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The Atlas Obscura Guide To New York State

807 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in New York State

Updated November 28, 2022

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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Albany
  2. Amsterdam
  3. Beacon
  4. Binghamton
  5. The Bronx
  6. Brooklyn
  7. Buffalo
  8. Catskill
  9. Centerport
  10. Cold Spring
  11. Cooperstown
  12. Dobbs Ferry
  13. Dover Plains
  14. East Hampton
  15. Elmira
  16. Hammondsport
  17. Howes Cave
  18. Hudson
  19. Ithaca
  20. Jamestown
  21. Keene Valley
  22. Kinderhook
  23. Kings Park
  24. Kingston
  25. Lake George
  26. Lake Placid
  27. Newcomb
  28. New Paltz
  29. New York City
  30. Manhattan
  31. Niagara Falls
  32. Nyack
  33. Oneida
  34. Orient
  35. Oyster Bay
  36. Palmyra
  37. Pawling
  38. Queens
  39. Red Hook
  40. Rhinebeck
  41. Rochester
  42. Rome
  43. Romulus
  44. Roscoe
  45. Roxbury
  46. Sands Point
  47. Saratoga Springs
  48. Seneca Falls
  49. Shoreham
  50. Sleepy Hollow
  51. Staten Island
  52. Syracuse
  53. Tomkins Cove
  54. Troy
  55. Wellesley Island
  56. West Point
  57. Woodstock
  58. Yonkers

Unusual Attractions in New York City

See All 733 Things To Do in New York City

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in New York State

See all 10 Places to Eat in New York State
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Guided Tours of New York State

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

A Feminist Road Trip Across the U.S.

Over the past month, Atlas Obscura has been exploring the stories of women who changed the world, from wildlife biologists and mountain climbers to Civil War spies and tattoo artists. To celebrate these daring women who struck out on their own, we’ve put together a cross-country road trip. Over 12 stops and more than 3,000 miles, this route will give you a front-row seat to women’s history in America.

View Itinerary

Explore New York State

Art 93 Architectural Oddities 90 History 82 Museums And Collections 70 Abandoned 69 Shops 68 Cemeteries 63 Homes 62 Ruins 55 Sacred Spaces 49 Animals 46 Collections 45 Unique Restaurants & Bars 38 Places To Stay 11

New York State Leaderboard

Recent New York State Activity

Stories About New York State

What Is Lake-Effect Snow?

A snowstorm that slammed into Western New York left more than six feet of snow in places. Blame the Great Lakes.
by Michael A. Rawlins

Podcast: Lily Dale Spiritualist Community

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team

To Join This Community of People Who Speak to the Dead, Prepare to Be Tested

Think you have what it takes to be a spiritual medium in Lily Dale?
by Sarah Durn

The Many Lives and Fiery Deaths of the Silver Lake Sea Serpent

A small town in western New York loves its lake monster despite a shady past.
by Nicole Hebdon

What It Takes to Maintain 500 Acres of Art and Nature

Storm King's director of facilities has to be a landscaper, an art conservator, and even a structural engineer.
by Luna Shyr

Meet the College Student With 6,000 Takeout Menus

He's not quite sure what to do with them.
by Anne Ewbank

Meet the New York State Parks Interpreter Who Cooks to Uncover the Past

As a culinary historian, Lavada Nahon is working to bring the state's African American history to light.
by Vonnie Williams

A Show & Tell With Upstate New York’s 'Radio Guy'

His collection of scary-looking headgear from the past is sure to get into your head.
by Isaac Schultz

Lists Featuring New York State

Photo
Photo
The House of the Temple.
Statue of George Washington

Novus Ordo Seclorum: 14 Places to Unearth Masonic Secrets

Your best bets for gaining insight into the real history of Freemasonry.

14

Including Zedekiah's Cave, Masonic Lodge of the Andaz Hotel, and House of the Temple

The Paddington Bear statue at Paddington station.
The Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park.
Mrs Mallard and her entire brood.
Dr Seuss, Cat in the Hat, and a book with lines from Oh The Places You'll Go.

9 Favorite Children's Book Characters, Immortalized in Bronze

Visit Paddington Bear, Ramona Quimby, and other childhood heroes in person.

9

Including Paddington Bear Statue , Alice in Wonderland Statue, and Make Way for Ducklings Statue

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