18 Exciting Winter Getaways In Upstate New York
Winter in Upstate sees an abundance of outdoor activities, like skiing, snowshoeing, fun festivals, and more.
The region also offers ample cultural attractions, shopping, and charming small towns to explore.
Whether you’re looking for winter adventures or a relaxing weekend fireside, Upstate has something for you.
Considering a getaway from New York City or the surrounding area?
Read on for the best winter getaways in Upstate New York!
Best Winter Getaways In Upstate New York
Hunter
Hunter is one of the most popular Catskills destinations in winter.
Enjoy skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, après, or hit up a local brewery.
This is one of the tallest peaks in the Catskill Mountains, and one of the closest ski resorts to NYC, so it’s always a popular winter destination.
Also consider venturing out to explore Kaaterskill Falls and the village of Tannersville while you’re here.
Lake Placid
One of the best winter getaways in Upstate is definitely Lake Placid.
Nearly every winter sport you can dream up is available here — snowshoeing the High Peaks, dogsledding, skiing and snowboarding, bobsledding, ice skating on Mirror Lake, the list goes on.
That’s not even mentioning the Lake Placid Olympic Sites, at the very least you must see the Ski Jumping Complex.
On top of that, Lake Placid has an adorable downtown district with yummy restaurants, cute boutique shops, and local watering holes.
Check into a luxury resort, and unwind in the winter wonderland that is Lake Placid.
Phoenicia
Phoenicia is an adorable hamlet in the Catskills.
A winter weekend spent here involves browsing galleries and antique shops downtown, and probably a visit to the Phoenicia Diner.
Don’t forget to see Emerson Kaleidoscope, the world’s largest kaleidoscope.
Some beloved winter activities in Phoenicia include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing at Belleayre Mountain.
Albany
If you’re seeking a combination of city and outdoor attractions for your winter getaway, Albany is a great option.
Spend a day shopping and dining out, or browsing a museum such as the New York State Museum or Albany Institute of History & Art.
An afternoon spent at the outdoor ice skating rink, Empire State Plaza Ice Rink, or a short walk along the Hudson River are popular outdoor winter activities. Just be sure to bundle up!
Additionally, Albany makes a great kicking off point for various ski resorts in the area, including: Windham Mountain, Catamount, and Gore Mountain.
As you can see, there’s many reasons why Albany makes for a fun Upstate getaway in winter.
Woodstock
One of the Catskills most beloved towns is undoubtedly Woodstock.
The quaint town is full of picturesque buildings, fun shops on Tinker Street, and delicious food.
There’s also opportunities for outdoor adventures surrounding Woodstock for those who wish.
Explore nearby attractions such as Overlook Mountain, Kaaterskill Falls, or Hunter Mountain, where you can enjoy the beauty of snow-covered landscapes.
For those who want to uncover a cute town in a cozy Catskill setting, Woodstock is for you.
Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park is always a favorite Finger Lakes designation.
Dubbed the Grand Canyon of the East, the park follows the Genesee River for about 17 miles as it flows north through a deep gorge.
The wide and very scenic gorge is home to three spectacular waterfalls — Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls.
Come winter the falls are covered in ice and surrounded by snow. It makes for a magical, wintery sight.
Most visitors stick to the main viewpoints, like Inspiration Point, due to heavy snow, but snowshoeing with winter trails is possible too.
Tarrytown
A great option for those seeking a quick weekend getaway from NYC is Tarrytown.
Located in Hudson Valley, this destination is easily accessible from NYC by train.
Book a stay at a historic inn and spend your getaway exploring the village and surrounding natural attractions.
Main Street in Tarrytown is especially adorable, lined with antique shops, boutiques, Tarrytown Music Hall, and cozy cafes.
While in the area, be sure to also check out nearby towns such as the famous Sleepy Hollow.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs is a top Upstate destination no matter the time of year.
While the town is most famous for summer horse races, there’s still tons to do here come winter.
Soak in mineral springs, go sledding, ice skating, or snowmobiling.
Those hoping to ski can find downhill skiing at the nearby resorts of West Mountain, Gore Mountain, and Willard Mountain.
Of course, you could also spend the entire weekend enjoying the city’s shopping, museums, and dining.
The city even hosts numerous festivals in the cooler months such as Saratoga Springs Victorian Streetwalk, Flurry Festival, and Saratoga Chowderfest.
Cooperstown
Explore Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame this winter.
Cooperstown sits at the southern tip of Otsego Lake and offers all the charm and fun winter activities you’d expect from Upstate.
Their downtown stretch has a beautiful shopping and dining area, plus visitors can enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, and more.
Whether or not you’re a die-hard baseball fan, the National Baseball Hall Of Fame & Museum comes highly recommended.
They do an excellent job preserving the game’s history, teaching about its origins, and honoring baseball greats, both famous and rarely heard of.
Best of all, you can experience the town and hall of fame without the huge crowds found here in the warmer months.
New Paltz
New Paltz is a fun town in the heart of Hudson Valley.
It’s known for historic charm, outdoor activities, and proximity to the Shawangunk Mountains.
Best of all? New Paltz just a short drive from NYC.
Winter visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities here.
Discover boutique shops in downtown New Paltz, browse a winter farmers market, sip wine along the Shawangunk Wine Trail, or participate outdoor activities in Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Of course there’s also Historic Huguenot Street, the nearby Culinary Institute of America, and the surrounding Hudson Valley ski resorts.
New Paltz’s Mohonk Mountain House is one of the area’s most famous resorts, booking one of their guest rooms is definitely worth considering for your weekend away.
Lake George
It’s well known that the Adirondack Mountains are an excellent getaway no matter the time of year, and one of the most popular spots to visit is Lake George.
The 32 mile lake is surrounded by snowy mountain tops and incredible scenic views. It’s an idyllic setting for a cozy mountain cabin and hot tub session.
The large downtown area is great for shopping, dining out, and taking in the views.
Lake George also hosts fun festivals and special events like the Lake George Winter Carnival, ice castles, and Winter’s Dream at the Fort William Henry Historic Fortress.
For those keen on skiing, you’ve got a few options in the area including: Gore Mountain, West Mountain, and Hickory Ski Center.
Taughannock Falls & Ithaca
Ithaca, home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns throughout Upstate New York.
Tucked into the south edge of Cayuga Lake, in between some of the state’s most beautiful gorges, lakes, and waterfalls, this college town offers fantastic food, wine, and culture.
Winter activities in Ithaca include snowshoeing, viewing waterfalls, visiting a brewery, shopping in Ithaca Commons, and seeing Cornell University’s beautiful campus.
Additionally, you must see Taughannock Falls.
The 215 foot free-falling waterfall is the second largest in the state and can be easily viewed from an overlook, or a 3/4 mile hike, for those up for snowshoeing.
Hudson
Hudson is a charming Catskills city worth visiting during your Upstate getaway.
Witness the city’s historic district, renowned for beautiful 18th and 19th century architecture.
Take a stroll along Warren Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, and admire the historic buildings which house boutique and antique shops, art galleries, and eateries.
Additionally, snowshoeing and nordic skiing are popular outdoor activities in the area come winter.
This is the perfect place for those who want a mix of outdoor and city activities.
Wilmington
Wilmington is another great Adirondacks destination to consider for your winter retreat.
Located right next to Whiteface Mountain, this is a great option for skiers and snowboarders.
But there’s also tons of other things to do here as well.
Visit Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole, go ice skating, ice fishing, or hit the winter trails for some snowshoeing.
Buffalo & Niagara Falls
Bundle up and see beautiful Niagara Falls, without all the summer crowds, during your weekend away.
Come winter months, the falls are covered in ice and surrounded by snow. You won’t believe the spectacular views.
It will be cold, yes, but witnessing this incredible view without the crowds will be worth it for most.
While visiting Niagara Falls State Park, Buffalo is a great city to base yourself in.
The city has plenty of indoor attractions like museums, shopping, breweries, and distilleries.
But if you’re up for embracing the cold, there’s just as many fun outdoor activities.
Consider ice skating in one of the city’s outdoor rinks, catch a football game or outdoor hockey game, or spend a day snowshoeing.
You may be surprised by just how much Buffalo has to offer, even in the winter.
Finger Lakes Region
The Finger Lakes region is well worth a visit any time of year, but the cold months offer a number of unique winter activities, and of course, wine tastings.
Hit the slopes on Bristol Mountain or Greek Peak Mountain Resort, go ice fishing, or explore a snowy state park.
No matter, don’t forget to enjoy the wine! Many will simply spend an entire weekend sipping vino among the 100+ vineyards that call the Finger Lakes home.
Browse vacation rentals or boutique hotels in towns such as Watkins Glen, Canandaigua, Seneca Falls, or Geneva.
Gore Mountain
Gore Mountain is New York’s largest ski area, and a must-consideration for those after a ski trip that’s not too far from home.
The resort offers tons of activities for snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts.
Enjoy downhill, the nordic track, terrain park, and twilight rides. Then wrap up your day with live music and après at the Tannery.
There’s lodging right off the resort, as well as in North Creek, the resort’s neighboring town.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is known for ample outdoor activities, colorful buildings, and festive events.
It’s easy to understand why many consider this one of the best places in Upstate for a winter getaway.
Explore the charming downtown area, lined with shops, boutiques, and galleries. And be sure to stop by local cafes and restaurants for hot chocolate and delicious winter treats.
Outdoor lovers will have plenty of activities to choose from such as downhill skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
No matter your interests, try to plan your visit during the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, this is undoubtedly one of the most famous winter carnivals in Upstate.
As you can see, there are tons of great places to visit in Upstate New York during winter!
I hope this list inspires you to get out and explore all that Upstate has to offer.
Any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below.
Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional Upstate and New York guides below.
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I love your articles and have found them really useful. We’re coming to New York in August (from the UK) and part of our road trip is staying 3 nights in the Catskills. We have two boys, 11 & 14. Where would you recommend to stay and what to do? the Zipline & white water rafting option’s look great but also want to see the best of the Catskill. Would you recommend a farm stay? Or a town like Woodstock? Any help would be appreciated 😁 thanks
Hi Katie! I’m glad you’ve found the articles helpful, and thank you for reaching out! The Catskills are beautiful, you guys are going to have a great time. Personally, I love staying in a town like Woodstock, then exploring the surrounding area. However, there are some very highly rated resorts in the Catskills. Resorts are great if you wish to have numerous amenities and activities right at your doorstep.