Last fall, my family and I moved to Buffalo, NY. As we moved into our rental literally four days before my daughter’s first day of school, we did not have much time to explore.

But now, it’s summer.

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It is my Universe, after all.

A Summer of Fun

Now if you are not aware, upstate/western New York is CRAZY beautiful! Probably some of the most stunning places in the USA. I really had no idea before I got here. Mountain ranges offer national parks, and there’s something for everyone. There’s too much to do in one summer and if you come to visit, you can feel overwhelmed.

So I thought I would share a very quick “tourist” guide to things to do. Now remember New York is a big state. Plan based on the vicinity and then come back. Don’t try to have activities planned in the Adirondacks on the same day you want to do something in Niagara. It’s not happening.

You’re not alone

Remember, just about everyone is going to have the same idea of going upstate in the summer. It makes sense. It’s often cooler. It’s beautiful (yes, I know I said that, but sometimes things are worthy of saying again). The mountain ranges, such as the Adirondacks and the Catskills, are simply amazing. If the name Catskills perks your ears and you’re not sure why, think “Nobody puts Baby in a corner”.

Hidden inside trees and foliage, you can catch summer and early fall concert(s) in these stunning locations. For example, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts holds events that last well into the stunning changing of the leaves. This is high on my list as I love live music/

Parks, Lakes, and Falls, oh my!

Did you know there are 22 national parks in the state of New York? 12 of which are outside NYC? I didn’t. Heck, I lived in NYC for a year and didn’t know there were 10 in the city!!! 🤷‍♀️

They cover 27,000 acres across the state and get this, Adirondack Park is larger than Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone put together. WHAAAAAAT?????

Then, you cannot forget the lakes of New York, such as Green Lake, Cayuga Lake, and Seneca Lake. We even sit on two of the Great Lakes - Lake Erie and Ontario. Finally, you can’t visit the upper part of New York without stopping by the glorious US side of Niagara Falls.

Historic Upstate New York Towns

New York is one of the USA’s oldest and, therefore, most historic states. The state is littered with history! Towns that were vital to the foundation of the US., towns that helped with the Union against the British, and towns that were impacted by the Civil War. Towns like Albany (also the capital), which was the home of Abraham Lincoln, Saratoga, where the British were defeated, and Town Line, which seceded in 1861.

Taking a small detour to fantasy, you can’t miss the infamous Sleepy Hollow. We are saving this for a trip in the fall to get the full Wahington Irving effect.

Family Fun

Now my kids are older and they have come to appreciate historic sites and parks more than they did before, they still really want to do some parks to the list. The kind that have rides listed on their foldable maps. Fortunately, there is no shortage of them either up here.

Some of the best theme parks include Six Flags Great Escape, Calypso’s Cove, and Seabreeze Amusement Park. And while skiing is off the activity list, the town of Wilmington’s White Face mountain offers Gondola rides and disc golf for those who like more of the outdoor life. That would not necessarily be us.

Upstate is gorgeous, but if you aren’t from New York, you must sometime go to the city of all cities.

Head Down to the Big Apple

NYC is one of the largest tourist attractions in the world and boasts around 60 million visitors per year. My husband’s family is from there and we lived there before 9/11 so bringing the kids down for a proper visit is high on our Summer Bucket List.

The City That Never Sleeps

Times Square is Tourist Central, full of theaters and restaurants. I recommend going there late at night. I know that sounds odd, but it is so surreal and fun to be standing in full light at 11:00 pm. Most shops are still open and you feel very safe. It truly lives up to its moniker.

No visit is complete without at least one show. Tickets can be very expensive, but at the heart of the Square, you will find tkts where discount day-of tickets for many shows.

Another of my favorite things to do is see art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers exhibits from Dutch masters, African origins, and even the late fashion designer and DJ Karl Lagerfeld. I am beyond excited to see that exhibit. I love the thought of art and fashion colliding.

Stay Tuned…

Upstate New York is among the finest places to visit in the US. I know, I made it my home. Keep an eye out as I share the favorites of my summer of fun.

Tell me, which of the above do you think you will visit?