Fill Your Summer Calendar With These NY Weekend Getaways

Living in the Capital Region we sometimes forget what other parts of the state have to offer. I have been fortunate to live out in the Buffalo area and on the East End of Long Island. Here are three of my favorite places to visit through the summer months.

Lake Placid - June/July

Less than three hours from Albany, Lake Placid offers some unique scenery and adventures. There are fun things to do that are modeled and repurposed from the days that Lake Placid hosted the Olympics. You can ride the Cliffside Coaster. It runs alongside the actual 1980s Olympic bobsled track. It's the longest mountain coaster in the United States.

There is more to Lake Placid than the Olympics. Mirror Lake is located in the village and there are no motorized vehicles allowed. You can take out a kayak or a canoe to enjoy the peacefulness. There is a 2.7-mile walking path around the entire lake.

You can also take the whole family on an adventure to High Falls Gorge. There are four gigantic waterfalls and a trail to the gorge that takes you over bridges, glass floor walkways, and groomed trails.

East End of Long Island - July/August

I went to college in the Hamptons which allowed me to live there during the summer months. It is about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from the Capital Region. You may be thinking that there is no way you could afford to visit. There is. If you stay in Riverhead, which is the city before the island splits into the North and South Forks, you can make the twenty-minute drive to the East End locations. But be warned, you may be stuck in traffic at times. The East End of Long Island, and not just the Hamptons is one of the most beautiful parts of New York state.

It's not all hobnobbing with the rich, it's actually quite relaxing. The beaches are pristine and there are many public beaches to enjoy. One of my favorites is Coopers Beach in Southampton. It's a small stretch of road that leads you to oceanside mansions and a beautiful ocean beach.

The East End of Long Island also boasts nearly twenty vineyards. These are mostly located on the North Fork of the island. This getaway would be more of a couples weekend as opposed to a family summer trip.

If you are going to head to the East End, you must go all the way to The End also known as Montauk Point. This is the tip of the island and it is a quaint old fishing village with a beautiful Montauk Lighthouse. This is the oldest lighthouse in New York state. You can take a tour.

Niagara Falls - August

This is by far my favorite place to visit in New York state. Niagara Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world and only five hours from the Capital Region. There is so much to do. I recommend that you get on "The Maid of The Mist". This gets you up close and literally next to the falls. Plus you get a cool poncho that not only keeps you dry but you can have as a souvenir.

You can also get very close to the American side of Niagara Falls by doing the Cave of The Winds walk. There are steps and decks that take you next to the roaring falls. When you snap a picture, it's like you are in the falls. Definitely, a must-do if you head out to Niagara Falls this summer. Plus with the dog days of summer in August, this is a very refreshing walk.