The days of having to layer up and blast the heat in our cars are now behind us! The sun is out and our gorgeous scenery is once again alive and full of color. With never-ending summer bucket lists to keep us busy, sometimes our residents just need to take a day where we hit the road and enjoy the beautiful views from the pavement. Windows down and sunglasses on, now is the perfect time to take a scenic drive on one of these 8 beautiful byways in New York:
- Upper Delaware Scenic Byway
Firoz Ansari/Flickr A truly breathtaking drive to take along the Delaware River, this 70-mile stretch of New York on Route 97 is something every resident should experience. The upper section of this drive from Narrowsburg to Callicoon is particularly beautiful and should be included on your bucket list. To explore the different sections of this scenic drive, click here.
- Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway
Nicholas Schooley/Flickr This byway may be the most beautiful and exciting drive to appear on our list! Forming a nearly 90-mile loop around Cayuga Lake, the drive can be made in under 3 hours if you keep it strictly about driving. Our suggestion? Take an entire day to enjoy driving around the longest of New York’s Finger Lakes. From wildlife refuge’s to wineries and waterfalls, taking this scenic drive will forever amaze you. To explore more of this adventurous byway, click here.
- Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway
Jim Liestman/Flickr If you’ve ever traveled along this 50-mile stretch of scenic byway than you’ll know its tight and curving roads make it hard to forget. Bringing you right through the heart of the Catskills, this byway will have you pulling over to soak in all of the views every chance you get! From gorgeous mountains to wonderful waterfalls, there’s plenty to look at on this drive.
- High Peaks Byway
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State Who’s ready to ride the remarkably stunning Route 73? Taking you right through the Adirondack High Peaks region, this drive will have you surrounded by over 40 mountains with elevations of over 4,000 feet. Talk about beautiful scenery! A peaceful and remote area, the byway not only has you pass by beautiful mountains, but you’ll also see picturesque lakes, ponds, and waterfalls! To enjoy this drive, get off the Northway at Exit 30, and spend the next hour enjoying the views of Route 73. Pictured above you can see Chapel Pond.
- Route 20 Scenic Byway
NYroadside/TripAdvisor 108 miles of one of the best New York scenic byways, Route 20 is one of a kind. Running from Schenectady County to Onondaga County, this route takes you across the central region of our state where you’ll be amazed by many of our attractions. Once the longest road in our country, this scenic byway is now loved for its quirky roadside attractions, historic places to visit, and beautiful landscape.
- Durham Valley Scenic Byway
Anna Peters/Flickr Pictured above you can see one of the many amazing sights you’ll come across on this byway, Hull-O-Farms. Another beautiful byway in the Catskills, this 21-mile stretch of scenic road passes by the Five State Lookout and many other noteworthy areas.
- Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway
WhatsAllThisThen/Flickr One of the most thrilling places you can go rock climbing in our state, the Shawangunk region of New York is unforgettable. Over 80 miles of road to explore, this drive features beautiful lookouts and connects New Paltz with other rural routes like 208, 209, 44, 55 and more! To find our more about this beautiful byway, click here.
- Palisades Scenic Byway
Anthony Quintano/Flickr A breathtaking byway we share with our wonderful neighbor New Jersey, this spot on our list is actually on the National Register of Historic Places! The national landmark began its construction back in the late 1940’s, many parts of the original highway are still functioning! Roughly 20 miles of this road falls within New York territory, while the rest of it continues on into out of state lines.
Have you ever taken a drive down one of these scenic byways in New York? Share with us what other beautiful drives you enjoy taking in our state!
Firoz Ansari/Flickr
A truly breathtaking drive to take along the Delaware River, this 70-mile stretch of New York on Route 97 is something every resident should experience. The upper section of this drive from Narrowsburg to Callicoon is particularly beautiful and should be included on your bucket list. To explore the different sections of this scenic drive, click here.
Nicholas Schooley/Flickr
This byway may be the most beautiful and exciting drive to appear on our list! Forming a nearly 90-mile loop around Cayuga Lake, the drive can be made in under 3 hours if you keep it strictly about driving. Our suggestion? Take an entire day to enjoy driving around the longest of New York’s Finger Lakes. From wildlife refuge’s to wineries and waterfalls, taking this scenic drive will forever amaze you. To explore more of this adventurous byway, click here.
Jim Liestman/Flickr
If you’ve ever traveled along this 50-mile stretch of scenic byway than you’ll know its tight and curving roads make it hard to forget. Bringing you right through the heart of the Catskills, this byway will have you pulling over to soak in all of the views every chance you get! From gorgeous mountains to wonderful waterfalls, there’s plenty to look at on this drive.
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
Who’s ready to ride the remarkably stunning Route 73? Taking you right through the Adirondack High Peaks region, this drive will have you surrounded by over 40 mountains with elevations of over 4,000 feet. Talk about beautiful scenery! A peaceful and remote area, the byway not only has you pass by beautiful mountains, but you’ll also see picturesque lakes, ponds, and waterfalls! To enjoy this drive, get off the Northway at Exit 30, and spend the next hour enjoying the views of Route 73. Pictured above you can see Chapel Pond.
NYroadside/TripAdvisor
108 miles of one of the best New York scenic byways, Route 20 is one of a kind. Running from Schenectady County to Onondaga County, this route takes you across the central region of our state where you’ll be amazed by many of our attractions. Once the longest road in our country, this scenic byway is now loved for its quirky roadside attractions, historic places to visit, and beautiful landscape.
Anna Peters/Flickr
Pictured above you can see one of the many amazing sights you’ll come across on this byway, Hull-O-Farms. Another beautiful byway in the Catskills, this 21-mile stretch of scenic road passes by the Five State Lookout and many other noteworthy areas.
WhatsAllThisThen/Flickr
One of the most thrilling places you can go rock climbing in our state, the Shawangunk region of New York is unforgettable. Over 80 miles of road to explore, this drive features beautiful lookouts and connects New Paltz with other rural routes like 208, 209, 44, 55 and more! To find our more about this beautiful byway, click here.
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
A breathtaking byway we share with our wonderful neighbor New Jersey, this spot on our list is actually on the National Register of Historic Places! The national landmark began its construction back in the late 1940’s, many parts of the original highway are still functioning! Roughly 20 miles of this road falls within New York territory, while the rest of it continues on into out of state lines.
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