It’s high time we replace “New York State of Mind” with “New York State of Adventure.”
Because for all its cultural magnetism and excitement, New York City represents just one patch of the rich tapestry that is New York State — with adventures of a lifetime waiting beyond the Big Apple for those who dare to become the master of their own fate. Or at the very least, the master of their own holiday.
Here’s how you should spend 10 unforgettable days exploring New York State like a true local. Ideally with your fishing rods, golf clubs, hiking boots, and skis locked ‘n’ loaded.
Day 1 — Touching Down in New York City
Before you hit the road, you’ll want to shake off that long-haul flight. Thankfully, there is quite literally zero shortage of options for the mental and physical refuel.
After checking into any of the city’s internationally-renowned hotels — perhaps Aman New York, given the world-class spa facilities that should expedite the recovery process — find yourself a hearty feed.
For something quick, casual, and deeply satisfying, look no further than the usual suspects: Katz’s Deli (NYC’s oldest deli) for one of their legendary pastrami sandwiches; Gray’s Papaya for a hot dog + tropical drink combo; or Scarr’s Pizza for an authentic neighbourhood slice.
One we have to spotlight is the iconic Chino-Latino establishment La Dinastia.
This longstanding Manhattan institution has famously served what is arguably the original modern Asian fusion since 1986 — think chicharrones de pollo with tostones, mofongo in beef gravy, ropa vieja with yellow rice & black beans — and soundly deserves your patronage.
But if you’re itching to set the tone with decadence straight out of the gates, Peter Luger Steak House for some red meat, Carbone for some luxe Italian, and NYC’s one-time “best” restaurant — Atomix (read our review here) — for contemporary Korean should start you off nicely.
In order to conserve yourself for the journey ahead, take a stroll in Central Park, pop into MoMA or the Guggenheim, catch a matinee show on Broadway, and depending on when you find yourself there, witness the Knicks in action at Madison Square Garden.
We cannot emphasise the sheer volume of possibilities here enough, so feel free to get creative. Just make sure you leave something in the tank for what comes next.
Day 2 — Hudson Valley
- Stay: Mohonk Mountain House
- Dine: The Roundhouse, The Amsterdam, Silvia
- Play: Mohonk Preserve or Minnewaska State Park, Storm King Art Center, tee off at Copake Country Club
Escape the hustle & bustle of the city by hopping on a train to Poughkeepsie, where you can rent a car. Less than half an hour behind the wheel, you’ll reach the decidedly calmer Hudson Valley. This is where New Yorkers are spending their weekends.
Drop your bags off at the historic Mohonk Mountain House: a charming Victorian castle nestled in 40,000 acres of protected forest, overlooking a pristine glacial lake, where you’ll be resting your weary head by a fireplace.
You’re no less spoilt for choice here. Though it is admittedly of a different variety.
Take in the rolling landscapes of the Hudson Valley either on foot through its famed trails (i.e. Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park), the public-access gem of a golf course at Copake Country Club if you’re keen to have a swing, or from the vantage point of a Blue Sky Balloons ride.
Those of you itching for some adrenaline right out of the gates, however, should consider booking a barnstorming open cockpit biplane ride via Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Be sure to pack your sense of adventure and camera.
While getting reacquainted with nature is the priority for this trip, make an exception for Storm King Art Center. This sprawling 500-acre experience, which is roughly an hour south of Mohonk, is undoubtedly one of the most unique you’ll ever encounter — featuring an impressive collection of grand-scale sculptures and installations all situated outdoors.
Aside from its claim to fame as the largest collection of contemporary outdoor artworks in the United States, this is a prime (and singular) opportunity to take in both the scenery and a healthy dose of culture; and you’ll be hard-pressed to find an open-air marvel anywhere else in the world. Especially back in the city.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, take your pick of Hudson Valley’s most vaunted diners like The Amsterdam and The Roundhouse in Beacon for wonderfully seasonal menus; or settle in for a delectable wood-fire fare at Silvia.
What you taste here isn’t just the fresh air playing tricks on your mind; nor is it simply a case of “holiday vibes” in full effect. Championing a farm-to-table philosophy with locally sourced produce, each plate is assembled with artisanal care (and designed to be savoured at a leisurely pace).
Day 4 — Catskills
- Stay: The DeBruce
- Dine: Phoenicia Diner, Brushland Eating House, Woodnotes Grille
- Play: Fly fishing with The Beaverkill Angler, whitewater rafting, mountain biking (all best enjoyed against the backdrop of Fall foliage)
Head west with a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the Catskills, where you’ll check into the sumptuous, old-school mountain resort that is The DeBruce — a one-of-a-kind spot nestled within 600 acres of private land in the Catskill Park, primed for outdoor activities, and universally acclaimed for its gorgeously rustic in-house cuisine (forget room service, head to the actual dining room).
By now, you should have beaten the jetlag into submission. Which means you’re ready to lick the stamp and send it with this leg of the trip’s real fun.
Beyond fly fishing under the professional guidance of The Beaverkill Angler and thrilling whitewater rafting, there’s the mountain biking.
The Great Northern Catskills is home to six recognised mountain biking networks spanning well over 120 miles ranging from the Colonial Trail System (“nature’s rollercoaster with Daytona berms”) to less hectic cruiser trails like the Elm Ridge System. Choose your pathway based on your expertise.
Onto the matter of getting grub outside of The DeBruce, the hit list includes Phoenicia Diner — a retro diner serving elevated American comfort foods (all-day brekkie is always a plus); Brushland Eating House — yet another cosy farm-to-table joint making awesome use of local ingredients; and Emerson Resort & Spa’s Woodnotes Grille for some classically Catskills flavours.
Day 6 — Thousand Islands
- Stay: 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel
Dine: Clipper Inn, Thousand Islands Club - Play: Shipwreck diving at St Lawrence River, wildlife photography tour, Wellesley Island State Park, breweries central
3.5 hours north of the Catskills is where you’ll find the Thousand Islands, straddling the US-Canda border. The nominated accommodation? 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, set along the water and conveniently placed within the quaint village of Clayton.
The first order of business here involves scuba diving in the St Lawrence River (all skill levels welcome).
With a maximum depth of 250 feet, underwater mountains formed a billion years ago from before the Ice Age flood, a wealth of marine life, and approximately 1,800 shipwrecks for you to explore — some of which date all the way back to the War of 1812 — there’s a reason why divers have dubbed this very area the “Caribbean of the North.”
Given the extreme clarity of water thanks to the cleaning efforts of St Lawrence River’s native zebra mussels, you’ll also have an incredibly 20 metres of visibility.
The diverse terrains of Wellesley Island State Park are a no-brainer with hikes ranging from easy to challenging, and similarly panoramic views. Hit the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center for trails that wind from wetlands and forests to rocky outcrops.
And in the event you’re looking for a hike with a difference, why not book one of the countless wildlife photography tours/workshops to capture some visual memories with a certified professional?
Keeping with the nautical theme post-dive, the family-owned Clipper Inn and the finer diner in the Thousand Islands Club should be your first port of call for some seafood; by all accounts, eating at 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel also isn’t a bad shout if you don’t feel like venturing too far from where you’re resting.
In addition to this, the Thousand Islands boasts a rich brewery scene where you can sink a frosty brew after a long day of soaking it all in. Gananoque Brewing, Windmill Brewery, Boots Brewing Company, Garland City Beer Works, as well as Gristmill Brewery all come highly recommended.
Day 8 — Adirondacks
- Stay: Various
- Dine: Barley Sandwich, Fiddlehead, Salt of the Earth Bistro
- Play: Algonquin Peak, paddle on Saranac Lake, “The Bobsled Experience” at Mt Van Hoevenberg
Over three hours eastward of the Thousand Islands is our penultimate destination for your tour of New York State beyond New York City.
The Adirondacks is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States — greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined.
You can always rely on Lake Placid Lodge and Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa for a comfortable stay. Although it’s worth noting that one of the most adventurous things you can do in the Adirondacks is camp. Dealer’s choice, I suppose.
As for activities, we’ve saved some of the very best for last: a challenging hike to Algonquin Peak, where your hard-earned reward will be a breathtaking picnic at the summit, a canoe or kayak on Saranac Lake, followed by Olympic-calibre fun at Lake Placid’s “The Bobsled Experience.”
Originally constructed for the 1980 Winter Olympics, this is your chance to feel the same adrenaline rush as the pros, available virtually year-round (the bobsled uses wheels on a concrete track in summer when there’s no ice).
Beginning at Start 4, expect to clock up to 50mph or 80km/h (and God knows how many Gs) through banked turns before zig-zagging along the lower half-mile of the track. Each ride holds up to three passengers.
As you may have gathered, this entire region is the perfect destination for a ski + snowboarding trip if you happen to find yourself here in winter. Whiteface Mountain, for example, is home to the greatest vertical drop in the east.
In terms of cuisine, Barley Sandwich is a local Saranac Lake favourite for its assorted sambos (and perfect after a paddle); the duck at Salt of the Earth Bistro never disappoints; and by all accounts, Fiddlehead Bistro is nothing short of “genius.”
Day 10 — Can you ever really be “done” with New York State?
After an extensive exploration of New York State in all its natural splendour comes the most crucial part: taking it home with you.
Regardless of whatever else you may have picked up, the memories you’ve minted will serve as the ultimate souvenir, outlasting any material keepsake and run-of-the-mill love affair.
And that sense of adventure you’ve fostered along the way?
Whether you’re back at your desk, eyes glazed over while those emails pile up, or enjoying a night out on the town, we anticipate it’ll rattle against your cages from time to time — practically begging you to come back and holiday alongside the real New Yorkers.
As defined as this itinerary may seem, keep in mind that it’s merely a template. Meaning you can adjust the schedule accordingly; you can rearrange the order of destinations by mixing and matching what’s been included with what might’ve been omitted; and you can always return.
Nothing in this universe may be guaranteed outside of death and taxes, but the promise that New York State offers is that rain, hail, or shine, it’ll be right there waiting to pick up exactly where you left off. Because some adventures last a lifetime.
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This article is sponsored by I Love New York. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
