11 Affordable Spring Getaways in New York State

Apr 11, 2025

Shed the winter coat, it’s time to experience all things spring in New York State! From breathtaking flower festivals to majestic waterfalls, there’s something for everyone and every budget. Whether you prefer a stroll through 100,000 tulips in Albany, a scenic hiking challenge in the Adirondacks, or a spring cruise on the Erie Canal, let adventure bloom without breaking the bank with these 11 affordable spring getaways in the Empire State. Photo credit: @weatheramsey on Instagram

WHERE TO STAY:

World-renowned attractions, historic museums, and internationally-recognized festivals, let your affordable spring getaway blossom in Rochester. Make the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown your homebase with 107 comfortable guest rooms and weekend rates that start around $157/night. If you prefer to stay just outside Rochester, the Comfort Suites of Rochester Henrietta offers weekend rates around $108/night.

FLORAL FESTIVITIES:

Each May, half a million visitors from around the world make their way to Rochester’s Highland Park to celebrate the largest collection of lilacs in North America! Taking place May 9-18, the Rochester Lilac Festival is truly a can’t-miss event with 1,800 lilac bushes displaying 500 different varieties, creating a masterpiece of deep purples and bright whites. The fun doesn’t stop there! Not only is this vibrant celebration one of the largest free festivals of its kind, it also features 80+ live performances at the KeyBank Center Stage, tasty food vendors, a Lilac Parade, guided walking tours, a farmers market, and more.

ICONIC ROC STOPS:

There’s all kinds of wallet-friendly fun in Rochester! It’s officially baseball season in New York State, so why not score a home run for fun and snag tickets (starting around $16) for a Rochester Red Wings minor league game? Families should head to the Seneca Park Zoo, where admission is $7-$12/person and you can meet zoo animals like polar bears, a white rhino, or a pair of ring-tailed lemurs. The National Museum of Play at The Strong is a must-visit for kids and kids at heart, home to the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, and games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, and the Hasbro Game Park filled with your favorite games, but gigantic! Admission is $25/person and half price on Friday from 4-8pm. Worked up an appetite? Try Radio Social with an award-winning Middle Eastern menu, craft cocktail and whiskey bars, 34 bowling lanes, lounge areas, and a variety of indoor and outdoor games.

Albany (Capital-Saratoga)

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WHERE TO STAY:

There’s no shortage of springtime fun in New York’s capital city. Check into one of the 165 lavishly appointed guest rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites Albany-Downtown where weekend rates start around $133/night. Hyatt Place Albany/Downtown is another great affordable option with rates starting around $150/night.

ALBANY IN BLOOM:

Immerse yourself in a sea of more than 100,000 tulips at the Albany Tulip Festival! Taking place each year at Washington Park on Mother’s Day weekend, this free festival is one of the Northeast’s biggest and most beloved yearly events. The weekend features activities for everyone including historic events celebrating Albany’s Dutch heritage, multiple stages of live music, craft vendors, a fine arts show, tasty food, and more.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE:

Spring into outdoor adventure with a hike through John Boyd Thacher State Park ($6/vehicle), situated along the Helderberg Escarpment. The popular Indian Ladder Trail reopens in spring and features views of gorgeous waterfalls and towering limestone cliffs. Walk or bike along the Hudson River on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail, part of the Empire State Trail. If you prefer to revel in spring beauty from the water, Dutch Apple Cruises reopens April 20 for sightseeing sails on the Hudson River.

PICK YOUR MUSEUM:

Explore the cultural and natural history of New York State for free throughout a variety of exhibits, like The Cohoes Mastodon, at the New York State Museum. Tour the only World War II-era destroyer escort still afloat, the USS Slater DE 766, for as little as $6 (depending on tour). Pay a visit to New York’s oldest museum, the Albany Institute of History and Art ($8-$12/person) and admire exhibits that include Hudson River School paintings. Travel back to the Revolutionary War era with a tour ($4-$5/person) of the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, once the home of renowned Revolutionary War general, US Senator, and business entrepreneur, Philip J. Schuyler.

Lockport (Greater Niagara)

WHERE TO STAY:

Just 20 miles outside of Niagara Falls, alongside the Erie Canal sits charming Lockport. Hampton Inn Lockport-Buffalo makes for a comfortable and affordable getaway with rates starting at $115/night and a great location to see top area attractions.

FUN ON THE CANAL:

2025 marks the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary, presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the wonder of the canal! Spend a spring day navigating this engineering marvel with Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises. Reopening May 12 for the season, tours range from $12.50- $26/person, taking you on a one-of-a-kind narrated cruise through Locks 34 and 35. After your cruise, be sure to check out the Lock District Museum. Admission is free and you’ll get to learn about the construction of the Erie Canal. Discover even more about the canal at the Erie Canal Discovery Center ($6/person), where immersive exhibits tell the story of its historic past. Try your hand at moving a boat through locks, listen to the people who worked on the canal and built Lockport, explore the task of cutting through the bedrock, and more!

PICK YOUR TRAIL:

Wine enthusiasts will enjoy sipping through 60 miles of superb wineries along the Niagara Wine Trail. Soak up the breathtaking countryside as you travel between 11 member wineries including Vizacarra Vineyards at Becker Farms, Bella Rose Vineyard & Winery, and A Gust of Sun Winery. If you prefer a tranquil walk surrounded by nature, follow one of the three Lockport Nature Trails which lead you through panoramic sights and a natural waterfall.

WHERE TO STAY:

New York’s most under-the-radar borough comes alive in the spring! Hampton Inn & Suites Staten Island (rates start around $169/night) and Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island (rates start around $178/night) are both conveniently located near many attractions and feature comfortable rooms. If you’re looking for a cozy home away from home, rates at Harbor House Bed & Breakfast start at $99/night, just under a 10 minute drive from the Staten Island Ferry.

STATEN ISLAND IN BLOOM:

Known as New York City’s greenest borough, Staten Island is home to 170 parks! Get out and experience blooming spring beauty at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden ($4 for seniors, $5 adults), home to flourishing magnolias, cherries, mahonia, jasmine, and redbud found throughout the campus. Snug Harbor’s New York Chinese Scholar Garden is also a must this time of year. It’s one of only two authentic classical outdoor Chinese gardens built in the United States! For even more time outdoors, head to New York City’s largest remaining forest preserve, the Staten Island Greenbelt. Enjoy the beauty of the free 2,800-acre park system at popular spots like LaTourette, Willowbrook, and High Rock parks, filled with trails that navigate through tidal and freshwater wetlands, oak and beech forests, open meadows, and rolling hills.

MUST-SEE HIDDEN GEMS:

There are all kinds of hidden gems to uncover in Staten Island! Unlock breathtaking vistas of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor from Staten Island Ferry for free. Nicknamed “the biggest little zoo,” the Staten Island Zoo ($8-$12/person) is home to more than 300 species of animals like alpacas, giant tortoises, tropical birds, and more. Learn the history of Alice Austen, one of America’s earliest and most prolific female photographers, at the Alice Austen House Museum ($5 suggested admission), a national site of LGBTQ history. If you’ve worked up an appetite, dig into a home-cooked meal from Enotecca Maria, known for its rotating cast of real “nonna” (Italian for grandmother) chefs from around the world.

Clayton (Thousand Islands-Seaway)

WHERE TO STAY:

Admire the tranquility of the St. Lawrence River this spring without breaking the bank from the quaint village of Clayton. Settle into one of the five river-themed rooms at the Chateau Country Inn, where rates start at $109/night. The inn also has its own fully-equipped Captain’s Cottage ($350/night) with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, perfect for families and groups.

MUST-VISIT MUSEUMS:

Not only is Clayton packed with some of the most spectacular waterside views around, it’s also home to rich maritime history. The Antique Boat Museum ($9-$15/person) reopens on May 3, where you can explore the largest collection of antique and classic boats on display in North America, over 300 beautifully-preserved vessels! The museum even offers opportunities to get out on the water ranging from rowing a classic St. Lawrence River Skiff to riding in the world’s largest runabout. Dive into the history and culture of the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands communities at the Thousand Islands Museum. Admission is free and it also houses the Muskie Hall of Fame.

SIP BACK AND RELAX:

Celebrate spring and sip your way through a world-class craft beverage region. Thousand Islands Winery is one of the largest farm wineries in the area, located on 40 scenic acres, and Coyote Moon Vineyards features 19 varieties of hand-crafted, award-winning wines to sample. If you’re in the mood for delicious craft brews, brick oven pizza, and a friendly pub-style atmosphere, Wood Boat Brewery is the place to go. Clayton Distillery, reopening on April 12, is a must-visit with tasting flights and mixed drinks made from locally-grown ingredients.

SPECTACULAR SCENIC BEAUTY:

Fully embrace the beauty of spring with unbeatable scenic sights. If you’re up for a relaxing stroll, find peace at Zenda Farms Preserve (free), where you’ll be surrounded by sprawling pastures and meadows, perfect for bird watching. Spend some time out on the St. Lawrence River with Clayton Island Tours, starting May 10. Boat tours start at $25 and offer up an experience unlike any other! You can even take a peek into life underwater aboard one of the glass bottom boat tours.

Credit: @wildcenter on Instagram

WHERE TO STAY:

Plan an affordable spring escape to Tupper Lake at Trailhead by Weekender, where rates start around $116/night for weekend stays. With comfortable rooms, easy access to local restaurants, shops, and attractions, and surrounding mountains blooming with springtime flowers, this hotel is the perfect home base for adventure.

LET FUN RUN WILD:

Let fun run wild at the Wild Center & Wild Walk! For $13-$25/person, unlock 115 acres of adventure along the Wild Walk, where you’ll get to stroll through the treetops on the elevated trail. Along the way, treasures await like a human-sized bird nest, giant spider web, and stunning views of the Adirondack forest.

EXPERIENCE THE GREAT OUTDOORS:

Inhale the fresh Adirondack air and get ready to experience the natural beauty of Tupper Lake in spring. Challenge yourself to a spring hiking adventure with the Tupper Lake Triad hiking challenge. Tackle the three beginner-friendly hikes (ranging from 1-1.7 miles) to Mount Arab, Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain, and you’ll receive a patch to show off your hard work! Love being out on the water? Try the Tupper Lake Paddling Triad, which features three paddles of varying length, located throughout the area. Speaking of water, April officially marks the start of trout fishing season. Spots like Big Tupper Lake, Simon Pond, and Raquette River, nestled in the Adirondacks Lakes region are perfect places to cast a line. Spring in Tupper Lake also means that beautiful birds return to the area. Places like the Tupper Lake Marsh are great for listening to calming bird song and spotting Red-Winged Blackbirds or migrating ducks.

Catskill (Catskills)

WHERE TO STAY:

The Catskills come alive in spring! The Willow Pond Motel makes for a cozy and cost-effective basecamp, located just outside of the Village of Catskill with stylish, recently-modernized rooms. Rates start around $166/night.

TULIPS, HIKES, AND HISTORIC SITES:

Welcome spring with a relaxing stroll through more than 20,000 tulips at Meadowbrook Farm’s annual Tulip Walk, taking place on April 26 and May 3. For $15/person, you’ll get to admire beautiful florals and stunning Catskills views, jam to live music, check out local vendors, artisans, and food trucks, and participate in children’s activities. Inhale the fresh mountain air on a hike through scenic sights at North South Lake Campground Day Use Area ($6-10/car). Choose from a variety of hikes for all levels from the beginner-friendly trail to Boulder Rock and Catskill Mountain House to more challenging routes to scenic lookouts like Artist’s Rock and Sunset Rock. For even more amazing views, take a tranquil walk over the Hudson River Skywalk (free), the pedestrian path that connects the historic homes to two Hudson River School painters, Thomas Cole and Frederic Church. On the Catskill side, you can take a guided tour of the historic home, two studios, and grounds of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site for $5-$20 and on the Hudson side, Olana State Historic Site is free to roam year-round. Guided tours of the historic house range from $10-$20.

EXPERIENCE CATSKILL BREWERIES:

Craft beverage enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the village of Catskill is home to a superb craft brewing scene. Subversive Malting & Brewing is one of only a handful of breweries worldwide that produces their own malts using the traditional craft of floor malting and all beers feature 100% locally sourced grains. Rip Van Winkle Brewing Company is also a must-visit with seven in-house brews to sample and Left Bank Ciders is Greene County’s first cidery, featuring delicious small-batch hard ciders and meads.

Roslyn (Long Island)

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WHERE TO STAY:

Just a short trip outside of New York City, Roslyn offers all kinds of spring splendor. Start your trip right and check into the The Roslyn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, where mid-week rates start around $150/night and you’ll be close to top attractions.

INDULGE IN GOLD COAST GLAMOUR:

Long Island’s Gold Coast mansions are dazzling year-round, but when spring rolls around these elegant estates come alive with flourishing gardens and florals. For $8-$18/person, you can explore the romantic formal gardens, 44-room English manor, and 200-acre grounds of Old Westbury Gardens. Meander through 200 acres of natural and landscaped areas that surround the luxurious mansion at the Sands Point Preserve ($15/car). Discover the beauty of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Site ($8/car), home to the magnificent Coe Hall (tours $5-10), gardens, greenhouses, woodland trails, and the largest display of camellias in the northeast. The Nassau County Museum of Art ($5-$15) not only presents an impressive lineup of rotating exhibits, but it’s also a work of art itself, located on the former 145-acre Frick Estate. Admission to the arboretum, trails, and sculpture garden is free.

FUN ON THE HARBOR:

If you’re visiting in late spring, head out to Port Washington for Port Washington Harborfest! This fun day out on the harbor will feature a craft show, cruises on the luxury yacht elixir, fire boat demonstrations, live entertainment at the tugboat and sousa band shell, and more.

Goshen (Hudson Valley)

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WHERE TO STAY:

Let fun flourish in Goshen, named one of best small towns to visit by Smithsonian Magazine. Make the Fairfield Inn & Suites Goshen Middletown your homebase where rates start around $153/night and you’ll be conveniently located near top area attractions. Courtyard Middletown Goshen is another great option where weekend rates start around $160.

BUILD AWESOME EXPERIENCES:

The ultimate LEGO® theme park destination for kids ages 2-12 officially reopens for the season on April 10! Journey through the LEGOLAND®’s seven LEGO-themed lands and save big on tickets by purchasing in-advance, online ($49 online, $94 at the gate). For fantastic florals, stroll through the 35-acre Orange County Arboretum (free). Be sure to visit the Japanese Tea Garden blooming with cherry blossoms from mid-March to mid-April. Hike or bike your way through a bird sanctuary, historic landmarks, scenic streams, and rolling meadows on the Goshen Heritage Trail (free). Stop for homemade ice cream along the way at Trailside Treats Creamery.

STROLL MAIN STREET:

Take a springtime stroll on Goshen’s charming main street, lined with local boutiques, restaurants, bars, and attractions. Harness Racing Museum admission is $5-$10/person, home to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame and exhibits featuring the first mobile starting gate and a 3D simulated ride. Peruse fresh produce, local treats, and handmade crafts at the Goshen Farmers Market which officially opens on May 16 on Fridays. Relax in the open air seating right on Main Street at Brew with elevated pub favorites, brews, and cocktails. Pharmacy Kitchen & Bar is the perfect stop for creative post-dinner drinks, found in what was once the local pharmacy.

Cazenovia (Central New York)

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WHERE TO STAY:

Get comfortable in Cazenovia at the Lincklaen House, where rates start at $115/night and each room is filled with 19th century charm. The Brae Loch Inn, an authentic Scottish country inn, is another great option for spring travelers where rates start at $125/night and many rooms feature Jacuzzi tubs.

MUST-SEE SIGHTS:

Melting snow and spring showers make this season the best time to visit Chittenango Falls State Park! For $5/vehicle, you’ll unlock spectacular views of the 167-foot Chittenango Falls, formed 10,000 years ago by glacial sculpting over 400 million year-old bedrock. Explore the relationship between art and nature with a stroll through stunning sculptures at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park (free, suggested donation $5). Overlook majestic Cazenovia Lake from Lorenzo State Historic Site on a tour ($4-$5/person) of the beautiful 1807 country manor with its collection of original art, antiques, and furnishings.

CRAFT BEVERAGE TOUR:

Explore Cazenovia’s craft beverage scene on a self-guided sipping tour. Great food, amazing views, and delicious wine can be found at Owera Vineyards and Meier’s Creek Brewing Company features 16 taps, a full menu, indoor and outdoor seating, an apiary, and gorgeous views. Critz Farms Brewing and Cider Co. is home to a beautiful tap room where you can sample award-winning hand-crafted cider and farm-brewed beer. Be sure to stop by on May 17 for their annual Apple Blossoms, Beer, and BBQ Festival. This free event will feature wagon rides through the apple orchard in bloom, barbecue food trucks, craft beverages, games, and more.

Chautauqua (Chautauqua-Allegheny)

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WHERE TO STAY:

Spring adventure awaits in Chautauqua! Settle into the Chautauqua Suites Hotel & Expo Center where spring rates are $139.99-$159.99/night and many of the comfortable rooms feature stunning views of Chautauqua Lake.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE:

In the summer, the Chautauqua Institution’s famous nine week summer season (June 21-August 24) is a must for those looking to experience exceptional art and culture, but did you know in the off-season you can explore the grounds of this renowned institution for free? Stroll through blooming gardens, spot singing spring birds, admire breathtaking views of the lake, and more. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling outdoor adventure or a relaxing hike, Panama Rocks Scenic Park ($8-$10/person) is the place to be. Reopening for the season May 3, enter into a world of towering rocks, deep crevices, passageways, and small caves hidden in an ancient, moss-covered forest – it’s an experience unlike any other!

TASTE THE REGION:

You just can’t visit Chautauqua without getting to know Lake Erie Wine Country! Travel through more than 40 miles of vineyards along Lake Erie, where popular spots like Noble Winery, Five & 20 Spirits/Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, and 21 Brix Winery offer the perfect place to enjoy spring weather from scenic outdoor patios. To learn even more about the Lake Erie Grape growing region’s 150 year history, visit the Grape Discovery Center (free) which reopens in April.

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