Two Upstate New York spots make list of best places to visit in 2021 - newyorkupstate.com

As we continue to wait for international travel to reopen due to the coronavirus pandemic, "Travel + Leisure" has published 50 of the best places in America to travel in 2021. Two of them are right in our own backyard of Upstate New York.

The national publication made note that many travelers still hesitant to hop on a plane are planning more simple trips including scenic drives, camping, and local staycations. While their best places to visit list is often full of exotic places, they chose to keep the annual list this year to places in the United States.

Here are the spots they chose in Upstate New York:

"Greetings from Buffalo" mural.Casey William Milbrand ©

#7 - Buffalo, New York

Coming in at number 7 on their list was Buffalo, the Queen City. Travel + Leisure give a nod to Buffalo's restaurant scene, which makes sense as one of their local joints was named a top 100 places to eat in 2021, and a chain of local doughnut shops were declared best in the state. While the world of Western New York food and drink has a lot to offer, the magazine sites its visual arts scene as a reason to make a stop.

They highlight the one-of-a-kind gallery K. Art which features contemporary Native American artists and their work. The gallery is located in Buffalo's historic Allentown district, which is also home to the Allentown Art Festival, featuring work from over 400 artisans. The even has been canceled for the past two years due to the pandemic, but hopes to return in 2022.

Travel + Leisure include Buffalo's museum mile resident Albright-Knox Art Gallery, which is going under an expansion and their AK Public Art Initiative.

And finally, the publication cites all of the development around the city, including the Silo City restoration and a golf complex and hotel by OnCore. Worth adding are the major motion picture studios planned throughout the city.

MORE ABOUT BUFFALO:

10 things you need to know about the Buffalo arts scene

Buffalo makes top 10 best in travel list by Lonely Planet

Taste of Buffalo and other Western NY festivals announce the return of live events for 2021

This trail to summit Panther Mountain, one of the Catskill high peaks, gives hikers two amazing areas for some of the best vantage points of the Catskills. View from Panther Mountain.Donna Liquori | newyorkupstate.com

#10 - The Catskills

Upstate New York's Borscht Belt was named number 10 on Travel + Leisure's list and it's no wonder as there is plenty to see and do in the Catskill Mountain region. They list popular spots for outdoor adventures like Hunter Mountain, Big Indian Wilderness forest preserve, and hiking to the state's tallest cascade, Kaaterskill Falls.

The area also has many unique accommodations for travelers which include a giant modern treehouse, glamping in a giant birch bark geodesic dome, and gorgeous, private lakeside estates. Or book a stay in one of the many chalets near Hunter Mountain or the themed from top to bottom rooms at The Roxbury.

And, if you end up liking the Catskills so much you want to live there, maybe a fairytale lodge near Esopus Creek is your future home.

MORE ABOUT THE CATSKILLS:

'America's greatest zoo' turned boutique hotel in Upstate NY has new owners

Sleep in a fairy forest, unleash royal dragon fantasies, pretend to be a princess and more at expanded Upstate NY hotel

Here's why you should hike, see 5 historic Catskill fire towers (photos)

Click here to see the full list of Travel + Leisure's 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021.