Tag Archives: travel

American Revolution 250, Historic Sites, history

Revisit the American Revolution in New York State

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New York State is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War this year. With more than 40 state historic sites and parks that have relevance to the eight-year-long conflict, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is gearing up to welcome visitors from around the country well beyond 2026! Whether you’re a history buff or just getting familiar with this period of the nation’s history, we invite you to join us in exploring the people, places and pivotal moments that connect New York to the American Revolution.

A re-enactor talks with students at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site. Our agency is planning interpretive programs, exhibits, special events, and research and preservation projects to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
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Park History, Park Projects, Park Volunteers, Stewardship

Restoring the Cornell Mine Trail at Bear Mountain State Park

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With nearly 450 miles of blazed trails crisscrossing almost 130,000 acres of publicly accessible open space, the Palisades region’s hiking system is among the most expansive in New York State. The region hosts the oldest section of the Appalachian Trail running through Bear Mountain State Park and Trailside Museums and Zoo, an extensive section of the Long Path, approximately 50 miles of carriage roads in Minnewaska, and dozens of other well-loved trails that bring the region’s 7 million annual visitors to waterfalls, wetlands, streams, lakes and forests.

A historical black and white photograph of a man standing on a frozen lake, wearing a suit and a hat, with trees in the background.
A vintage black and white photograph of a man in formal attire standing confidently on a large rock, looking into the distance while shielding his eyes from the sun. The surrounding landscape is rocky and barren, with patches of snow visible.
The original parkfluencer? William T. Howell was an avid hiker and photojournalist whose images were crucial in persuading the public to conserve the lands that are today known as Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks. And he did it all while wearing a suit and tie. From the collections of the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission.

All of these trails require ongoing maintenance and protection, and we take pride in keeping them safe and traversable for all visitors.

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Fun & Games, Historic Sites, Recreation, Wellness, Winter Activities

Winter Holiday Celebrations Round Out a Year of Wellness

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It’s the most sparkly time of the year! It’s the holiday season and the grand finale of the year of wellness at New York State Parks and Historic Sites. All year long, we’ve come together to improve all aspects of our well-being, build community, and connect to nature and history. We celebrated the holiday season the same way, with handcrafted experiences designed to bring people together to make memories without breaking the bank. Our gift to you is a look at the holiday and winter festivities at state parks and historic sites all across New York. Thank you for making us part of your year-end traditions!

Lighting the night at Lake Taghkanic State Park in Ancram. Guests at the luminaria walk enjoyed a bonfire and toasted marshmallows.
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history, Park History, Recreation, State History, Transportation

Infrastructure’s Second Act: Transforming Rails to Trails

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Across New York, outdated infrastructure is getting a second chance to serve communities. Former factories, railroads, and hospitals are now spaces for New Yorkers to get outside, get some exercise, and disconnect from their electronic devices. In this new series, we explore how your favorite state parks once served a very different but equally important purpose to our state.

In this first installment of Infrastructure’s Second Act, fasten your seatbelts and learn about the state parks built from former transportation infrastructure, including railroads and canals. These sites served as critical community connectors in the past, and now connect communities in a much different way: as places to recreate, relax, and enjoy the natural world.

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Family Fun, Hiking, Historic Sites, Recreation, Wellness

Autumn in New York (State Parks and Historic Sites)

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Short and sunny days, crunchy leaves, honking geese, the strong desire for pumpkin spice: it must be fall! Temperatures are just right for hiking, biking and outdoor adventure. It’s a time of year that sparks inspiration, curiosity and wonder. Our parks and historic sites are here to help you make the most of it! Read on for ideas on how to have the best fall ever.

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