When it comes to birthday celebrations, the only thing better than cake and presents is an unforgettable getaway in New York State! Whether you’re cheers-ing to 21 in the Hamptons, celebrating 80 alongside the roar of Niagara Falls, or spending your sweet sixteen in the Big Apple, there’s a trip for every milestone birthday. Give yourself the best gift of all and find out where to celebrate your big day with this lineup of New York State destinations perfect for a birthday trip. Photo credit: @wes_eckner on Instagram.
JUMP TO: Kids | 13th | 15th\16th | 18th | 21st | 30th | 40th | 50th | 60th | 70th | 80th | 90th | 100th
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Celebrate your little builder’s big day at the ultimate LEGO theme park destination for ages 2-12! Let imagination and adventure run wild with more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions spread throughout seven LEGO-themed lands: Bricktopia, LEGO Ninjago World, LEGO Castle, LEGO City, Brick Street, and LEGO Pirates. Make it a bricktastic birthday weekend and stay just steps from the park at the LEGOLAND Hotel with themed rooms, nightly entertainment, build areas, and more. You can even add on a Birthday Package Extra for an extra special stay that includes a birthday banner, exclusive birthday cake plush, exclusive birthday cake key light, LEGO piñata set, exclusive birthday build-a-minifigure, and more.
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Good-bye tweens, hello teens! Get that adrenaline pumping at Six Flags Great Escape on more than 100 rides! Take a spin on the world-famous wooden roller coaster, the Comet, loop and twist on the Steamin’ Demon, or launch 16 stories in the air aboard the Adirondack Outlaw. If you’re traveling with younger kiddos or just aren’t a fan of thrills, Great Escape also has more mild family rides. Be sure to pack a swimsuit for even more fun at Hurricane Harbor Water Park with high-flying slides, like the 10-story Paradise Plunge or 132-foot Tornado tunnel, a lazy river, and colossal wave pool. Keep the fun vibes going and stay overnight at the Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark just across the street, where you can settle into one of the 200 cozy guest rooms and splash around the always 82 degrees indoor waterpark. Make it an extra special birthday with the Birthday Party package which includes balloons, arcade tokens, pizza, water park fun, and more!
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Not much beats spending your quinceañera or sweet sixteen in the Big Apple! Take in the bright city lights and stop at some of New York’s most iconic sites like Times Square, Empire State Building, Central Park, or Summit One Vanderbilt. You just can’t go wrong with snagging tickets to a Broadway show like Hamilton, Wicked, or Six. Does a one-of-a-kind museum sound more your teen’s style? Unleash your inner 007 at the Spyscape Museum with immersive spy experiences and escape rooms. Snap the sweetest photo ops in the world-famous sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream or admire 28 aircraft up close and walk the decks of the legendary aircraft carrier at the Intrepid Museum. Plus, all three museums offer birthday packages to make the day extra special. Got a teen who loves to shop? You’re in the right place! Discover why this city is one of the world’s greatest shopping destinations and pay a visit to Fifth Avenue, Soho, Hudson Yards, or Madison Avenue. If you’re searching for pre-loved treasures, the Big Apple is also home to an amazing vintage and thrift shopping scene. Pics or it didn’t happen! Add some Insta-worthy restaurants to your birthday wishlist like Serendipity 3, Liberty Bagels, or Ellen’s Stardust Diner.
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Let newfound adult independence run wild on a birthday adventure in the Catskills! Inhale fresh mountain air on a hike through some of the most stunning Catskills sights. The Ashokan Rail Trail or Frick Pond Loop are perfect for beginners in search of breathtaking views and the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower trail is a challenging hike yielding unbeatable vistas. Those with winter birthdays can get their adrenaline pumping at top ski areas like Hunter, Belleayre, Windham, and Plattekill mountains. If you’re looking to shop local and revel in small town vibes, pay a visit to places like Woodstock, Tannersville, Windham, or Catskill. For a relaxing start to 18, book a birthday manicure or massage at the Emerson Resort & Spa. While there, you can also hit up the Emerson Shops and visit the world’s largest kaleidoscope. Celebrating over the summer? Jam out to live music on the lawn at Bethel Woods, the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Festival. For some serious adventure, take off-roading lessons with Northeast Off-Road Adventures.
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Pristine beaches, picturesque wineries, and luxury around every corner, what better place for a 21st birthday getaway than The Hamptons? For your first legal drink, head out into a world-class wine region, where you’ll find superb wine, experienced sommeliers, and picture-perfect vineyard views at Wolffer Estate, Channing Daughters, and Duck Walk Vineyards. Better yet, take a wine tour with East End Wine Tours or Hamptons Wine Tours. Hit the streets for some shopping in the Hamptons’ hottest towns such as East Hampton, Southampton, Amagansett, or Sag Harbor. If you’re celebrating in the summer, soak up the sun on award-winning beaches like Cooper’s Beach, Main Beach, and Ditch Plains Beach, also great destinations for a relaxing seaside stroll in the colder months. No trip to Long Island is complete without a visit to Montauk (aka The End), home to the state’s oldest lighthouse and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound. When it comes to your birthday meal, you’re spoiled for choice, surrounded by a spectacular dining scene with options such as Sant Ambroeus, Gosman’s Dock, and Scarpetta Beach, found at Gurney’s Montauk Resort which also features a spa and massive saltwater pool.
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Kick off 30 with culinary delights, wine highlights, and sparkling lakeside sights in the Finger Lakes! Sip your way through the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail with Crush Wine Tours as you admire sparkling lakeside views and sample delectable vino at member wineries like Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery, Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars, and Heron Hill Tasting Room. Cruise on calm Canandaigua Lake waters aboard the Canandaigua Lady, a 19th century replica of a double decker paddlewheel boat. Be sure to check out their lineup of specialty rides like the Taylor Swift Tribute and Murder Mystery cruises, or enjoy a birthday meal on a lunch or dinner cruise. Cook up a birthday to remember with experiences from NY Kitchen ranging from craft beverage tastings to make-your-own pasta workshops. Quaint downtown shopping vibes can be found in Canandaigua’s historic main street and shopping district. Craving some R&R? The Lake House on Canandaigua’s Willowbrook Spa (pictured) is sure to satisfy your wellness needs with private barrel saunas, indulgent treatments, a lush private garden, and crystal clear lake front access.
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From rich art and architecture to fantastic foodie experiences, say “happy birthday” in Buffalo! Get to know the vibrant arts and history scene and go museum hopping at renowned institutions like the Buffalo AKG Museum, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo History Museum, and Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House. Admire amazing architecture and horticultural treasures at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Head outdoors and explore Buffalo’s vibrant neighborhoods. Stroll along the Erie Canal at Canalside, experience artsy vibes in Allentown, or discover flourishing local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars in Elmwood Village. Worked up an appetite? Buffalo’s food and beverage scene is unlike any other! Not only is it the home of the Buffalo Wing with its own wing trail, you’ll also find nearly 50 breweries, James Beard Award-nominated restaurants, and a variety of diverse dishes for every palate. For an extra special birthday dinner, indulge in private fine dining and book a custom four or six course meal with celebrity Chef Darian Bryan, featured on the Food Network, CBS News, ESPN, The Jamaican Observer, and more.
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There are a thousand reasons to gift yourself a 50th birthday getaway to the Thousand Islands! Celebrate on the sparkling waters of the St. Lawrence River with Uncle Sam Boat Tours or Clayton Island Tours, both offering all kinds of experiences including lunch and dinner cruises, spectacular sightseeing tours, and trips out to some of the area’s greatest treasures like Millionaires’ Row, Boldt Castle, and Singer Castle. If you’re up for even more nautical fun, visit the Antique Boat Museum and explore the largest collection of antique and classic boats on display in North America. Plus, you can even take a ride in a real antique boat! For year-round outdoor adventure, Wellesley Island State Park offers amazing hiking and snowshoeing trails and sandy shores for summertime lounging. Feel 50 years young and get your adrenaline pumping on a thrilling white water rafting journey with Black River Outfitters. You can’t go wrong with a stroll through downtown Alexandria Bay or Clayton, each filled with charming local shops and restaurants. Cheers to 50 years amongst a renowned craft beverage scene at must-stops like Thousand Islands Winery, Wood Boat Brewery, and Coyote Moon Vineyards.
Treat yourself to historic elegance and luxurious relaxation for your 60th birthday in Cooperstown. Celebrate on the shores of Otsego Lake at The Otesaga (pictured), a repeat winner of the AAA Four Diamond Award. Settle into one of the comfortable rooms or suites with lakeside views, rejuvenate at Hawkeye Spa for indulgent treatments, tee off in the picturesque Leatherstocking Golf Course, grab a bite at Hawkeye Bar & Grill, and more. Venture into town to explore Cooperstown’s Main Street lined with local shops and restaurants or do some self-guided museum hopping at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Fenimore Farm and Country Village, and Fenimore Art Museum. You can’t go wrong with a relaxing birthday stroll through Glimmerglass State Park and for summertime night at the opera under the stars grab tickets to the Glimmerglass Festival. Craft beverage connoisseurs won’t want to miss the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, home to popular establishments like Brewery Ommegang, Fly Creek Cider Mill, and Montezuma Winery Cooperstown.
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Start your 70s with nature, relaxation, and adventure at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. Voted #1 best resort of the Mid-Atlantic by Conde Nast Traveler, this all-inclusive resort is the place to host a milestone birthday party no matter the season. Cozy up in the historic Victorian castle in one of the 265 guest rooms surrounded by the beauty of 40,000 acres of protected forest, overlooking a glacial lake and Shawangunk Mountain views. Your stay includes three farm-to-table meals a day and access to a variety of activities like snowshoeing, hiking, archery, yoga and meditation classes, tennis, golf, kayaking, and much more. Gift yourself a birthday trip to the award winning Mohonk Spa and choose from over 80 unique spa and salon services. If you’re looking to explore the area, head into New Paltz and stroll main street filled with fun locally-owned shops, restaurants, and more.
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What better place to sing happy birthday than from one of the world’s greatest wonders, Niagara Falls? Experience the roar of the falls up close on a Maid of the Mist Boat Tour to the base of American Falls or venture out onto Hurricane Deck with the Cave of the Winds experience. Be sure to stop by at night to see the falls glow with a rainbow of bright colors and check the schedule for firework shows over the falls. For unobstructed vistas of the wild cascades of all three falls, make your way to Observation Tower or take a journey under the sea at the Aquarium of Niagara. Grab a bite to eat and blow out birthday candles at Top of the Falls Restaurant with panoramic views of the falls through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Try your luck at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino with world-class gaming, 4,000 slots, and 100+ game tables. For a culinary experience like no other, enjoy a student-prepared meal from the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute’s Savor restaurant or sign up for a public cooking class with topics ranging from cookie decorating to homemade pasta making.
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Plan a 90th birthday getaway filled with laughter in Chautauqua-Allegheny! Your first stop should be to the National Comedy Center with more than 50 immersive and interactive exhibits dedicated to comedy that are sure to get you giggling. Did you know that Jamestown is the hometown of Lucille Ball? Head to the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum for even more birthday chuckles. Dedicated to the legacy of Lucille Ball and the First Couple of Comedy, this museum showcases memorabilia, awards, video, and photographs from their lives and film and television work. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute is home to the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s original artwork, films, slides, and papers. The Chautauqua Institution is always worth a visit. The grounds are free to roam in the off season sporting spectacular views of Chautauqua Lake. If you have a summer birthday, be sure to visit for the enlightening summer assembly with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs. Get to know Lake Erie Wine Country at the Grape Discovery Center or visit wineries like Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing, Liberty Vineyards, Arrowhead Spring Vineyards.
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Expect elegance, charm, and tranquility when you plan to celebrate 100 in Saratoga Springs! Stay at the Gideon Putnam for a birthday weekend filled with relaxation and rejuvenation, home to upscale dining, classic charm, and stunning scenery. Be sure to indulge in “Spa City” pampering at Roosevelt Baths & Spa on site, offering massages, facials, reiki, mani pedis, and more. Get to know the city’s amazing museums including the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, Tang Teaching Museum & Art Gallery, or Saratoga Automobile Museum. From July through September experience the thrill of world-class horse racing at the Saratoga Race Course, which hosts the famed Travers Stakes. Catch performances from the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) throughout the summer. Explore Saratoga’s famous main street, Broadway, for all kinds of local shops, boutiques, restaurants, and more.
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