Living in Upstate New York has its benefits, especially during the winter months. A new study was done that ranks the best cities in the United States for winter holiday destinations. Three in Upstate New York finished in the top fifty.
What Were the Criteria of the Study?
According to WalletHub, the criteria were based on the cheapest destinations in the United States that are easy to get to. This study was done focusing on the cost and convenience of traveling to these metro areas and the number of winter attractions and activities in each city. Another factor was how busy and entertained the travelers are at each location.
Which 3 Upstate New York Metros Made the List?
#28 Buffalo-Cheektowaga Metro
Buffalo Canalside Facebook page
Buffalo Canalside Facebook page
With so much to offer Canalside, the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area has ice skating, ice bikes, curling, and more. This makes it one of the most affordable and fun destinations in winter in the U.S.
#29 Rochester Metro Area
Rochester New York Facebook page
Rochester New York Facebook page
Rochester also offers a wide variety of winter activities downtown and beyond for the winter months.
#31 Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metro Area
City of Albany Dept of Recreation Facebook page
City of Albany Dept of Recreation Facebook page
The Empire State Plaza has an ice rink that is popular during the winter months and is free to the public.
empirestateplaza.ny.gov
empirestateplaza.ny.gov
Gore Facebook
Gore Facebook
There are also many ski resorts around the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metro area. These resorts are within miles of each other and offer many fun winter activities other than skiing. Many offer tubing as well.
Schenectady
Photo from YouTube
Photo from YouTube
One of the major attractions is the Schenectady Holiday parade.
Troy
There are many ice rinks and sledding hills throughout the city of Troy along with the nightlife that makes this a winter destination.
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
$7.5M Sprawling Lake George Roaring Brook Ranch Resort For Sale
The sprawling 35-acre resort in Lake George has just gone through major renovations. It’s just 2 miles from Lake George Beach State Park and 8 miles from Prospect Mountain. According to the listing, “the Ranch has been carefully renovated to create a unique retreat; designing its new rooms and common areas to be both beautiful and comfortable while paying tribute to the area’s history. The 100 guest rooms have been completely reimagined, while two buildings with 35 additional guest rooms are not yet in service.” They have many wedding venue options or stay for a corporate retreat. There is also a horse stable and riding area on the property.
