This Epic Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks In New York

There are plenty of must-see landmarks in New York. Honestly, we could’ve done a whole road trip just of iconic landmarks in New York City or Buffalo or Albany. For time’s sake, we had to limit this iconic landmark in New York road trip to just a few hours, so we stuck to just the western portion of the state. These belong on anyone’s New York bucket list! Even if you’ve seen them before, they’re all worth multiple visits. Check it out:

The entire trip will take just over five hours of drive time. Of course, you’ll need time to explore each destination, but this is a great option for a three-day weekend. You’ll start just west of Buffalo and end right around Binghamton.

Google Maps

Niagara Falls State Park: 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Radek Kacharski/Flickr There’s not really much we can say about Niagara Falls that hasn’t already been said. The state park was the first in the nation and is considered by many to be the best state park in New York. Located right on the border with Canada, the towering falls are one of the most awe-inspiring sights you’ll ever see. Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, USA

Eternal Flame Falls: Orchard Park, NY 14127

Kim Carpenter/Flickr The Eternal Flame Falls in Chestnut Ridge Park is such a neat and unique attraction in New York! A natural gas is emitted at the base of this waterfall, meaning that a flame can be lit and burn continuously. It looks so magical to see a flame burning seemingly from within the water. Eternal Flame Falls, Eternal Flame Hiking Trail, Orchard Park, NY 14127, USA

Corning Museum of Glass: 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830

Corning Museum of Glass The Corning Museum of Glass is one of the most underrated museums in New York. It features a collection of more than 50,000 glass objects, ranging from cookware to art to tools. There are even exhibits of live glass making. The displays here are absolutely stunning. Corning Museum of Glass, 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, USA

Watkins Glen State Park: 009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Anita Gould/Flickr You’ll often find Watkins Glen State Park on a list of most beautiful places in New York, and it even manages to give Niagara Falls a run for its money. A hike down the quick and easy Gorge Trail will show you an amazing 19 waterfalls. This place is magnificent! Watkins Glen State Park, 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, USA

Taughannock Falls State Park: 1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886

☼☼Jo Zimny Photos☼☼/Flickr We hope you aren’t sick of waterfalls in New York yet! Taughannock Falls State Park is incredible and has some really amazing trails. The views here are stunning no matter the season: 400-foot gorges rise above you and the towering falls are 215 feet in height. This is one of the most incredible state parks in New York. Taughannock Falls State Park, 1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886, USA

Cornell University: Ithaca, NY 14850

Barbara Friedman/Flickr Cornell University is famed for being an Ivy League school with strict acceptance rates and a phenomenal education. But it’s also notable for having a stunning campus! There are some incredible historic buildings here, and the natural features of the Ithaca area are also quite beautiful. Take a stroll through campus: there are many attractions you can enjoy even if you’re not a student, like the magnificent Cornell Botanic Gardens. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Phelps Mansion Museum: 191 Court St, Binghamton, NY 13901

Craig Fildes/Flickr We’ll end our trip at the Phelps Mansion. The mansion is a stunning example of a historic home from America’s Gilded Age. Tours are available weekly; you can find out more information on the museum’s website. Phelps Mansion Museum, 191 Court St, Binghamton, NY 13901, USA

This road trip in New York could have gone on quite literally indefinitely, but we had to cut it short to make it more practical! What would you like to see on a future road trip of iconic landmarks in New York? Share your suggestions in the comments!

Google Maps

Radek Kacharski/Flickr

There’s not really much we can say about Niagara Falls that hasn’t already been said. The state park was the first in the nation and is considered by many to be the best state park in New York. Located right on the border with Canada, the towering falls are one of the most awe-inspiring sights you’ll ever see.

Niagara Falls State Park, 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, USA

Kim Carpenter/Flickr

The Eternal Flame Falls in Chestnut Ridge Park is such a neat and unique attraction in New York! A natural gas is emitted at the base of this waterfall, meaning that a flame can be lit and burn continuously. It looks so magical to see a flame burning seemingly from within the water.

Eternal Flame Falls, Eternal Flame Hiking Trail, Orchard Park, NY 14127, USA

Corning Museum of Glass

The Corning Museum of Glass is one of the most underrated museums in New York. It features a collection of more than 50,000 glass objects, ranging from cookware to art to tools. There are even exhibits of live glass making. The displays here are absolutely stunning.

Corning Museum of Glass, 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830, USA

Anita Gould/Flickr

You’ll often find Watkins Glen State Park on a list of most beautiful places in New York, and it even manages to give Niagara Falls a run for its money. A hike down the quick and easy Gorge Trail will show you an amazing 19 waterfalls. This place is magnificent!

Watkins Glen State Park, 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, USA

☼☼Jo Zimny Photos☼☼/Flickr

We hope you aren’t sick of waterfalls in New York yet! Taughannock Falls State Park is incredible and has some really amazing trails. The views here are stunning no matter the season: 400-foot gorges rise above you and the towering falls are 215 feet in height. This is one of the most incredible state parks in New York.

Taughannock Falls State Park, 1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886, USA

Barbara Friedman/Flickr

Cornell University is famed for being an Ivy League school with strict acceptance rates and a phenomenal education. But it’s also notable for having a stunning campus! There are some incredible historic buildings here, and the natural features of the Ithaca area are also quite beautiful. Take a stroll through campus: there are many attractions you can enjoy even if you’re not a student, like the magnificent Cornell Botanic Gardens.

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Craig Fildes/Flickr

We’ll end our trip at the Phelps Mansion. The mansion is a stunning example of a historic home from America’s Gilded Age. Tours are available weekly; you can find out more information on the museum’s website.

Phelps Mansion Museum, 191 Court St, Binghamton, NY 13901, USA

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