Top Cities to Visit in Upstate New York

There’s much more to New York than just the Big Apple. There are many bustling cities to enjoy, from Albany houses for sale or condos in Buffalo.

Albany

New York’s capital city offers plenty of indoor and outdoor attractions, a good shopping scene, thriving arts and culture activities, and a delicious food and drink landscape.

It’s also a great place to visit if you want to learn about New York’s history. The New York State Capitol building has an elegant and unique exterior. Take a tour to see the Great Western Staircase, which features prominent New Yorker portraits carved into the stonework, such as Walt Whitman and Susan B. Anthony.

The New York State Museum focuses on the state’s natural environment and has 16 million specimens in its natural science collection. It also houses a history and anthropology collection of one million items.

Washington Park has a five-acre lake, sightseeing cruises down the Hudson River are available, and The Egg is the city’s performing arts center that has a variety of acts to see throughout the year.

Utica

The city sits at the base of the Adirondack and Catskill mountains. It’s natural setting offers much to do in nature, but the city has just as much going on in the way of cultural events and arts and entertainment.

The Utica Zoo has 100 wildlife species to see and is home to various endangered and threatened animals.

You can hop on a train that takes riders through the scenic Adirondack Mountains, winding through lush forests and pristine waterways.

You can catch a performance at the historic Stanley Theater or a game at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

One of the best ways to explore the city is to walk it and experience the many shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars there.

Syracuse

Syracuse is part of the Finger Lakes Region, a beautifully preserved city where visitors can walk through history while experiencing modern perks.

Downtown Syracuse is filled with old Neoclassical and Gothic buildings. As you stroll Canal Street, remember that at one time the Erie Canal ran right where you’re walking!

Pop over to the Erie Canal Museum to learn about the canal’s development or take the kids to the Museum of Science and Technology to see the Science Playhouse or Earth Discovery Science Cave.

Shoppers will want to take a quick trip five miles away to Destiny USA, the fifth largest shopping mall in the nation.

Binghamton

Binghamton has a wide array of things to do no matter your age, whether you’re visiting with family or your significant other.

It’s home to the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, the Phelps Mansion Museum, and Recreation Park, which has gorgeous hand-carved carousels from the 1920s on display.

The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier is an educational center for kids that has 30 themed exhibits.

Take a walk through the Cutler Botanic Garden, see a show at the Broome County Forum Theatre, or eat at the long-running family-owned Little Venice Restaurant for a mix of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.