10 Weird and Quirky Things to Do in New York State

The Smallpox Memorial Hospital quarantined victims on Blackwell’s Island (now Roosevelt Island) when smallpox ravaged New York City in the 1800s. Built in Gothic Revival style, the hospital opened in 1856 and treated thousands of patients each year until 1875. The building was later used as a nurse training center but decayed into ruins by the 1950s.

The hospital’s ivy-covered façade can still be viewed today by taking the F train to Roosevelt Island and walking to its southern tip. Although the dilapidated structure’s roof collapsed, city officials reinforced the walls to prevent a complete collapse. Fearless travelers can freely walk around the site, but it’s said to be haunted by lingering spirits.

The Dutch Colonial home at 112 Ocean Avenue will forever fascinate horror movie fanatics as the Amityville Horror House. In 1974, the house was the site of a horrific murder, and the Lutz family moved into the home 13 months later. Unfortunately, their time at the address was cut short due to frightening paranormal occurrences inside the house.

American author Jay Anson recounted the experiences of the Lutz family in his acclaimed novel The Amityville Horror, and the first movie of the franchise premiered in 1979. Despite some believing the story to be a hoax, renovations to the home and changing the address to thwart onlookers, people still visit the private residence to take pictures.

The remains of the Cohoes Mastodon were unearthed in 1866 while completing the Harmony Mills project in Cohoes, New York. Construction workers digging beside the enchanting Cohoes Falls along the banks of the Mohawk River found the prehistoric creature’s bones, and Harmony Mill No. 3 was forever known as Mastodon Mill. It’s believed the mastodon lived about 13,000 years ago, weighed around 5 tons, and stood over 8 ft tall.

The Mastodon fossils were first displayed to the public in 1867 and eventually found a final resting home inside the New York State Museum in Albany. Visitors can study the Cohoes Mastodon in the South Lobby of the museum, and a state historic marker in Cohoes recounts the remarkable discovery.

The Kaatskill Kaleidoscope, also known as the Emerson Kaleidoscope, is a near-60-ft-tall grain silo that’s actually the world’s largest kaleidoscope watching over the rustic community of Mount Tremper. Wander around the hamlet for a while, and you’re bound to see its lingering eyes. Catskills developer Dean Gitter coined the idea of the psychedelic masterpiece and sought the help of artist Isaac Abrams to complete the project.

Walking inside the kaleidoscope is a joy ride for the senses as pulsating music accompanies the mesmerizing images. The upscale Emerson Resort & Spa sits adjacent to the kaleidoscope, and the Kaleidoshow is complimentary for guests. After watching the beautiful patterns, waltz into the Kaleidostore to browse through kaleidoscopes of all shapes and sizes.

The Hellmira monument is a small reminder of the gruesome POW camp that once existed in the town of Elmira. Originally a training mail for Union soldiers named Camp Rathbun, the site started housing Confederate prisoners in 1864. Despite the fort’s poor condition and the limited capacity of 4,000 to 6,000 troops, more than 12,000 prisoners would eventually reside at the camp.

Between poor sanitation, malnutrition, rampant disease, lack of medical care, and the brutal winter, around 3,000 prisoners perished in 1 year. Inmates nicknamed the penitentiary "Hellmira", and its victims now rest at the nearby Woodlawn National Cemetery. A plaque dedicated to both Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners is at the former camp ground between Water Street and the Chemung River.

The 1969 Woodstock Festival epitomized the hippie movement of the decade and walking around the Woodstock Audience Field lets you stand on a piece of music history. Promoted as 'An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music'. the festival drew more than 400,000 attendees to the rural dairy farm in Bethel, New York. Images of the festival still resonate to this day, and the harmonious celebration defined the counterculture generation.

The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts contains the grassy field where the concert was held, with historic markers overlooking the picturesque landscape. Peace emblems adorn the space between the audience field and stage area. You can try to imagine the gigantic crowds that attended the iconic event.

New York City has its fair share of quirky eateries, but the Trailer Park Lounge may take the cake for unusual décor. Located in the stylish Chelsea neighbourhood, the restaurant screams Americana the moment you walk in. The walls are decked with vintage oddities, such as amusing posters and Christmas decorations. Walk around the dive bar to find everything from tipsy mannequins to toilets doubling as flower pots and cigarette butt holders.

Stop by the Tacky Tiki Bar for a round of margaritas and reasonable Happy Hour deals. The kitchen whips up classic American grub like tater tots, burgers, nachos, and broiled cheese sandwiches, while friendly bartenders fully embrace the trashy theme.