The itinerary suggested here "From New York City to Niagara Falls" connects the most famous city of New York State With which most popular natural attraction.
Overview
The distance between the two points is 600 kilometers as the crow flies or 655 kilometers on the autobahn and can be covered in just under 7½ hours by car if you do not have to make stops. You can go from New York City to Niagara Falls in a day, and so many do. If you spend it completely in the car, the route is very boring and has little to offer to the eye. To the Appalachian Mountains, which form endless ranges of hills in this part of the country, one has seen enough in Scranton at the latest, and civilization seems, when one sees it from the perspective of the highway, to be exhausted in scattered milk farms, gas stations and trailer parks.
The alternative route suggested here is slightly longer than the popular motorway route across Binghamton and Syracuse, but includes a number of the most attractive sights, the Pennsylvania and New York State have to offer. The anchor points at which the route is aligned form a varied mixture of different museums, architectural superlatives and wild rock gorges that can be hiked. Children also get their money's worth. The route gains additional flavor from the fact that the return journey takes a largely different route than the outward journey. Here are the bare data in advance:
- South route (via Scranton, Corning and Buffalo): length 731 km, driving time a good 9 hours
- North route (via Batavia, Geneseo, Ithaca, Poughkeepsie): length 802 km, pure travel time about 9½ hours
preparation
You need a rental car. Whether you pick it up at the airport or from a branch in Manhattan depends on what is convenient in each case. One should note that in Manhattan itself a car is not needed and, on the contrary, is terribly annoying because there is no affordable parking space. Well-prepared people travel with a navigation system plus detailed maps, particularly of Pennsylvania and New York State.
Hotel rooms are easy to find in Upstate New York and much cheaper than in New York City. You don't necessarily have to book in advance. Only in the student city of Ithaca are cheap accommodation often scarce. There are so many beds in Niagara Falls that you can come without booking in advance. Because not all hotels are nicely or conveniently located, it is advisable to compare quarters in advance (online) and arrive with a list of addresses.
Water rats should have swimwear and towels ready. There are interesting swimming spots in the state parks, some in natural waters. To see the chocolate side of Niagara Falls, one must enter Canada. For this you need a valid passport. If the car is rented, you should clarify immediately when you pick it up that you want to go abroad by car. The car rental company wants to know this for insurance reasons.
getting there
Please refer New York City # arrival.
It is also possible to take the route suggested here in the opposite direction, i.e. start in Niagara Falls and continue from there to New York City. European travelers should however have this Toronto fly in. Niagara Falls (IAG) and Buffalo (BUF) are not served directly from Europe.
South route
Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Section: New York City - Scranton
- Streets: I-80 and I-380
- Distance: 195 km
- Travel time: 2:24 hours
Scranton is a historic mining town on the Lackawanna River. It is extremely worth seeing 1 Steamtown National Historic Site
(150 S Washington Ave), one of the largest railroad museums in the United States. The heart of the system is a round locomotive shed in which numerous historic locomotives are exhibited. A “Union Pacific Big Boy” can also be seen, the legendary largest steam locomotive that has ever been built in the USA.
- Overnight accommodation: numerous hotels in Scranton and the neighboring cities
Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania
- Section: Scranton - Ansonia
- Roads: US Route 6
- Distance: 201 km
- Travel time: 2:44 hours
The most spectacular gorge in Pennsylvania begins 2 km south of the small town of Ansonia. Pine Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, carved this natural wonder into the rocks during the last Ice Age. The hiking trails of the 2 Colton Point State Park on the western edge of the canyon. Families with children definitely visit too Animaland[outdated] (4181 Route 660, Wellsboro), an unusual, lovingly designed private zoo located in the forest, in which, in addition to some exotic animals, a large number of native animals - especially deer - can be seen, which can also be fed. Animaland is tucked away on the east side of the canyon, near Leonard Harrison State Park.
- Where to stay: some hotels in Wellsboro, more sophisticated choices in Corning
Corning, New York
- Section: Ansonia - Corning
- Roads: US Route 6, US Route 15
- Distance: 72 km
- Travel time: 0:53 hours
Corning is a traditional glass manufacturing site on the Chemung River. It is worth seeing 3 Corning Museum of Glass, the largest glass museum in the United States with impressive exhibitions on historical and modern glass art and high-tech glass. Market Street is good for window shopping and dining.
- Where to stay: many hotels in Corning and Painted Post
Letchworth State Park
- Section: Corning - Portageville / Letchworth State Park (south access)
- Streets: I-86, I-390, New York State Route 436
- Distance: 114 km
- Travel time: 1:18 hours
Letchworth State Park is one of the most scenic parks in New York. The Genesee River has dug a huge canyon into the landscape. Beautiful hiking trails and a number of impressive waterfalls.
- Places to stay: a few hotels in Mt. Morris and even more in Geneseo
Buffalo, New York
- Section: Portageville / Letchworth State Park (south access) - Buffalo
- Roads: New York State Route 39 (to Yorkshire), State Route 16, State Route 400
- Distance: 114 km
- Travel time: 1:18 hours
Buffalo is the second largest city in the state of New York after New York City. If you travel with children, you visit this 1 Buffalo Museum of Science (1020 Humboldt Parkway). The 4 Buffalo Zoo (300 Parkside Ave) shows many interesting animals, but is not worth the detour and is from the 5 Bronx Zoo beaten by a few lengths. In Buffalo, on the other hand, fans of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who is responsible for the design of the extremely remarkable, get their money's worth Martin House Complex (125 Jewett Parkway) is responsible. Prior reservation compulsory. Buffalo's theater scene is also one of the best in the state.
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- Overnight accommodation: numerous hotels in downtown Buffalo and at many motorway exits
Niagara Falls, Ontario
- Section: Buffalo - Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada)
- Roads: I-190, Robert Moses Parkway, Rainbow Bridge (= border crossing)
- Distance: 35 km
- Travel time: 0:27 hours
Please refer Niagara Falls, Ontario.
North route
Genesee Country Village & Museum
- Section: Niagara Falls, Ontario - Mumford
- Streets: Robert Moses Parkway, I-190, I-290, I-90, County Road 40, New York State Route 36
- Distance: 191 km
- Travel time: 1:27 hours
A few kilometers west of the small town of Mumford is the most important open-air museum in the state of New York. The 6 Genesee Country Village includes 68 restored and fully furnished buildings from the 19th century. On weekends, the village is livened up by volunteers who demonstrate historical handicrafts in contemporary clothing. Extremely worth seeing when the weather is nice. For the visit you estimate at least half a day.
- Places to stay: a few small motels on Route 20, much more choice in Rochester
Detour: Rochester, New York
In the living room of photography pioneer George Eastman (Rochester)
The Sonnenberg Mansion (Candandaigua) was the residence of a New York banker.
The city Rochester is half an hour away from the route, but offers extensive hotel capacities as well as other sights such as the very attractive one 7 George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film (900 East Avenue). in the 8 Susan B. Anthony House (17 Madison St) you can find out about the life and work of the American women's rights fighter of the same name (1820-1906). Frank Lloyd Wright fans take a longing look at the shockingly beautiful 9 Boynton House (16 East Boulevard), but are not allowed to see it from the inside. You go to that with children - if they are wild or still very young 10 Strong National Museum of Play (1 Manhattan Square) or - if they are good and inquisitive - that 11 Rochester Museum (657 East Avenue). 12 Seneca Park Zoo is nice, but average and not worth a detour. If a park is to be included, the very attractive one south of downtown is recommended 13 Highland park.
Candandaigua, New York
- Section: Mumford - Canandaigua
- Roads: US Route 20
- Distance: 53 km
- Travel time: 0:46 hours
Canandaigua is a delightful excursion town on the lake of the same name. The most important sight is that 14 Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park (151 Charlotte St), the centerpiece of which is a pompous, authentically furnished Queen Anne villa from 1887. It's best to visit when the weather is nice, then you can also enjoy the wonderful gardens.
- Overnight accommodation: several hotels in Canandaigua, others in Geneva and Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, New York
- Section: Canandaigua - Watkins Glen
- Roads: US Route 20, New York State Route 14
- Distance: 82 km
- Travel time: 1:01 hours
Watkins Glen is an excursion and racing town on the south end of Seneca Lake. On the way there, like almost everywhere on the shores of the Finger Lake region, you will pass numerous wineries. Wine tasting possible. 15 Watkins Glen State Park is a highly dramatic gorge that Glen Creek has dug into the rock here.
- Overnight accommodation: Several hotels and motels on Route 14 and in Watkins Glen
Ithaca, New York
- Section: Watkins Glen - Ithaca
- Streets: New York State Route 79
- Distance: 38 km
- Travel time: 0:35 hours
The charming university town adorned with countless waterfalls Ithaca is something like the unofficial cultural capital of upstate New York. Art exhibitions, theater, alternative cinemas, Ithaca even has a professional symphony orchestra. A paradise for friends of ethnic cuisine, which is pleasantly affordable due to the predominantly student audience.
- Where to stay: many hotels in Ithaca, but the thrifty ones should go to Binghamton dodge
Detour: Norwich
Norwich is not directly on the way, but requires a little detour. However, automobile enthusiasts can do what is very worth seeing there 16 Northeast Classic Car Museum (24 Rexford St) visit.
Detour: Cooperstown
Opera fans can also take a detour to the in the summer months Glimmerglass Festival Companies. The festival takes place in July and August and includes 3-4 elaborate stage productions (opera, musical) as well as several concerts. More intimate than corresponding events in New York City, but hardly less ambitious and attractive. The venue is the architecturally very interesting Alice Busch Opera Theater (Cary Mede Lane, Cooperstown) at the north end of Otsego Lake. 914 seats, none of which is more than 22 meters away from the stage. Tickets from $ 26 (long-term advance booking advisable). Overnight in Cooperstown possible, unfortunately at prices that can be significantly higher than those for opera tickets.
Another attraction of Cooperstown is the 17 National Baseball Hall of Fame (25 Main Street). Open Mon-Sun 9 am-5pm, entry $ 19.50 (children 9-12 years $ 7).
Detour: Howe Caverns
One of the greatest natural sights in New York State is the 18 Howe Caverns at Cobbleskill. These are a good hour away from the route described here. One drives over I-88 in the direction Albany.
Hyde Park, New York
- Section: Ithaca - Hyde Park
- Roads: New York State Route 79, I-81, State Route 17, State Route 52, State Route 55, US Route 209, US Route 9
- Distance: 291 km
- Travel time: 3:55 hours
The city Hyde Park is located in the valley of the Hudson River, the proverbial “Rhine of America”, and is home to one of the architectural highlights of the region: the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. Since 1898 this has been the residence of the wealthy railroad king Frederick William Vanderbilt. At most that 19 Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina is even more impressive. These are other attractions 20 Franklin D. Roosevelt's birthplace and the 21 private residential home his First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, who is still popular today.
In the campus restaurants of the major 1 Culinary Institute of America you can then try what the most ambitious young chefs in the country have in their pots.
- Accommodation options: some hotels in Hyde Park, others in Poughkeepsie
Detour: Woodstock
65 miles west of Poughkeepsie lies Bethel, the tiny place on the edge of which in August 1969 the legendary Woodstock Festival took place. This detour is not advisable because, in addition to the museum of the 22 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (200 Hurd Road, near West Shore Road), which was built in the middle of the former festival site, hardly anything of interest can be seen. In order to form an opinion as to whether you really want to take the detour, we recommend viewing Ang Lee's feature film Taking Woodstock (2009).
New York City
- Section: Hyde Park - New York City
- Roads: New York State Route 9G, State Route 55, Taconic State Parkway, Saw Mill Parkway, State Route 9A
- Distance: 147 km
- Travel time: 2:04 hours
Please refer: New York City.
security
Security is generally very high in this predominantly rural part of the country.
