I LOVE NY Logo - stackedGet Outdoors and Enjoy a Host of New Attractions, Returning Special Events and Fun-Filled Family Adventures Across the Empire State

New York, NY – March 21, 2022 – There's no place like New York State in the spring and summer, when the days get longer, and the outdoors beckon with the long-awaited return of seasonal parades, festivals and events. A collection of well-designed itineraries showcase the state’s remarkable canal system and the communities they connect, while special celebrations commemorate the lives of two extraordinary women. Visitors can taste their way across the Empire State with a full slate of new restaurants and breweries, while relaxing at new and unique lodging opportunities. Sporting events, museum visits and fun family activities complement any New York State getaway and stand ready to help residents and visitors alike find what they love this spring and summer.

I LOVE NY Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "Spring is a season of renewal – this year more than ever – and New York State offers a multitude of inviting new and returning experiences this year. Travelers are ready to shake off the winter blues and head outdoors for adventure; celebrate art and culture; taste new foods and beverages; and relax at the latest accommodations across the state. This spring and summer, we encourage visitors to come be a part of everything happening in New York State."

Here’s a sampling of new experiences across New York State this spring and summer:

Honoring American Heroines

New York State has a long equal rights history. This spring and summer, plan a trip to recognize two remarkable women:

  • Celebrate the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman's birth, which officially begins in March and runs through Underground Railroad Month in September. New York State was Tubman’s chosen home, and numerous events and commemorations are being planned, including activities around the traveling exhibit titled "Harriet Tubman - The Journey to Freedom." A 9-foot tall, 2,200-pound sculpture depicts Tubman’s travels as she fought to free enslaved people and will make stops in White Plains, Auburn, Rochester and Kingston beginning in April.
  • This spring, the early trails will open at the new Sojourner Truth State Park in Kingston. Born in the Ulster County town of Esopus as Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth freed herself from slavery and traveled the country speaking as an abolitionist and suffragist. Once completed, the new state park will encompass more than 500 acres along the Hudson River shoreline with majestic views of the valley and Catskill Mountains.

Drink, Dine, Sample and Savor

Sip and savor a collection of new restaurants, breweries and eatery experiences across the state:

  • 7 Kitchens at Turning Stone in Verona, Oneida County, opens in April as a reimagined eatery, with seven market-style stations serving a variety of artisan cuisines.
  • Good Night in the Ulster County Town of Woodstock celebrates sharing with a family-style menu of vibrant dishes based around Southeast Asian cuisine.
  • Locust Grove Brewery Barn in Milton, Ulster County, transforms fruit into hard cider and craft beverages with a rotating selection of food trucks.
  • Nettle Meadow Farm and Artisan Cheese in Thurman, Warren County, features a new tasting room, tavern and retail store, with light fare and the farm’s award-winning sheep and goat cheeses.
  • The Bedford Candy Bar features retro sweets and modern favorites, plus ice cream, popcorn, hot dogs and other treats in the Westchester County town of Bedford.
  • Stony Point Brewing Company is planning to open Bricktown Bierhaus, its first taproom, this spring in West Haverstraw, Rockland County.
  • Luna Café in Syracuse is a full-service Japanese restaurant and coffee bar in that has partnered with the Central New York Cat Coalition to boost on-site cat adoptions. 
  • Stone Bend Farm paired up with Buried Acorn Brewing to create a modern pizza and beer experience at its new FLX Tasting Room, a state of the art 4,200 square foot greenhouse in Newfield, Tompkins County.
  • A fast casual restaurant, Lev Kitchen is inspired by Levant cuisine and is set to open this spring in Ithaca.
  • Seneca Stag Brewing, a unique farm brewery located near Penn Yan in Yates County, was built in a refurbished hay barn.

Explore the Great Outdoors

Nature provides the perfect way to emerge from winter hibernation, so step out on National Get Outdoors Day on June 11 at any of these new and re-imagined fresh-air attractions:

  • New York State's On the Canals program offers free and low-cost excursions along the state's Canal System and Canalway Trail including biking, hiking, kayaking, birding, fishing and camping.
  • Also along the canals, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has launched seven new multiday itineraries that feature cycling, paddling and sightseeing options, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy regional foods and beverages.
  • The newly unveiled New York State Birding Trail connects all of the best birding locations in the state. Segments are now open in New York City, Long Island and Greater Niagara, with more to launch in the coming months.
  • The Finger Lakes Trail, stretching more than 950 miles, turns 60 this year. To celebrate, hikers are encouraged to log 60 trail miles as part of the FL60 Challenge.
  • Keep cool with Visit Ithaca's Waterfalls Challenge. Check-in at 22 waterfalls and natural areas around Ithaca using a free digital passport, earning rewards after the 10th and 18th visits.
  • The First Wilderness Heritage Corridor in Warren County has developed its own letterboxing course. The treasure hunting program uses a passport booklet to collect stamps from hidden letterboxes at 28 free cultural, historical and outdoor adventure sites along the Corridor. 

Rest and Reboot

Relax at one of these new or expanded lodging options: 

  • The Chatwal Lodge in Bethel, Sullivan County, is scheduled to open in April as part of the Chapin Estate, a 60-acre gated residential community. Its luxury lodge experience can be enjoyed in any of 10 suites perched at the edge of the Toronto Reservoir Lake.
  • The Wylder Windham lived a previous life as the historic Thompson House Resort. Opening this spring, the new 110-room, full-service resort aims to connect guests to nearby Windham Mountain and the surrounding 20-acre property with a river meandering through it.
  • Following a $17 million renovation, Bent’s Opera House has reopened in the heart of historic downtown Medina in Orleans County. Built in 1865, the ten-room boutique hotel also features an event center and farm-to-table restaurant.
  • The Oneida Nation will open The Cove at Sylvan Beach in May. The $35 million Oneida Lake vacation rental destination features 70 contemporary lakeside cottages, complete with a pontoon boat and dedicated boat slip.
  • Aman New York opens this summer in the heart of New York City with 83 hotel rooms, plus a Garden Terrace & Bar with 7,000 square feet of outdoor dining space, the three-floor Aman Spa, a Jazz Club and Wine Room.
  • A treasured Long Island landmark founded in the 17th century, the newly renovated Canoe Place is America's oldest established inn. Opening this summer, it will offer 20 guest rooms in five completely rebuilt guest cottages in an elevated yet approachable destination, with a luxurious and inviting feel in Hampton Bays.
  • Located at the base of Kenyon Mountain just inside the six million-acre Adirondack Park, Huttopia Adirondacks in Lake Luzerne, Warren County, offers an escape to a secluded forest featuring wood and canvas tents, plus all the comforts of home.

Enriching Arts and Culture Opportunities

Engage your creative side with a variety activities to complement any trip:

  • The United Nations has declared 2022 "The Year of Glass," making a visit to the Corning Museum of Glass a must-do activity. The museum’s popular Hot Glass Demos celebrate 25 years of artistry this year.
  • Discover some of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s finest work along the new Great Wright Road Trip. The route connects nine sites, including the recently restored Martin House Complex and Graycliff in Buffalo, creating a journey through miles of scenic countryside, bountiful vineyards, roadside farm stands and regional Americana.
  • The newly restored Delaware and Hudson Canal Museum and Mid-Hudson Visitor Center in High Falls to explore the 19th-century stone structure and get travel information.
  • Peek behind the curtain when the Museum of Broadway opens in Times Square this summer with interactive experiences that chronicle the city’s rich history of performing arts.
  • The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum celebrates the 120th anniversary of its namesake’s foray into motorcycles with a year-long exhibition opening in August. Dubbed the "Father of Naval Aviation," Curtiss was an accomplished bicycle racer and early motorcycle pioneer. The exhibit represents the largest collection of Curtiss motorcycles and other brands produced in Hammondsport, Steuben County between 1902 and 1912 at the Curtiss facility.
  • Built in 1916, Albany's historic Lark Hall was recently restored and repurposed as a concert venue, hosting a diverse mix of bands and performers.
  • The Whitney Biennial was introduced in 1932 to chart developments in American art, and the 2022 exhibition will be the Biennial’s eightieth edition. It runs from April 6 – September 5 in New York City.
  • Celebrating 40 years of history and innovation, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex in New York City hosts a series of family-friendly activities, new exhibitions and a special anniversary event planned for August 2.

Calling All Kids, and Kids at Heart

New attractions and exciting rides offer excitement and fun for families and thrill seekers alike.

  • LEGOLAND® New York Resort opens for its 2022 season on April 8. This year, the Hudson Valley resort offers a full calendar of exciting events including its first-ever July 4 fireworks, new entertainment venues and shows, and the brand-new LEGO® City Water Playground, scheduled to open this summer.
  • In the Greater Niagara region, Six Flags Darien Lake debuts its new 60 foot-tall Wahoo Wave slide this season.
  • Families can cool off in the Catskills when Zoom Flume Water Park reopens for the season this June. The popular park in East Durham, Columbia County, will debut its new Rip Van Racer Slide, a double flume mat ride.

Special Events Return Across the State

Celebrate New York’s history, heritage and culture, and make any getaway memorable:

  • April 29 – May 1: Enjoy a world class women's-only bicycle focused weekend of competition and camaraderie during the Women’s Woodstock Cycling event. 
  • June 16 – 18: The New York State Blues Festival is one of the largest free blues festivals in the USA. The three-day music weekend celebrates its 30th anniversary this year inside the New York State Fairgrounds in Onondaga County.
  • June 25: Alpha Win Hudson Valley is a new triathlon that includes swimming in spring-fed Williams Lake, biking to the majestic Ashokan Reservoir and running the historic Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. It’s also a qualifier for the S.O.S. Triathlon held in New Paltz in September.
  • July 8 – 9: The 45th Boilermaker 15k Road Race in Utica is a world-renowned foot race series, and often referred to as the country’s best 15K event.
  • July 23 – 24: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Induction Weekend returns to the Cooperstown's summertime calendar.
  • August 15 – 21: The state’s largest outdoor antique event, Madison-Bouckville Antique Week, welcomes more than 2,000 dealers and vendors offering antique treasures, collectible gems and vintage memorabilia. The event spans 14 show fields in Central New York, and admission is free.
  • August 19 – 21: Hudson Valley RibFest, the biggest backyard barbecue in the Hudson Valley, will be held at the Ulster County Fairgrounds.
  • August 22 – 26: The Seneca Lake Wine Trail's Gone to the Dogs event features visits and sampling at 14 different wineries for you, plus dog biscuits and a commemorative bandana for your canine companion.
  • August 24 – September 5: The much anticipated Great New York State Fair returns with rides and games, entertainment, music acts, favorite fair snacks and foods and concerts.

I LOVE NY urges travelers to follow all COVID-related public health and safety guidelines. Visitors should call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions are open and available. More information on New York State travel and COVID-19 is available here.

For more information on new developments and other happenings in New York State, visit iloveny.com. Media can find press releases and more at iloveny.com/thebeat.

About New York State 

New York State is a premier vacation destination with world-class attractions, picturesque natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine and a booming 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; North America’s longest, fastest and highest zipline; 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. 

 

Learn more at iloveny.com and follow us on social media:  

Twitter: @ILoveNYPR (PR handle) 

              Twitter: @I_LOVE_NY (consumer handle) 

Facebook: Facebook.com/ILOVENY 

Instagram: ILOVENY 

YouTube: YouTube.com/OfficialILoveNY 

 

CONTACT: 

Helen Ames

Finn Partners 

(212) 715-1646

Helen.Ames@finnpartners.com

 

Eric Scheffel 

Empire State Development 

(518) 292-5274Eric.Scheffel@esd.ny.gov

 

 

###