The Beat

Jamestown, NY (February 18, 2026) – The National Comedy Center, the United States’ museum and national archive dedicated to the art form of comedy, was named the #1`Best Pop Culture Museum in the country by USA Today as part of the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, it was announced today. https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-pop-culture-museum/…

Calls on Fans to Vote Every Day Through March 2 to Help the Festival Earn the #1 Spot 

Rochester, N.Y. (February 2, 2026) — The Rochester Lilac Festival has been nominated for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Flower Festival in the USA, and the community’s support is needed to secure the top spot. 

The 128th Rochester Lilac Festival will run from Friday, May 8, through Sunday, May 17, 2026. It is an award-winning, time-honored tradition celebrated since 1898, in conjunction with the blooming of the most extensive lilac collection in the Northeast.

Northport, NY – The Northport Hotel has been named one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America, earning a coveted spot on the nationally recognized list based on verified diner reviews and reservation data. This honor is especially meaningful as The Northport Hotel is one of only two restaurants in all of New York State to receive this distinction, underscoring its commitment to exceptional hospitality, elevated cuisine, and an intimate, romantic atmosphere.

Lake George, N.Y. (Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire) - Celebrating nearly six decades of Adirondack hospitality, Lake George RV Park has been voted Best Overall Campground and Best Pet-Friendly Campground in the inaugural Best of Camp New York Awards. The camper-voted honors spotlight the park's legacy of family-focused fun and innovative outdoor amenities that continue to set the standard for resort-style camping in the Northeast.

Niagara Falls, NY (October 31, 2025) - The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has named "Niagara Virtual,” the exciting and gamified Virtual Reality (VR) adventure at Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours’ new home in Niagara Falls, as a finalist for the group’s Brass Ring award for the “Best New Product” in the Family Ride/Attraction category in the world!

The finalist designation was announced by Frontgrid, the Wales-based company that developed and oversaw fabrication of “Niagara Virtual” through its ParadropVR subsidiary. Frontgrid has been recognized for its creative and technical excellence by numerous professional associations worldwide since 2017.

Recognition by Global Magazine Highlights Region’s Vineyards, Vintners and Viticulture

Governor Kathy Hochul today congratulated the Finger Lakes region on being named the 2025 American Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast as part of the magazine’s prestigious Wine Star Awards. The honor recognizes the region’s world-class winemaking, sustainable practices and collaborative community that have helped define New York State as a leader in American viticulture.

Lake Placid resort voted #1 in the Northeast and second in the combined Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions

Lake Placid, N.Y. – In the annual Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa received a pair of notable distinctions. The publication’s readers voted the Mirror Lake Inn as the best resort in the Northeastern United States and second overall in the combined Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Lake Placid, NY (September 12, 2025) - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has received two awards from the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) at a ceremony that took place during the organization’s 2025 annual meeting in Lake George on September 11.

The awards recognize outstanding initiatives and achievements of New York state’s destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses. Categories included marketing campaigns, destination management initiatives, location stewardship, innovation and leadership.