Whether it's the taste of nostalgia or the unusual sight of seeing structures swallowed up by Mother Nature, there's something intriguing about visiting abandoned sites in New York. All around the state, urban explorers can visit a variety of neglected locations that have been left to do nothing but crumble away with time. The Empire State is usually quick to demolish decrepit structures, but somehow these 12 abandoned places in New York state still remain and have been reclaimed by nature.
1. Abandoned Girl Scout Camp - Beechwood State Park
A spot many of our residents aren't aware of, hiding in the village of Sodus out near Lake Ontario there's an abandoned Girl Scout camp within Beechwood State Park. Abandoned since the mid-1990s, the abandoned amenities of this camp have been left to rot away with time. From an Olympic-size swimming pool that's covered in graffiti to empty cabins, there's much to be explored inside this state park of Western New York.
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Explore the Abandoned Girl Scout Camp in Beechwood State Park in this video from Unearthly Upstate:
What originally was located in the village of Tahawus can now technically be found in the town of Newcomb. A town that would be abandoned not once but twice, the town of Tahawus was moved to Newcomb back in the early 1960s. Today, the old mining town has rapidly withered away with time, with only certain structures and equipment left remaining today.
Enjoy a hike down in the Catskills to explore the ruins of an old hotel on Overlook Mountain, one of the creepiest abandoned places in upstate New York. Halfway through this 5-mile out-and-back hike, you'll discover the abandoned ruins of what was once a popular hotel. After suffering from several fires (talk about bad luck), the hotel has remained abandoned since the early 1920s. While the DEC advises explorers to not actually go inside the unstable ruins, you can still enjoy the incredible view of this abandoned place from the trail.
As far as abandoned places on Long Island, there's a small area in Nassau County out on Long Island, Syosset, which is home to the magical Muttontown Preserve. While many of the abandoned places on this list have a very creepy and eerie vibe to them, the ruins of this New York preserve are actually quite beautiful and much less haunting. A nearly three-mile-long hike within the large preserve will take you right to the ruins of King Zog's castle where you can explore what was once meant to be the home of an Albanian king.
One of the most popular places to visit when people take the time to explore Roosevelt Island is the ruins of this Smallpox Hospital. The hospital opened back in 1856 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Located on the southern end of the island, most people now simply refer to this location as the Renwick Ruins. No matter what you call it, it's one of the most hauntingly beautiful abandoned places in New York, and worth a visit.
Closing its doors back in 1978, the women's college originally opened up back in 1890. Sitting on over twenty acres of land, the school eventually closed once it could no longer compete with coeducation schools throughout New York. Today the main building called Halcyon Hall can be found decaying away, covered in greenery.
In 2022, the abandoned Halcyon Hall of the Bennett School for Girls in Millbrook was demolished. Watch this rather sad moment in history as a once grand establishment returns to dust in this video from Antiquity Echoes:
On the Hudson River down near New York City, Pollepel Island is home to some of New York's most beautiful ruins. Looking like a place that was once fit to house a Disney princess, the castle used to serve as a military surplus warehouse. Strange, huh? Built in 1901, the island suffered a great deal of damage to its structures after a fire took place in the summer of 1969. Today when the weather's warm enough you can Bannerman Castle to the island to see this abandoned place in New York.
Calling all Orange Is The New Black fans, this is the abandoned location in New York where the series originally began filming. Buildings on the property that are from the 1930s have been left abandoned, many of which our residents will tell you are supposedly haunted. Off-limits to visitors, Rockland Psychiatric Center is just one of the many abandoned mental hospitals you can find in New York.
Fort Tilden is one of our most interesting ruins to explore in New York, mainly because of its unique location. Most of the ruins we find ourselves exploring end up being tucked away within the forest or have quite the opposite scenery and can be found in more urban settings. But Fort Tilden is located out on the western end of the Rockaway peninsula, surrounding you with the ocean and beach scenery where you wouldn't expect to discover ruins like this. What was once a military post is now one of the most visited abandoned places in New York, and it's also be found on the National Register of Historic Places.
Abandoned since the mid-1950s, the Rochester Subway is a fascinating location within the Downtown area. The city of Rochester has long been conflicted over what exactly should happen to the property now that it is abandoned and with no actual solutions ever coming to a head, the location has continued to rot away. Today, the subway tunnels have become a popular place for urban explorers to check out as well as graffiti artists.
Out in Western New York in the small village of Dansville, there's an old castle on the hill that we're sad to see abandoned. Having several different names and owners over the course of its history, the building most famously served as a hotel and hospital during the Great Depression. There have long been rumors of the beautiful structure being restored, but so far nothing has been decided, so it sits alongside the many abandoned places in Western New York. We think this is one of the most intriguing abandoned places in NY.
Located on the East River between the Bronx and Riker's Island, North Brother Island is where you can find the ruins of the old Riverside Hospital. A place that once treated quarantinable diseases, the hospital would also go on to serve as a treatment facility for young drug addicts. The island has an overall dark and eerie history. If you're familiar with the story of Typhoid Mary then you already know that this is the island where she would eventually die in 1938.
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Learn more about North Brother Island in New York City in this video from
Kenopsia Explorers:
Have you ever visited any of these abandoned places in New York state? For more creepy things, see if you're brave enough to read about this house that's so terrifying it was legally declared haunted by New York State! Or, if you are up for a tour of New York's creepiest spots, try this haunted places road trip through New York. Pack your bags, rent an RV from RVShare, and go on a spooky adventure to some abandoned places near you in NY.
In New York, we've got everything from haunted hotels to haunted restaurants that you can experience for yourself. One thing you might not have known though is that one of the most haunted theaters in the country is actually in the central part of our state. More than just a jaw-dropping venue, many firmly believe that the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse is seriously haunted. Come along as we give you all the behind-the-scenes scoop about this well-known haunted theater in New York...if you dare!
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Located on South Salina Street, the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse is known for being a head-turning location.
There are quite a few variations of the tale, but the most common one that you'll hear is that a woman named Clarissa fell off of the balcony in the theater to her death.
Many believe that witness the spirit of Clarissa in the theater in different ways, with some smelling the scent of the flowers she was always known to be carrying, while others claim to actually see her princess-like spirit roaming the halls.
Some also believe that Clarissa's spirit isn't the only one in the theater, in fact, some say that the reason Clarissa fell to her death is that she witnessed the man she loved, a stagehand, accidentally get executed on the stage.
The area itself is one that's no stranger to haunted tales and whispers of local spirits haunting buildings, but many truly believe that the Landmark Spirit is home to the ghost of Clarissa. Some even say that Clarissa has such a distaste for cigarettes that she once scared a member of a rock band that was performing at the theater and had made his way down to the tunnel she's known to wander in. Yikes!
If you were to do a search for "haunted places near me," this spot would most certainly appear near the top of the list!
It is that time of year again when you can brew up some pumpkin spice lattes, enjoy the crisp air, and find the best things to do in New York in the fall. Let me tell you when the leaves start to change there is no better place to be than in the Empire State. New York in the fall is certainly a magical place not just from the colors but by the plethora of New York fall activities and fun just waiting to be experienced. With only a short window to enjoy all there is to see and do this season let's jump right into it.
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New York Fall Foliage: Where To Go In New York For Fall Foliage
New York's fall foliage is among some of the best in the world offering a fiery array of colors from our city parks to the highest mountains. Typically the height of the season peaks around the last week in September and the first week of October. So you have a short time to make the most of it so make sure to make your plan ahead of time to see the best places to visit in New York in the fall.
Location: A mountain range in North East New York.
Wow Factor: These mountains house some of the most beautiful fall colors you have ever seen.
Need To Know: This is a very remote area in some places so make sure you have a paper map when you lose cell phone reception.
When we first visited New York in the fall, this was the location we chose. I still think this is the best spot in the entire state. The mountains become a canvas for fall colors and everywhere you go you will be treated to some of the greatest fall colors in the east. Some of the best places to visit while you are cruising around the Adirondacks are Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain, and High Fall Gorge. Even if you just want to take a pretty drive there are so many places to just get lost in the beautiful fall landscape. We have found charming little towns, windy mountain roads, and crystal-clear ponds that mirror the surrounding fall foliage. If you are keen on history then find your way to the various covered bridges or witness the Olympic sight all in this cozy mountain oasis.
Need To Know: This is a great place for scenic drives, hiking, and exploring during the fall foliage.
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When it comes to beautiful mountains the Catskills Mountains are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places you can go in New York. With miles and miles of mountainous acreage, you will have many places to explore, hike, or just go for a scenic drive. One of my favorite ways to enjoy the foliage is to get out on my own two feet and hike through the forest. The crunchy leaves underfoot as others gracefully drift from the trees to the ground make for an enchanting way to experience any trail. You can witness waterfalls, overlooks, and interesting paths no matter what your skill level is, you owe it to yourself to experience these mountains in the fall.
Wow Factor: A fall retreat in the middle of New York City.
Need To Know: Spend plenty of time in this huge park with loads of pretty trees
The mountains make sense as a go-to fall destination but I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that in the center of the concrete jungle of New York City lies one of the prettiest fall spots. Have you ever been to Central Park in the fall? This brilliantly designed green space in the city comes alive with color in the fall! You can bring a picnic and sit on the lawn of the Sheep Meadow or the North Meadow, make sure you take in all of the sights with places like iconic bridges and waterways reflecting the fiery colors of fall. If you live in the city then make sure you head into the park this season to take in the autumn bliss.
Location: Just slightly left of the middle of New York state.
Wow Factor: Lakes, waterfalls, and fall colors!
Need To Know: Make sure to visit the state parks in the area.
The Finger Lake region of the state holds some of the prettiest views and state parks, but it only gets better during the fall months. Enjoy the crisp air while eyeing an endless horizon of the massive lakes all of which reflect the fall foliage in a stunning array of colors. Places like Taughannock Falls is a must-see in the autumn. This is the tallest waterfall in New York. Taughannock Falls sits in a bowl-shaped canyon and is simply breathtaking. Watkins Glen is wholly different from any other state park I have ever visited; the stone pathways and bridges look amazing with colorful leaves framing every picture taken. These two parks are worth the visit no matter what time of the year.
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Best Pumpkin Patches In New York
While the changing trees tend to take the spotlight in the autumn season, we can’t overlook everyone's favorite fall decoration; the humble pumpkin. Here we will dig into some of the best pumpkin patches in New York. So if you have been searching for “Some of the best fall activities near me” Then you are in luck because many of these farms have a lot more than just pumpkins to offer. In fact, each one is worthy of its own day trip.
Wow Factor: Pumpkins, games, cider donuts, and so much more!
Need To Know: Weekdays are free, but most activities are on the weekend as well as the cider donuts.
The Great Pumpkin Farm is well, pretty great. It is the biggest fall festival in the region and one of the best places to get many different pumpkins. That's not the only thing for sale either, pick up ghoulish Halloween decorations, and more goodies including freshly made donuts on the weekends. There are many different events each weekend from mid-September till the end of October so make sure to check the calendar of events online before you go. Kids will enjoy the many different carnival rides and activities for them. Bring your family and get lost in the massive corn maze or come back for a terrifying Halloween event. Fall isn’t complete without a visit to The Great Pumpkin Farm.
Need To Know: Pick your own pumpkins right from the vine.
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If you are looking for big pumpkins and I mean huge pumpkins then there is no better place than Awald Farms. This farm boasts some of the biggest pumpkins in the state some of them up to 200 pounds! Don’t worry, you won’t need to bring along a wheel barrel to bring home a pumpkin because they also have some normal ones too. Walk among the grounds and pick your own right from the vine or pick one out from the collected bunch. While you are there shop at the country store and kids can enjoy a variety of activities like the play area and the corn maze. Awald Farms is all about huge pumpkins and big fun this fall so make sure you pay them a visit.
Need To Know: There is an admission price to enter the farm.
Everything you could ever want in a classic fall festival can be found at the lovely Abbott Farms. Apple picking? Check. Corn maze? Check. Pumpkins? Your betcha! Everything you can think you would find at a classic farm festival and so much more can be enjoyed at this amazing farm. Chomp down on a fresh warm cider donut, sip on delicious hard cider, and go on a good old-fashioned wagon ride. Maybe it's just nostalgia but there is something special about a simple harvest festival on a farm and if that same sense of the good old days calls to you then Abbott Farms is waiting to greet you with open arms, and pumpkins!
Best Fall Festivals In New York
From one of the most fantastic light shows of the year to launching pumpkins into the water, the Empire State certainly has very different ways to celebrate the autumn season. Here are some of the best fall festivals in New York state.
8. The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze - Hudson Valley and Long Island
Wow Factor: The most spectacular jack-o-lantern art you’ve ever seen.
Need To Know: This event is happening in two locations at different times so make sure you know before you go.
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The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze is one of the most spectacular displays of carved pumpkins you will ever see. You can imagine the over-the-top Christmas displays and events we have seen over the years but replace the twinkling lights with jack-o-lanterns and you can start to get the idea of what to expect. Years prior they have had some of the most interesting artwork with various themes and it is a real visual spectacle. Some of the pieces are so greatly detailed it is hard to fathom how they accomplished such an incredible masterpiece. Experience the magic yourself this year and get your tickets to The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze.
Need To Know: BBQ, yeeting pumpkins, what more could you ask for?
There are two types of people in this world: people who quietly sip a cup of apple cider after admiring their perfectly crafted pumpkin display in the fall, and people who launch pumpkins from a trebuchet. If you line up more with the latter than the former the Punkin Chuckin festival is the place for you. Watch as everyone’s favorite orange fall decoration gets helplessly flung high in the air and into the St. Lawrence River. If that was all that people gathered for then that would be enough but you can also nosh on some of the best BBQ around and enjoy many fun activities and games too! What an event. If you want to celebrate fall a little differently this year then make sure to check out Chuckin Pumpkin.
Apples and pumpkins get all the attention in the autumn but there is one cherished tradition that has been taking place for over 40 years that dares to be different. The Oyster Festival is a long-standing fall event where you won’t find all of the standard offerings but celebrating love for oysters. At this family-friendly festival, you can enjoy all the things these slurpy shells can give us as well as live entertainment, games, crafts, and so much more. Spend your fall doing something a little bit different this year by attending The Oyster Festival.
Free & Cheap New York Fall Activities
If it's free it's for me! Some of the best things in life won't cost you a single cent and that's what I am all about. Getting in the car and finding our way to the best places to visit in New York in the fall is a dream come true and I am going to show you some of those places. So let's get ready to have a super fun weekend trip without breaking the bank.
Need To Know: Find some of the best places to drive and take a trip through the countryside.
We took a trip specifically to New York one year just to enjoy the fall colors. We loved it so much we went back again! I am pretty partial to the Adirondacks when it comes to the fall season. I was just blown away by the colors in an area teeming with wild expeditions at every turn. It was a spontaneous trip and so finding a covered bridge or a hidden waterfall was an absolute delight. This isn’t the only spot in the state for a cruise but there are plenty of amazing scenic drives in New York, find one near you and hit the road for a trip.
Wow Factor: Some of the best of the natural wonders lie within the New York park’s system.
Need To Know: Most state parks do charge a small fee to enter.
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New York State Parks hold within them some of the most amazing natural wonders in the world let alone in the state. This is the perfect place to get out and experience the beauty of fall by taking a hike, watching a breathtaking waterfall, or taking a calming break at an overlook. I would suggest visiting Letchworth State Park which is known as the Grand Canyon of the east. This massive gorge houses show-stopping waterfalls and views that are simply unreal. The colors in the trees pop all along the canyon and it is one of the best state parks in New York, however, there are plenty of great finds across the state so find your way to your favorite this fall.
Wow Factor: Seeing the fall foliage from a distance is amazing but immersing yourself in the forest is wholly different.
Need To Know: Practice all the standard hiking safety rules while out and exploring.
If you are an avid hiker like me then chances are you already have a bucket list a mile long of trails you want to go on. You should see the lists I have piled up on my AllTrails app, trust me it's a big list. That being said fall is one of the best times to get outside and enjoy the trails. The weather starts to cool off making a difficult climb a little bit more enjoyable. Whether you are taking a stroll through a wooded park or you scale a mountain taking a hike is one of the greatest ways to experience fall foliage. Take a look at some of the best hikes in New York and maybe you can add some to your bucket list.
Wow Factor: Crisp air, campfires, and colorful trees.
Need To Know: Dress real warm.
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Just picture this, the air has a certain coolness to it that you can feel in the light breeze. You find comfort and warmth near the campfire and the mug of coffee that your hands clasped tightly. The aroma of the wafting smoke fills your nostrils and in the background, as the sun is setting you see the slight movement of leaves rustling in the breeze. This is the beauty of camping in the fall. It sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? I always say there is no such thing as bad weather just bad choice in clothing so bundle up and fully immerse yourself in nature on a camping trip. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of apple cider tea, then rent out a cabin. There are so many great places to go camping in New York so find the best one for you and take a trip.
Wow Factor: Charming farms during harvest time is a classic fall activity.
Need To Know: Some farms charge for admission during certain fall events.
Rural farmlands are always nostalgic to me. With grandparents who owned a farm in New England, there is something special about visiting these agricultural powerhouses during the autumn season. Finding awesome farms in New York isn’t hard but picking one might be. I love apple orchards the most, there is nothing like picking your own apples. Bonus points if the place has fun animals to interact with too. So find your way out to the countryside and visit this timeless tradition.
I can tell you firsthand that there are many fun things to do in New York in the fall. I have very fond memories of my time spent in the Empire State, from chasing waterfalls to scenic fall drives. There is no denying that this is a state blessed with a pretty amazing autumn season. So get outside and enjoy everything that New York has to offer this fall.
During one of my trips to upstate New York, we stumbled upon Roaring Brook Falls, it's a pretty fun adventure so make sure you also check out that story too.
Can't get enough of the fall season? Take the smell of the outdoors inside with you with this pumpkin patch potpourri.
