Looking to start your 2026 summer with a New York road trip? We’ve got you covered.
There are various attractions across the state that are worth the drive, and the summer season is the perfect time to do it.
From museums to scenic walkways and state parks, here’s a list of New York attractions that should be on your start-of-summer road trip bucket list, including one local stop.
Munson arts institute
Founded in 1919, Munson is a “celebrated venue for art, music, performance and education for people of every age and background,” according to its website.
Munson is a diverse institution packed with art to witness, classes to participate in and events throughout the summer, including performances, films and live music.
If you’re a fan of the arts, Munson is a great destination to check out this season.
Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass is a Southern Tier destination that offers the perfect mix between fun and learning.
Listed among the New York Times’ “U.S. Museums to See” in 2025 and Newsweek’s “Top 3 Best Art Museums in America,” according to the museum’s website, Corning Museum of Glass allows visitors to learn about the history of glass and participate in glassworking.
Fun for the whole family, the museum holds various kids and family programs along with glassmaking demonstrations if you’re interested in more than a casual stroll to view the art. An added perk is the admission price, free for kids 17 and under.
Letchworth State Park
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” as stated on the website, Letchworth State Park is the perfect destination for those with a love of nature and scenery.
Hike through some of the 66 miles of hiking trails to view the three large, gorgeous waterfalls or take part in other activities including guided tours, white-water rafting, kayaking and swimming.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Museum
If you’re a history buff, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum could make for the ideal road trip destination.
The museum features “special interactives, immersive audio-visuals, and rarely seen artifacts” that take visitors through the Roosevelt era, according to their website. Take a walk through the museum or go through the presidential archives for an all-day immersive look into FDR.
Walkway Over the Hudson
Stretching from Poughkeepsie to Highland is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge. It crosses over the Hudson River, and could make for the perfect summer stroll.
Starting as a railroad bridge in 1889, the bridge was unused from 1974 through the mid-2000s when the structure was turned into a pedestrian bridge, which more than seven million people have now experienced, according to the website.
The 1.28-mile walkway stands 212 feet above the Hudson River and is a must-see in the Hudson Valley.
Roberson Museum
Home to an abundance of art exhibits, events and a planetarium, the historic Roberson Museum is ideal for family fun.
Founded in the 1930s, the museum “continues to be locally, regionally and nationally recognized for its excellence in art, history and science education,” as stated on the website.
Stroll through the various exhibits that mix art and science or dive deep into the solar system inside the planetarium for a fun day for all.
Kaaterskill Falls
The Catskills region of New York features some of the best trails and views in the state, including Kaaterskill Falls.
The short 0.6-mile round-trip hike will take you to the Kaaterskill Falls viewing platform, which overlooks the “highest cascading two-tiered waterfall” in the state, according to the website.
The simple hike to one of America’s oldest tourist attractions will give scenery lovers a breathtaking view.
Where: Laurel House Road, Haines Falls.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Munson arts institute in Utica among must-see stops on road trip in New York
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
