Best Family Weekend Destinations in New York State

Beyond New York City, New York State has a remarkable range of family destinations — natural wonders, science centers, and living history sites that work well across age groups.

Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls State Park)
The most visited destination in upstate New York and endlessly impressive for children of all ages. The Cave of the Winds walk to the base of Bridal Veil Falls (ponchos provided) is a standout experience. The Maid of the Mist boat tour goes to the base of Horseshoe Falls. At night, the falls are illuminated in colored lights. The New York side provides excellent viewing; crossing to the Canadian side (passport required) gives the full panorama.

Corning Museum of Glass
In Corning, the Finger Lakes region — the most impressive museum dedicated to a single material in the world. The glass art collection spans 3,500 years; the live glassblowing demonstrations (free) are among the most engaging museum experiences in the state. Kids can make their own glass pieces in the studio. Corning, NY is the hometown of Corning Incorporated, which invented Pyrex and gorilla glass.

Natural History Museum and Planetarium (New York City)
The American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan is the finest natural history museum in the US — perhaps the world. The Hall of Ocean Life (great blue whale model), the Hayden Planetarium, the dinosaur halls, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space are exceptional. The museum is on the Upper West Side, directly adjacent to Central Park.

Saratoga Springs Family Weekend
The Saratoga National Historical Park has battle trails accessible to families; the Children's Museum at Saratoga has hands-on exhibits; and the racetrack's backstretch walking tours let kids meet racehorses. The Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College often has family-oriented exhibitions.

Adirondacks: Lake Placid and Mirror Lake
Lake Placid's Olympic heritage makes it unique for families: you can watch bobsled and luge runs in winter, ride the gondola on Whiteface Mountain in summer, and tour the 1980 Olympic facilities. Mirror Lake is a perfect swimming and paddling lake in the village center.