11 Unforgettable Things You Must Add To Your New York Summer Bucket List

With spring officially arriving and our exciting summer months just around the corner, it’s hard for us to keep from thinking about all the activities we want to accomplish this year! All throughout our state you’ll find incredible landmarks and seasonal activities, often making it hard to narrow down exactly what it is we want to accomplish while it’s warm. Many of our residents may have already started making our summer 2016 bucket lists. In case you haven’t or managed to leave certain adventures off your list, here are 11 unforgettable things you must add to your New York summer bucket list:

V.T. Polywoda/Flickr

Hiding all over our state are some of the most relaxing and refreshing swimming holes you'll ever come across. Who needs a pool when you have so many naturally made ways of cooling off?

redisant/Flickr

While there are so many parks in New York that are worth exploring, Minnewaska's proves to be worth the trip. Packed full of adventures from rock climbing to hiking the highest points of the Shawangunk Ridge to exploring ice caves (yes, even in the summer), you'll leave with unforgettable memories!
Click here for more information.

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For our true adventurers, this one's for you! There may be a handful of fantastic areas to go scuba diving in New York, but Alexandria Bay is one of the most interesting spots of all. Pictured above, you can see for yourself that you never know what's hiding beneath you in the water!
Click here for a list of places to go scuba diving in Alexandria Bay.

A.D. Wheeler / The Explorographer

With the gorgeous beach, a lighthouse, camping and friendly deer waiting to greet you on this island, it's hard to turn down an offer to spend the day here.
Click here for more things to do at Fire Island.

Andy Arthur/Flickr

Ranging in size and skill level, these hiking challenges will give you incredibly rewarding views and a sense of true accomplishment! While the fire tower challenges and the Saranac 6 could be accomplished over the span of a weekend, taking on the Adirondack 46 is a fun adventure to spread across your entire summer.

iris/Flickr

While there's plenty of mind-blowing caves to explore underneath our state, if you're open to suggestions the Lockport Caves are one of our favorites! Featuring a boat ride during this underground tour, you'll have a hard time forgetting this uncommon adventure.

diane cordell/Flickr

Where does one even begin? Is a summer even truly a summer if you don't head up to Lake George at least once? With a water park, amusement parks, arcades, beaches, a Drive-in theatre and more all within 15 minutes from the village of Lake George, you'll truly never run out of activities when you vacation here.
Click here for more activities to check out in Lake George.

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Known throughout New York as one of the best places to go for extreme roller coasters, Darien Lake will absolutely get your blood flowing!
Click here for a preview of what is waiting for you at Darien Lake.

Wild Center/Flickr

One of the most enjoyable ways to learn about New York's wildlife and the wonders of our Adirondack region, coming to explore this enchanting center makes for a day well spent!

Jeanette C/TripAdvisor

Another unique way to cool off and enjoy our exhilarating bodies of water, grabbing a group of friends and conquering the raging waters is something you'll never forget!

k8zeusdog/TripAdvisor

Taking a visit to any one of our state's wine trails, especially in the Finger Lakes, is something worth trying in your lifetime. Sometimes us New Yorkers just need to spend the day by the water with a drink in our hand!
To take a look at the Seneca Lake Trail Map, click here.

Have you already started to create your summer bucket list for this year? Tell us about any places we’ve left off of our list that are worth checking out!