10 Best Places to Visit in New York State for Families

Sitting on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York State, the 3 waterfalls of Niagara Falls are a magnificent sight for visitors of all ages. Try a Maid of the Mists or Hornblower cruise for the full falls experience – and free ponchos to keep you all (almost) dry.

As well as taking in the breathtaking views, there are plenty of things for families to do at Niagara Falls. Kids can splash about at the Fallsview Waterpark, get back to nature at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, or head to the Clifton Hill Amusement Park to ride the Niagara Skywheel. The Table Rock Centre is a great first stop to help you make the most of your trip.

No trip to New York State would be complete without a visit to the bright lights of New York City, which has a huge range of family attractions on offer. Head up the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Centre for views of the city skyline or visit one of the many kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History or the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.

From playgrounds and picnics to the zoo, Central Park is a must-visit for families on your New York City trip. Take the kids to see the Statue of Liberty, check out Times Square, or catch a family show on Broadway – you’ll never run out of things to do in the city that never sleeps.

A series of 11 crystal-clear lakes in Upstate New York, the Finger Lakes is a beautiful region to get back to nature on a family trip to New York State. Experience wonderful natural sights such as Watkins Glenn State Park or Taughannock Falls – or try outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, or lake swimming.

Thrill-seeking families should head straight to the Greek Peak Mountain Resort on a trip to the Finger Lakes, where you’ll find a mountain coaster, zip line, mountain biking, adventure playground, and more. Plus, if you have time on your trip to camp out overnight, the whole family will love sleeping under the stars at a campground.

Spanning one-fifth of New York State, Adirondack Park is the largest protected parkland in the USA and home to the Adirondack Mountain range, 3,000 lakes, and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams. Ideal for outdoorsy families, kids can run wild here with hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, and even the occasional amusement park.

From white water rafting to tubing, there are tonnes of outdoor activities for families to try at Adirondack Park. Plus, the Wild Centre at Tupper Lake is a must-visit for active families. Kids can go on canoe trips and tree top trails as well as explore the huge natural history museum The Wild Centre, which features interactive exhibits, a theatre showing nature films and animal encounters – with porcupines, snakes, and more.

Situated on Lake Ontario in New York State, Rochester is a great city to visit on a family break. The city is home to many museums with hands-on exhibits to keep little hands busy, such as the Strong Museum of Play or the Rochester Museum and Science Centre. Plus, you can step back in time to explore a 19th-century historical village at the Genesee Country Village and Museum.

From Ellison Park to the Bausch & Lomb Riverside Park, Rochester also has plenty of green space to enjoy. Kids can hike and cycle here – or kayak and canoe along the many scenic waterways. Plus, the Seneca Zoo and Seabreeze Amusement Park will keep your tribe happy all day long.

Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth State Park is an incredible natural wonder. Expect to see stunning waterfalls, lush forests, and the 600-foot-deep Genesee River gorge that runs the length of the park. Active families can set off to hike one of the many epic trails, or alternatively, you can drive and make stops if you’re travelling with young children.

Letchworth State Park is the perfect place for family bucket list experiences such as white water rafting or taking a hot air balloon ride. Plus, ski-loving families might want to plan a winter visit for snow sports such as snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling in a winter wonderland.

Widely thought to be the ‘home of baseball’ due to the village’s historical connection with the sport, Cooperstown is a must-see for baseball fans. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located here and has a great range of interactive exhibits to bring the sport to life – plus, the Sandlot Kids’ Clubhouse, for kids under 12.

But Cooperstown is not just all about baseball and there are many more reasons to include it in your New York State family holiday. The village sits at the southern tip of Otsego Lake, where you can take a boat tour on the Glimmerglass Queen, rent out kayaks, or enjoy a family-friendly beach and lake swimming from Fairy Spring Park.

Panama Rocks Park is an exciting world of towering rock formations, caves, and trails for adventurous kids and parents alike. There’s a range of unusual activities to try, including axe throwing (for visitors from 12 years old), with designated lanes and axe-throwing coaches.

Panama Rocks Scenic Park is the perfect place for adventurous families to get back to nature. There are trail maps and a one-mile hike with picnic spots along the way, or you can set off on your own to explore as you like. Little ones will love the freedom to climb trees and unearth hidden treasures in what feels like an ancient, enchanted forest.

A hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, the town of Ghent is known for Art Omi – a 120-acre open-air sculpture and architecture park. This unique park can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages with indoor and outdoor galleries – which are also free to visit – presenting works from contemporary and modern artists and architects from across the globe.

Ghent is also home to some lovely conservation areas and farms that the kids are sure to enjoy exploring. Head to Hawthorne Valley Farm – where you can book a farm tour in advance – or Love Apple Farm, which has a bakery, café, farm zoo, and playground so little ones can burn off some energy.

An easy day trip from New York City, Mount Peter is one of the few family-operated ski resorts in the USA and the perfect place to find family-friendly skiing and snowboarding in New York State. Don’t expect world-class ski trails here as the mountain isn’t huge, but that’s what makes it ideal for young families.

Mount Peter is known for being one of the best spots for families to learn to ski in New York State, with free group lessons on weekends and holidays that are tailored to beginners (from 5 years old). Plus, you can book fun one-to-one lessons for kids from 3 to 5 at the Kinderland School so the little ones won’t miss out.