Unlike other states around the country, in New York, you won't often find many remaining ruins that manage to stick around for too long. Most of the time you'll see abandoned buildings and structures quickly torn down or transformed into something new, yet somehow the ruins of an abandoned 1917 U.S. artillery post still stand out along the waterfront in this one area of New York. Recently receiving a new transformation inside one of the park's abandoned buildings, find out why you need to visit Fort Tilden before summer's over.
Used by the U.S. military from 1917 until 1995, the ruins of Fort Tilden have been abandoned on the beaches of New York for over 20 years now.
Right on the Rockaway Penninsula where you'll find yourself encompassed by views of the ocean and never-ending secluded sandy beaches, the abandoned buildings and structures of Fort Tilden are just a small part of the nearly 27,000 acres that make up the Gateway National Recreation Area.
But this summer, Fort Tilden's abandoned train garage has become the industrial stage for a unique display of art that draws attention to the base's history.
A free public art festival from July 1st through September 3rd, 1,500 mirrored steel spheres by artist Yayoi Kusama's Narcissus Garden will be on display for all to see inside the old train garage.
Giving you the chance to explore an abandoned building in an exclusive way, this summer is officially the perfect time to come explore the ruins of Fort Tilden.
Accessible by car, reaching Fort Tilden out in New York's Rockaways isn't as hard as you may think. The park is open every day from sunrise until sunset, with plenty of amazing beaches nearby available for swimming and soaking up the sun. So after you spend the day exploring these old ruins, you can cool off in the ocean to create an unforgettable summer day.
August is here, and the finish line of summer is in sight. For some of us, that means looking forward to pumpkin-picking and spooky season. For others, it means the dreaded end of beach days and the dawn of back-to-school sales. But whether you're looking forward to the next season or wanting summer to stick around, there's still time to pack some fun into those last few weeks. Here at Only In Your State, we love finding new and exciting things to do in every season, so we put together this New York Summer Bucket List to help you make the most out of the end of summer. You might want to stick close to the city, or you might be up for an epic adventure. No matter where you live in the state, there's something fun and exciting to do in order to ensure summer goes out with a bang.
There's no better way to spend a summer day than river tubing. Just get in your tube, let the river carry you where it may - and sure, bump and splash your buddies if you like! Some of the best river tubing in New York can be found on Lake Luzerne at Tubby Tubes River Co.
There are some days where outdoor activities aren't so inviting - like when it gets above 90. That's when I love to explore a mall full of activities - and New York has two of the largest malls in the United States. Destiny USA in Syracuse is the largest, featuring an indoor ropes course, a kid-friendly museum, a comedy club, and a historic carousel. Palisades Center in Nyack, run by the same company, is even taller and has a fantastic dining scene.
New York's beaches are incredible - but not only the NYC ones! Lake Ontario, found upstate, has some incredible natural sand beaches on a freshwater lake, with fewer crowds than the Atlantic and no salt water in the eyes. Many of the destinations, like Fair Haven Beach State Park, have amazing amenities like campgrounds on site as well.
4. Take A Ride On New York's Newest Roller Coaster
Six Flags Great Escape, located in Lake George, just opened the first wooden roller coaster in New York in 25 years, and The Bobcat is currently thrilling riders! This family wooden coaster is smooth, zippy, and completely built from scratch with a rustic Adirondack theme. That's just the start of the fun at this massive resort too.
Bargain-hunting during the summer is a lot of fun, and Brooklyn Flea has a great reputation as the best flea market in the five boroughs. Featuring hundreds of vendors, it's open year-round on Saturdays and Sundays.
New York has some incredible waterfront dining, allowing you to enjoy anything from casual burgers to high-end steak minutes from the water. Our favorite spot is Carne Mare, located not far from the Financial District. This Andrew Carmellini steakhouse has amazing indoor decor and patio dining that's perfect for a special night out.
Summer is peak hiking season, and the views are stunning at places like Hudson Highlands Park Preserve. Our favorite hike here is known as Anthony's Nose, and it features great vantages of Bear Mountain and the Hudson River. This two-mile out-and-back hike is moderately challenging, so bring good hiking boots.
Some treats are worth the drive! Rulfs Orchard is located all the way in the north of the state, near the Vermont border, but one taste of the spectacular pies, apple cider donuts, and more is worth the trip to rustic Peru - which is also home to a unique salt cave.
Pine Plains is located around two miles outside of New York City, but it feels like a world away. This charming town of just under 1,200 people is home to historic decor, a great antique furniture shop, the phenomenal Stissing House restaurant, and the well-known Fire Tower at Stissing Mountain.
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10. Find A Secret Haven In The World's Most Famous Park
Everyone knows Central Park - but perhaps not all of it. The Central Park Conservatory Garden is a free-admission botanical garden featuring three distinct areas themed to the great gardens of Europe's history. This is an amazing retreat for when you've gotten tired of the crowds and want an area without the traffic of beloved New York attractions like the Central Park Zoo.
Have you done any of the items on our New York summer bucket list? What are your plans for the rest of the summer? Let us know in the comments section! If you're looking for more outdoor adventures this summer, check out our list of the best hikes in New York. And wherever you're going, there might be some hot and sunny days ahead, so make sure to pack sunscreen.
When it comes to tourist attractions, New York State can go toe-to-toe with anywhere in America! With that in mind, it was hard for us to pick just 15 attractions, but after some thinking, we were able to put together what we think is a pretty great list of New York destinations. Below, find some of our favorite places to check out in New York. We hope it helps guide tourists on their journey around this great state. There is no doubt about it, these are some of the top tourist destinations in New York State.
Is there anything more iconic than Central Park? The New York City park is known around the world as one of the best urban green spaces, period. Any trip to New York isn’t complete without a trip to Central Park.
The former site of not one but two Winter Olympic Games, Lake Placid is still a favorite training destination for Olympic athletes. It’s also a cozy village that really shines in the the colder months. Don’t get us wrong, it’s great in the summer, too. We recommend a trip to The Historical Society Depot Museum, which is located in an old train station.
Named in honor of the Storm King Mountain, this open-air art museum is home to one of the biggest collections of contemporary art sculptures in the country. The Storm King Art Center makes for the perfect afternoon destination, so visitors should make some time on their road trip to make the stop in New Windsor, New York and check it out for themselves.
Nothing says American freedom like the Statue of Liberty. The massive neoclassical sculpture is located on Liberty Island in New York City and, all these years later, still shines as one of the most iconic statues in America. The statue should be on everyone’s short list of destinations in New York.
Located in central New York State, the village of Cooperstown is a great spot for a day trip. It’s home to both the Famers Museum,and the Fenimore Art Museum, which takes a focus on American fine art and folk art. But the town’s main attraction for many will be the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which features legendary artifacts and interactive exhibits.
Situated on the southern end of Wellesley Island and sometimes called TI Park, Thousand Island Park makes for an amazing vacation spot. Visitors can enjoy bike and kayak rentals, stay the night at The Wellesley Hotel, and have a nice meal at the ice cream parlor and restaurant The Guzzle. Yoga fans will want to take park in River Yoga, a great way to get in some exercise while taking in some great water views.
Everyone knows about Niagara Falls, but not everyone has seen the site in person. We think that any tourist to New York State needs to make it a priority to view it up close and personal. Sometimes residents of New York will admit to us that they haven’t seen Niagara Falls, and we are shocked! Now is as a good of a time as ever, so make the trip to Niagara Falls this spring or summer.
A 14,427-acre New York park situated in the western section of the state, Letchworth State Park will be a delight to any lover of the great outdoors. The park runs around 17 miles along the Genesee River and includes more than one large waterfall. Some have even called it the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
This looking for a cute small town day trip in New York could do a lot worse than Jamestown. Showbiz enthusiasts will enjoy both the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, which was made in tribute to Ball, who claims Jamestown as her hometown.
Coney Island is a favorite of New Yorkers, and for a great reason. It has plenty of activities and the sort of boardwalk atmosphere that will make visitors feel as if they are going back in time. Do not stop in Coney Island without taking a trip on the Cyclone, which we think is one of the most iconic rollercoasters in the entire country.
There are plenty of great art museums in New York State, and we think that the Buffalo AKG Art Museum ranks among the best of them. The museum started an expansion in 2021 and opened back up to the public in 2023, making it a gleaming new place for visitors to take in all things modern and contemporary art.
People who love a bit of adventure will love the Ausable Chasm. This pretty canyon is the home of all sorts of activities—everything from tours to cliff hikes to mountain biking and river rafting. The chasm has been open to the public since 1870, which gives it the title of the longest operating natural attraction in the entire country!
For those who just can’t get enough of the great outdoors, there is Panama Rocks Park, which is a hiker’s delight. Anyone who enjoys walking amongst big rocks, caves, and tunnels will get a kick out of this park, whose hike length is a very manageable one mile loop.
Not just a body of water, the town of Lake George is the perfect destination for a variety of activities. There is the lake, of course, but Lake George is also situated within the Adirondack region, which provides plenty of great nearby nature. And then there is the town itself, which is full of great dining and shopping options.
Let’s end the list right, in the big city. With that in mind, nothing says “big city lights” quite like Times Square. We know that it is a tourist cliche, but there is really nothing else as visually stimulating and unforgettable as a trip to Times Square at night. So we say that all tourists should at least spend a few hours taking in the neon glow of one of New York City’s most famous districts.
The sheer variety of top tourist destinations in New York state —the city and the country; all of the serene natural destinations and the exciting urban spaces—make it an unforgettable destination for tourists of all ages. Whether a visitor to New York or a resident, there is plenty to explore in the state. Have fun out there, and if you're planning a trip across the Empire State, make sure to bring all your road trip supplies!
