June 14-15 marks Path Through History Weekend in New York State! It’s the perfect time to celebrate the state’s rich and vibrant past, from the lush Adirondacks to the sandy shores of Long Island. Below, we’ve selected a series of can’t-miss events and things to do nearby, from touring a WWII battleship to a Father’s Day car show to a downtown sculpture tour. With nearly one hundred events across the state, be sure to check out the Path Through History events calendar for a full guide to the historical and educational attractions offering something special during the weekend.
Adirondacks
Hike Through History at Heaven Hill (Lake Placid)
Enjoy a scenic 1–2 mile walk at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site, where you’ll explore an old orchard and learn about the rich history of the land and its deep ties to John Brown’s family. You’ll gather at the circle at John Brown Farm before driving a few miles uphill to the trailhead. The trail features a small incline and is well-maintained, offering a spectacular view of the Adirondack mountains on clear days. (June 14; Free; Lake Placid)
What’s nearby: Experience Olympic legacy in Lake Placid, home to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games. Explore the venues used for the games, known as the Lake Placid Legacy Sites, including: Olympic Center and Museum, Olympic Jumping Complex, Mt Van Hoevenberg, and Whiteface Mountain. Check out our Lake Placid weekend itinerary for even more to do in the area.
Capital-Saratoga
Tour the USS SLATER (Albany)
Step aboard the USS SLATER, the last destroyer escort still afloat in America. During World War II, 563 destroyer escorts played a critical role fighting off Nazi U-boats in the Atlantic and defending naval forces in the Pacific from Japanese submarines and Kamikaze attacks. Docked on the Hudson River against the Albany skyline, the USS SLATER stands as a living tribute to that legacy. Experience history up close with guided tours throughout the day. (June 14-15; $14/Adults, $12/Seniors & Veterans, $10/Ages 6-17, Children 5 and under are free; Albany)
Learn about the Schuyler Sisters (Albany)
Step beyond the spotlight of Hamilton and discover the real stories of the five Schuyler sisters. This special tour offers an intimate look at what life was like for the Schuyler women as they grew up in one of early America’s most prominent families. Explore the personal histories of the sisters, their mother Catharine, and the women enslaved by the Schuyler household. Through original letters, archival records, firsthand accounts, and guest participation, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the daily lives, challenges, and legacy of these remarkable women. (June 14; $7/Adult, $6/Senior, $6/Student, Children 12 and under are free; Albany)
What’s nearby: Immerse yourself in the history and architecture of the capital of New York State starting with a stroll around Empire State Plaza. Here, you’ll find the New York State Museum, The Egg performing arts center, the New York State Capitol, and the Corning Tower, the tallest skyscraper in New York outside of NYC. Check out our Albany weekend itinerary for even more to do in the area.
Catskills
Visit the Thomas Cole National Historic Site (Catskill)
Photo courtesy of Escape Brooklyn
Celebrate 200 years since Thomas Cole’s first journey to Catskill, an event that forever changed the course of American art. His renowned paintings of the Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains launched his career and also inspired the Hudson River School, the first major art movement in the United States. Tour the birthplace of this movement, the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, showcasing Cole’s legacy through historic interiors, the museum collections, and immersive experiences. (June 14-15; $20/Adults, $18/Seniors & Military, $5/Students, Teachers, Youth, Children under 12 are free; Catskill)
What’s nearby: Just 30 minutes from Catskill, Hunter Mountain offers an unforgettable escape into nature and outdoor adventure. Soar 3,200 feet above sea level on a scenic skyride and take in panoramic views from the summit, or climb the highest fire tower in New York State. The mountain also offers top-tier trails and terrain for mountain biking. And for art lovers, the area offers endless opportunities to enjoy art and culture in the Catskills.
Central NY
Take a Sculpture Tour (Binghamton)
Head to downtown Binghamton for a guided walking tour, where you’ll explore the city’s rich architectural heritage and over a dozen outdoor public sculptures. Tours begin at the historic Phelps Mansion Museum, where a museum educator will guide your journey and share fascinating insights into Binghamton’s art and architecture. Stick around after the walking tour to attend a historic reenactment at the Phelps Mansion at 2pm! (June 14; Free; Binghamton)
Attend a Reenactment of The Suffrage Movement and The Monday Afternoon Club (Binghamton)
Between 1910 and 1916, the Monday Afternoon Club held several pivotal meetings at the Phelps Mansion in support of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. To honor this important history, the Mansion will recreate these landmark meetings with a special live reenactment. (June 14-15; Free; Binghamton)
What’s nearby: Have a roaring good time at Animal Adventure Park, featuring seasonal events, exhibits, and animal encounter experiences that make it a must-visit stop! Stop into the Roberson Museum and Science Center, a one-stop-shop for science, history, and culture, and also home to a 50-seat digital planetarium that offers out-of-this-world showings. Check out our Binghamton weekend itinerary for even more to do in the area.
Chautauqua-Allegheny
Tour the Fenton History Center (Jamestown)
Step back in time as you take a guided tour of the Fenton History Center in Jamestown, named for Reuben E. Fenton, the 22nd Governor of New York State. Located in the stately 1863 Italianate Villa, this cultural landmark is filled with immersive exhibits that bring the region’s past to life. Explore rooms dedicated to the industries that built Jamestown, the stories of immigration and the Underground Railroad, pioneer life, Victorian traditions, and even local legend Lucille Ball. (June 14; Historic tour: $12/non-members, $8/members; Jamestown)
What’s nearby: Get ready to laugh out loud at the National Comedy Center, a one-of-a-kind venue celebrating the art of comedy with over 50 interactive exhibits featuring legendary comedians and iconic moments in comic history. Just steps away, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum pays heartfelt tribute to Jamestown’s most beloved star. This engaging museum offers a look into the lives and groundbreaking careers of TV’s original comedy couple, with immersive exhibits and an exclusive collection of the duo’s personal belongings. Check out our Jamestown weekend itinerary for even more to do in the area.
Finger Lakes
Rev Up for a Father’s Day Car Show (Canandaigua)
Enjoy a day of classic cars, food, flowers, and family fun! Hosted at the beautiful and historic Sonnenberg Gardens, this event offers something for everyone. Wander through 50 acres of spectacular formal gardens, admire elegant fountains and unique garden structures, and tour a grand Queen Anne-style mansion. (June 15; $16/Adults, $14/Seniors, $9/Students and Youth, $4/Children ages 4-12; Canandaigua)
Celebrate Canandaigua Community Day (Canandaigua)
Enjoy free admission all day at the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum as you explore the homestead and its beautifully preserved Annex Barn. Step inside the elegant 19th-century home where knowledgeable docents will share the site’s rich history. Take in the scenic grounds on a horse-drawn carriage ride offering a glimpse back to the 1800s. (June 14; Free; Canandaigua)
What’s nearby: Embark on a scenic 40-minute drive to Seneca Falls, home to the National Women’s Rights Historic Park. This collection of historic sites includes the Wesleyan Chapel, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, and the M’Clintock House. Begin your visit at the Visitor’s Center to pick up tour schedules, maps, and brochures. Don’t miss Lloyd Lillie’s “The First Wave” installation, featuring life-size bronze statues of key figures at the First Women’s Rights Convention, and the Waterwall at Declaration Park, a 100-foot long bluestone water feature inscribed with the words of the Declaration of Sentiments. Check out our Seneca Falls and Canandaigua weekend itineraries for even more to do in the areas.
Greater Niagara
Smell the Flowers at the Rose Show (Buffalo)
Experience the beauty of over 100 rose varieties grown right in Western New York at the annual Rose Show, held at the Buffalo & Erie Botanical Gardens. Learn about which roses grow best in the region, and get ideas for what you could grow in your own garden. Meet and ask questions of the Consulting Rosarians as you step into this indoor and outdoor oasis. (June 14; $18/Adults, $16/Seniors & Students, $9.50/Children ages 3-12; Buffalo)
Celebrate the Women of the Martin House (Buffalo)
Discover the Martin House through the eyes of the women who lived and worked within its walls. This unique 90-minute, docent-led experience explores the lives of these women while uncovering the changing times for women in America around the turn of the 20th century. Gain rare access to spaces not included on most tours, such as the elegant guest suite and the lower-level ballroom, courtyard garden, iconic pergola, lush conservatory, and the historic carriage house featuring the museum store. (June 15; $35/person; Buffalo)
What’s nearby: Visit the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, the largest inland naval park in the United States and the home of four U.S. Naval vessels. While there, be sure to stop at the African American Veterans Monument, a first of its kind in the nation. Or take a leisurely stroll down Canalside, the city’s historic waterfront. Canalside boasts a calendar full of year-round events, including outdoor yoga, children’s games, and free concerts along the district’s Central Wharf. Check out our Buffalo city guide for even more to do in the area.
Hudson Valley
Soar at an Air Show (Red Hook)
Fly into a weekend of aviation history at thrilling air shows at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum. On Saturday, the “History of Flight” program takes you through the early days of aviation, featuring the daring pioneers before World War I, a sneak peek at the WWI Dog Fight Spectacular, and the excitement of the Golden Age of Aviation in the 1920s and ’30s. On Sunday, experience the action-packed “WWI Dog Fight Spectacular,” complete with a brave hero, a cheering heroine, and the infamous Black Baron of Rhinebeck, featuring pyrotechnics, a WWI-era tank, and antique automobiles. Throughout the weekend, you’ll witness some of the most iconic historic aircraft in flight, including the 1909 Bleriot, the Fokker DR-I Triplane, and a precise replica of the Spirit of St. Louis. (June 14-15; $35/Adults, $26/Seniors & Military, $16/Youth; Red Hook)
Attend a Revolutionary War Reenactment and History Fair (Hyde Park)
Dutchess County continues its multi-year commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary with RevCon 2025, the second annual Revolutionary War Reenactment and History Fair. Revel in a reenactment as skilled actors bring the 18th century to life with weapons demonstrations, tactical displays, and immersive exhibitions of military camp life and period uniforms. Talk with experts during Q&A sessions to learn what daily life was truly like in Revolutionary America. This year’s featured presentation by noted historian and author Todd Braisted, “They Absolutely Did Not Murmur: The Hudson Valley Takes Up Arms for King George,” explores the often-overlooked Loyalist support in the region and its impact on the war. (June 14; Free; Hyde Park)
What’s nearby: Close to both Rhinebeck and Hyde Park is one of the region’s most stunning historical sites, Staatsburgh State Historic Site. This Gilded Age mansion was built in the late 19th century for capitalist Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth Livingston Mills and features a calendar full of events and tours. Into antiquing? Stop into the Beekman Arms Antique Market, set in a historic two-story barn, and pick up a unique souvenir. Check out our Rhinebeck weekend itinerary for even more to do in the area.
Long Island
Commemorate Deco at 100 (Roslyn Harbor)
Spend the day at the Nassau County Museum of Art as it presents Deco at 100, an original exhibition that marks the centennial of the landmark 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. This exhibition serves as a direct follow-up to the museum’s acclaimed 2023 show, Our Gilded Age, linking the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. Deco at 100 brings to life the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, highlighting the era’s iconic personalities, set against the backdrop of New York City’s skyline and signature Art Deco architecture. (June 14-15; $15/Adults, $10/Seniors, $5/Students and Children; Roslyn Harbor)
Enjoy Father’s Day at LIM (Stony Brook)
Treat Dad to a memorable day of exploration at the Long Island Museum. Discover the new exhibition, Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum, journey through the pre-automobile era in the Carriage Museum, and step back in time with beautifully preserved historic buildings. (June 15; Free for fathers and grandfathers, $15/Adults, $10/Seniors & Students, Children under age 6 and Military are free; Stony Brook)
What’s nearby: Discover the elegance of Long Island’s Gold Coast, where history, luxury, and leisure come together. Tour the grand Gilded Age mansions like Oheka Castle, Old Westbury Gardens, and the Vanderbilt Museum. After exploring the estates, unwind at one of the region’s most scenic wineries, Del Vino Vineyards. Check out our list of budget-friendly ways to enjoy the luxury of Long Island.
NYC
Check out the Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival (Manhattan)
Roll on over to the Museum at Eldridge Street for the 24th annual Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival. This beloved celebration showcases the vibrant mix of cultures that define the Lower East Side and Chinatown neighborhoods. Set against the backdrop of the landmark 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, the festival invites you to embrace the spirit of this community and the sights, sounds, flavors, and traditions of Jewish, Chinese, and Puerto Rican heritage. Enjoy crafts, live performances, and delicious food. (June 15; Free; Manhattan)
Stroll Along Stonewall (Manhattan)
Visit the historic birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, where the Stonewall Uprising took place in June 1969. At the Stonewall Inn, LGBTQ patrons courageously resisted routine police raids, sparking a pivotal moment in the fight for equality. Today, the site stands as the nation’s first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights. It includes the still-operating Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park with its Gay Liberation Monument, and the surrounding streets where this moment in civil rights history took place. (June 14-15; Free; Manhattan)
What’s nearby: There’s always something exciting to see and do in the city! From world-class museums and vibrant art venues to live performances including free summer concert series and the best of Broadway, Manhattan has it all. Make the most of your time by checking out our weekend itinerary or discover budget-friendly ways to enjoy Manhattan.
Thousand Islands-Seaway
Walk Through History at Fort Ontario (Oswego)
Visit Fort Ontario State Historic Site to see the star-shaped fort dating back to the early 1840’s. There are two guardhouses, a powder magazine, a storehouse, enlisted men’s barracks, an Army office building, an unfurnished officer’s quarters, videos, exhibits and windswept ramparts featuring magnificent views of Lake Ontario and underground stone casemates and galleries to tour. In 1946, Fort Ontario was transferred to the State of New York and housed World War II veterans and their families until 1953. (June 14-15; $4/Adults, $3/Seniors & Students, Children 12 and under are free; Oswego)
What’s nearby: While you’re in Oswego, cruise on over to the legendary Oswego Speedway, known for its thrilling races. For a more relaxing scene, take a leisurely stroll through idyllic Breitbeck Park, perched along the shores of Lake Ontario. And don’t miss the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, where you can explore over 400 years of Oswego County’s rich maritime history.
