Upstate New York was made for driving , offering some of the country ’s most beautiful lift roads and roadside attractive feature . This summer , when you ’re vacation inbeautifulUpstate , take a day trip to explore the orbit on one of these drives .   From “ New York ’s Adventure Route ” in the Catskills , to a backcountry dangerous undertaking in Cooperstown , to a three - hour backroads quest for some of the good BBQ in the country , they ’re all worth finally getting your driver ’s license for .

Adirondack Loj Rd

Lake PlacidThis 9.6 - land mile out - and - back road is by far the prettiest of all the scenic byways in the Adirondack Park . You ’ll consider getting out and walk theAdirondack Loj Rd , just to slow up down the outstanding pass views of the High Peaks , lakes , and efflorescence field of force . Pro tip : Though many tramper take the Adirondack Loj Rd en route to climbing Mount Marcy , the magniloquent mountain in the state , skip the overnight hike and instead summitAlgonquin Peak , the second highest mountain in New York . And be trusted to grab a sandwich atBig Mountain Delibefore you go . Where to stay : Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Cayuga Lake

IthacaUpstate lake campaign do n’t get good than this . Cruise the 41 - mile designated scenic byway along the shores of the longest frigid finger lake , keeping an center out for diachronic Civil War markers , theMontezuma National Wildlife Refuge , and under - the - radar watering hole likeMyer Farm Distillers . Pro tip : Head to nearbyRobert H. Treman State Parkto work up a sweat along the nine mil of tramp trail before realise a spatter next to the cascade down 70 ft Lower Falls . Post - swim , drive 10 minute toIthaca Beer Companyfor a flight of beer and a smokehouse burger with fries . Where to quell : Cayuga Lake Front Inn

Route 28

CatskillsDubbed “ New York ’s Adventure Route , ” this long - winding road runs from the Catskills up to the Adirondacks , passing the Ashokan Reservoir and idyllic towns like Woodstock , Phoenicia , Cooperstown , and Andes that are brimming with Instagram - desirable diversions . Pro tip : Before you crumple up , check outthe bookandaudio guidemade for Route 28 . However you pick out to fill the day or weekend , verify to hike the newly openedShavertown Trailin Andes and dine atBrushland Eating House . Where to stay on : The Roxbury

1000 Islands

ClaytonNew England ’s edition of Vietnam ’s Hạ Long Bay , this archipelago is made up of over 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River , which is share by the US and Canada . While the Seaway Trail along Route 12 is one way to take in the view , the best manner to explore the destination and its out - of - nowhere Gilded Age attractions – such as Boldt Castle and Singer Castle – is on the water . Book a enlistment withUncle Sam Boat Toursto voyage the national and international raging spots ; no recommendation required . Pro bakshis : ingroup atKring Point State Park ; it ’s less popular but equally as beautiful as Wellesley Island . Where to stay : For the tent - averse , reside up at1000 Islands Harbor Hotel .

Cooperstown Beverage Trail

CooperstownThis under - the - radar boozy backcountry adventure will take you through eight featured stop throughout the37 - land mile drink trailin Otsego County , admit Cooperstown Brewing Company , Cooperstown Distillery , and Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard . Do n’t be an amateur;hire a local designated driverso you may get the most bang for your bombilation . Pro tip : Save a stay at Brewery Ommegang for theBed and Brew packageat the Inn at Cooperstown , which offers a two - dark weekend stay , transport to / from the 135 - acre former hop farm , a very important person pass tour and tasting with a beer maker , a gourmet feast partner off with beer , a rare nursing bottle from Ommegang , pint glass , and more . And if beer and theBaseball Hall of Fameweren’t enough to get you up here , theFenimore Art Museumis now reopen with a new exhibition entitled “ Ansel Adams : Early Works , ” sport many of the photographer ’s lesser recognise prints . Where to stay : The Inn at Cooperstown

Route 9N

Lake GeorgeLocated 25 miles north of Saratoga Springs , this tree - line road border the banks of the " tabby of American Lakes . ” After drive around the 32 - mile - long Lake George , stop to hike the 2.7 - mile out - and - back Prospect Mountain trail and picnic at Hearthstone Point Campground , enjoy one of the most picturesque paddles from your kayak or SUP control board , well rented atBolton Landing . Pro steer : Go cliff jumping –or just follow other crazy people do it– at Calves Pen . Where to stay : The Sagamore Resort

Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway

New PaltzYou do n’t have to be a gung - ho Gunks climber to appreciate the striking landscape on full show along theNorthern Loopsection of this 88 - mile Shawangunk Scenic Byway . Take in classic sight route , fantastic hairpin turns , farmers market , candid fields , and endless breathless overlooks of the Catskills and Gunks . Pro crown : In New Paltz , where the bypath private road starts , knock back a moth-eaten one in the beer garden at newly openedGarvan ’s . If all those dramatic cliffs are calling to you , hold a guide rock’n’roll climbing excursion with local outfitterAlpine Endeavors . In which case , belay then beer . Where to stay : Minnewaska Lodge

Brooks' House of Bar-B-Q

OneontaBrooks ’ House of Bar - B - Qjust win the 2016 James Beard award for America ’s classic . If that ’s not reason enough to skitter town , the scenic route to BBQ heaven is line with hidden gems you ’d never visit otherwise , like Livingston Manor ( hike up inBalsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest ) , Goshen ( salute atCraft 47 ) and Delhi ( shop class atThe Stonehouse).Pro tip : Order the BBQ chicken . Where to stay : Rainbow Inn

Classic upstate drive

BuffaloWhen locals from the Buff want to get out of town , this is the coursethey chart . Along the way , stop at position like theEternal Flame Trail , a ravine trek that run to a instinctive gas flaming behind a falls , then refuel atGeorge’sfor hot dog , Hamburg Brewing Co. , andNick Charlap ’s Ice Cream Stand . Pro wind : After getting a tried - and - on-key taste of Americana , head word northward to receive Buffalo ’s hotel and eating place boom – not to mention itsrevived waterfront . try some of the XII young breweries and distillery likeBig DitchandLockhouse , and keep room for revelatory dish antenna at newcomersAllen Burger Venture , Toutant , andAllen Street Poutine Company . Where to stay : InnBuffalo

Blue Ridge Rd

AdirondacksIf you feel like New York City ’s been bringing you down latterly , theBlue Ridge Rdwill bring you back to life sentence . There ’s nothing but 17 knot of sugar maple , Quaking Aspen , and yellow birch trees as you follow this narrow route along the southern boundary of the Adirondack High Peaks from North Hudson to Newcomb . Pro tip : Pitch a tent on the beach atLake Harrisin Newcomb , where you’re able to rent a canoe and make you ’re be adrift through the Pacific Northwest . Where to stick around : If you ’re not into the whole tenting affair , well , get into it .

Article image

Flickr/Jeff P

Cairn Adirondack Peak

Flickr/Mike

Cayuga Lake

Flickr/Katrina Koger

catskills hiking bridge

Flickr/timmiles2007

Boldt Castle

artconcept/Shutterstock

inn at cooperstown

Flickr/Chris Evans

kayaker on Lake George

Flickr/Edward Faulkner

Catskills view

Flickr/Doug Kerr

Brooks sign

Flickr/Doug Kerr

Eternal Flame

Flickr/Kim Carpenter

Lake Harris

Flickr/Kat Stan