The Beat

A Long-Anticipated Grand Opening, Plus Anniversaries and Milestones Celebrating Generation-Defining Events, Mark the Beginning of a New Decade

New York, NY – January 6, 2020 – New York State is poised to celebrate both the old and the new in 2020. Visitors can enjoy the opening of the world’s largest LEGOLAND theme park along with a host of events commemorating Susan B. Anthony, women’s suffrage, the 1980 Winter Olympic Games and the "Miracle on Ice," and the Roaring Twenties.

Temporary closures scheduled during construction

Rochester, N.Y., November 18, 2019—The George Eastman Museum has announced it will break ground on January 6, 2020, for a new visitor center, which includes construction of the ESL Federal Credit Union Pavilion. The visitor center project, which involves relocating the museum’s main entrance to the west side of the building, is the most significant structural change to the museum since the gallery and collections building was constructed in 1989. The project is expected to be complete by July 2020.

Enjoy the magic of winter at a newly reopened ski mountain, take a holiday-inspired cooking class at one of the nation's top culinary schools, and revel in the 40^th anniversary of the famed Miracle on Ice

New York, NY – October 31, 2019 – As the temperatures turn colder, an impressive assortment of new activities across New York State will heat up any winter itinerary. New York has more ski areas than any other state, and another one will be added when a much-anticipated resort reopens for this season. A visit to Lake Placid to commemorate the 1980 Winter Olympic Miracle on Ice will add a historic nod to a winter getaway, while ice castles and prisms at winter festivals across the state will bring smiles and delight to all. Relaxation and creativity abound for winter travelers booking a new hotel, spending the day at the spa or learning a new craft.

The Grand Opening of LEGO ® Store features free building event for families

Syracuse, NY (October 9, 2019) – Customers have enjoyed two great weeks of LEGO bricks from the new LEGO® Store in Destiny USA and now, they will get the chance to participate in LEGO's official grand opening event.

WHAT: Celebrate the grand opening of the LEGO® Store in Destiny USA with a 2-day building event!  Kids and adults are invited to help LEGO Master Builder Chris Steininger construct a giant model completely out of LEGO bricks! Other activities include an area to build and race a LEGO car. The event will be located outside the LEGO Store, near the Apple store. …

Hotels from Retro to Luxe are Opening Just in Time for New York’s Unparalleled Fall Foliage Season

NEW YORK – August 8, 2019 – As cooler weather emerges and a vivid tapestry of colors blankets the landscape, New York State's newest hotels and lodgings are ready to welcome visitors looking to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine and attractions. These exciting new hotels are the perfect way to anchor a day-long or weekend getaway, and this autumn will showcase an array of impressive additions to a rapidly expanding hotel landscape.

Revitalization of Former Theme Park Site Will Bolster Local Economy, Serve as Gateway to Recreational Opportunities in the Adirondacks

Campers Can Book Reservations at State's Newest Campground

Final State Management Plan Issued for Hammond Pond Wild Forest

NEW YORK – June 26, 2019 – The construction of the new Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area in the Adirondacks was completed today. The new public campground, on the site of the former Frontier Town theme park in the town of North Hudson, is a signature piece of the Governor's "Gateway to the Adirondacks" tourism hub. To date, an estimated total of $25 million in public/private resources has been committed to the project.

20-Acre Complex Includes Bike Park, Event Lawn, Multi-Use Trail, Habitat Restoration and Food Truck Plaza

Photos of the Lakeside Complex are Available Here

NEW YORK – May 28, 2019 – The new Lakeside Complex on Buffalo's Outer Harbor opened on Friday, May 24^th. The 20-acre site includes a new bike park, event lawn, trail for walking or cycling and beautiful landscaping to attract more visitors and residents to the city's waterfront.

"This latest investment in Buffalo's waterfront adds to the year-round experience that is already attracting more than a million visitors annually to enjoy this flourishing area," Governor Cuomo said. "The new Lakeside Complex highlights Buffalo's natural beauty while expanding recreational opportunities for residents and visitors on the shores of Lake Erie."…

New Attractions and Destinations Provide Great Opportunities to Learn, Stay and Play Across the State This Vacation Season

New York, NY – May 6, 2019: New York State is home to endless possibilities for families seeking diverse summer vacation options, thanks to new attractions, accommodations and experiences opening this spring and summer. Countless opportunities await travelers of all ages and interests at museums that encourage learning, cool hotels for guests of all ages, and exciting theme parks and fairs statewide.

“New York State is a welcoming, easy-to-navigate and fun-filled destination for families year-round, and we really thrive in the summer,” I LOVE NY Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said. “With great weather for outdoor activities, scenic highways for road trips, and an array of exciting new museums, hotels and amusement park rides, it’s an ideal time for families to find what they love.”…

A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Property to Open in March

The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, January 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has added The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark to its expanding Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand operating portfolio. Located in Monticello, in New York’s Catskill Mountains, the new property will open in March 2019 on 1,600 wooded acres, the site of the Resorts World Catskills entertainment complex. The new luxury hotel will include a state-of-the-art, two-acre indoor waterpark with activities and amenities geared to family fun. The hotel and indoor waterpark will also feature multiple dining options, a relaxing spa, a ropes course, and an entertainment arcade. Guests will have access to cutting-edge gaming at Resorts World Catskills and can tee off at the world-famous Monster Golf Course. The accommodations will include 324 luxury suites.

New Bathhouse and Concession Building, Dune Restoration and "Green" Parking Lots Represent First Major Improvement to the Park in 50 Years

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced work has started on a $5.2 million beach area renovation project at Southwick Beach State Park on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. The project will be the first major improvement to the popular beachfront park in 50 years and will feature a new bathhouse and concession building as well as restored dunes and new "green" parking lots to enhance environmental protection at the park.

"State parks are essential to New York's thriving tourism industry and are gateways to the natural beauty the Empire State has to offer," Governor Cuomo said. "The addition of a new bathhouse and concession building combined with dune restoration and other environmental protection measures will help revitalize Southwick Beach State Park and create an even more welcoming destination for tourists and residents alike."…