Visitors to New York State are always amazed at the depth and breadth of attractions the state has to offer. Below is a sampling of some hidden gems many have yet to discover.

SALMON RIVER LIGHTHOUSE AND MARINA (Thousand Islands) – One of only three lighthouses in the nation to have retained its original 1838 “birdcage” design, this cozy beacon in Pulaski offers overnight accommodations in the spring, summer and fall. During daylight hours, enjoy kayaking, canoes, fishing and soft sandy beaches.

ADIRONDACK FOLK SCHOOL (Adirondacks) – Visitors will discover their creative side and learn the Adirondack lifestyle in this historic school building in Lake Luzerne. The school offers nearly 100 courses in a variety of disciplines including fiber arts, basketry, blacksmithing, woodworking, woodcarving, felting and quilting.

THE DEBRUCE (Catskills) – Nestled in a sleepy river valley on a ledge overlooking the Willowemoc River and Valley, this 19th-century property with a dozen guest rooms boasts all the comforts of a luxurious home. With a notable on-site restaurant and chef, each named a 2023 and 2024 James Beard Foundation semi-finalist, it makes for a memorable visit to Livingston Manor.

WOLF CONSERVATION CENTER (Capital-Saratoga) – In South Salem, a dedicated conservation team is educating visitors through a variety of specialty programs designed to correct misinformation while teaching the value of wolves and how we can protect their population. Take a walk on the wild side and get to know these mighty creatures through volunteering, donating, adopting or an overnight camping stay (registration required).

UNION CHURCH OF POCANTICO HILLS (Hudson Valley) – This tiny, country church near Sleepy Hollow is a must for art enthusiasts. Commissioned by the Rockefeller family, it features the Rose Window (Henri Matisse’s last commissioned work) along with nine windows by Marc Chagall that create an inspirational setting combining color, art and spirituality.

MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE CENTER (Finger Lakes) – Home of Fayetteville’s famous suffragist, Matilda Joslyn Gage, it’s the only Onondaga County home offered as a station on the Underground Railroad that is now open to the public. Each room is dedicated to a social justice issue that Matilda fought for. In 1882, L. Frank Baum, author of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, married Gage’s youngest daughter in this Greek Revival home.

GRAPE DISCOVERY CENTER (Chautauqua-Allegheny) – The Lake Erie Grape Belt’s grape-growing legacy and savory products take center stage at the Grape Discovery Center in Westfield. The Grape Belt is the world’s oldest and largest Concord grapegrowing region, spanning more than 150 years of production.

NIAGARA FALLS UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HERITAGE CENTER

(Greater Niagara) – Experience authentic stories of the historic Underground Railroad through the freedom seekers and abolitionists who lived it. The center’s mission is to inspire visitors to recognize modern injustices that stem from slavery and take action toward an equitable society.

MMUSEUMM (New York City) – At just six feet wide, high and tall, this diminutive space features rotating and permanent collections that focus on the world’s “overlooked, dismissed or ignored.” The world’s tiniest museum is housed in a former freight elevator shaft in Tribeca and explores modern humanity with public visitation on weekends.

ALL THINGS OZ MUSEUM (Central) – Beyond the Yellow Brick Road lies a museum dedicated to all things Wizard of Oz, including Dorothy’s famous ruby red slippers. Author L. Frank Baum’s birthplace in Chittenango has catalogued more than 15,000 pieces of movie memorabilia and collectibles from the beloved original production as well as “The Wiz” and “Wicked.”

VANDERBILT MUSEUM & PLANETARIUM (Long Island) – This museum is housed in a sprawling 24-room Spanish Revival estate in Centerport that served as William K. Vanderbilt II’s summer home. Maritime-themed exhibits spotlight his vast collection and are complemented by scientific exploration and events at one of the country’s largest and most advanced planetariums.

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