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New York

Travel blogs, travel photos and features from New York State

New York Travel Guide

The ultimate guide to the best things to do and see in New York

Home to perhaps the most famous city in the US, the Empire State has a lot more to offer than the Big Apple! Start here with my basic New York travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest New York travel blogs.

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When to Visit

Almost half of the visitors to New York State come in the summer months, so this is obviously the busiest time of year to visit, but for good reason: the weather in New York State in summer is gorgeous, with long, sunny days, high temperatures and blue skies for days. Fall, starting in September, is also a very popular time to visit when the leaves start changing, making it quite beautiful once you get out of the cities. Winters are cold and snow is usual, so come prepared if you’re visiting between December and March!


Top Places to Visit

Niagara Falls – You probably thought that the largest waterfall in North America was entirely in Canada, but it’s actually right on the border between upper New York State and the Canadian province of Ontario. The US side of Niagara Falls is generally speaking less developed than the Canadian side, which is home to many swanky hotels and casinos, and so the US side offers a cheaper, more low-key visit to the falls.

Buffalo – Not far from Niagara Falls is the much bigger city of Buffalo, known for its hockey team. With some classic taverns serving up locally brewed beer, great shopping opportunities, some delightful parks and outdoor spaces, a varies array of art venues and a small but happening LGBT scene.

Albany – The state capital, Albany is a cool and laid-back city. It’s home to several history museums such as the Irish American Heritage Museum and the New York State Museum and is surrounded by lush forests and outdoor spaces worth exploring. Albany also has a strong performing arts culture and checking out a performance at the Palace Theatre is definitely worth your time.

Hudson Valley – A creative arts community a short drive from New York City, Hudson Valley is a hub of cool and creative things to see and do. From the historic Woodstock (where the iconic 1969 festival was held) to the picturesque Kingston (and surprisingly hipster) community, there’s something for every type of traveler in and around the Hudson Valley. Get more travel tips in this useful Hudson Valley travel guide.



New York Tours

New York State is a great place to take a tour, getting you out to some of the more wild corners of the state, or just exploring the cities in more depth. Take a look at this selection of New York tours.


LGBT – Gay New York Travel Guide

Of course, New York City is one of the biggest gay-friendly cities in the world, but there are plenty of gay-friendly establishments outside of the city in upstate New York and these are a few of the best.

Waterworks Pub, Albany – A classic gay bar in the early evening that becomes a dance club later at night. There are often games nights, shows and live music, and it’s a relaxed and welcoming environment for everyone.

Betty’s, Buffalo – A mainstay of the brunch circuit in Buffalo, this place allows for a leisurely start to any weekend, and serves up typical American brunch food as well as some healthy options too!

NuBar, Farmingdale  – Probably the oldest gay bar on Long Island, this is a great place to come for some campy fun. There are regular karaoke nights (with the tagline “no judgement, just plenty of applause”!) and often special offers on drinks.

More gay travel resources here.


New York Hotel Deals

New York has plenty of cool and quirky hotels, as well as all the big chains you’d expect. I’ve found that using Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels Combined can be really useful for finding last-minute deals.

Booking.com


Follow @travelsofadam on Instagram for more travel tips!

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New York Travel Blogs

Dreams Aren’t This Good – A New Salsa Brand with NYC Roots

Inspired by and infused with the sights and sounds of New York City, Dreams Aren’t This Good is a new salsa brand available in NYC and online.

I Contacted the NYC Well Helpline and Learned These Coping Methods

Feeling the stress and anxiety from COVID-19, I contacted the free NYC Well helpline to speak with a counselor about actionable coping methods

catskills

Discovering the Best Hidden Hotspots of the Catskills & Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley and the Catskills — Just north of New York City in Southeastern New York State, the region is famous for its inspiring landscapes

Three days in the Hudson River Valley

Discover the best of Dutchess County tourism on this 3-day itinerary for exploring the Hudson River Valley cities of Beacon & Poughkeepsie

Photos from inside Dia:Beacon—One of New York’s Best Contemporary Art Museums

Located just a short distance north of NYC, Dia:Beacon houses the Dia Art Foundation’s collection of art from the 1960s to the present. See photos from a recent visit

Taking the 2019 Lexus RX 350L on a Solo Road Trip

Living in “the city,” I don’t need a car often enough to own one, but I have to admit: I…

Kim Petras at Avant Gardner

Last week was my birthday, and all personal drama from the week aside, I spent the evening of my actual…

Find Love When Traveling

Dating in NYC – Tips to Know When You’re New to New York Dating

Finding love and romance in New York City isn’t impossible, but it’s also not always so easy. Here’s what I’ve learned after a year of dating in NYC—the things that made it a challenge, but also fun.

Solo Travel in the Catskills with Expedia

Solo Trip to the Catskills – A weekend escape to the mountains for a bit of R&R

Sometimes you just need to escape to the woods for a restful weekend of solo travel. A travel story about my summer weekend in the Catskill Mountains with Expedia

Gay Hotels NYC Pride

Where to Stay for NYC Pride: LGBTQ-Friendly Hotels in NYC

An LGBTQ Travel Guide to the best gay hotels in NYC for LGBTQ travelers, including NYC hotels with special deals during NYC World Pride

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Who is Adam?

Travels of Adam - BlogI quit my job as a graphic designer to travel the world, writing this blog along the way. I’ve lived in Berlin, Tel Aviv, London, Sydney, Boston, and Dallas—but since early 2018, I live in New York City (Brooklyn, duh).

On my travel blog, you’ll find gay stories, nightlife tips, photos, and all-too-personal essays from my adventures around the world. Read how Iceland changed my life and set me on a path as a professional travel blogger & award-winning writer.

@travelsofadam Instagram

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