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All United States New York State

The Atlas Obscura Guide To New York State

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

Updated March 23, 2023

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  1. Albany
  2. Amsterdam
  3. Beacon
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  8. Catskill
  9. Centerport
  10. Cold Spring
  11. Cooperstown
  12. Dobbs Ferry
  13. Dover Plains
  14. East Hampton
  15. Elmira
  16. Hammondsport
  17. Howes Cave
  18. Hudson
  19. Ithaca
  20. Jamestown
  21. Keene Valley
  22. Kinderhook
  23. Kings Park
  24. Kingston
  25. Lake George
  26. Lake Placid
  27. Newcomb
  28. New Paltz
  29. New York City
  30. Manhattan
  31. Niagara Falls
  32. Nyack
  33. Oneida
  34. Orient
  35. Oyster Bay
  36. Palmyra
  37. Pawling
  38. Queens
  39. Red Hook
  40. Rhinebeck
  41. Rochester
  42. Rome
  43. Romulus
  44. Roscoe
  45. Roxbury
  46. Sands Point
  47. Saratoga Springs
  48. Seneca Falls
  49. Shoreham
  50. Sleepy Hollow
  51. Staten Island
  52. Syracuse
  53. Tomkins Cove
  54. Troy
  55. Wellesley Island
  56. West Point
  57. Woodstock
  58. Yonkers
Attractions
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Map
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Stories
Lists

Unusual Attractions in New York State

New York, New York

City Hall Station

A beautiful and abandoned New York subway station from 1904, complete with chandelier.

New York, New York

The Evolution Store

A terrific purveyor of natural history objects and curios.

New York, New York

Dream House

La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela's "Dream House" will immerse you in an ever changing world of sound and light.

New York, New York

Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital Ruins

A crumbling hospital from the 1850s on Roosevelt Island.

New York, New York

The Elevated Acre

Amid the bustle and noise of the Financial District hides a secluded garden oasis above the city streets.

New York, New York

Mmuseumm

A tiny museum housed in a New York freight elevator specializes in the "overlooked, dismissed, or ignored."

New York, New York

Explorers Club Headquarters

A treasure trove of artifacts, books, and artwork from the "golden age" of exploration.

New York, New York

Lexington Candy Shop

The oldest family-run luncheonette in New York, last renovated in 1948, still serves food and drinks the old-fashioned way.
See All 807 Things To Do in New York State

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in New York State

New York, New York

Lexington Candy Shop

The oldest family-run luncheonette in New York, last renovated in 1948, still serves food and drinks the old-fashioned way.

New York, New York

Trinity Place Bank Vault Bar

This lower Manhattan bar is set up in an old bank vault that rests beneath a skyscraper that hides even more historic splendor.

New York, New York

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Celebrate Thanksgiving with pumpkin pie ice cream.

New York, New York

Goldbar

A hip bar decorated with walls of golden skulls.
See all 10 Places to Eat in New York State
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Explorer's Guide to Hudson Valley, New York

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 and at towering waterfalls, giant kaleidoscopes and incredible views of the beautiful Hudson Valley.

View Itinerary

Explore New York State

Art 93
Architectural Oddities 90
History 83
Museums And Collections 71
Abandoned 70
Shops 68
Cemeteries 63
Homes 63
Ruins 55
Sacred Spaces 49
Animals 46
Collections 44
Unique Restaurants & Bars 38
Places To Stay 11

New York State Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Avatar image for Luke J Spencer
    Luke J Spencer
    99
  2. Avatar image for Oliver Hong
    Oliver Hong
    62
  3. Avatar image for lampbane
    lampbane
    44
  4. Avatar image for kastoory
    kastoory
    24
  5. Avatar image for Andres Schiffino
    Andres Schiffino
    19

Places Edited

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    Rachel
    163
  2. M
    Martin
    145
  3. Avatar image for Molly McBride Jacobson
    Molly McBride Jacobson
    83
  4. Avatar image for Anna Minster
    Anna Minster
    80
  5. Avatar image for icatsstaci
    icatsstaci
    65

Places Visited

  1. Avatar image for zevmark25
    zevmark25
    707
  2. Avatar image for Anna Minster
    Anna Minster
    623
  3. Avatar image for wanderjon
    wanderjon
    598
  4. Avatar image for BryanKnight
    BryanKnight
    528
  5. J
    jennysgreatapt
    527

Recent New York State Activity

  • Avatar image for breaingram

    breaingram

    wants to go to Hwa Yuan Szechuan

  • D

    darkvinc57

    has been to The 'Ghostbusters' Firehouse

  • S

    swezeyv

    has been to The Wishbones of McSorley's Old Ale House

  • S

    swezeyv

    has been to 41 Cooper Square

  • D

    darkvinc57

    has been to City Hall Station

Stories About New York State

What Is Lake-Effect Snow?

A snowstorm that slammed into Western New York left more than six feet of snow in places. Blame the Great Lakes.
by Michael A. Rawlins
November 21, 2022

Podcast: Lily Dale Spiritualist Community

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
January 18, 2022

To Join This Community of People Who Speak to the Dead, Prepare to Be Tested

Think you have what it takes to be a spiritual medium in Lily Dale?
by Sarah Durn
December 7, 2021

The Many Lives and Fiery Deaths of the Silver Lake Sea Serpent

A small town in western New York loves its lake monster despite a shady past.
by Nicole Hebdon
March 15, 2021

What It Takes to Maintain 500 Acres of Art and Nature

Storm King's director of facilities has to be a landscaper, an art conservator, and even a structural engineer.
by Luna Shyr
July 21, 2020

Meet the College Student With 6,000 Takeout Menus

He's not quite sure what to do with them.
by Anne Ewbank
July 7, 2020

Meet the New York State Parks Interpreter Who Cooks to Uncover the Past

As a culinary historian, Lavada Nahon is working to bring the state's African American history to light.
by Vonnie Williams
May 26, 2020

A Show & Tell With Upstate New York’s 'Radio Guy'

His collection of scary-looking headgear from the past is sure to get into your head.
by Isaac Schultz
April 8, 2020

Lists Featuring New York State

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

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