8 Unforgettable Experiences to Add to Your New York Summer Bucket List

Summer in New York is more than just a change in weather—it’s a grand invitation to explore, discover, and indulge.

With its amazing gardens, well-known museums, famous Olympic skating rinks, and unforgettable festivals, New York is a great place to feel the holiday season.

If you’re staying in New York long or for a short period only, here are eight unforgettable activities that should be on your list this summer.

Chase Waterfalls in the Southern Tier

The Southern Tier region of New York is a hiker’s paradise, covered with lush forests, majestic gorges, and awe-inspiring waterfalls.

• Watkins Glen State Park boasts 19 waterfalls in just two miles, with stone bridges and paths leading you behind the cascading water for a surreal experience.
  📍 1009 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
• Taughannock Falls State Park, meanwhile, features a jaw-dropping 215-foot waterfall—“three stories taller than Niagara Falls”—and a gorge that carves through ancient rock.
  📍 1740 Taughannock Blvd., Trumansburg

If your ideal summer day includes nature, photography, and a touch of adrenaline, lace up your boots and go explore.

Explore Albany Institute of History & Art

Albany Institute of History & Art gives you a look at New York’s culture, because it preserves over 35,000 artifacts and over a million documents from the Hudson Valley as well as from other parts of the country. In 1791, this museum was created so it became not only New York’s oldest but also one of the nation’s oldest.

The Institute makes sure your visit is both educational and impressive with their collection of galleries, offerings of education programs, and a large research library. “The history comes alive in this place, and you feel it, not only see it,” said a tourist.

📍 125 Washington Ave., Albany
🕐 Wed–Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun: 12 – 5 p.m.
💵 General admission: $12

Visit Innisfree Garden

If you’re craving serenity wrapped in artistry, Innisfree Garden in Millbrook offers a 185-acre escape that feels almost dreamlike. Combining Modernist, Romantic, Chinese, and Japanese garden styles, this place is centered around quiet Tyrell Lake. Strolling is more about meditation than just walking.

The main 1.3-mile route features stunning alcoves, sitting stones, and there are waterfalls that appear out of the blue. “Innisfree is a walk-through art, history, and nature all at once,” say locals who make seasonal pilgrimages here.

📍 362 Tyrrel Road, Millbrook
🕐 Open Wed–Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (until Columbus Day)
💵 General admission: $10

Sip and Savor on the Finger Lakes Wine Trails

Summer and wine pair perfectly—and nowhere does it better than the Finger Lakes region, home to three distinct wine trails:

• Seneca Lake Wine Trail: 28 wineries, 600+ varietals.
• Cayuga Lake Wine Trail: 10 scenic vineyards.
• Keuka Lake Wine Trail: Six heritage-rich wineries, some with over 25 years of history.

“Every sip tells a story of the land, the vines, and the people who tend them,” says a local vintner. Choose a trail, grab a tasting passport, and let your palate lead the way.

Celebrate Summer at Unforgettable Festivals

Festivals are the soul of summer, and New York doesn’t disappoint:

• Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance (Trumansburg): Four days, endless rhythms. July 17–20
• Warwick Food Truck Festival: Gourmet eats + live music = your new favorite summer hangout. June 5 & July 3
• Adirondack Wine & Food Festival (Lake George): 120+ vendors and top-tier tastings. June 28–29

Whether you’re dancing under the stars or devouring street tacos, these festivals bring communities—and flavors—together.

Glide Through Olympic History in Lake Placid

Ever dreamed of skating like a champion? Head over to Lake Placid’s Olympic Center, since it was the location for the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. Skating here is not just an activity; it gives you a chance to take part in sporting history.

What’s more, the Lake Placid Olympic Museum contains one of the widest selections of Winter Olympic artifacts in the nation. “You can sense the history here in the ice.”

📍 2634 Main St., Lake Placid
💵 Public skating: $15 adults, $12 youth/seniors, free under 6

Honor 200 Years of the Erie Canal

As the Erie Canal approaches its bicentennial in 2025, this engineering marvel is being celebrated all summer long. Connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie across 363 miles, the canal helped define the economic and cultural identity of New York.

Expect concerts, art exhibits, re-enactments, and more from Albany to Buffalo. “It’s not just a canal—it’s a legacy,” say event organizers. For a full list of events, visit eriecanalway.org/bicentennial.

Experience the Excitement of the New York State Fair

Cap off your summer with the iconic New York State Fair—a 13-day explosion of music, rides, food, and fun. With headliners like Busta Rhymes, Shaggy, and O.A.R., plus hundreds of vendors, agricultural showcases, and carnival thrills, the fair truly has something for everyone.

📍 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
🗓️ Aug. 20 – Sep. 1 | 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
🎟️ Visit nysfair.ny.gov for updates

Now Transform This Summer Into a Memorable One

From relaxing inside a beautiful garden to socializing at a food truck party, the summer season in New York has a lot to offer. Get your day bag, charge your phone, and bring your desire for adventure, since the Empire State has plenty to offer this spring.