Winter Activities in Upstate New York

Family activities aren’t just for the summer season! Upstate New York offers many destinations and fun, family-friendly winter activities including skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing and indoor water parks. 

Here are a few popular destinations and fun activities in upstate New York to add to your winter bucket list:

Tubing, Skiing and Snowboarding

For the adventurous families, tubing, skiing, and snowboarding are fun activities for any age. Greek Peak Mountain Resort and Labrador and Song Mountain are great destinations offering these winter activities. Not a professional? No problem--most resorts offer lessons for beginners.

Snowmobile Trail Riding 

Snowmobiling is a great way to explore New York State without having to unbury your car and risks the roads in the snow! Upstate New York is equipped with hundreds of miles worth of snowmobiling trails that reach all across the state. A popular destination for many snowmobiling fanatics is the Adirondack Tug Hill Plateau. Use these safety tips when hitting the trails this winter!

Ice Fishing

For those that enjoy fishing, ice fishing is a great way to keep catching year-round! This activity is best in late winter, as it takes time for larger bodies of water in Upstate New York to freeze over. There are several locations statewide that encourage ice fishing, including Cazenovia Lake and Oneida Lake. Click here for some ice fishing safety tips to stay safe out on the ice this winter!

Ice Skating

Another fun, family-friendly winter activity is ice skating! Most large cities in New York State have public ice skating rinks; both indoor and outdoor! Two popular ice skating rinks in upstate New York are Clinton Square Ice Rink and the New Hartford Recreation Center Ice Skating Rink which both offer ice skating to the public. Several rinks throughout the state also offer skating lessons for beginners!

Indoor Water Parks

Indoor water parks are the perfect winter destination for families who want to escape the cold! Found at many resorts in New York State including, Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark, indoor water parks offer an alternative to the typical “winter vacation.” Think thrilling waterslides and heated pools! Another popular indoor water park that’s located in upstate New York is Cascades Indoor Water Park. 

Click the button below to download a printable bucket list template. Add your own destinations and winter activities to create your own Upstate New York Bucket List.