There are two enticing new ways for vacationers to immerse themselves in the varied natural beauty of New York State.
First, the recently opened A Tiny House Resort (pictured above) in the Catskill Mountains features 15 micro dwellings sprinkled across a 50-acre wooded property with hiking trails, a waterfall, a stretch of Catskill Creek, and a farm inhabited by goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and a bunny.
Each of the resort's fully equipped mini cabins has heat and air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a bathroom with a flush toilet. Outside, you'll find private patios with grills and firepits. According to the Boston Globe, many units have fenced-in decks for dogs, which is good news for the chickens. (Guests with dogs must pay a onetime fee of $25.)
(Credit: A Tiny House Resort)
Depending on the season, you can spend your days sledding, snowshoeing, kayaking, or swimming in the outdoor pool. The Tiny Bites food truck serves breakfast sandwiches, burgers, churros, and even bottles of wine.
The resort is located in the Hudson Valley town of South Cairo, about a 2-hour drive north of New York City. (Getting to the site from Manhattan using public transit is trickier; you could take a train to Albany or Hudson, but then what?)
Cabin rental rates at A Tiny House Resort start at $275 per night midweek, $349 on weekends. Visit ATinyHouseResort.com for more information.
About 150 miles northwest of that property lies Oneida Lake, the largest lake that's located entirely within the borders of the state.
During Memorial Day weekend, a brand-new, $35 million vacation rental community called The Cove at Sylvan Beach will start welcoming guests on the body of water's shores.
Created by Benchmark Development in partnership with Oneida Nation Enterprises (which oversees the Oneida Indian Nation's business interests), the lakeside retreat comprises 70 newly constructed two- and three-bedroom cottages.
(Credit: The Cove at Sylvan Beach)
Accommodations have fully stocked kitchens, firepits, and gas grills, but the best perk is probably the pontoon boat that comes with each rental for visitors to use throughout their stay.
Common areas include a kids' playground, a heated outdoor pool, and Sylvan Beach Supply Co., where you can buy ice cream and other snacks or rent gear to go bicycling, kayaking, or paddleboarding.
(Oneida Lake; credit: Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock)
Oneida Nation's Turning Stone Resort Casino is nearby, too. The city of Syracuse is about 30 miles to the southwest.
Set to open on Saturday, May 28, The Cove is accepting reservations now. Weekly rates for cottages start at $2,485. Go to CoveSylvanBeach.com for more info.
