Beautiful Upstate New York National Parks to Visit

Are you planning a road trip to upstate New York in the summer months or Fall? If so, make sure to take a look at the upstate New York National Parks and all they have to offer your family, for a relaxing and educational experience.

Upstate New York Parks to Visit

Upstate New York is a great break away from the bustling business of New York City. It is almost like stepping into another world. There are majestic mountains, great lakes, small towns and many historic sites and landmarks to learn about.

Let’s take a look at 6 National Park sites ran by the National Park Service that you can visit when you are on a trip to New York.

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor stretches more than 500 miles across upstate New York and encompasses New York’s canal system. This National Heritage site protects the historical, cultural, and recreational importance of the country’s most famous man-made waterway.

History of the Park

The Erie Canal is a man-made canal that was completed in 1825 and connects Albany to Buffalo which reduced transportation costs and created economic growth and the Westward Expansion. Many towns and cities were developed along the route.

By the 20th century, the commercial use of the canal declined when more railroads and highways were built. This is when efforts began to preserve the history of the canal. In the year 2000, the Erie Canalway National Hertiage Corrdior was created to preserve the canal’s history and resources.

It is managed by the National Park Service, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission, and other local partners.

Things to Do:

There are many things to do along the Erie Canalway for outdoor enthusiasts and those that love learning about history.

• Hiking and Walking – Hike or walk on the numerous trails to see the natural beauty and explore historic sites.
• Cycling – Take a bike ride along the Erie Canalway Trail, which is 365 miles and goes from Albany to Buffalo.
• Fishing – You can fish in the canal and its connected waterways. Fish found in the canal are: bass, walleye, and pike.
• Boating or Kayaking – You can navigate the historic waterways and explore the canal’s bridges, locks and scenic routes.
• Erie Canal Village – Visit the Erie Canal Village which is a living history musuem that recreates life in a 19th century canal town.
• Educational Programs – There are many educational programs, guided tours, and interpretive exhibits that to learn about the canal’s engineering, history, and cultural significance.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park is located in Auburn, New York. This small city in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York is where Harriet Tubman spent the last decades of her life.

History of the Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park was designated as a National Park on January 10, 2017 to honor Harriet Tubman, known as the “Moses of her people” for her years of liberating slaves through the Underground Railroad.

This park preserves the sites associated with her life and legacy. These sites are: Tubman’s home, the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church, and her gravesite at Fort Hill Cemetery.

Things to Do:

If you are studying the underground railroad and Harriet Tubman in your homeschool, there are many educational experiences at this National Park.

• Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged – Tour the home established by Harriet Tubman in 1908, that provided care for elderly African Americans. This home now offers insight into her humanitarian efforts to help the eldery beyond the Underground Railroad.
• Harriet Tubman’s Home – Tour the home that was her primary residence from 1859 until her death in 1913. Purchased after her escape from slavery and contributions to the abolitionist movement, the home served as a base for her continued work in social justice, women’s rights, and caring for the elderly.
• Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church – The Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is Tubman’s home church that she helped fund the building for. The church was active in the underground railroad and the Anit-Slavery movement.
• Fort Hill Cemetery – This cemetery is a historic site for where Harriet Tubman is buried. It is also an active cemetery and rich in history.
• Guided Tours and Educational Programs – Guided tours are available for the different homes, the cemetery and the church. Guided tours offer historical context, personal stories, and details about her contributions to abolition, women’s rights, and social justice.

Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, encompassing a stretch of the Hudson River from just north of New York City to Albany.

HistoRY of the park

This park was designated by Congress in 1996 as the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. It was officially renamed in honor of Maurice D. Hinchey in 2019.

Hinchey played a significant role in the creation of the National Heritage Area, to preserve and promote the cultural and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley region.

Things to Do:

This National Heritage Area provides a wide variety of activities tailored for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers and those seeking a quiet place with beautiful landscapes.

• Explore Historic Sites: Visit historic landmarks such as Dutch colonial settlements, Revolutionary War sites, and the homes of famous figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Washington Irving.
• Explore Gardens and Museums – There are many art museums, estates and landscaped gardens to visit.
• Educational Programs – There are many different educational programs offered by historic sites, museums, and environmental organizations. These programs focus on the history, art, and environmental conservation of the area.
• Scenic Drives and Views: Take scenic drives along the Hudson River, offering breathtaking views of the river, valleys, and surrounding landscapes.
• Hiking or Biking – Hike or bike along trails or Walkway Over the Hudson, the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world.
• Scenic Train Rides – Take a scenic train ride along the Hudson River with views of the valley and its quaint towns.
• Boating and Water Activities: Enjoy boating, kayaking, or fishing on the Hudson River. Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is on the border of upstate New York in the United States and on Canada’s Lake Ontario. The world-famous Niagara Falls also includes Youngstown, Niagara Falls and Lewiston. If you can’t make it to Canada to see the Falls, you will want to visit Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.

History of the Park

During the War of 1812, the Niagara Falls region was a strategic battleground due to its location on the U.S.-Canada border. Several key battles and military operations took place here, including in the American Revolution.

The industrial history of Niagara Falls began in the mid 19th century with the use of hydraulic power. In 1895, Niagara Falls Power Plant was completed and was the first largest hydroelectric power project in the world. This turned the Falls into an industrial hub for many power companies.

In 2008, this National Heritage Area was created by Congress to preserve the natural, cultural and historical significance of the area. This area teaches about the area’s contributions to American history, the role in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, development of hydroelectric power and bringing in more tourism.

Things to Do:

There are many activities to explore the natural beauty and historical significance of the region of Niagara Falls.

• Niagara Falls – There are three major waterfalls with various viewpoints on both the North America and Canadian sides.
• Tours – You can take boat tours like the Maid of the Mist boat tour or Journey Behind the Falls for unique perspectives.
• Cave of the Winds – Take a walk on the wooden walkways to the Hurricane Deck, where you can feel the spray of Bridal Veil Falls up close.
• Old Fort Niagara – Visit an old, historic fort located at the mouth of the Niagara River to learn about the military history of the area.
• Niagra Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center – Learn about the stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists at this museum dedicated specifically to the Underground Railroad.
• Outdoor Activities – Enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, or hiking on nature trails. There are plenty of places and picnic areas in the Niagara Gorge or along the Niagara River to relax with your family.
• Niagara Falls Illumination and Fireworks – The falls are illuminated at night with a beautiful display of lights. There are even firework displays on certain evenings.

Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park is located in eastern New York State in the town of Stillwater near Albany and Saratoga Springs. This historical park honors the site of the Battles of Saratoga in the Revolutionary War.

History of the Park

In 1777 the British army sought to control the Hudson River Valley to split the American colonies and isolate New England.

The First Battle of Saratoga was on September 19, 1777. also known as the Battle of Freeman’s Farm or the First Battle of Saratoga. The Second Battle of Saratoga was on October 7, 1777, also known as the Second Battle of Saratoga.

Saratoga National Historical Park was established in 1938 by an act of Congress to preserve and interpret the battlefields and its significance in American history.

Things to Do:

There are so many educational and historical things to do and see here. Saratoga National Historic Park will help American history come alive. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the area as well, as there is plenty of nature to explore and recreational activities.

• Visitor Center – The visitor center offers a short film, and exhibits on the battles and their significance in American history.
• Driving Battlefield Tour – Take an audio tour drive along the one-way, 10-mile road with10 tour stops at significant places in the battlefield. 
• Cycling – There are 11 miles of biking trails in the “battlefield loop”.
• Cross-country skiing – Winter is the best time for cross-country skiers to explore the two cross-country ski trails that are a total of 6 miles long.
• Tour the Schuyler House – Tour a northern plantation estate and learn about slavery during this time period.
• Climb the Saratoga Monument – This stone monument was built to commemorate the battles of 1777. Visitors may climb up its 188 steps and it is the perfect place to take in amazing views of the surrounding area.
• Victory Woods – Victory Woods marks the final encampment site for the British Army prior to their surrender to American forces. The trail is self-guided and offers a raised, accessible 1/2-mile pathway with interpretive signs.
• Battlefield Reenactments – The park holds annual historical battlefield reenactments which make history come alive for children. These reenactments typically include demonstrations of military tactics, camp life, and other aspects of 18th-century warfare.

Women’s Rights National Historic Park

Women’s Rights National Historic Park is located in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, New York. This park commemorates the birthplace of the women’s rights movement in the United States. The park is committed to the historic preservation to several key sites in the early women’s rights movement.

History of the Park

Women’s Rights National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1980 to preserve and interpret the sites associated with the first Women’s Rights Convention and the early women’s rights movement.

Things to Do:

Visiting the Women’s Rights National Historical Park offers a powerful and educational experience. If you are learning about the history of women’s rights this park will help history come alive for your children.

It is a great place to learn about the achievements and efforts of the women’s rights and civil rights movements in the United States.

• Visitor Center – The visitor center offers an orientation film and exhibits that will teach you about the women’s right movement and the historic sites on the property.
• Wesleyan Chapel – Visit the site of the very first Women’s Rights Convention in July 1848. Wesleyan Chapel is a national historic landmark in the park.
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton House – Visit the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the leading figures in the women’s rights movement.
• M’Clintock House – Tour the house that belonged to Thomas and Mary Ann M’Clintock, Quaker activists who hosted planning meetings for the Women’s Rights Convention.
• Hunt House – The Hunt House was the home of Jane Hunt, another key figure in organizing the Women’s Rights Convention.

Final Thoughts

Upstate New York is a wonderful place to visit for nature and history. If you are learning about the Erie Canal, American Revolution, slavery, or the Women’s Rights Movement you will find so much here to accompany your history studies.

While you are in the area, don’t forget to visit Niagara Falls. Take in the stunning beauty of the falls with your family, while also learning about hydroelectric power.