Adirondack Museum
Blue Mountain Lake

If you're looking for something "beautiful, peaceful, and with a lot of interesting history to it" the "amazing" Adirondack Museum is "like a Smithsonian on hundreds of acres," and comprises some 20 buildings on 32 acres with "stupendous views." The museum "captures all aspects of the park" and even features some of the "famous summer cottages from the Great Camps of the Vanderbilts." If you stop to explore this "fascinating" place, you'll be rewarded with "a few of the remaining examples of classic turn-of-the-century Adirondack style." Read more.

Ausable Chasm
Keeseville

In New York State there are things that are old, and then there are things that are "spectacularly" old. With about five-hundred million candles on its last birthday cake, this natural creation fits into the latter category. Set within primeval Adirondack Forest in an area adjacent to Lake Champlain, visitors can "hike on the winding suspended pathway" to the chasm walls and take in "beautiful" views from "a couple of bridges." Whether or not you walk the whole rim, the adventurous will want to take to the water to see "the better part of the chasm" by raft, tube, or kayak. Read more.

The French Festival
Cape Vincent

Even though it has been described as a "slice of good, old-fashioned Americana," you "won't find any freedom fries" at this "celebration of French ancestry" set in the "tiny, historic town" of Cape Vincent. During this annual tradition, which takes place over a weekend in early July, "the whole town gets involved in making French pastries and bread." And in keeping with the Francophile bent, "Napoleon" himself leads the parade, while clowns and puppets entertain the kids. In addition, festival-goers can see crafts and exhibits, listen to French music, and thrill to nighttime fireworks along the breakwall. Read more.

Red Rooster Drive-In
Brewster

Cockadoodle-doo! Wake up and smell the "soft-serve ice cream" at this "throwback to the 1950s," about 60 miles north of Manhattan in the Hudson Valley. The fact that you can't just drive through is merely a technicality--simply step inside and "you won't find a better milkshake anywhere." Plus, "they have wonderful hamburgers and hotdogs," which you can get piled high with onions. Another menu favorite is the chicken tenders. And when you feel the calories start to set in, step onto the "miniature golf course adjacent to the picnic area." All in all, despite being "slightly unusual," the experience is "fun, especially for the kids."

The Roxbury, Contemporary Catskill Lodging
Roxbury

When most people go to the Catskills, they don't think about kicking their city slickin' feet into a "modern, hip experience." But the "fun, bright, and funky" Roxbury—think of what Austin Powers? inn would look like if he worked at Domino magazine--delivers just that with "décor that stands out against the country scenery." With a cup of morning coffee or a glass of evening wine, guests hang out on the front porch with the "quite welcoming and helpful" hosts who "take great pride in their contribution to this charming town." The Public Lounge serves up cocktails right across the river, including a "filthy-dirty martini" that's hard to resist after a day of outdoor recreation. A spa facility, complete with hot tub, sauna, and massages, is slated to open sometime in 2007. Read more.