When most people think of "New York" what comes to mind is likely the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island, and the Empire State Building--New York City--and not the vast area of land that makes up the rest of New York State--Upstate New York. The lesser-known Upstate region of the Empire State is just as worthy of people's attention and contains natural wonders, beautiful stretches of highway, and loads of outdoor activities. If you decide to venture out of the confines of New York City's five boroughs, you'll obviously need a place to rest your head at night. Why not try something adventurous and stay in one of these unique tree house getaways?

1. Tree House Retreat of Lake George

This tree house - located in the northern Upstate town of Lake George in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains - consists of three buildings connected by a rope bridge - something that will be sure to appeal to the kids in your family! Some of the other cool features of this forest getaway include a red vintage fridge, a sink made out of a carved-out rock, and a coffee table made out of tree branches. Lodgers can enjoy the sights and sounds of the woods in the tree house’s hammock or, fittingly, one of its several Adirondack chairs. Although this complex is located in a private spot in the forest, it is still only five minutes from the eponymous Lake George and its many beaches. On the lake you can rent a boat or participate in a boat cruise. Also in the area are white-water rafting locations and hiking trails at Queensbury Land Conservancy. Check out this tree house’s listing to find out more about it.

2. Cedar Hollow

The second tree house on our list is Cedar Hollow, an off-grid accommodation outside of the town of Wilmington, a settlement with around 1,250 people, located roughly 40 miles from the Vermont border. This log-cabin style tree house is a great choice for people who truly wish to "get away from it all" - there is no WiFi connection, no running water (although bottled water and other pre-filled containers are provided), and very limited electricity, generated by solar panels. This rustic tree house features a screened-in porch with multiple hammocks on it from which to look out at nature and a wood-burning fireplace for use during the colder months. Also on-property is a fire pit and a charcoal grill. From Wilmington, lodgers can drive to the Lake Placid area to hike, hit the links, ride mountain bikes, or go boating. Visitors to the area may also like to try out the bobsledding track at nearby Mt. Van Hoevenberg or go for a scenic flight at Adirondack Aviation Academy in the village of Saranac Lake, west of Lake Placid. If you’re interested in booking Cedar Hollow, navigate to the tree house’s listing.

3. Magical Tree House

The final tree house on our list is the Magical Tree House located in the hamlet of Paul Smiths, a settlement of 671 people in northern New York State’s Adirondack Park. Distinguishing features of this rental include funky lights (similar to Christmas lights) throughout the one-room building, a minimalist staircase, exposed wood beams, and a rustic vibe. Also of note is the queen-sized bed handcrafted from local wood. There are also several seating options from which to read one of the books from this rental’s library or enjoy the maple syrup, which is made on-site and is complimentary with each stay. When you’re ready to head out, drive to Saint Regis Canoe Area, an 18,400-acre area within Adirondack Park located 20 minutes southwest of Paul Smiths. At Saint Regis, you can go canoeing on one of the area’s many lakes and ponds, or go hiking on one of its trails, including the trail to the summit of Saint Regis Mountain. There are also several miles of hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails nearby. You’ll be spoiled for choices in and around Paul Smiths! If you are interested in booking this property, head over to the tree house’s listing

today!

Many people who travel opt to stay in a hotel or motel for the night, but those who do are missing out on the adventure that comes with staying in a wooden tree house in the forest. There's just something unique about being among nature and staying in a funky or rustic vacation rental like the ones in this article. Have you stayed in one of these tree houses or in a similar rental in New York State? Tell us about it in the comments!