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Upstate New York is packed with charm, adventure, and unique experiences perfect for date night—or day—or road trip! Whether you're trying to impress a first date or explore new adventures with your significant other, here are some ideas that are anything but boring:
Try Falconry in the Hudson Valley
Learn the art of handling majestic birds of prey and even have one land on your arm! Many locations, like the New York State Falconry Center or The Falconry Experience at the Mirbeau Inn & Spa, offer tailored sessions that allow you to connect with these incredible birds hands-on. You’ll leave with unforgettable memories, stunning photos, and a shared experience unlike anything else.
Warm Up in a Cozy Catskills Cabin
Escape to a rustic cabin with a cozy fireplace and think hot chocolate, board games, and uninterrupted time together. We have several selections to choose from in our Experience Upstate page! It's the perfect way to stay toasty indoors while enjoying some quiet time alone. Some places even offer romantic package add-ons or have on-site hiking trails! Depending on how long your stay is, you can even explore all the surrounding small towns and possibly find your new favorite go-to café! We love stumbling upon a good bookstore or two in town.
Go Antiquing
Wander through charming shops and hunt for treasures together. You never know what you’ll find—or what stories you’ll make along the way! Some places you can check out are: The Antique Warehouse in Hudson, any of the antique stores on Milton Ave in Ballston Spa, or The Antique Center in Little Falls, NY (and grab some pizza at Mangia Macrina's Wood Fire Pizza while you're there!).
Catch the Stars at a Dark Sky Park
Visit Cherry Springs State Park or another dark-sky preserve to stargaze. Pack blankets, snacks, and settle in for a night under the cosmos. Be sure to dress accordingly, have a full tank of gas, and bring any gear that you think you'll need! You could even turn it into a weekend camping trip and get snuggly by the fire. Don't forget the marshmallows!
Skiing, Snowboarding, or Tubing at Hunter or Windham Mountain
Hit the slopes for adrenaline-pumping fun, or take a lesson together if you’re new to the sport! Tubing or snowmobiling is a great alternative if one of you isn't all that experienced hitting the slopes—and it's super fun!
Relax at a Spa in Saratoga Springs
Warm up with mineral baths and couples' massages at a classic spa like Roosevelt Baths & Spa. This is a great gift for anyone and a well-deserved treat! Explore the State Park if it's not too cold out, and then head on over to Broadway to check out all the local shops. Some unique things to do in the area are: used book shopping at the Saratoga Library bookstore, having dinner at Hamlet & Ghost, catching a movie at the AMC theater, grabbing a delicious donut at Darling Donuts, and walking around Congress Park!
Visit Howe Caverns Adventure Park (in Winter!)
Go underground to explore this incredible cavern system, where it stays a cozy 52°F year-round. They even have an underground boat ride! Choose from their many types of tours (including an escape the room) and stay the night at their motel if you want to take it easy and leave the next day.
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