New York is a beautiful and diverse state with so many wonderful landscapes to explore beyond just the bright lights and big energy of New York City. There are lots of scenic drives that you can take in this region if you’re looking for gorgeous NY scenery, quaint backroads, and a peaceful state of mind.
Here are some New York drive options when you want to get out and go exploring!
Long Island’s South Fork along NY-27
Within less than two hours of NYC, you can take a drive along the Montauk Highway, starting in Southampton and ending in Montauk. Highlights of the drive are the Montauk Lighthouse, backroads that wind around farmland and estates, and the small villages to explore along the way.
Seven Lakes Drive
This is an 18-mile drive through the Hudson Valley that is largely within the Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park. It’s just over an hour from NYC, passes by seven lakes, and gives you stunning views of the local landscapes.
Mohawk Towpath Byway, National Scenic Byway
This scenic byway runs from Waterford to the Stockage District of Schenectady and follows the Erie Canal. It’s a historic journey that goes by Cohoes Falls, wildlife habitats, and interesting architecture in the Capital Region.
Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway
Here’s an 88-mile stretch of road that goes along nature preserves, Dutch settlements, the Catskills, and farmland. It’s a beautiful drive that’s about 90 miles north of NYC and travels through the Wallkill and Rondout valleys.
Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Route 97
Route 97 passes by the French Woods State Forest Preserve, Elks Bronx Memorial Park, Crystal Lake State Reserve, Tusten Mountain Trail, and Bouchoux Trail. You can stop in little towns along this 70-mile route and experience views of cliffs and mountains.
Great Lakes Seaway Trail, National Scenic Byway
The Great Lakes Seaway Trail is a well-established scenic drive that follows the Lake Erie shore and goes by the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. It’s a 518-mile scenic route that takes you from Thousand Islands Seaway to Niagara Falls while taking you to lighthouses and through rolling hills.
Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway
You can experience the Indian Head Wilderness, Big Indian Wilderness, Shandaken Wild Forest, and Slide Mountain Wilderness when you travel along the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway by car. The NY scenery you’ll see includes farmland, quaint villages, mountains, and waterways. Start on NY-28 in Phoenicia and end on NY-28 in Andes for an awesome day of driving.
Seneca Lake Byway
If you don’t have a lot of time to go for a drive but still want to get out and experience the open road, check out the Seneca Lake Byway. This is a 19-mile route that offers views of Finger Lake vineyards, goes past historic sites, and is marked by lush forests, waterfalls, and caverns nearby.
Have Someone Else Do the Driving!
One of the best ways to experience this NY scenery is to have someone else do the driving so that you can look out the window and really soak up the amazing views. Household Staffing International can connect you with a professional chauffeur to handle all the transportation logistics and enable you to truly relax and unwind. Personal drivers are wonderful for long-distance travel excursions when you want to take the scenic route for a family vacation, random road trip, or business commute.
Call us at 212-683-7722 or email us at info@hsiny.com for more information about our chauffeur services and start planning your next scenic New York drive.