10 Things to Do in New York During the Winter

Winter is in full swing here in New York State, making it the perfect time of year to see what New York is all about. Whether you’re interested in skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities in the snow, cozying up by a warm fireplace, or exploring one of the many charming small towns - there are plenty of things to do! Here are 10 Things to Do in New York During the Winter.

1. Explore Frozen Waterfalls

“Don’t go chasing waterfalls” doesn’t apply here. New York has some beautiful waterfalls across the state that are a must-see during winter in the snow.

We all know the most famous one, Niagara Falls, which you can see not only from the Canadian border but also from the New York side - no passport needed. Travel slightly east, and you’ll run into Eternal Flame Falls. A small waterfall in the Shale Creek Preserve is lit by a small flame caused by natural gas at the base of the falls. The flame is almost always visible or can be lit with a lighter. Letchworth State Park is considered New York’s Grand Canyon and has waterfalls that can easily be viewed from the road in your car or find smaller ones on the easy hikes throughout the park. High Falls in Rochester features a 95-foot tall waterfall downtown, and the Ithaca Waterfalls features about 12 of New York’s best in one place. 

2. Hit the Slopes

Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are some favorite New York winter activities. New York is known to have the most ski resorts than any other state in the nation. A few of the most popular ski spots include the Adirondacks, which have more skiable acreage than anywhere else. Whiteface Mountain was the 1980 Winter Olympics site. Bristol Mountain in the Finger Lakes is famous for its 1200-foot vertical rise, ideal for those wanting to test their skills, and Catamount Mountain is great for beginners or non-skiers who wish to have some downtime at beautiful ski resorts and spas.

3. Attend a Winter Festival

No matter the time of year, you’ll always find a festival happening all over New York. Celebrate the state’s famous ice wine at Casa Larga Vineyard's annual New York State Ice Wine & Culinary Festival. New York is one of the few places in the world with the climate to support traditional ice wine production, thus producing a rich, sweet, and smooth wine you won’t be able to try anywhere else. Syracuse Winterfest is an 11-day party where all ages are invited. Enjoy dozens of indoor and outdoor events, cook-offs, tastings, and dazzling fireworks. Enjoy a land of arctic magic and wonder at Lake George Winter Realms with a large ice skating rink, polar pub ice bar, and whimsical sculptures crafted from snow and ice!

4. Tour a Small Town

New York has many charming, picturesque small towns and villages worth visiting. Ithaca has beautiful waterfalls to hike, but it’s also filled with unique restaurants, beautiful art galleries, and 28,000 acres of forest. Saranac Lake isn’t far from Canada, making it a famous visit for those wanting a quick getaway. It’s nestled within the Adirondacks with its beautiful nature, perfectly preserved architecture, a river walk, Main Street shops, cafes, and art galleries. Skaneateles is a time capsule of a pure "Rockwellian Americana" town, with plenty of lakefront to hang out by, rocking chairs on front porches, and a parade of small businesses along their picture-perfect Main Street.

5. Attend an Indoor Sports Game

There’s no doubt that New York is known for its sports teams. Catch an indoor sports game, such as a basketball game with the New York Knicks, or watch an ice hockey game with the New York Islanders. Show your New York State pride by cheering at a collegiate game like one of Syracuse University’s men’s and women’s basketball games. Lacrosse is not just a spring sport in New York State! Regular season games start at the end of November for professional box lacrosse teams such as the Rochester Knighthawks, Buffalo Bandits, and New York Riptide.

6. Pamper Yourself

You don’t have to be out in the cold to enjoy yourself when visiting New York State. There are plenty of spas to pamper yourself no matter where you travel in New York during the winter. A few favorites include Mirbeau Inn & Spa in the Finger Lakes, offering the charm and comforts of a French manor house featuring rooms with cozy fireplaces and oversized soaking tubs, a hot spa pool, sauna, steam room, and a full-service treatment menu. Bask in luxuries like mineral baths, facials, and body scrubs at the historic Roosevelt Baths and Spa in the Capital-Saratoga region. Feel your worries melt away at the Hudson Valley's all-inclusive Victorian castle resort, Mohonk Mountain House. Or visit the one-of-a-kind Clifton Springs Hospital as a water cure destination. Visit for their integrative therapies or go and relax.

7. Take a Class and Learn Something New

Have you ever wanted to take a cooking class or learn a new trade? You can find courses like these anywhere in New York during the winter and all year. A few to mention are the popular cooking classes at New York Kitchen in Canandaigua. Want to learn how to make gnocchi or craft a classic cocktail? They have it all, year-round. Rochester Brainery hosts classes in and out of the classroom. Learn about architecture while walking through Neighborhood of the Arts, try jewelry making at a shop in Pittsford, and design a wreath inside a greenhouse in Macedon — and that's just the beginning.

8. Visit a Craft Brewery

New York is known for their craft beer selections. New York is the 2nd largest craft beer market in the US. So, naturally, there are way too many craft breweries to choose from, but we’ll mention a few. A small-town favorite is Irondequoit Beer Company. Their food menu constantly changes; they have plenty of craft cocktails if you don’t love beer. Genesee Brew House is located at High Falls in Rochester, where you can come for beer and stay for the view of the beautiful frozen falls in the winter. Three Brothers Wineries & Estates in Seneca features three unique wineries and a microbrewery all in one place to not only enjoy craft beers but wine as well. Lake Drum Brewery, as featured in the photo above, crafts sour beers and ciders for those wanting to explore the different tastes New York has to offer. Take a Beer Tasting Tour bus and explore different areas of the state through beer.

9. Tour the Finger Lakes Wine Trails

Not only is New York known for its craft beer, but it’s also known for its wine. Due to New York’s cool weather, it’s prime winegrowing to make Rieslings and Pinot Noirs. The Finger Lakes are famous for their wine trails and various wines, and there are plenty of wine tour buses to explore these areas.

Some of the most popular and awarded wineries are Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, which has the oldest vinifera vines in the Eastern United States; Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery, which offers a broad range of regional varietals, and Swedish Hill Winery, which has two sister wineries on Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Other wineries worth visiting are Belhurst Estate Winery, which creates unique wines in a historic castle; Glenora Winery, with its fantastic fruit wines year round (try their Watermelon!); and Living Roots Winery, which imports its wines from Australia!

10. Dog Sled Tours

A different way of exploring New York during the winter is by attending a dog sled tour. The first Olympic dog sled demonstration was held at the first Lake Placid Olympics on February 6, 1932. You can now watch competitive sled drives during the annual Tug Hill Challenge. You may also nestle into a sled, cozy up with flannel blankets, and get ready to see New York wilderness trails as you may have never seen them before.

If you’re looking for the perfect winter destination, New York State is it! There are plenty of things to do in a New York winter and all year long. So, what better way to explore than by doing it with a HomeExchange? This way, you can immerse yourself in the local lifestyle firsthand and discover what winter is all about in New York.