Ever have a day where you feel like getting out of the house, yet don’t quite have the energy to do much of anything? That’s what scenic drives are for! Taking you away from it all, look out of the window of your car and you can find a beautiful New York movie playing for you as you drive along some of our stunning routes. From roads tucked between beautiful mountains to drives right along the waterfront, these are the 7 best scenic drives in New York. Take these when you have some spare time!
- High Peaks Scenic Byway
Brandon Atkinson/Flickr If you plan on taking a ride down Route 73 and it’s your first time doing so, try to make a point to be the passenger if you can! With so many gorgeous surroundings, it can feel hard to keep your eyes on the road if you’re the one who’s driving. The scenic byway takes you from Route 9 to Lake Placid, passing through some of our most charming Adirondack towns and giving you an up close look at some of our tallest mountains and roadside lakes. Click here for more information.
- Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway
Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway/Facebook Take a drive down Route 28 inside of Catskill Park and you can enjoy a winding road that’s full of natural wonders. Throughout the year, you can find adventurers from all over traveling along this road to take advantage of local hiking and skiing areas as well as stopping along the route to check out quaint shops. Roughly 50 miles long, this scenic byway makes for a great day trip destination if you’re interested in exploring. Click here for the official website of the Castskill Mountains Scenic Byway.
- Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
ActiveSteve/Flickr What this drive lacks in mileage, it absolutely makes up for with views! The mountain highway is only eight miles long, but don’t think that this will be too short of an experience. From start to finish, you’ll find handfuls of places where you can pull over to enjoy the views and give your car a rest since you’ll find yourself ascending over 2,000 feet. The highway takes you up New York’s fifth tallest mountain and is one of the most unforgettable drives you’ll ever take in our state. Click here for more information.
- Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway
Riva’s Rides/Facebook A great way to see what the Finger Lakes region is all about, this scenic byway takes you on a nearly 100-mile adventure around Cayuga Lake. The beautiful road takes you through the rolling hills of farm land that you’ll find out this way, passing by state parks, wineries, waterfalls, and small towns that will have you falling in love. Click here for the official website of Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway.
- Upper Delaware Scenic Byway
Firoz Ansari/Flickr Curving its way back and forth along our state border, Route 97 is a beautiful ride to take this time of the year. Taking you on a 70-mile long scenic drive, the jaw-dropping byway features pull offs where you can stop to photograph your views as well as plenty of small town charms like antique shops, general stores, and places to eat. Click here for the official website of Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.
- Route 41 & 41A
Skaneateles Suites/Flickr One of the most breathtaking bodies of water that you can find out in the Finger Lakes region is Skaneateles Lake. The water is as vibrant as something you would find in the Caribbean and something most people don’t expect to see here in New York. Hop on Route 41 in the town of Skaneateles, and follow it down along the lake. Eventually near the town of Homer, the road connects with Route 41A. Continue along Route 41A, and you’ll be lead back up along the other side of the lake, leading you back to the charming town where you began this adventure.
- Prospect Mountain Highway
KC C./Yelp Built back in 1969, this scenic backroad is one that New Yorkers have been enjoying for ages. Taking you up beautiful Prospect Mountain, you’ll get a gorgeous look at Lake George from above as well as our Adirondack Mountains that surround the area. The ride up will only take just over two miles, giving you places to stop along the way before you reach the very top. Click here for more information.
What are your favorite scenic drives in New York? Let us know in the comments! To soak up more amazing views, soar up above with This Scenic Flight Over New York’s Mountains That Everyone Should Take Before They Die.
Brandon Atkinson/Flickr
If you plan on taking a ride down Route 73 and it’s your first time doing so, try to make a point to be the passenger if you can! With so many gorgeous surroundings, it can feel hard to keep your eyes on the road if you’re the one who’s driving. The scenic byway takes you from Route 9 to Lake Placid, passing through some of our most charming Adirondack towns and giving you an up close look at some of our tallest mountains and roadside lakes. Click here for more information.
Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway/Facebook
Take a drive down Route 28 inside of Catskill Park and you can enjoy a winding road that’s full of natural wonders. Throughout the year, you can find adventurers from all over traveling along this road to take advantage of local hiking and skiing areas as well as stopping along the route to check out quaint shops. Roughly 50 miles long, this scenic byway makes for a great day trip destination if you’re interested in exploring. Click here for the official website of the Castskill Mountains Scenic Byway.
ActiveSteve/Flickr
What this drive lacks in mileage, it absolutely makes up for with views! The mountain highway is only eight miles long, but don’t think that this will be too short of an experience. From start to finish, you’ll find handfuls of places where you can pull over to enjoy the views and give your car a rest since you’ll find yourself ascending over 2,000 feet. The highway takes you up New York’s fifth tallest mountain and is one of the most unforgettable drives you’ll ever take in our state. Click here for more information.
Riva’s Rides/Facebook
A great way to see what the Finger Lakes region is all about, this scenic byway takes you on a nearly 100-mile adventure around Cayuga Lake. The beautiful road takes you through the rolling hills of farm land that you’ll find out this way, passing by state parks, wineries, waterfalls, and small towns that will have you falling in love. Click here for the official website of Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway.
Firoz Ansari/Flickr
Curving its way back and forth along our state border, Route 97 is a beautiful ride to take this time of the year. Taking you on a 70-mile long scenic drive, the jaw-dropping byway features pull offs where you can stop to photograph your views as well as plenty of small town charms like antique shops, general stores, and places to eat. Click here for the official website of Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.
Skaneateles Suites/Flickr
One of the most breathtaking bodies of water that you can find out in the Finger Lakes region is Skaneateles Lake. The water is as vibrant as something you would find in the Caribbean and something most people don’t expect to see here in New York. Hop on Route 41 in the town of Skaneateles, and follow it down along the lake. Eventually near the town of Homer, the road connects with Route 41A. Continue along Route 41A, and you’ll be lead back up along the other side of the lake, leading you back to the charming town where you began this adventure.
KC C./Yelp
Built back in 1969, this scenic backroad is one that New Yorkers have been enjoying for ages. Taking you up beautiful Prospect Mountain, you’ll get a gorgeous look at Lake George from above as well as our Adirondack Mountains that surround the area. The ride up will only take just over two miles, giving you places to stop along the way before you reach the very top. Click here for more information.
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Address: New York 73, NY-73, Lake Placid, NY, USAAddress: Catskill Mountains, Shandaken, NY 12464, USAAddress: New York 431, NY-431, Wilmington, NY 12997, USAAddress: Cayuga Lake, New York, USAAddress: Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, 585 NY-97, Sparrow Bush, NY 12780, USAAddress: Skaneateles Lake, New York, USAAddress: Prospect Mountain Hwy, Lake George, NY, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic drives in new york April 04, 2020 Beth Price-Williams What are the best roadside attractions in New York? How does a road trip to the best roadside attractions in New York sound right about now? Well, you can’t go wrong on this fun road trip that spans just over 250 miles. Gas up the car, and visit such popular roadside attractions as the World’s Largest Pancake in Penn Yan, the World’s Smallest Church in Onedia, and The Tepee in Cherry Valley. Ready for some whimsical fun? Plan a visit to The Big Duck of New York, tucked in Flanders. Stop by the 20-foot tall duck that’s a museum and a gift shop. You’ll find an assortment of duck-themed souvenirs, perfect for commemorating your visit. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in New York? You’ll find a ton of scenic backroads in New York that are perfect for a leisurely drive. Of course, you might also want to take on the windiest road in New York. Yep, that windiest road – Upper Delaware Scenic Byway - boasts 100 curves and follows along the Delaware River. If you’re in the mood for drinking in scenic views, hit Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, which leads up Prospect Mountain. The 5.5-mile drive features several overlooks, including The Eagle’s Eye, The Narrows, and Lake George Panorama. Are there other similar things to do in New York when you have a free afternoon? On the hunt for more things to do in New York, specifically during a free afternoon? The oldest natural attraction in New York – Ausable Chasm – is often called the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. You can explore the gorge on foot, setting off on stairways, on trails, and on walkways. If you’ve got a free afternoon, consider a visit to The Tepee, in Cherry Valley, the most unique souvenir shop in New York. You’ll find a collection of Native American-crafted souvenirs and souvenir mugs.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic drives in new york
April 04, 2020
Beth Price-Williams
What are the best roadside attractions in New York? How does a road trip to the best roadside attractions in New York sound right about now? Well, you can’t go wrong on this fun road trip that spans just over 250 miles. Gas up the car, and visit such popular roadside attractions as the World’s Largest Pancake in Penn Yan, the World’s Smallest Church in Onedia, and The Tepee in Cherry Valley. Ready for some whimsical fun? Plan a visit to The Big Duck of New York, tucked in Flanders. Stop by the 20-foot tall duck that’s a museum and a gift shop. You’ll find an assortment of duck-themed souvenirs, perfect for commemorating your visit. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in New York? You’ll find a ton of scenic backroads in New York that are perfect for a leisurely drive. Of course, you might also want to take on the windiest road in New York. Yep, that windiest road – Upper Delaware Scenic Byway - boasts 100 curves and follows along the Delaware River. If you’re in the mood for drinking in scenic views, hit Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, which leads up Prospect Mountain. The 5.5-mile drive features several overlooks, including The Eagle’s Eye, The Narrows, and Lake George Panorama. Are there other similar things to do in New York when you have a free afternoon? On the hunt for more things to do in New York, specifically during a free afternoon? The oldest natural attraction in New York – Ausable Chasm – is often called the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. You can explore the gorge on foot, setting off on stairways, on trails, and on walkways. If you’ve got a free afternoon, consider a visit to The Tepee, in Cherry Valley, the most unique souvenir shop in New York. You’ll find a collection of Native American-crafted souvenirs and souvenir mugs.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
How does a road trip to the best roadside attractions in New York sound right about now? Well, you can’t go wrong on this fun road trip that spans just over 250 miles. Gas up the car, and visit such popular roadside attractions as the World’s Largest Pancake in Penn Yan, the World’s Smallest Church in Onedia, and The Tepee in Cherry Valley.
Ready for some whimsical fun? Plan a visit to The Big Duck of New York, tucked in Flanders. Stop by the 20-foot tall duck that’s a museum and a gift shop. You’ll find an assortment of duck-themed souvenirs, perfect for commemorating your visit.
Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in New York?
You’ll find a ton of scenic backroads in New York that are perfect for a leisurely drive. Of course, you might also want to take on the windiest road in New York. Yep, that windiest road – Upper Delaware Scenic Byway - boasts 100 curves and follows along the Delaware River.
If you’re in the mood for drinking in scenic views, hit Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, which leads up Prospect Mountain. The 5.5-mile drive features several overlooks, including The Eagle’s Eye, The Narrows, and Lake George Panorama.
Are there other similar things to do in New York when you have a free afternoon?
On the hunt for more things to do in New York, specifically during a free afternoon? The oldest natural attraction in New York – Ausable Chasm – is often called the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. You can explore the gorge on foot, setting off on stairways, on trails, and on walkways.
If you’ve got a free afternoon, consider a visit to The Tepee, in Cherry Valley, the most unique souvenir shop in New York. You’ll find a collection of Native American-crafted souvenirs and souvenir mugs.
