New York has a lot more to do than Broadway shows, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. The state is home to the world’s most famous attractions and draws millions of visitors every year who come to witness what this unique American region has to offer. It is also one of the country’s best spots to take some of the most spectacular road trips. People can enjoy riding the Appalachian Trail, driving from New York to Chicago, or taking a weekend trip to the Catskills. They can also behold the beauty of the Adirondacks on a road trip from New York City. However, the best natural beauty spots in the state can be explored on a road trip on the Taconic State Parkway. This is where they will have the chance to witness the most unique valleys, great woods, and stunning mountains of splendid Upstate New York.

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This National Historic Landmark Can Be Spotted When Driving Up New York’s Taconic

People driving up New York’s Taconic can witness the beautiful Van Cortlandt Manor, located only 6 miles off the parkway. This National Historic Landmark consists of a brick manor that used to be the home of a renowned family in New York. Van Cortlandt Manor was built in the mid-1700s, and people visiting this iconic attraction today can learn how the family lived when the manor was constructed. People can also find unique furnishing collections from the federal and colonial periods in this museum. Along the Croton River, they can behold the beauty of the culinary and ornamental plants in the splendid heritage gardens.

  • What to do: Visitors to Van Cortlandt Manor can enjoy the tavern, and the continuous events held all year round.
  • Recommended: It is worth checking the unique porcelain from China and family portraits inside the Van Cortlandt Manor.

The magical Innisfree Garden is another equally attractive spot to witness while driving up New York’s Taconic State Park. The latter is so admired that it was named several times as a favorite among America’s garden and nature lovers. The Innisfree Garden features a Chinese-inspired flair and is a mid-century modern-style garden that opens from April through October. People visiting Innisfree Garden will mostly be amazed by the stunning waterfalls, exquisite flowers, splendid plants, and expansive terraces, which are all based on Chinese landscape design.

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Lovers Of Wine Will Enjoy This Spot When Driving Up Taconic State Parkway

The incredible scenery will be experienced past New York’s Clinton Corner, where lovers of wine can stop to behold the beauty of the two vineyards in that part of the Dutchess County Wine Trail. They will mostly appreciate the beautiful farms and orchards of this iconic valley. Lakes, dairies, horse farms, and woodlands are what they will experience in this magical spot. They can even stay for the night at one of the many country inns or B&Bs in the region. Antique shops and fine restaurants also fill the area around Dutchess County Wine Trail. This is where anyone will get to know what country life feels like in Upstate New York.

  • What to do: People will enjoy sampling the delicious wines at the vineyards on Dutchess County Wine Trail.

Another charming spot along the road trip on Taconic State Parkway is Lake Taghkanic State Park, where people will experience a clean, family-friendly lake surrounded by unspoiled natural scenery. This spot is found in Ancram, NY, and features year-round activities.

  • What to do: The area at Lake Taghkanic State Park gets particularly interesting during the winter season when people can enjoy the endless opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice fishing. The area is no less fun during summer, where visitors have the chance to rent boats, camp, grill, or launch their boats.

This Rest Area Is Surprisingly Worth Experiencing Along The Road Trip

Many people would believe a rest area is not an interesting scenic spot along the road trip to New York’s Taconic. However, this does not apply to Taste NY, a New York State Government project that was launched to offer motorists the chance to savor the various sorts of local foods and enjoy the different goods of the area all year round. People looking to stack up on some delicious snacks and foods for the remainder of the trip of their drive on the Taconic State Parkway will find that Taste NY is the best place to do so. This spot can be located in the Todd Hill Rest Area.

Other roadside stops when driving up New York’s Taconic include the marvelous New York Botanical Gardens and the world-famous Bronx Zoo. These will be found on the connected Bronx River and Sprain Brook parkways when driving all the way to the South Bronx. New Croton Reservoir is also worth stopping at to enjoy some fishing with approved boats. On the west side of this area, people can find the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail and a scenic stone dam.

Drivers up New York’s Taconic will also witness a sign saying Donald J. Trump State Park in northern Westchester. However, the former president couldn’t build a golf course there due to the property’s various environmental issues, and because it was landlocked with the Taconic and a small local road which meant the proposed golf course will end up without an exit. This led Donald J. Trump to donate the undeveloped parcel, which he had already bought, to the state. Today, the park is closed due to a budget crisis dating back from several years ago.

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