It’s officially awards season and New York State is home to some amazing award-winning destinations of its own! We’ve rounded up some of the state’s most recent achievements and accolades from new Michelin-starred restaurants to the nation’s best wellness retreats to the top-rated state park in the country. Read on to discover some of the Empire State’s acclaimed attractions and destinations and add these spots to your must-visit list. Photo credit: @wildflowerauberge on Instagram
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Relax at Top-Tier Resorts and Hotels
Mohonk Mountain House (Hudson Valley)
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Voted one of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Resorts in the Mid-Atlantic for 2024 and 2025, this all-inclusive, 259-room Victorian castle resort is just two hours north of New York City. A National Historic Landmark and Historic Hotel of America, Mohonk Mountain House has been providing guests a reprieve from everyday life in the tranquil Shawangunk Mountains for more than 155 years. Enjoy amenities such as 85 miles of trails, a nine-hole golf course, award-winning spa and fitness center, three farm-to-table meals a day, the area’s only Via Ferrata, horseback riding, and so much more.
The Ranch Hudson Valley (Hudson Valley)
Ranked one of the World’s Greatest Places in 2025 by Time and Best Wellness Retreat in the State for 2024 by the World Spa Awards, The Ranch Hudson Valley is a wellness getaway unlike any other. Set on a historic lakefront estate just 45 minutes outside of New York City, The Ranch offers three, four, or seven-night structured wellness retreats, featuring a daily schedule of activities like guided scenic hikes, strength training, yoga, daily massage, and plant-forward meals. Settle into one of the 26 beautifully-appointed private guest rooms and enjoy a distraction-free space with no TVs. Other amenities include a year-round heated pool, infrared sauna, hot and cold plunge, and elective services such as Reiki, acupuncture, and physical therapy.
Turning Stone Resort & Casino (Central New York)
Credit: Turning Stone Resort & Casino
Indulge in high-energy gaming just 40 minutes outside of Syracuse at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, named Best Overall Gaming Resort in New York for 2025 by Casino Player Magazine. Plan to spend more than one day at this resort to explore all the amazing amenities including a Las Vegas-style gaming floor with 2,000 slots and 80 table games, two luxurious spas, five golf courses, several nightlife venues, 20 dining options, a state-of-the-art sports betting lounge, and more. After a day of excitement, wind down for the day in one of Turning Stone’s five hotels, including The Lodge, which received the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award and the AAA Four Diamond Award-Winning Tower Hotel.
Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection (Hudson Valley)
Credit: @wildflowerauberge on Instagram
Discover Travel + Leisure’s #1 Resort in New York State for 2025, where a secluded 140-acre oasis awaits just two hours outside of New York City. Part of the Auberge Resort Collection, Wildflower Farms is the embodiment of rustic luxury with 65 stylish cabins and cottages and five suites with spacious living rooms, each surrounded by stunning views of the Shawangunk Ridge and wildflower meadows. Enjoy an expansive wine selection and locally-sourced meal at the resort’s on-site restaurant, Clay, unwind with a trip to Thistle Spa, meet the farm’s sheep and chickens, and more.
Looking for even more top-rated resorts in New York State? Travel + Leisure also ranked Mohonk Mountain House as runner-up for best resort in New York State and Lake George’s Sagamore Resort third.
Inns of Aurora (Finger Lakes)
Nestled in a postcard-perfect Finger Lakes town is a collection of five historic estates that earned the prestigious MICHELIN One Key distinction in 2025. Set on 350 acres alongside Cayuga Lake, the Inns of Aurora offer a luxury escape immersed in nature. Each day promises a calendar of exciting activities like archery, yoga, wine and chocolate tastings, paddling, cooking classes, and more. When you’re ready to unwind, take a trip to the spa, offering massages, facials, hydrotherapy, energy work, and other services, or indulge in farm-to-table dining at one of the resort restaurants.
Dine at Critically-Acclaimed Restaurants
Tootles & French (New York City)
Named Best New Restaurant in the US for 2025 in a national poll, Tootles & French is a new wine bar and restaurant in the heart of Astoria. Revel in the elegant yet welcoming atmosphere and peruse the robust wine list, showcasing small-batch, family-owned, and non-mass produced wine and spirits. Food pairings include light bites like curated charcuterie boards, shishito peppers and Coq au Vin Wings, sandwiches, entrees like Wild Bourguignon, and more.
Sushi Sho (New York City)
Experience New York City’s newest three-starred Michelin restaurant, Sushi Sho. Have a seat at the Hinoki sushi counter, where legendary Chef Keiji Nakazawa prepares a 20-course Omakase right in front of you. Savor the flavors of Sushi Sho’s Edomae-zushi, emphasizing the rich flavors of the sushi rice and fish. For a more personalized experience, Okonomi is also offered, where diners can customize their sushi with various ingredients.
Semma (New York City)
Rated the #1 Best Restaurant in New York City for 2025 by the New York Times, Semma offers a bold expression of Southern Indian cuisine. Headed up by Chef Vijay Kumar, who was the James Beard Award-Winner for Best Chef in New York State for 2025, this vibrant restaurant is rooted in the traditions of Tamil Nadu, serving up dishes like Mulaikattiya Thaniyam (sprouted mung beans, coconut, and smoked chili), Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (lobster tail, mustard, turmeric, and coconut milk), and Gunpowder Dosa (rice and lentil crepe, potato masala, and sambar).
Discover Outstanding Outdoor Experiences
Letchworth State Park (Greater Niagara)
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14,350 acres of unrivaled natural beauty await at this state park named the Best in the Country for 2025 in a national poll. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth State Park is home to three magnificent waterfalls flowing between cliffs as high as 600 feet, 66 miles of hiking trails, including the one-mile Autism Nature Trail, scenic sights, many of which can be easily accessed by car, and hot air balloon rides.
Coopers Beach (Long Island)
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If you dream of white sandy shores, Coopers Beach in Southampton is ranked as the #1 Best Beach in America for 2025 by Dr. Beach. Soak up the sun from the wide shoreline and soft white sand, backdropped by historic mansions and sweeping dunes. Catch a ride aboard the Hamptons Free Ride, offering free eco-friendly transportation from downtown Southampton to Coopers Beach.
Looking for even more top-rated beaches in New York State? Main Beach in East Hampton is ranked #5 Best Beach in America by Dr. Beach!
St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
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With spectacular scenery and sensational smallmouth fishing, there’s a reason the Thousand Islands’ St. Lawrence River was ranked the #1 Best Bass Lake by Bassmaster in 2024 and maintained a top-5 position (#4) in 2025. Offering a diversity of aquatic habitats, the St. Lawrence is home to a wide variety of warm water fish species and is known for having massive smallmouth bass. The nine-pound, state record-holding smallmouth bass was caught here!
Explore Beautiful Small Towns
Lake Placid (Adirondacks)
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Rated One of the Most Beautiful Towns in the Country by Conde Nast Traveler in 2025, this two-time winter Olympic city is stunning year-round. Backdropped by the wild beauty of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid offers something for every traveler: Olympic history at the Lake Placid Legacy Sites, a walkable downtown with local restaurants, breweries, and shops, outdoor adventure galore, luxury resorts, and much more.
Hudson (Hudson Valley)
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An easy two-hour train ride from New York City will land you in another one of Conde Nast Traveler’s Most Beautiful Towns in the US in 2025. Take a stroll down walkable Warren Street, lined with some of the area’s top antiquing, boutique hotels, award-winning restaurants, art galleries, museums, and local shops. Just outside town, the area’s natural beauty is on full display at Olana State Historic Site and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.
Ticonderoga (Adirondacks)
Credit: Fort Ticonderoga / Carl Heilman II
Rated One of the Best Small Towns to Visit in 2025 by Smithsonian Magazine, this Adirondack town is a true hidden gem. Nestled between Lake George and Lake Champlain, Ticonderoga was the site of the first offensive victory for American forces in the Revolutionary War. Today, you can pay a visit to Fort Ticonderoga to experience immersive living history events like Real Time Revolution for America’s 250th Anniversary. Plus, you can take the Star Trek Original Series Tour, hike through the natural beauty of Adirondack Park, or explore the walkable downtown.
Unwind at Top-Rated Spas
Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing (Catskills)
Looking to recharge and reconnect? Tucked away in the quaint Catskills hamlet of Cragsmoor, Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing offers a peaceful escape for mindfulness and meditation. Named both the Best Meditation Center and Best Wellness Retreat in the US for 2025 in a national poll, this acclaimed center hosts immersive retreats designed to restore balance. Immerse yourself in nature and thoughtful programming that focus on categories like Buddhist studies, yoga and movement, art and culture, meditation and spirituality, and more.
World Spa (New York City)
Escape to a peaceful wellness sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City at World Spa, named the Best Day Spa in North America for 2025 by World Spa Awards. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, this slice of paradise is home to three floors of traditional and cultural experiences from Finnish saunas to Himalayan salt therapy to authentic banyas, each designed with rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation in mind.
Explore Acclaimed Arts and Culture Hot Spots
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)
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Named the #1 Best Art Museum in the US by Travel + Leisure, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to more than 5,000 years of art from around the world. Admire iconic pieces from famous artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, O’Keeffe, and Monet, permanent and rotating exhibitions, tours, events, and more.
Apollo Theater (New York City)
Honored as an Iconic American Institution at the 47th Kennedy Center Honors in 2024, the Apollo Theater is the heart of Harlem’s arts and music scene. Once a venue that did not allow Black patrons, this theater is a living example of progress, elevating the voices and contributions of Black performers. Well-known for its Amateur Night, The Apollo has helped launch the careers of legendary artists including Ella Fitzgerald, H.E.R., and many more. Check the calendar for upcoming live music, comedy shows, festivals, and film screenings, and historical tours of the historic building.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (Catskills)
Home of the famous 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair and voted Best Amphitheater for 2025 in national poll, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is a cultural destination unlike any other. Summer concert season is not to be missed, where you can jam out to big name performers from the lawn or covered seats. Head indoors to check out the expansive museum dedicated to the 1960s and the Woodstock Festival.
Staatsburgh State Historic Site (Hudson Valley)
Credit: R Tully
Add this stunning Gilded Age mansion named Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards Winner for 2025 to your travel bucket list! Just 10 minutes outside of Rhinebeck, Staatsburgh was once the country home of Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills. Today, you can tour the 79-room, Beaux-Arts mansion overlooking the Hudson River and surrounding Catskill Mountains, and explore the nature trails run throughout the 192-acre property.
Cheers to medal-winning craft beverages
Finger Lakes Wine Country (Finger Lakes)
Credit: Daniel Bell
With dazzling lakeside views, internationally-acclaimed wine, and postcard-perfect towns, Finger Lakes Wine Country is consistently rated as one of the country’s best wine regions, and was named the 2025 American Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. Home to more than 140 wineries and four wine trails spread across 10,000 acres, this cool-climate wine region specializes in white wine varieties. Experience it all for yourself at favorites like Buttonwood Grove Winery in Romulus, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in Hammondsport, Ventosa Vineyards in Geneva, or Arbor Hill Winery in Naples.
Rose Hill Vineyards (Long Island)
At the 39th Annual New York Wine Classic, Rose Hill Vineyards in Mattituck was awarded the prestigious Governor’s Cup, the most esteemed award, recognizing the “Best of Show.” Located in the heart of Long Island Wine Country, sip back and relax surrounded by vineyard views with a tasting flight or glass or their 2019 Clarity Cabernet Sauvignon, which earned them the Governor’s Cup award.
Weis Vineyards (Finger Lakes)
Discover a taste of German winemaking in the Finger Lakes at the 2025 New York Wine Classic Winery of the Year! A hidden gem on the East side of Keuka Lake, Weis Vineyards produces high quality, handcrafted wines that reflect the terroir of the Finger Lakes. You can’t go wrong with a glass of their 2024 Dry Rose or 2024 Gruner Veltiner, which won awards for Best Pink Wine and Best White Wine in 2025, respectively.
Grimm Artisanal Ales (NYC)
For the second time in the Governor’s Excelsior Craft Beer Cup history, there was a tie for New York State Brewery of the Year award! One of the breweries earning the coveted title for 2025 is Grimm Artisanal Ales in Brooklyn As one of the boroughs finest breweries, Grimm is known for their medal-winning IPAs, sour and spontaneous ales, lagers, stouts, and hefeweizens. Visit the location for yourself and try Double Negative or Psychokinesis, which both won gold medals in the competition for 2025.
Wayward Lane Brewing (Central New York)
Cheers to Wayward Lane Brewing, New York State’s other winner for 2025 Brewery of the Year! Found in a restored 1800s hop house on 65 acres of farmland in Schoharie, Wayward is a true farm brewery and taproom, brewing everything from aromatic IPAs to crisp lagers to oak aged strong ales. Soak up views of the countryside while you sample award-winning brews like Momo, an Italian-style pilsner, or Enzyme Detonator, a hazy double IPA–both won gold medals in the 2025 competition.
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