NEWSLETTER
Travelers will discover sun-soaked escapes, rich cultural experiences and unforgettable moments in the Empire State
Albany, NY – New York State is set to deliver a celebratory summer season, anchored by once-in-a-generation experiences tied to America 250 and FIFA World Cup. From milestone celebrations at Old Fort Niagara to immersive Revolutionary War reenactments, anchored by Sail4th 250 – the largest international flotilla of tall ships – visitors can engage with the nation’s history in meaningful ways. Complementing these marquee events, the season will include free World Cup watch parties, major festivals and an exciting lineup of new arts and culture venues. With expanded outdoor attractions and unique hotel and restaurant openings, travelers have more reasons than ever to explore New York State this summer.
I LOVE NY Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “Summer is an exceptional time to experience New York State – and this year, even more so, as the nation’s 250th anniversary and the FIFA World Cup take center stage. From watching fireworks over Niagara Falls to escaping to upstate for a day at Saratoga Race Course between soccer matches or enjoying a Shakespeare performance at the new Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, there are unforgettable experiences waiting for every traveler across the Empire State.”
Below are a sampling of the new developments and events happening across New York State:
Commemorating America 250
- Occupation and Confiscation of Johnstown Reenactment (Capital-Saratoga): Johnson Hall State Historic Site will host a free, two-day living history event on May 16–17, commemorating the 1776 occupation of Johnstown and the confiscation of Johnson Hall. Through immersive reenactments, visitors will experience the perspectives of local European, Mohawk and enslaved African communities, with staged scenes unfolding in downtown Johnstown and at the historic site. The weekend will feature military parades, key historical moments, and interactive opportunities to engage with reenactors and explore the raid's aftermath.
- USA 250th and Niagara County Celebration (Greater Niagara): Old Fort Niagara will mark the 300th anniversary of its iconic French Castle on June 6. Visitors can step into the past through immersive living history programs, hands-on demonstrations of traditional trades like masonry, woodworking and blacksmithing, and witness ceremonial musket and artillery salutes. Attended by dignitaries from both the United States and France, the celebration highlights shared history and international ties at one of the Niagara River’s most storied landmarks, just minutes from Niagara Falls.
- Five Fireworks Shows Over Niagara Falls (Greater Niagara): Beginning July 1, Niagara Falls State Park will host dazzling fireworks displays for five nights, commemorating America's 250th anniversary. The nightly celebrations will be visible from Terrapin Point, Luna Island, Prospect Point and the Observation deck. Additional fireworks will launch from Olcott on July 3 and Veteran’s Memorial Community Park on July 5.
- Putnam County Heroes Battle the Redcoats (Hudson Valley): On June 6, American, British, Native American and Hessian reenactors will bring the Revolutionary War to life. Visitors can experience a day filled with immersive living history programming, cannon-firing enactments, live musket-firing demonstrations and an appearance by General George Washington.
- Erie Canalway Launches Revolutionary Experiences (Multiple Regions): To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the newly launched “Revolutionary Experiences” road trips offer visitors free, self-guided itineraries that explore New York's historic waterways and pivotal moments that shaped the country. Spanning routes from New York City to Buffalo and through regions like the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes, the trips highlight key sites tied to the Revolutionary War, the Women’s Rights Movement and the Underground Railroad. Each itinerary offers curated stops, outdoor activities and travel recommendations, giving visitors flexible ways to engage with New York’s history.
A Season to Celebrate: Summer Events Across New York State
- Free Community FIFA World Cup Watch Parties (Statewide): This summer, several free, large-scale FIFA World Cup viewing events are planned throughout the state. Each event will be broadcast outdoors and provide live entertainment, family-friendly activities and delicious culinary offerings. Two large-scale, flagship World Cup Watch Experiences are being planned by New York State: June 12 at Stony Brook University on Long Island, and July 19 at Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester County. More information on all planned World Cup watch parties is available here.
- Rolling Stone Stateside Music Festival (Hudson Valley): On July 4, Kingston’s Hutton Brickyards will host Rolling Stone's inaugural music festival, celebrating Americana with a full day of live performances along the Hudson River. Headlined by Noah Kahan, the event includes artists like Gigi Perez and Devon Gilfillan, alongside a mix of emerging artists across indie, folk and country, plus local food vendors, an artisan market and a fireworks finale.
- Annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (Chautauqua-Allegheny): Taking place August 6 – 9 in Jamestown, the comedy festival will be headlined by Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer and Seth Meyers. The multi-day event presented by the National Comedy Center will feature more than 50 performances, including a stand-up showcase and late-night shows, with additional appearances from comedians across the country.
- The Festival (Hudson Valley): This new star-studded outdoor summer event for Broadway lovers will take place at Hutton Brickyards in Kingston on August 14 – 16, bringing acclaimed stars including Audra McDonald, Renée Elise Goldsberry and Adam Pascal to the scenic Hudson River grounds for themed concerts and immersive performances. The three-day experience will feature solo shows, composer tributes and a 30th anniversary concert of “Rent” with original cast members. It will also feature a variety of community activations, such as late-night piano bars and sing-alongs.
New Arts & Culture to Love
- Pendragon Theatre (Adirondacks): Newly reopened in downtown Saranac Lake with its 2026 season launching on June 24, the theater features expanded performance space and modern amenities while continuing the company’s four-decade tradition of professional productions. After two years of renovation, the venue will return as a cultural anchor for the region, with performances of top shows including “Noises Off,” “Beetlejuice,” and “Violet.”
- Trolls: Save the Humans at The Wild Center (Adirondacks): On view from June 1 to October 31, visitors will be transported into a whimsical outdoor world where six larger-than-life troll sculptures created by renowned artist Thomas Dambo will take over the center. Crafted from reclaimed materials, the exhibition will encourage guests of all ages to reconnect with nature while exploring themes of sustainability, recycling and the environment through immersive art and storytelling.
- Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center (Hudson Valley): The new theater in Putnam County will open in June as the home of Hudson Valley Shakespeare, a non-profit theater company that performs both Shakespearean and contemporary plays. Set on a 98-acre campus overlooking the Hudson River, the 6,800 square-foot, 480-seat open air theater will emphasize ecological restoration and sustainable design while serving as a cultural venue and community resource.
- Thousand Islands Arts Center (Thousand Islands): Opening on June 27, the new 13,000 square-foot arts center and museum will significantly expand the campus, underscoring a strong commitment to the cultural vitality of the region. The expanded campus will further enrich the community as an inclusive, dynamic space where residents and visitors alike can gather, find inspiration and feel a true sense of connection.
- Finger Lakes Virtual Museum (Finger Lakes): Launched in April during National Historic Marker Weekend, this new augmented reality experience transforms more than 65 historic markers across Ontario County into interactive storytelling sites. Using a mobile app, visitors can explore the region’s history from Indigenous heritage to the suffrage movement through immersive, on-site digital content that brings the past to life where it happened.
Attractions Making Headlines This Summer
- Niagara Falls State Park Expansion (Greater Niagara): The major expansion will add over 150 acres and two miles of new trails through the Niagara Gorge. By summer, the project will link the Falls to Whirlpool State Park and Devil’s Hole State Park, creating nearly five miles of continuous scenic overlooks and hiking routes along the river—while keeping access to these dramatic landscapes free. Also debuting this summer, the Crow’s Nest will introduce a new stairway alongside the American Falls designed to ease congestion, allowing visitors to climb partway up for close-range views, eliminating the need to return via the Maid of the Mist elevators.
- Seabreeze Amusement Park (Finger Lakes): The beloved Irondequoit amusement park in Rochester will debut a dual family racing waterslide in June. As the first of its kind in the Northeast, riders will race to the finish line through a series of twists and drops, inspiring friendly competition amongst groups.
- Gore Mountain Zip Coaster (Adirondacks): Opening late summer at the North Creek Ski Bowl, the new Zip Coaster will combine a zipline with a twisting, turning rail system for a unique ride down Gore Mountain. Part of a larger redevelopment that includes a new lodge and upgraded chairlifts, the attraction will further strengthen the North Creek Ski Bowl as a year-round destination.
New Stays to Discover in New York State
- Turning Stone Resort Casino Reimagined (Central New York): The Oneida Indian Nation's $370 million overhaul of Turning Stone Resort Casino has elevated the property it into a meetings and events destination. The multi-phase project, representing the Nation's largest ever investment, is set to be complete this summer. It significantly expands the resort’s footprint, introducing more than 225,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a new convention center and a grand ballroom, along with the 258-room Crescent Hotel, new outdoor gathering areas and enhanced culinary offerings.
- New Paltz Way (Hudson Valley): Just 90 minutes from New York City, the hotel is set to open in July, offering a fresh boutique stay that pairs contemporary design with the relaxed, nature-inspired spirit of the Hudson Valley. Its aesthetic, easy-to-walk location and close access to outdoor highlights like Mohonk Preserve make it especially appealing for travelers looking to balance style with outdoor exploration. The hotel will also feature a luxurious spa with a sauna, steam room, salt room, mineral pool and fitness center.
- Faraway Sag Harbor (Long Island): Scheduled to open in June on the iconic Hamptons harbor front, the former Baron’s Cover property will feature 67 rooms, a pool, terrace, gym and Zagara – an on-site Amalfi-inspired restaurant with a private dining room. Faraway hotels currently have locations in Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, with this expansion marking their first property in New York.
- Hotel Corduroy (Long Island): Opening in May, this new hotel launching in the former Sunset Montauk property promises a design-forward retreat inspired by the area’s natural beauty. At the heart of the site, The Lawn will serve as a vibrant social hub where guests can gather, unwind and take in stunning sunsets. Fire pits will create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and amenities will include beach gear, bicycles and a curated retail shop.
A Taste of What’s New: Restaurant Openings
- Salt (Central New York): Perched on the 7th floor of the Crescent Hotel at Turning Stone Resort Casino, the resort’s newest restaurant will open in June. The signature seafood restaurant will feature an elegant oyster bar, five private dining rooms and an expansive outdoor patio.
- Tony’s Di Napoli (Long Island): The famed New York City restaurant will be opening its first location on Long Island, in Manhasset, this spring. Tony’s Di Napoli is one of the city’s original family-style Italian restaurants and has been celebrated for its authentic red sauce dishes for over 30 years.
For more information on summer travel to New York State, visit iloveny.com/summer
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About New York State
New York State is a premier vacation destination with world-class attractions, picturesque natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine and a vibrant craft beverage scene, an array of accommodations, and iconic, year-round festivals and events. Its 11 diverse vacation regions feature some of the world’s top ranked beaches; two out of America’s top three favorite state parks; breathtaking Niagara Falls; more ski areas than any other state; one of the nation’s longest foliage seasons; multiple Halls of Fame; the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States; and the country’s longest multi-use trail. Add in the state’s unique museums, historic landmarks, cultural sites, charming small towns and urban playgrounds, and it’s no wonder New York has been consistently chosen as a top getaway by travel publications and experts.
For more information on new developments and other happenings in New York State, visit iloveny.com. Press releases and other media assets can be found online in the press room.
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