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The Atlas Obscura Guide To New York State

1,231 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in New York State

Updated October 14, 2026
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Cities

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VISITED THIS STATE
Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Albany
  2. Albion
  3. Amsterdam
  4. Auburn
  5. Ballston Spa
  6. Beacon
  7. Binghamton
  8. The Bronx
  9. Brooklyn
  10. Buffalo
  11. Carmel Hamlet
  12. Catskill
  13. Centerport
  14. Cohoes
  15. Cold Spring
  16. Cooperstown
  17. Dobbs Ferry
  18. Dover Plains
  19. East Hampton
  20. Elmira
  21. Fayetteville
  22. Fire Island
  23. Hammondsport
  24. Howes Cave
  25. Hudson
  26. Ithaca
  27. Jamestown
  28. Keene Valley
  29. Kinderhook
  30. Kings Park
  31. Kingston
  32. Lake George
  33. Lake Placid
  34. Monroe
  35. Montauk
  36. Newcomb
  37. New Paltz
  38. New York City
  39. Manhattan
  40. Niagara Falls
  41. Nyack
  42. Oneida
  43. Orient
  44. Oyster Bay
  45. Palmyra
  46. Pawling
  47. Penn Yan
  48. Port Jervis
  49. Poughkeepsie
  50. Queens
  51. Red Hook
  52. Rhinebeck
  53. Rochester
  54. Rome
  55. Romulus
  56. Roscoe
  57. Roxbury
  58. Sands Point
  59. Saranac Lake
  60. Saratoga Springs
  61. Schenectady
  62. Seneca Falls
  63. Shoreham
  64. Sleepy Hollow
  65. Speculator
  66. Staten Island
  67. Syracuse
  68. The Bronx
  69. Tomkins Cove
  70. Troy
  71. Waterloo
  72. West Point
  73. Woodstock
  74. Yonkers

Unusual Attractions in New York State

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in New York State

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See all 129 Places to Eat in New York State
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Explorer's Guide to Hudson Valley, New York

Sponsored by Defender

Just a short trip north of New York City, the Hudson Valley is great for both day trips and road trips. Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras is a local resident, and loves the natural wonders, as well as the incredible culture and history found in the region. This itinerary combines his favorite spots into one stunning road trip. Start your adventure at a living antique aviation museum near the historic town of Red Hook, and end with dinner at a Victorian resort. Along the way, you’ll make pit stops at towering waterfalls, a giant kaleidoscope, and incredible views of the beautiful Hudson Valley.

View Itinerary

Explore New York State

Architecture 149
Art 98
Museums 96
Architectural Oddities 91
History 89
Abandoned 72
Cemeteries 71
Shops 68

New York State Leaderboard

Recent New York State Activity

Stories About New York State

Celebrating America 250 with Atlas Obscura

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At the top of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain

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How our eclipse 2024 plans went sideways, for the better.
by Johanna Mayer, Atlas Obscura
The Shawangunk Ridge.

The Secrets of the Shawangunk Mountains

In our new podcast, sponsored by Toyota Trucks, Geologist Becky Nessel takes us on a detour to some of her favorite hidden spots in The Gunks.
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A place setting at Blue Hill at Stone Barns includes Moore’s bone china water cup and plate as well as a charger made from soil.

The Artist Turning Bones Into Beautiful Dishware

Gregg Moore uses 18th-century techniques to transform a restaurant's leftovers into bone china.
by Rebecca L. Rhoades, Atlas Obscura
Brigadier General Benedict Arnold lost the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776—as well as several of the young navy’s ships, including the gunboat Spitfire—but the skirmish bought the Continental Army much-needed time in the war.

Benedict Arnold's Lake Champlain Gunboat Is the Last Shipwreck of Its Kind

Preserved in the lake's chilly waters for more than 200 years, the Spitfire now faces a new threat.
by Hope Hodge Seck, Atlas Obscura

Podcast: Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center

Lacrosse can trace its origins back centuries to the Native American "Creator's Game."
by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura
Hudson River Rail Excursions runs a classic car between New York and Albany to make the vintage rail experience more accessible.

Meet the People Who Keep Vintage Rail Cars Rolling Across America

About two dozen classic carriages around the country offer time travel by train.
by Justin Franz, Atlas Obscura
The Seneca County Courthouse Complex in Ovid, New York, commonly known as “the Three Bears,” is a fine example of the Greek Revival style in the Military Tract, from which both the fad for classical place names and notions of classical architecture spread throughout the country.

Why Does America Have So Many Towns With Classical Names?

There are nearly 100 named "Troy."
by Frank Jacobs, Atlas Obscura

Lists Featuring New York State

Book Corner.
Edward Dean Adams Power Station
Clifton Hill

The 11 Best Places to Visit Near Niagara Falls for Curious Travelers

11

Including Book Corner, Prophet Isaiah's Second Coming House, and Edward Dean Adams Power Plant

The rare book reading room.
Keen’s Steakhouse
The New York Herald Monument.

The 11 Best Things to do Near the Empire State Building for Curious Travelers

11

Including Tannen's Magic Shop, The Conjuring Arts Research Center, and Keen's Steakhouse

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

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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