New York State is a popular vacation destination boasting a diverse variety of seasonal activities. Spend the winter months enjoying holiday festivals in New York City or Albany. Moreover, visitors can enjoy some fun in the sun at Long Beach or Green Lakes Park in Syracuse. Admire fall foliage as you venture out from your New York State vacation rental for a scenic drive to Bear or Hunter Mountain. Spring festivals are also prominent attractions in the area. Determine the best time of year to visit New York State with this guide of seasonal activities, attractions, and tips.
New York State in the Summer
Summer in New York State is known as the peak season and draws tourists from all over the world. The weather averages below 85 degrees throughout most of the state except for the New York City area where temperatures can top 95 degrees from June to August. While the temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities such as kayaking and swimming at Green Lakes Park in Syracuse or exploring the Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge, many indoor events sell out and the prices increase with the demand of the crowds.
A New York State vacation rental in the summer, though, offers you the chance to swim and surf in Long Island or join the beachfront festivities in the Hamptons. Head to Jones Beach State Park in Freeport for a boat tour with Freeport Water Taxi and Tours or surf the tides of Lake Oneida at Sylvan Beach in central New York. At Water’s Edge Kayaks, located in Verona, NY, can supply you with the gear you need for a relaxing float before treating the family to an afternoon at the Sylvan Beach Amusement Park.
New York State in the Fall
Fall is often a popular time to attend a sporting events, and New York State delivers with professional teams such as the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Jets in the midst of their baseball and football seasons. Basketball and hockey teams, such as the Nets, Knicks, and Rangers are also ramping up for their seasons, so you get the chance to root on your favorite teams all in one season with a vacation rental in New York State.
The weather during the fall makes New York state an attractive place to visit, with summer temperatures lingering through October in the southern regions and a slight decrease in temperatures averaging 65 to 70 degrees upstate. Enjoy the weather while attending one of the many fall festivals the state has to offer, such as Octoberfest in Hunter Mountain or the Adirondack Balloon Festival. Fall is the prime time to see the foliage on the Bear Mountain Fall Foliage Cruise, or opt for a bike cruise through New York City with Priority Bicycles or Sid’s Bikes NYC to see Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Chinatown.
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New York State in the Winter
As the temperatures drop, you can take advantage of the snowy mountains and cross-country ski centers abundant in New York State. The weather tops out at 40 degrees during November, December, and January, giving you the opportunity to ski Holiday Valley in Chautauqua and Allegheny or Bristol Mountain near the Finger Lakes. Willard Mountain near Sarasota Springs is a popular vacation destination for avid snow skiers, and you can get all the gear you need from the Alpine Sport Shop or the Willard Mountain Ski Area and Ski Shop in Greenwich. When determining what to pack for a winter in New York State, load up your suitcase with heavy coats, hats, and snow gear.
A winter vacation rental in New York State gives you the chance to tour historic museums and indoor hot spots, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the American Museum of Natural History in Albany, or the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. Don’t forget to take part in the plentiful holiday activities found throughout the state, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights, and the Adirondack White Out Weekend.
New York State in the Spring
Spring in New York State gives you the best of two seasons with snowfall likely in late March and early April. As the snow starts to melt and the temperatures rise to an average high of 60 degrees in April, you can begin to see flowers blooming at the Staten Island Botanical Garden and the Wave Hill Public Gardens. Spring is the ideal time to engage in outdoor activities before the tourist rush of the summer begins. Take the family to see the cascading waterfalls of Ithaca that drop hundreds of feet, or tour Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga to see the art exhibitions and stunning landscapes.
Foodies are eager to head to Marathon’s Maple Festival to sample maple syrup, food from local vendors, and listen to live music in the streets. If you’re vacationing in the Allegheny Region, grab your fishing rods for a fishing excursion with the Allegheny River Fly Fishing Company to reel in panfish, carp, and largemouth bass at Alma Pond.
Best Time to Visit New York State
It’s clear that if you want to escape the cold temperatures of this four-season state, Fall is the best time to visit New York State. The fall season affords you with the same activities available in the summer without the crowds and striking views of the foliage within state parks and mountain communities. While fun in the sun during the summer and snowy adventures in the winter are attractive options, a Fall trip to New York State affords you the opportunity to explore outdoor hiking trails and indoor museums and restaurants.
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