We (young-ish couple from NZ) are spending 6 nights in NYC then we want to travel up to Niagara Falls for a night or two prior to a month in Canada.

We were looking at taking the train (9 hours) then though perhaps we should drive (7 hours) but as this will be the wrong side of the road in an unfamiliar country we were thinking of stopping en route for a night.

So do you have any suggestions of an interesting place en-route for a few hours sight seeing and a pleasant nights sleep? I have looked at the train map and seen places like Amsterdam and Rome - I have been to those places before but none of them were located in New York, USA!!!

If you decide to drive you might want to stop in a Finger Lakes town. Skaneateles is southwest of Syracuse, not far off the New York State Thruway. It's a quaint town, with shops and restaurants, much like the other Finger Lakes towns, but a bit more upscale.

Cooperstown-much more than baseball-go to cooperstownchamber.org

Cooperstown and Skaneateles are great towns to visit on your way. Niagara Falls is not that interesting - other than the Falls, of course - but Niagara on the Lake is lovely, in Canada.

If I were you, I would take the train to Albany from NYC and then drive. This is a _very_ scenic train trip, much like a train along the Rhine and much nicer than driving since the highway does not follow the river.

I believe but am not certain that you can get a rental car at the Amtrak station which is actually on the opposite side of the river to Albany. If not, it would not be an expensive taxi ride into the city.

Then take the Thruway to the west of the city and before switching onto US Highway 20. This is one of the great old transcontinental highways like the more famous Route 66. It goes through lovely farming country (dairy and vineyards, mostly) and offers access to the towns others have mentioned, either directly on the highway or via a few miles drive along one or more of the Finger Lakes. These are glacial lakes and quite scenic. There is very little traffic on US 20.

Cooperstown is the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, of course, but it is also the home to a wonderful museum which combines art, restored 19th century farms, and the best collection of American Indian art that I have ever seen, beautifully displayed.

Skaneateles is charming, as noted, also on a lake, and Seneca Falls has historic interest as a major center for early American feminism!

As New Zealanders, I would expect you to have an interest in wine. This is wine country, and there are vineyards galore. Many of them produce foul wines from local grapes, but many of them have planted vinifera grapes and produce delicious wines. Those in the German style are perhaps nicest, and the wines of Dr Konstantin Frank's vineyard are as good as any anywhere. Also plenty of good local breweries.

I could go on, but a google search will get you on your way. All of this is _far_ more interesting than Niagara Falls, which is about a three hour experience, even if you take the (recommended) Maid of the Mist.

As New Zealanders
Cooperstown has the baseball hall of fame.

I think Ackislander's advice sounds great. I have driven this route on the NYS Thruway and apart from being
b o r i n g, I also got a speeding ticket. US 20 sounds like a great idea.

You should also know it's possible to fly up to Buffalo, NY, right near the falls for less than $100/person one way. Jet Blue, Delta, US Air and others fly from JFK or LGA to Buffalo NY which is quite close to the falls. Look on kayak.com for options if you want to consider this.

If you drive, I agree that Skaneateles is a nice spot to stop. Also agree Niagara on the Lake is pretty.

Spend a night at Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth State Park. It is a gorgeous park and about 1 1/2 hours from Niagara Falls. http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkId=12

I agree with Mclaurie, I would consider flying. Depending on what day & time you choose this route is listed as low as $39 one way on JetBlue

I'm a little confused -- are you looking for somewhere to stop between NYC and your final destination (instead of Niagara), or somewhere to stop in between NY and Niagara (in addition to the Falls)?

If it's the former, I personally think Niagara Falls IS the most interesting thing you're going to find between NYC and Niagara Falls Skaneateles is a cute, quaint town with good shopping and restaurants, but I wouldn't replace the Falls with a small town.

I think that Ackislander may have provided the solution.

If I take the early train then it is under 5 hours driving for DH and we could still make it to NF for the evening. I may need to ponder this idea for a day or two.

To clarify the trip I am looking at is NY to N Falls.

I appreciate your views on NF - however, I try to avoid 1 night stays even when we have a car. But if we get bored I'll just let DH watch all the strange US sports in the hotel. We are easily entertained.

You'll make it to Niagara Falls by evening with your latest plan if you take the New York State Thruway, but not if you take the slower, more senic Route 20.

We enjoyed 4 days in the 5 Finger Lakes area. Beautiful scenery with wineries, State parks, small towns w/nice lodging & great restaurants.

Make sure you see the Falls & stay over night on the Canadian side.