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7-Day New York Itinerary

A mix of big-city excitement, scenic mountains, historic sites, and outdoor adventures across New York State.

Day1

Arrive in New York City & Explore

Fly into John F. Kennedy (JFK) or LaGuardia (LGA) Airport.

Top Things to Do in NYC

  • Visit the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island.
  • Explore the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
  • Walk Through Central Park & Visit Strawberry Fields.
  • See a Broadway Show (Optional).
  • Try Classic NYC Pizza at Joe's or Prince Street Pizza.

Overnight in Manhattan.

Day2

More of NYC & Hudson Valley Drive

Explore More of NYC Before Heading Upstate.

Top Things to Do

  • Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge.
  • Visit Top of the Rock or Empire State Building for Skyline Views.
  • Shop & Stroll Through Times Square & 5th Avenue.

Top Stops Along the Way

  • Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Sleepy Hollow.
  • Stop at a Local Brewery or Winery in the Hudson Valley.

Drive from NYC to Hudson Valley (2 hours).

Overnight in Beacon or Poughkeepsie.

Day3

Hudson Valley & Catskills

Explore the Hudson Valley in the Morning.

Top Things to Do

  • Hike at Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
  • Walk Across the Hudson River on the Walkway Over the Hudson.

Top Things to Do in the Catskills

  • Visit Kaaterskill FallsOne of New York's Tallest Waterfalls.
  • Explore the Town of WoodstockA Historic Art & Music Hub.

Drive to the Catskills (1.5 hours).

Overnight in the Catskills.

Day4

Drive to the Adirondacks & Lake Placid

Drive from the Catskills to Lake Placid (4 hours).

Top Things to Do in Lake Placid

  • Visit Mirror Lake & Lake Placid Village.
  • Take the Gondola to Whiteface Mountain's Summit.
  • Explore Olympic Sites from the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Overnight in Lake Placid.

Day5

Adirondacks Hiking & Scenic Views

Explore More of the Adirondacks.

Top Things to Do

  • Hike Indian Head or Mount Jo for Stunning Views.
  • Drive the High Peaks Scenic Byway.
  • Relax by the Water at Saranac Lake.

Overnight in the Adirondacks.

Day6

Drive to Niagara Falls

Drive from Lake Placid to Niagara Falls (5-6 hours).

Top Things to Do in Niagara Falls

  • Take a Maid of the Mist Boat Tour.
  • Walk Through Cave of the Winds for an Up-Close Waterfall Experience.
  • Try Your Luck at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino (Optional).

Overnight in Niagara Falls.

Day7

Buffalo & Depart

Explore Buffalo Before Heading Home.

Top Things to Do in Buffalo

  • Visit the Buffalo & Erie County Naval Park.
  • Try Buffalo Wings at Anchor BarThe Birthplace of the Wing!

Fly out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) or drive back to NYC (6.5 hours).

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Header photo: Saffron Blaze, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.