic tables and camp chairs outside a classic silver Airstream suite at the AutoCamp Catskills site
Credit: @click_cher_moment on Instagram

Looking for a new way to glamp in the Catskills? Last summer, AutoCamp brought its signature wilderness retreat brand to the forests of Saugerties. Stay overnight in Airstream suites that feature a bright and airy sitting room, a fully-operational kitchenette, a queen-sized bed amid a panoramic window, and a private modern bathroom. Unwind on your private patio complete with a fire pit and dining area. AutoCamp Catskills also offers custom-made luxury canvas tents with creature comforts (as in king beds and a mini-fridge), and their Vista X Suites provide a set-up equal to a home-like setting. Prices start at $169/night.

The Rounds at Scribner’s, Hunter 

This spring, Scribner’s Catskills Lodge will expand its footprint with The Rounds, a collection of 12 private lodges perched north of the existing property. The one-of-a-kind 12-sided structures are primed to be a design lover’s dream with single and suite configurations. Each will feature a curated collection of contemporary and vintage furniture pieces, private outdoor cedar soaking tubs and showers, and a central oculus for optimal stargazing.

Central New York

The Preserve at Animal Adventure Park, Binghamton

A rhino picture at The Preserve at Animal Adventure Park
Courtesy of The Preserve at Animal Adventure Park

Want to go on a safari this year? Then book a trip to Binghamton. Yes, you read that right. The Preserve at Animal Adventure Park, which debuted in summer 2022 and will reopen for their first full season in April 2023, is touted as New York State’s largest and most species-diverse drive-thru safari experience. More than 300 animals call the open-space facility home, representing more than 30 species, including giraffe, rhino, bison, antelope, camels, and deer. Navigate over 3-miles of roadway in your self-driven safari, traveling through grassland, scrub brush, and deep forests on the 100-acre preserve. ($14.99 for all guests ages 3 and up.) The Preserve is sister-facility to Animal Adventure Park, most known for the viral video of April the Giraffe in 2017.  Animal Adventure is home to over 100 species, in an up-close, interactive, educational walk-thru park experience.  The parks are just a minute from one another, and promise a full day of ADVENTURE! 

Capital-Saratoga

Sacred Spa + Wellness, Schuylerville 

Exterior shot of Sacred Spa + Wellness located on a 100-acre horse farm
Credit: @sacredspaandwellness on Instagram

In Saratoga County, the Sacred Spa + Wellness in Schuylerville has opened on a 100-acre thoroughbred racehorse farm. It’s a 20-minute drive from downtown Saratoga Springs, home of New York State’s famed thoroughbred race track, but its setting feels like a world away with health and wellness practices centered on the mind, body, and soul. Book a facial, body treatment, acupuncture session, or time within their infrared saunas. Spa journeys packages are also available. Prices vary.

Chautauqua-Allegheny

Glamp at the Rocks, Panama 

Autumn-colored trees stand amid the towering rock walls of Panama Rocks Scenic Park
Credit: @panamarockspark on Instagram

Ever wanted to go glamping at Panama Rocks Scenic Park? Soon you’ll be able to do just that! Fully-furnished luxury tents with hotel-like amenities and camping staples like firepits and picnic tables will be ready to welcome you for a night under the stars. Rest after a day of exploring the Ancient Forest and winding corridors of 60-foot high rocks at this beloved natural attraction that has been delighting outdoor adventurers since 1885. Keep an eye on their social media for an opening date announcement.


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