Tourist attractions in New York State: historic castles, gardens, waterfalls, and museums

Bannerman Castle is a 19th-century military depot located on an island in the Hudson River. The crumbling walls and towers of this fortress tell the story of its past as a weapons and ammunition storage facility. Visitors can explore the ruins and learn about the military history of the region. The island setting makes this place a special destination where history and nature come together.

Kykuit is a 20th century estate in the Hudson Valley that features an important art collection, carefully designed gardens, and views across the Hudson River. The property shows how wealthy American families lived during this era and allows visitors to see art within a historic setting. The rooms and grounds tell the story of a family dedicated to collecting and supporting the arts.

The Untermyer Gardens are a large garden property featuring terraces, water features, and Persian-style gardens from the 1920s. Located along the Hudson River, they showcase the garden design of that era. Visitors walk through different garden sections filled with plants, fountains, and pathways. The site combines nature with human design and offers a look at early 20th century garden culture.

Eternal Flame Falls in Erie County is a rare natural wonder where a small waterfall cascades over rocks while a gas flame burns in a rocky alcove beneath it. The flame is fed by methane from underground sources and burns almost continuously, creating an unusual combination of water and fire. This geological oddity attracts visitors curious to see one of nature's stranger phenomena in person.

Opus 40 is a stone landscape created by artist Harvey Fite between 1939 and 1976 from an abandoned quarry. The site features ramps, terraces, and platforms that blend into the natural terrain. It shows how artistic vision can transform an industrial extraction site into a contemplative space. Visitors walk through multiple levels and experience the relationship between human craft, stone, and the land.

Olana was the home of American painter Frederic Church and displays his artistic vision. The building reflects Persian design principles and houses his works. From this property, visitors can view the Hudson River and the landscape that Church captured in many of his paintings.

Val-Kill Cottage was Eleanor Roosevelt's only home, and it now houses a collection of her personal belongings and political documents. This house tells the story of a woman who shaped American history. Visitors can explore the rooms where Roosevelt lived and worked, and learn more about her life and work.

The Seward House Museum in Auburn displays the life and times of statesman William H. Seward. Original 19th-century furniture and artworks fill the rooms where Seward and his family lived. Walking through the house, visitors see how a prominent American family furnished their home during the Civil War era. Personal objects and documents show Seward's role in the nation's history and his daily life with his family.

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua is an estate built in 1887. The mansion displays the architecture of that era with Queen Anne-style details. Nine different gardens spread across the grounds, each with its own design approach. Together, these gardens and the building occupy about 20 hectares. Visitors can walk through the rooms of the house and explore the carefully designed outdoor spaces. The park shows how wealthy families lived during this period and the importance they placed on shaping their properties.

The Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Terminal sits in the vaulted passageway in front of the Oyster Bar Restaurant. The ceramic tiles throughout this space create a curious acoustic effect that allows voices to travel in surprising ways. Visitors can experience how the architecture and materials shape the way sound moves through the room. It shows how history and design are sometimes hidden in the most unexpected corners of Manhattan.

Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora spreads across 633 acres of land with walking trails, open pastures, and historic buildings. The park centers on a 1916 mansion that once belonged to a prominent American family. Visitors can explore the grounds on foot, see the old stables and farm buildings, and learn how people lived on large estates in early 20th century New York. The park offers a glimpse into rural life and architectural history while providing space to walk through fields and woods.

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is a large estate in Oyster Bay that offers visitors a look into American history and nature. The property features a striking Tudor mansion that reflects the lifestyle of wealthy families from earlier times. Throughout the grounds, carefully designed gardens and greenhouses display a varied collection of plants gathered from around the world. Visitors can walk among mature trees, explore flowering gardens, and find quiet spaces to enjoy the natural surroundings. The site brings together architecture, horticulture, and open space in a way that shows how people once lived and what they valued.

The Wild Walk at The Wild Center is a network of walkways set high among the treetops, offering visitors a chance to observe the plants and animals of the Adirondacks from up close. As you step along these wooden paths, you discover how the forest works and how different species live together in this region. The site helps you understand why protecting these natural spaces matters for the creatures that call them home.

Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is a burial ground from the 19th century, notable for its statues and mausoleums. The cemetery is also home to a colony of monk parakeets that nest in the trees. Visitors can walk through the grounds and explore the city's history while encountering these unusual birds that have made their home in this green space. The place combines history, art, and nature in one setting.

The Little Red Lighthouse has stood since 1880 directly under the George Washington Bridge on the Hudson River shoreline in Manhattan. This small red building is a rare remnant of New York City's maritime history. The lighthouse was built to warn ships and help them navigate the river. Today visitors can see this historic structure and learn about the city's connection to shipping and river travel.

Kaaterskill Falls is a two-tiered waterfall that drops a total of 79 meters into the gorge below. Located in the Catskill Mountains, these falls have drawn visitors for generations seeking to experience the power of flowing water. Marked trails guide hikers through the area, and observation platforms offer places to pause and take in the views. The site played an important role in 19th-century American art, inspiring painters who captured the dramatic landscape. Today, the falls remain a place where people connect with the natural world and understand why this region captured artistic imaginations so long ago.

The Historic District of Cold Spring preserves buildings from the 19th century along its streets. These structures show their original facades and architectural details that reflect how people lived and built during that era. Walking through these streets gives you a sense of everyday life in a small Hudson Valley community. The district reveals layers of American history through its physical structures and the way the town was designed.

Allegany State Park near Salamanca is a large natural area with hiking trails, campgrounds, lakes, and forests. Visitors can explore different landscapes and experience the natural side of New York State. The park offers space for outdoor activities and invites people to spend time in nature.

Pratt Rock is a rock formation in Prattsville carved with reliefs from the 1800s that document the life of Zadock Pratt. These carvings directly into the stone tell the story of a man who shaped the region. Visitors can see artwork etched into the rock face, creating a tribute to an important figure in the area's past.

Fort Ticonderoga is a military fortress from the 18th century standing at a strategic location by the water. Stone walls and cannons tell the story of battles and important moments in American history. Inside the fort is a museum that explains the colonial period and the role this place played in early conflicts. Visitors walk through history here and see how people lived and fought in those times.

The Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake tells the story of the Adirondack region from 1800 to the present day through several exhibitions. This museum explores how people have lived in this mountain area and shaped its character over time. Visitors learn about local crafts, traditions, and the connection between communities and the natural world. The museum holds objects and documents that reveal the heritage of this region.

The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is a large residence built during the Gilded Age with original furnishings, maintained gardens, and views of the Hudson River. The house shows how wealthy American families lived during this period. The rooms contain furniture, art, and objects that reflect the style and comfort of that era. The grounds include gardens for walking, and you can see the river from various spots on the property.

This historic property shows visitors a 19th century farmhouse and tells the story of John Brown, an activist during the American Civil War. His grave is located on the grounds. The farm helps explain an important moment in American history through its buildings and what it displays inside. Visitors can walk around the site in Lake Placid and learn about how people lived back then and what Brown believed in.

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a 2.6-kilometer pedestrian bridge built on an old railroad line that connects communities while offering views of the Hudson River. As you walk across, you see the water below and the surrounding landscape unfolding around you. The bridge was transformed from its industrial past into a public space where people stroll, jog, and stop to watch boats and birds. The park captures the region's history of transportation and industry while serving as a green space for daily visitors.

The Secret Caves near Cobleskill are an underground network with around 1800 meters of passages. Visitors can explore natural rock formations and see a 30 meter high underground waterfall. The caves offer insight into the geological history of the region and allow you to observe the power of water that has shaped these structures over time.

Griffis Sculpture Park is a 180-hectare property in East Otto where metal sculptures have been on display since 1966. Located among rolling hills and forests, this place brings together nature and contemporary art. Artworks are scattered throughout the grounds, encouraging visitors to walk through the landscape and discover pieces in unexpected locations. The park offers a different way to experience art, set outdoors in a natural setting rather than confined to museum walls.

Pollepel Island sits in the Hudson River and holds the remains of a military arsenal built in 1901, known as Bannerman Castle. Originally constructed as a munitions storage facility, the castle stored weapons and ammunition for military purposes. Today visitors can explore the abandoned structures and learn about the military history of the region. The island also offers views of the Hudson River and the surrounding landscape.

The Moulin Stony Brook Grist is a mill museum built in 1751 located in Stony Brook. This mill preserves its original equipment and demonstrates how grain was transformed into flour. Visitors can see the historical machinery and learn about the important role mills played in early American communities. The building itself tells the story of craftsmanship and early industrial production in the region.

Old Westbury Gardens is a 32-hectare estate from 1906 featuring English-style gardens with fountains, sculptures, and seasonal flowers. The grounds offer a retreat with carefully maintained landscaping and classical elements that reflect early 20th-century garden design. Visitors can wander through pathways and explore the thoughtfully composed spaces that invite contemplation and appreciation of horticultural artistry.

The Neversink Gorge trails wind through the forest to viewpoints overlooking the river and waterfalls in this nature reserve. Visitors walk along paths that open onto views of the flowing water and the rocky landscape. The trails offer chances to observe the changing seasons and hear the sound of water moving over the rocks throughout the year.

Chittenango Falls State Park features a 50-meter waterfall that drops through a forested ravine, creating an impressive natural sight. The park has trails that wind through different habitats and woodlands, offering visitors a chance to explore the landscape. This location is home to a rare snail species found nowhere else, making it an important site for protecting native wildlife.

Glen Falls in Williamsville is a natural waterfall that cascades down several stone steps, forming pools in Ellicott Creek. This place fits well into New York State's variety of natural attractions, where you can walk and breathe fresh air among geological formations. The waterfall changes with the seasons, offering different views throughout the year.

The Empire State Aerosciences Museum documents the development of aviation through a collection of aircraft from different eras. The museum shows how aviation technology evolved over time and what role New York played in this story. Visitors can see various types of aircraft and learn about the people who advanced aviation.

Art Omi is a large park in Ghent where artists from around the world create sculptures and architectural pieces. The site spreads across meadows and wooded areas, letting visitors walk among the artworks. You can discover contemporary art set directly in nature, which changes how you experience and engage with it. The place brings artistic creation together with the surrounding landscape.

Letchworth State Park is a large natural area near Castile that spans thousands of acres along the Genesee River. The river carves deep gorges through the landscape, creating several waterfalls that can be seen from trails and viewpoints throughout the park. Visitors come here to hike, picnic, and spend time outdoors in a setting shaped by water and time. The park changes with the seasons, offering different views in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Beyond the natural features, the park also contains historical sites and structures that tell stories about the region's past.

Dia:Beacon occupies a former printing factory and presents contemporary art across a spacious venue. The building sits along the Hudson River and retains much of its industrial character. Inside, artists have created large installations and room-scale works that take advantage of the open spaces. Visitors move through galleries at their own pace, spending time with pieces that ask for attention and reflection. The museum brings together art and architecture in a way that feels natural to the space.