upstate has glorious forests and lakes..orchards and farms and MAPLE TREES to make New England look puny....I think NYS makes more Maple syrup than any or all of the New England states, and its highly rated...as is its cheese industry....and its wine industry....
you want a nice simple New England holiday?....drive up to Old Forge and work you're way around the Adirondecks to Lake Placid and Lake George, and Lake Piseco and Lake Champlain...
Grandma Moses was from New York State....
I’ve done just that and you are absolutely right.