840 Best Sights in New York, USA

Upward of 50,000 people make a pilgrimage to Saugerties the last weekend of September for a celebration of the "stinking rose," otherwise known as garlic. Although you find much of the usual fair fare here—crafts booths, fried-dough stands, live musical performances—one vast section of the festival is devoted to farmers, arts-and-crafts people, and food vendors all providing tributes to garlic.

A National Historic Landmark, the street includes seven colonial stone houses from as early as 1705, some of the oldest in the United States. The 10-acre area includes a Visitors' Center, a reconstructed 1717 Huguenot church, exhibit and program spaces, archeological sites, and a burial ground that dates to the very first settlers of the region. Guided walking tours begin at the Visitors' Center office in the 1705 DuBois Fort, between Broadhead Avenue and North Front Street.

Within this tranquil 4-acre garden are a teahouse, paths of gravel and stepping-stones, stone lanterns, and a waterfall, plus various mosses and Asian plants. Guided tours, which include a tea ceremony, are usually given once a day on alternate Saturdays; call for more information.

This church was built in 1853 to replace the 1801 stone church a few doors up the street. The parsonage is next door in the 1790 Crispell House. On the second Saturday of July, the church organizes a Stone House Day celebration, when neighbors open their centuries-old stone houses to the public.

Its legacy is as remarkable as its architecture: from the time it was built in 1819 until it was sold to New York State in 1964, Hyde Hall remained in the same family. Money from estates here, in Europe, and in the Caribbean enabled George Clarke (1768–1835), a prominent figure in colonial New York, to finance what is, according to many historians, the largest residence built in this country before the Civil War. Ongoing restoration projects—and the chance to question artisans about their work—add texture to a tour of the 50-room mansion. The property adjoins Glimmerglass State Park on the north end of Otsego Lake.

Franklin D. Roosevelt frequently used this 1914 train station, which was designed by the same architects who designed New York's Grand Central Terminal. Today, it houses an extensive collection of railroad paraphernalia and has running displays of model trains all manned by knowledgeable enthusiasts.

A unique contribution to garden design in America, Innisfree is based on Chinese-garden design and draws inspiration from ages-old Chinese paintings. The term cup garden is used to describe the concept; it refers to the way spaces frame, or "cup," features, such as striking rock formations or small pools. Cliffs, low hills, waterfalls, streams, and picnic spots surround the 40-acre lake at the center of the garden. A path takes you through Innisfree.

In 1982, residents of Canastota and boxing enthusiasts wanted to honor two hometown boxers, late 1950s welterweight and middleweight champion Carmen Basilio and his nephew Billy Backus, the 1970 winner of the world welterweight title. Their efforts resulted in the 1989 opening of boxing's first hall of fame and museum, where you may see memorabilia from such notable boxers as Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Billy Graham. The hall of fame is 6 mi southwest of Oneida.

Founded in 1974 by photojournalist Cornell Capa (photographer Robert Capa's brother), ICP continues to put on exhibitions that explore the timely social and political aspects of photojournalism. The institution, which has moved its collection of more than 150,000 original prints—spanning the history of photography, from daguerreotypes to large-scale pigment prints—several times, finally has a permanent home with both education and exhibition spaces. The new building's spacious, second- and third-floor galleries really allow the exhibits to shine. There's a gift shop and small café on the ground floor. It's pay-what-you-wish ($5 minimum) on Thursday night 5 pm–8 pm.

Displays of ancient and modern artworks, archaeological relics, and ever-changing cultural exhibits and events celebrate one of the mightiest American Indian confederacies of the Northeast. The museum, which sits on 45 park acres in a building designed to recall a longhouse, includes an area devoted to exhibits for children.

This 7,000-square-foot museum in the heart of Little Italy focuses—as you'd guess from the name—on the Italian American experience and history. There are exhibitions on Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, the first European to sail into New York Harbor (in 1524), and on Italian immigration to New York in the late-19th and early-20th centuries—with some nods to famous Italian Americans along the way. 

After being established in 1984 in Washington, D.C., the Jack Shainman Gallery moved to New York's East Village and then SoHo, landing in Chelsea in 1997. The original 20th Street space has recently been augmented by a massive TriBeCa gallery on Lafayette Street as well as a vast former schoolhouse in New York's Hudson Valley. The galleries all show emerging and established artists such as Nick Cave, El Anatsui, Carrie Mae Weems, Tallur L. N., and Kerry James Marshall.

Atop Lighthouse Hill sits this replica of a tranquil Tibetan monastery so impressive, it's listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Founded by an American collector of Tibetan art, it's partly a museum comprising a temple and a garden, holding her formidable collection of Tibetan and Himalayan sculpture, paintings, and artifacts. It's also an active community center for visitors to mediate, practice yoga or tai chi, or attend other events posted on their website's calendar. Views from their terrace truly transport you to another place, far from an urban center.

A wood-shingled, circa-1850 barn holds a modern winery and tasting room; the feel is casual and friendly, with knowledgeable pourers willing to give extra attention. The Melange de Trois blend is their best-selling red, and the crisp Sauvignon Blanc is a highly accomplished expression of a grape that's gaining ground in this region. Jamesport Vineyards supports sustainable farming practices.

This mezzanine-level gallery represents some lofty artists. In addition to tapestries by modern masters like Joan Miró, Sonia Delaunay, and Alexander Calder, this gallery's specialties include works by late-19th- and early-20th-century modern artists like Fernand Leger and Marc Chagall. It is also one of the first gallery dealers for Pablo Picasso's ceramics in the United States. There's also an exhibition space in the neighborhood at  330 East 59th Street. Check the website for seasonal hours.

The stylish, serene lobby of the Japan Society, renovated by renowned artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, features interior gardens with large bonsai trees and Sugimoto sculptures, all complemented by a second-floor waterfall. The 1971 building is a city landmark thanks to its Japanese modernist design by architect Junzo Yoshimura, and its second-floor gallery exhibits works by well-known Japanese artists. Past shows have celebrated contemporary masters including Takashi Murakami, Yoko Ono, and Daido Moriyama. The society's annual performing arts season shares works by established and emerging artists in dance, music, and theater. In July, the museum hosts a film festival, Japan Cuts, showcasing contemporary Japanese cinema.

When two of Roxbury's churches were destroyed—one in a windstorm, the other by fire—Jay Gould offered to foot the bill to rebuild. The result was this church, built in 1893 at the edge of Kirkside Park under the direction of Henry Hardenburgh, architect of New York City's Dakota apartment building. Constructed of St. Lawrence limestone, the church has had only minor restoration work over the years. It has two stained-glass windows by Tiffany and two others by the Maitland Armstrong Co.

The park sits along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the most fossil-rich formations in the world and the most dramatic natural feature of the regional landscape. From the escarpment ledge you can take in panoramic views of the Hudson-Mohawk Valley, with the Adirondack foothills and the western mountain ranges of Massachusetts and Vermont off in the distance. The park is the ending point for the Long Path, a 349-mi hiking trail that starts in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and crosses public and private land. Within the park you can hike the Indian Ladder Trail, which runs along the Helderberg cliff. The trail, open from May to mid-November, is furnished with interpretive signs, and guided hikes are available. Another 12 mi of trails are open all year. In warm weather the trails are used for hiking, biking, and nature walks; cross-country skiing (on groomed and ungroomed trails) and snowshoeing are available in winter. Facilities include an Olympic-size pool ($2 in season) and picnicking sites.

Abolitionist John Brown lived for a short time on this 244-acre farm. In October 1859, Brown and his followers attempted to spark a slave revolt by taking over the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. His two sons and several of his followers were killed, and Brown was tried and executed. His body was brought back and buried here. A cross-country ski trail, a nature trail, and a picnic area are on the grounds, which are open all year.

Acres of fields, a small stone gravesite, and mountain views on the outskirts of Roxbury are the perfect memorial to John Burroughs, an early environmentalist whose books changed the way many Americans looked at the natural world. En route to the memorial you'll pass Woodchuck Lodge, a rustic summer home with quarter moons carved into closed shutters that Burroughs built in 1908 for his retirement years. You can stand on the front porch where Burroughs slept, and take in the vistas that inspired him.

This popular green space that runs along the East River is undergoing large-scale renovations as the City of New York, in conjunction with the federal government, work on a project to reduce the risks of flooding from storms and sea-level rising. Sections of the park, with its spectacular views of Brooklyn and the Manhattan Bridge, will remain open, but check the website for changing access points. The NYC Ferry dock, located at Corlears Hook, will also remain accessible.

A five-story cast-iron building from 1870, 101 Spring Street was the New York home and studio of minimalist artist Donald Judd. Although SoHo used to be home to many single-use cast-iron buildings, this designated historic building is one of the few that remain. Judd bought it in 1968, and today, guided 75-minute tours (book online, as early as possible, since tours sell out weeks in advance) explore his living and working spaces, offset with art installations arranged prior to his death in 1994. Note that climbing five flights of stairs is required and photos aren’t allowed.

A giant golden Buddha resides in the colorful shrine room of this Tibetan Buddhist monastery, where you can meditate or wander the grounds. Stroll around to discover a fishpond, guesthouse, and solitary-retreat cabins, or join a guided tour on weekends at 1:30. Because this is a religious center, you're not permitted into the main shrine room wearing shoes, hats, or revealing garments. Introductory instruction in shinay (mind-calming) meditation is also available. The monastery is about 3 miles north of the village center.

The museum's changing exhibitions span a wide range of cultures, mediums, historical periods, and social issues. It's not uncommon to see a show about banjos or puzzles followed by a more traditional art exhibit—a review of Latin American works or a retrospective of Richard Diebenkorn's prints, for example. Guided tours start at 2:30 Tuesday through Sunday.

This working microbrewery offers free tours and tastings. (Stout fans should try Mother's Milk.) It also holds quarterly rock concerts, either in the brewery itself or in the parking lot, and functions as a gallery and performance space.

The Keuka Lake Wine Trail encompasses nine wineries. Recommended: Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Heron Hill, and Ravines Cellars in Hammondsport; Hunt Country Vineyards in Branchport; and Rooster Hill in Penn Yan. Wineries are more or less evenly distributed along the outer edges of the lake.