Best Scenic Drives in Upstate New York

One of the best things about road tripping through Upstate New York is the endless options for scenic drives through the back roads. Small towns bursting with charm, tranquil lakeside views, wine trails, and cultural gems - it's all there.

Here are the best scenic drives in the state, from the Adirondacks all the way to Western New York. While taking the backroads isn't always the most time-efficient option, these drives are definitely worth adding a bit of drive time to your next Upstate itinerary.

Adirondacks

• Route 73 for majestic mountain views of the Adirondack High Peaks region, lakes, hiking, and cute maple syrup stands (Keene to Lake Placid)

• Route 86 to drive straight through the heart of the Adirondacks, beautiful lake views, lush forests, and picturesque landscapes. The drive passes through the charming village of Lake Placid. (Saranac Lake to Wilmington)

• Route 30 for a expansive lake views, fall foliage, wildlife, and historic towns peppered througout the Central Adirondacks (Tupper Lake to Indian Lake)

• Whiteface Mountain via Whiteface Veteran's Memorial Highwayfor iconic views atop the fifth-highest peak in New York State (Wilmington to Whiteface Mountain summit)

• Route 28N for scenic views along the Upper Hudson River (Newcomb to Long Lake)

• Route 8 for rolling hills and plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the views of the southern Adirondacks (North Creek to Speculator)

• Route 3 for pristine lakes, hiking, museums, and mountain lodges (Saranc Lake to Tupper Lake)

The Catskills

• New York State Route 28 for old growth forests, babbling brooks, and Catskills fall foliage (From Shokan to Andes, NY)

• New York state Route 55 for waterfalls, swimming holes, and reservoirs (From Modena to Liberty)

• Highway 214 for small towns, cute cabins, and one-off forest roads that trace the Esopus Creek (From Phoenecia to Hunter)

• Route 23 (Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway) to northern Catskills with mountain views, historic towns, and charming farmsteads (Stamford to Cairo)

• Route 23A (Kaaterskill Clove) for scenic ravines, waterfalls, hiking, and camping through Kaaterskill Wild Forest (Haines Falls to Catskill, NY)

• Route 97 (Upper Delaware Scenic Byway) for cinematic scenery from the Catskills to the Poconos, waterfalls, and unobstructed river views (Hancock to Port Jervis)

• Route 42 for a scenic drive through the western Catskills, valleys and hills, babbling brooks, mountain views (Shandaken to Lexington)

• Route 30 (Pepacton Reservoir Scenic Byway) for serene views of the Pepacton Reservoir and rolling farmland (Margaretville to Downsville)

• Route 52 (Tusten Mountain Trail) for rolling hills and valleys of Sullivan County, less-traveled residential roads, panoramic views, and charming towns like Narrowsburg (Jeffersonville to Walden)

Finger Lakes

• Route 14 to follow the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, world renowned vineyards, and sparkling lake views (Watkins Glen to Geneva)

• Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway for vibrant towns, gorges, and waterfalls along to follow the shoreline of Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes (Seneca Falls to Ithaca)

• Keuka Lake Wine Trail for stunning lake views and wine tasting along the shores of Keuka Lake (Penn Yan to Hammondsport)

• Route 89 for gorges, waterfalls, and rolling farmland of the Finger Lakes Regio n (Ithaca to Trumansburg)

• Route 414 for historic sites, wineries and scenic views of both Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake (Watkins Glen to Seneca Falls)

• Canandaigua Lake Scenic Drive for vineyards, small towns, and camping along the eastern shore of Canandaigua Lake (Canandaigua to Naples)

• Route 96A to pass through the heart of Finger Lakes wine country (Geneva to Seneca Falls)

• Skaneateles Lake Scenic Byway to trace the shoreline of Skaneateles Lake, one of the cleanest and most picturesque lakes in Upstate New York (Skaneateles to Homer)

Western New York

• Niagara Parkway for river views, historic sites, parks, and hiking along the Niagara River (Niagara Falls to Fort Erie)

• Chautauqua Lake Scenic Byway for scenic lake views, lighthouses, rolling hills, vineyards, and water activities (Jamestown to Westfield):

• Letchworth State Park to drive through the "Grand Canyon of the East" in Letchworth State Park with towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and scenic lookouts (Geneseo to Portageville)

• Allegany State Park Scenic Drive for old growth forests, swimming, camping, fishing, hiking, and the best fall foliage in Western New York (Salamanca to Randolph)

• Great Lakes Seaway Trail to follow the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River with lake views, lighthouses, and sandy beaches (Dunkirk to Niagara Falls)

• Route 5 for sandy beaches, lakeside towns, Mom & Pop restaurants, and waterfront parks (Buffalo to Silver Creek)

• Zoar Valley Scenic Byway for rugged gorges, towering cliffs, wildlife, and the scenic Cattaraugus Creek (Start: Gowanda to Collins)