New York has much more to offer than its largest city.
Sure, neon-lit Times Square, big Broadway shows and the iconic museums of NYC are a huge draw for groups. But this great state is also home to quaint waterfronts, quiet alpine communities and revitalized Rust Belt cities turned cultural centers. Groups traveling through upstate and central New York will find historic towns, beautiful natural scenery, a mouthwatering culinary scene and world-renowned architecture.
From Buffalo to the Adirondacks, here are some destinations worth visiting in the Empire State.
Buffalo
Located on Lake Erie’s eastern shore and at the head of the Niagara River, Buffalo’s abundant waterways made it a center for commerce and industry. But this thriving port city is now equally known for its abundant history and culture, as well as some famous culinary trails that visitors will want to get acquainted with.
“It’s the second-largest city in the state and super group tour-friendly,” said Leah Mueller, vice president of sales and services at Visit Buffalo. “We’ve been undergoing quite a bit of change in the last 10 years, including updates in our waterfront and new restaurants. There’s a really great vibe happening in the city right now.”
One of the top attractions for groups is the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, where the country’s 26th president was sworn into office in 1901, after his predecessor, William McKinley, was assassinated. Groups can take a guided tour of the national historic site to learn its distinct history and the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt. Another top way for groups to learn about the city’s history is with a Buffalo River History Tours cruise, which can accommodate up to 125 passengers.
There’s also plenty of culture to be found in Buffalo. It’s home to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, which contains an impressive collection of contemporary art. Visitors will also notice the city’s large collection of historic buildings designed by famed American architects, from an early skyscraper designed by Louis Sullivan to the Martin House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which is open for tours. And, for a fun finish to their evening, groups can catch a Broadway touring show at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, a historic Main Street theater known for its splendid Baroque-inspired design.
To sample Buffalo’s famous Wing Trail (there’s no need to call them “Buffalo wings” in their city of origin), groups can head to Anchor Bar, where these delicacies are said to have originated. Dozens of other bars and pubs offer their takes on wings, as well as a delicious selection of craft beverages.
Groups can finish their visit with a 20-minute drive north to see the American side of Niagara Falls and cross that item off their travel bucket lists.
Rochester
East of Buffalo, Rochester is New York’s third-largest city. It’s found on the southern shores of Lake Ontario and sometimes considered the gateway to the Finger Lakes region. It’s known for its connections to famous figures like Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, as well as its more than 140 festivals and events that make it an entertaining destination year-round — the Lilac Festival provides a delightfully fragrant experience each May.
“Group tour visitors to Rochester will find a city that is just filled with things to do,” said Rachel Laber Pulvino, vice president of communications for Visit Rochester. “It’s a very accessible city, and it’s very easy to get around once you’re here. It’s an affordable destination as well.”
Some of the city’s top group attractions include The Strong National Museum of Play, the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to play. But that doesn’t mean it’s just for children; visitors of all ages will enjoy its vast collection of toys, dolls and games, including the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame. Another top attraction is the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, which groups can tour to learn more about this iconic figure in the fight for women’s suffrage. The Genesee Country Village & Museum is the third-largest living history museum in the nation. In addition to touring the museum, groups can participate in interactive workshops to step back in time.
Rochester also has a large selection of group-friendly restaurants, breweries and culinary experiences, including Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, set in a historic train station. Other notable stops include Strangebird brewery and restaurant, Rohrbach Brewing Company and Genesee Brewing Company, the oldest brewery in the state. Casa Larga Vineyards is another great stop for groups and offers wine pairings with chocolate and cheese.
Finger Lakes Region
South of Rochester, the Finger Lakes are a series of 11 long, narrow lakes that are mostly positioned north to south. Their distinct shape gives them their name, but the 14 counties surrounding the lakes are home to an endless array of surprising and varied attractions, from wineries producing cold-hardy varietals to Ithaca, a city on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake that’s home to Cornell University. The region is known for its Native American history, year-round outdoor recreation and gorgeous scenery encompassing vineyards, waterfalls and dense forests. Groups could spend several days exploring the breathtaking beauty of the region and its communities.
One such community is Ontario County, which has access to Canandaigua Lake, Seneca Lake, Honeoye Lake and Canadice Lake. Its many outdoor offerings for groups include Bristol Mountain, the largest ski resort in the region. Active groups can enjoy skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and, in the summer, an aerial adventure park with courses for different skill levels. On Lake Canandaigua, they can paddleboard, kayak or take cruises aboard The Canandaigua Lady, which offers dinner cruises, wine-tasting cruises, group meals and sunset sails.
“Ontario County has a lot of outdoor activities that people can enjoy all year long,” said Carolina Taylor, PR and content associate at Visit Finger Lakes, which represents Ontario County. “We have cultural places like the Smith Opera House in Geneva. We have historic spaces like Ganondagan State Historic Site to explore Native American culture, history and art, and also Sonnenberg Gardens. Ontario County has a little bit of everything, as well as access to some of the wine representation of the Finger Lakes.”
For a taste of the region’s famous wines, groups can hit several spots on the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, such as Belhurst Castle, a resort overlooking Seneca Lake. Or they can try Billsboro Winery, which also offers nonalcoholic grape juice flights.
Syracuse
Just east of the Finger Lakes, groups will find the city of Syracuse on the southern shores of Onondaga Lake. This central New York metropolis is home to just under 150,000 people, but it has an abundance of urban attractions and outdoor recreation.
One of the city’s top group attractions is the state’s largest mall, Destiny USA. This 2.4-million-square-foot indoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex contains dozens of outlet shops, as well as an antique carousel, go-karts, a trampoline park, many restaurants and a comedy club. Destiny USA offers incentives like special discounts or activities for groups that arrange their visit in advance.
Another Syracuse attraction is the Everson Museum of Art, which contains 10,000 works of American art; groups can tour the museum with a docent or on their own. The Erie Canal Museum, another downtown Syracuse attraction, gives visitors a detailed education on the importance of the Erie Canal to the region and also offers guided tours for groups.
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo, home to about 700 animals, offers group discounts. Groups can order lunch from the zoo’s HoneyBee Cafe, which can prepare group orders in advance. For more outside activities, groups can visit one of the 50 parks in Onondaga County. Or they can time their visit around the Great New York State Fair, which is held in Syracuse for 13 days in late August and early September and features amusement rides, games, performances and vendors.
The Adirondacks
The largest natural area in the U.S. outside of Alaska is the Adirondacks, 6 million protected acres in upstate New York that is home to many small communities, 10 regions and, of course, the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains. Groups could build an entire trip throughout the Adirondack Region, but here are a few of the highlights.
The Adirondack Coast, along the northern shore of Lake Champlain, is home to much American history. It’s the site of the Battle of Plattsburgh, which resulted in the British defeat in the War of 1812. It’s also an area rich in agritourism experiences. Groups can visit the coast’s many orchards and farmers markets to sample some of the area’s delicious apples, visit a local maple syrup farm or stop at one of the wineries gaining traction on the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail.
The Lake Placid region is home to the gorgeous village of Lake Placid, as well as some of the most picturesque sights in the Adirondacks. Groups can hike at High Falls Gorge for beautiful views of rushing waterfalls, visit the Adirondack High Peaks for all-season adventures or take in stunning views from the top of Whiteface Mountain. They can also learn about the area’s Olympic heritage by visiting the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Lake Placid’s Main Street is home to several restaurants that are equipped to handle groups, including Generations Tap & Grill, Dancing Bears Restaurant and Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, which overlooks Mirror Lake.
The Lake George Area offers plenty for groups, from a ride aboard the Lake George Steamboat to a tour of the Fort William Henry Museum, which offers reenactments of Colonial days. It’s also home to the Adirondack Balloon Festival each fall. Between that and the region’s noteworthy fall foliage, a trip in the autumn is exceptionally beautiful.
