Reminder: Keep all comments civil

Me and my husband live in Upstate NY, but won’t be here much longer. We want to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and nature that NYS has to offer before we travel back down South.

We’re really into The Outdoor Boys on Youtube and would LOVE to do some things like that, but I can’t seem to figure out how to find more secluded nature locations to be able to camp and practice “survival”. We want to be able to be naked without worrying others will be watching, skinny dip in creeks and lakes, and just be one with nature.

Any advice is helpful. I’m sorry if this is the wrong place to post something like this.

I know this has probably been discussed here before, but I couldn’t find anything current. My husband and I are retired and traveling the county, staying in monthly furnished rentals. We sold our home and basically move from place to place. We spend winters in Myrtle Beach, but can’t afford to stay there in the summers because rates go way up.

Anyway, we travel around during the summer months now, and have already scheduled stays in PA, Cape Cod, and Maine. We’re looking to spend July or August in upstate NY.

Anyone have any advice as to where the best safe walkable neighborhoods/cities are? We love hiking, waterfalls and exploring history; not that concerned about beaches/lakes since we live at the ocean 6 months a year.

We have visited all of the places mentioned, but it’s been over 15 years ago. Any good advice would be greatly appreciated! Thx 😊

EDIT: Thanks for the quick replies. Ithaca was our first choice also. After looking into short term furnished rentals there, wow, don’t think we can afford it there. Looking to stay under 3k a month.

I thought I would share some of my favorite youtubers from Upstate, New England and even a Pennsylvania one. What relative locals do you recommend?

Josh and Kate are out of Albany and have a camping channel. They camp in the Adirondacks and around the Northeast. Sometimes they travel around the U.S.. https://youtube.com/@kateandjosh?si=1UpaKmQkiYJbr3k1

Mike at Tri-County Excavating in East Greenbush has a channel based on his contracting work at: https://youtube.com/@dirt-boss?si=9uOkNMUYED-ttnN1

Occasionally Mike is helping Andrew Camarata. Andrew has his own channel for his property maintenance company in Saugerties. https://youtube.com/@andrewcamarata?si=leaKUcQJofBxVi4d

Dave Adamsen is in Maine but his channels can mesmorize you with his woodworking on a lathe. The beautiful work he creates is amazing! https://youtube.com/@davidadamsen?si=wCqSIwX8yZK9iEYK

Dimestore Adventures is, I believe, based out of Rhode Island. He finds obscure and interesting stories from the past throughout New England (and sometimes the Midwest). He finds lost springs, gives names to numbers on headstones and tells us stories of characters famous in their own right. https://youtube.com/@dimestoreadventures?si=-mNGv-Q4dyXJsHAY

Inspector Preston is TikTok-based but puts his videos on YouTube. He's a home inspector out of Chenango County who takes his work very seriously. https://youtube.com/@inspector_preston?si=ZVQY22Qo4XF8HIat

Lake Effected is all about camping and camping tips based around the Cranberry Lake area of the Adirondacks. https://youtube.com/@lakeeffected?si=uUT7aWc7OeE1L-6w

Kate at Little Boho Cottage shares relaxing videoes about her life, gardening, decorating, thrifting, and cooking in the lower Hudson Valley (occasionally Delaware). https://youtube.com/@littlebohocottage?si=Jkg1btUUrxfSj88J

Mari's Garden and Kitchen is also out of the Hudson Valley and is all about gardening, and cooking with the harvest. https://youtube.com/@marisgardenandkitchen?si=IvAR6nwr2OUO0vos

Mustie1 is out of New Hampshire and walks us through the repairs, or attempts to repair, various vehicles and small engines. https://youtube.com/@mustie1?si=NElYdg-1ccwrXdaH

I've been watching Nicholas Green Outdoors since another YouTuber recommended him when Nicholas was around 12years old. Nicholas is out of Northwestern Pennsylvania and posts videos about gardening, camping, repairs around the home he shares with his parents and life in general. Let's support this young man. https://youtube.com/@nickolasgreenoutdoors?si=IAVX3StIxKJN3PFc

Ovi Duran is a city transplant to Upstate New York. He shares his experience working on creating a homestead with his wife. This includes a lot of vehicle and small engine repairs. https://youtube.com/@oviduran?si=fHO6ukrxgDCzNkMM

Since it's absolutely freezing out, I wanted to share a list of Airbnbs that have hot tubs that I put together for anyone looking to visit the Catskills this winter. All of these have really good reviews and I think are really beautifully designed ... Enjoy!

1. Roxbury, NY - Also has a sauna and and PINK garage doors
2. Caanan, NY - Modern, perfect for a big group
3. Arkville, NY - View of the mountains from the hot tub (and everywhere in the house)
4. Roxbury, NY - Hot Tub in this one is indoors in your very own private spa with a huge sliding glass door that opens to the outside
5. Jewett, NY - Also like the indoor swings here
6. Roxbury, NY - Obsessed with this one and have stayed here - the view from the hot tub is INSANE 1000/10
7. Hortonville, NY - Another one with a great view from the hot tub
8. Hunter - Near the mountain for skiing
9. Narrowsburg, NY - Right on a pond, modern Scandinavian style and has a fire pit as well

I put together curated lists of Airbnbs/Hotels in the Catskills each week and email it out every Tuesday. If you want it, you can subscribe for free here ---> A House In The Catskills

Running GAGG XXIX: Where the Wild Squirrels Are in Geneseo, NY is next weekend, February 7^(th)-9^(th), 2025.  The students have worked incredibly hard to help host a fantastic weekend of gaming convention goodness.  They have nearly 200 events scheduled for your enjoyment.  We hope you will join us and thank you all for your continued support.

https://tabletop.events/conventions/running-gagg-29

Hello everyone! This year as a birthday/Mother's Day present to myself, I want to take a solo trip somewhere upstate. I live on Long Island, kinda smack dab in the middle, and I'd like to travel no more than 3 hours. I pretty much plan on just decompressing and relaxing. I've driven through New Paltz on the way to Accord a few times and have always thought it was so cute. I believe Beacon is similar? I want to be able to walk to shops and restaurants from my hotel, with some parks or trails nearby. As much as I'd love to truly pamper myself and stay at some of the luxury hotel and spas that have popped up in my search, I'm hoping to not spend over $200 a night. Thank you all!

Hey there folks, first time posting here. We bought a cabin upstate, got our electric bill and it was super high. HVAC is all mini splits, so maybe that's why but still wondering if solar is a better option for us. Thoughts / recs on good companies upstate?

Has anyone been to a wedding or large event at Diamond Mills in Saugerties? Anything you liked or did not like? How was the food and staff?

What about a smaller event at the upstairs areas of the Blackbarn? How is that location as well? Thank you!

Hi all,

I’m looking for elopement Airbnb recommendations in upstate (open to anywhere upstate) Airbnb that sleeps 10+ and allows events for a small elopement + “reception” of 25 people max. Thank you! (8/23/25)

Have a small room available from Feb 10 - Mar 10 in Potsdam NY due my travel buddy flaking on me. Is available for 400 bucks. Shared bathroom, kitchen and washer/dryer. I’m a make travel nurse I work nights 4 days a week. On my days off I read, watch YouTube, hit the gym and check out local places to eat.

This would be good for someone visiting for work or vacation. Would consider doing it for less than the full time but just let me know.

Best,

I do tattoos in gloversville, message to book

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-and-senator-schumer-announce-first-its-kind-childrens-specialty-hospital-new

This seems like a really great project and sounds like it will make a positive impact for lots of individuals.

Or even any place to get suggestions (any active social media websites or anything?)

Hey ya'll!

New to this sub! I'm in the Troy NY area and I'm planning to create a native garden this year, but I've been having a hard time finding local native plants/flowers. Does anyone here know of any reputable sites/groups/people that I can reach out to?

Much appreciated!

This is me going out on a limb but is there anyone near living close to Massena and traveling down toward Ulster County in the near future? (Non emergency)

I'm 23 willing to give sloppy toppy..anyone have an iphone I can have? Meet-up w me hand my the phone and baby I'm all urs

Sorry if this comes up a lot here, but I need advice from locals on a trip plan next June with my wife and two boys (7 & 10 Years). As a non US tourist that might not come back to these parts in the near future.

My earlier plan was to go arrive in Buffalo and rent a car there and drive to Niagara Falls then a four days trip in Canada before heading south to Ausable Chasm then to Lake George and then Six Flags in Glen Falls then heading to Newark to drop the car.

However, I saw some waterfalls here and there and just made me rethink the plan all together to make it, Niagara Falls to Toronto then back to the states were I drive to Letchworth State Park, then Watkins Glen State Park, then Ithaca Falls, then Chittenango Falls State Park before heading to the original plan and drive to Six Flags in Glen Falls then heading to Newark to drop the car.

Please advise and feel free to suggest, bear in mind the entire family don't like long walks but love swimming and nature. Thanks