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My wife and I lived in upstate NY for college and have been back many times since for reunions, and we're kind of looking for someplace new this time around. Lots of great things to see and do upstate though for sure.
But where Upstate? Practically the whole state is considered Upstate.
There's Niagara Falls. The Finger Lakes which has far more than Lakes and wine. So much history here! Women's Right to Vote, It's a Wonderful Life, first film with sound, Harriet Tubman, Memorial Day, William Seward. Lots of museums and historical sights. Quaint towns. Apples and pumpkins galore right now. Numerous state parks. Waterfalls in Ithaca and Moravia.
A little further west is Letchworth - the Grand Canyon of the east and a historical museum named Genessee Country Village. It contains houses from Western NY from the 1700's up through the late 1800's. There's a number of trades are still made today - beer, pottery, gunsmith, etc.
But where Upstate? Practically the whole state is considered Upstate.
There's Niagara Falls. The Finger Lakes which has far more than Lakes and wine. So much history here! Women's Right to Vote, It's a Wonderful Life, first film with sound, Harriet Tubman, Memorial Day, William Seward. Lots of museums and historical sights. Quaint towns. Apples and pumpkins galore right now. Numerous state parks. Waterfalls in Ithaca and Moravia.
A little further west is Letchworth - the Grand Canyon of the east and a historical museum named Genessee Country Village. It contains houses from Western NY from the 1700's up through the late 1800's. There's a number of trades are still made today - beer, pottery, gunsmith, etc.
We've spent lots and lots of time in the Finger Lakes region; have been to Niagara 4 or 5 times; and have done a number of other day trips. Agree that upstate NY has a ton to offer. Just want to visit some place new to us for a big birthday.
We've spent lots and lots of time in the Finger Lakes region; have been to Niagara 4 or 5 times; and have done a number of other day trips. Agree that upstate NY has a ton to offer. Just want to visit some place new to us for a big birthday.
SS I love your enthusiasm about upstate NY. We've been to Lake George and my wife has been to Lake Placid. Both are great and agree there is lots to do in the Adirondacks.
Just want to visit someplace new, and fair or not, we're not interested in going to upstate NY for this special occasion. We are not "check box" tourists and I don't consider us to have "done" upstate NY such that we'll never go back. But it doesn't call out to me as an exciting weekend getaway for my 40th birthday. And if we're doing a relatively long drive to the Adirondacks, I'd much rather keep driving for another couple of hours and visit Quebec City, which looks awesome.
The Poconos region is beautiful. My husband and I did a three day trip to one of those ultra cheesy couples resorts up there, and we had a blast! The nature was amazing, I watched a bald eagle perched about 5 feet from our window, we had a boat ride on the lake, horseback riding, etc. There are plenty of little towns and quaint shopping if you leave the resort, tons of things to do at the resort.
Yes, these types of resorts are dated, and yes, ULTRA cheesy. If you want upscale, stay away. But if you want time together with a variety of activities, nightly entertainment, and a beautiful nature setting, you can't beat it.
So many great suggestions! Thanks everyone. We've been to Cape Cod but not to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, and the latter two are of interest. We've never been to Maine and Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park is very high on our list. As I said upstream, we LOVE Iceland but it's not in the cards for this particular getaway.
I'd also put Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park on your list of places to consider.
Ooh Coastal Maine is GORGEOUS! From Portsmouth, NH right up the coast lots to see and do. Boat rides, lighthouses, lobsters, museums, Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth. There's GORGEOUS historic hotels. Beaches.
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We've been to Lake George and my wife has been to Lake Placid. Both are great and agree there is lots to do in the Adirondacks. 
