Upstate New York is famous for its beautiful landscapes, small towns, and outdoor adventures. But did you know it’s also home to some of the best museums in the country?
Recently, USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards named several Upstate New York museums among the top in America.
In these museums, you can walk among the treetops of the Adirondacks, relive the magic of the 1969 Woodstock festival, or step inside a life-sized board game.
- The Wild Center in Tupper Lake ranked No. 4 among science museums in the U.S. in 2025.
- The Museum at Bethel Woods, located on the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, ranked No. 5 among music museums in the U.S.
- The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester ranked No. 2 for pop culture museums and No. 3 for children’s museums.
The Wild Center
The Wild Center, located in Tupper Lake, earned the fourth spot on the list of best science museums in America in 2025. Last year, it was ranked number one, and it remains a world-class destination for nature lovers.
The museum sits on an expansive 115-acre campus in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains and is home to over 900 live animals, including birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals native to the region.
Its most famous attraction, the Wild Walk, is an elevated trail that takes visitors above the treetops, offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the Adirondacks.
This elevated path is designed to make visitors feel like they are walking among the forest canopy, and it includes features like a giant four-story twig treehouse and a full-sized bald eagle’s nest.
In addition to the Wild Walk, the museum has a Birdly exhibit, where visitors can experience what it feels like to fly like a bird using a state-of-the-art virtual reality simulator.
The museum also offers hiking trails, a private pond for exploration, and a range of educational exhibits focused on the natural world.
The Museum at Bethel Woods
Music lovers cannot visit Upstate New York without stopping at the Museum at Bethel Woods, which ranked fifth on the list of best music museums in America.
The museum is located on the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival, one of the most legendary concerts in history.
Inside the museum, visitors will find exhibits that take them back to the 1960s. They’ll see photos, movies, and even an original hippie bus that shows what life was like during that time and tells the whole story of the decade, from its music and protests to the cultural movements that changed history.
Visitors can also walk around the original festival grounds, which have been preserved as a historic site. During the summer, live concerts take place at the outdoor music venue right next to the museum.
The museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Strong National Museum of Play
For those who love toys, games, and all things fun, The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester is a dream.
This year, the museum placed on two lists, earning the second spot in the category of best pop culture museum and the third spot for best children’s museum.
The Strong is an interactive, fully immersive experience. It recently underwent a massive 90,000-square-foot expansion called the Neighborhood of Play, which includes two new exhibits focused on video games and the role of technology in play.
The museum is home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, which recognizes the most beloved and influential toys of all time, and the World Video Game Hall of Fame, which honors iconic video games.
The newly opened Hasbro Game Park takes board games to the next level by turning them into life-sized interactive experiences.
Visitors can walk through a giant game of Monopoly, challenge friends to a massive game of Connect Four, or take part in other hands-on exhibits that bring childhood classics to life.
The National Comedy Center
Another museum that has gained national attention is the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.
The exhibits cover everything from stand-up comedy to sitcoms, sketch comedy, and film. Visitors can explore interactive displays featuring comedic legends, watch rare footage, and even try their hand at stand-up comedy using a virtual audience.
The museum also hosts special events and comedy festivals.
More Must-Visit Attractions in Upstate New York
Beyond these award-winning museums, Upstate New York is home to countless other cultural landmarks and attractions. If you’re visiting the region, consider stopping by some of these other iconic destinations:
- The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, a shrine to America’s favorite pastime.
- The Strasenburgh Planetarium in Rochester, which offers breathtaking space shows, including Laser Daft Punk.
- The historic town of Woodstock, a cultural landmark that has inspired artists and musicians for decades.
- The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, where food lovers can experience world-class culinary education and dining.
- The Empire State Building in Manhattan, an iconic symbol of New York.
With over 750 museums in New York State, there is no shortage of interesting exhibits to explore.
So, if you’re ever in Upstate New York, make sure to visit these incredible museums.
