The State of New York is one of the biggest tourist and business destinations in the world. The state is well-connected by a system of highways, trains, and waterways, and in the larger cities, bridges, subways, and buses. New York City is the perfect place to start your journey in the state of New York. New York City is the largest city in the United States, and a truly unique melting pot of cultures from around the world. You can view the entire cityscape from the Empire State building, or visit other famous landmarks like the Rockefeller Centre and the Statue of Liberty. For entertainment, see a production at Carnegie Hall or the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts. World-class shopping and hotel accommodations can be found along Fifth Avenue. Be sure to visit each of the five boroughs "the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island" to get a true feeling of the history and heartbeat of New York City.
Manhattan is famous for its cityscape of tall skyscrapers. Some of the most important business, financial, and cultural institutions in the world are headquartered in Manhattan. Landmarks abound, such as Times Square, Central Park, Broadway theatre, Guggenheim Museum, and Madison Square Garden. Prominent educational institutions located in Manhattan include Columbia University, the Julliard School, and New York University.
Corona is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens, which is home to a large Latin American population as well as other cultures. Be sure to visit Flushing Meadows Park, one of the largest parks in the state, where Shea Stadium is located.
East Elmhurst , also in Queens, has its own colourful atmosphere with rich cultural attractions including the famous Museum of Modern Art.
The neighborhood of Jamaica is another diverse and vibrant area in Queens, with a large number of thoroughfares and subways that connect it with the rest of New York State, as well as JFK Airport. The area surrounding New York City includes Long Island, bordered by the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Long Island is home to over 7 million people and has many fascinating seaside cities and towns.
Ronkonkoma is a city of 25,000 on Long Island. Two miles away is Lake Ronkonkoma, where you will find a fishing area and a pier, walking trails, and recreational facilities.
Nearby Medford offers exciting festivals throughout the year, including the Spring Fishing Rodeo, the Arts Wave Arts Festival, the Strawberry Festival, the Blues Festival, the Film Festival, the Hampton Classic Horse Show, and the American Music Festival.
The village of Freeport is located on the South Shore of Long Island. Visit its main attraction, the Nautical Mile, for casino boats, boutique markets, and seafood restaurants that make up the culture of Freeport.
The small town of Plainview is located along Oyster Bay on Long Island, and has a quiet, friendly feel.
Woodbury , also on Oyster Bay, is made up of the hamlets of Central Valley and Highland Mills on Long Island.
Garden City is a nearby village full of arts and culture areas such as the Museum of Art in Nassau County.
Brentwood is a cosmopolitan city of 50,000 people with beautiful parks and beaches. The Hamptons region is located on the east end of Long Island, and is a popular summer getaway for locals, as well as a tourist destination. The Hamptons usually refers to the towns of Southampton and East Hampton, but there are many smaller villages located within these two.
Southampton has lovely beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Sag Harbour. East Hampton also has beaches, as well as parks, famous estates, and historic sites. East Hampton contains the villages of Montauk and Wainscott. Famous past residents have included artist Jackson Pollock, writer Kurt Vonnegut, and the Kennedy Family. The Hudson River runs along the eastern border of New York State. Following it north, you will encounter many cities with the history of New York and Canada.
Just north of New York City is Newburgh, a modern city with many historic influences.
The city of Fishkill is a small Dutch-influenced town with a population of just over 1,000.
Montgomery is a village where you can take a stroll through the past by visiting the Orange County Farmers Museum with its Civil War re-enactments.
The next city you will visit is Poughkeepsie, where there are historic sites like the Bardavon 1869 Opera House and Locust Grove. The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum is a great family destination.
Moving north along the Hudson River Valley, you will come to the city of Kingston, where there are several historic districts and artist communities.
Another town located in this historic area is Woodstock. Woodstock is home to a thriving community of artists, musicians, and writers and is famous for hosting the Woodstock Music Festival.
Sixty miles to the north is Albany, the capital of New York and one of the oldest cities in the United States. Albany is a "Crossroads City" between Montreal, Boston, New York City, and Buffalo. See nationally touring artists, theatre performances, and festivals in Empire State Plaza. Washington Park and Buckingham Lake are two scenic recreation areas in Albany.
In nearby Latham, you can visit Hoffman's Playland, an amusement park, or the Arts Centre in nearby Troy, dedicated to promoting the history and culture of the area.
The city of Schenectady is slightly north of Albany. Visit the Stockade Historic District to see Dutch and Colonial homes from the 1800s. Central Park, the highest point in the city, has a rose garden and a stadium tennis court, and offers view of the Iroquois Lake. There are also museums like the Empire State Aeroscience Museum, and the Edison Exploratorium and Schenectady Museum, both with science and technology exhibits.
The small town of Hadley has many beautiful places for outdoor lovers, like Rockwell Falls, Bell Brook Pond, and Stewart Dam and Reservoir on the Sacandaga River.
Due north is the city of Hudson . It is a historic place named after the explorer Henry Hudson, and is now known for its active arts scene and nightlife.
West of the Albany area is the city of Johnstown, where you can take a walking tour of Sir William Johnson's Park that is surrounded by historical sites and visit the courthouse that has served the city for over two hundred years.
Follow Route 4 all the way up to the city of Whitehall, on Lake Champlain. Learn the history of the town at Skenesborough Harbour Park and Skenesborough Museum. The ships built in this town played a vital role in the US Navy, especially in the War of 1812 between Canada and the US.
Pass Lake George, a small town of less than 4,000 people located in Glen Falls on the East Coast. Hike in the scenic Adirondack Mountains and enjoy peaceful lodgings around Lake George.
Further north you will come to Lake Placid, the site of the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Today the town is quite small with a population of only about 2,000. Lake Placid and the nearby Whiteface Mountain offer skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. It is the site of the annual Ironman Triathlon.
The nearby village of Corinth has picturesque waterfalls in the mountains.
The last city you will reach as you head north is Plattsburgh. Drop by the Airborne International Raceway to enjoy breathtaking action on this 12-mile stock car oval. Take a scenic tour with Juniper Boat Tours that will take you on historic island cruises, where you can enjoy a dinner at sunset from the deck of the boat. Visit Cumberland Bay State Park for beaches and swimming, or Point Au Roche State Park where you can hike, bike, picnic, and walk beautiful nature trails. Spend a day golfing at Barrack's Golf Course, or Bluff Point. A must-see while you're in Plattsburgh is Plattsburgh City Beach, America's largest fresh water beach. The Northern border of New York is formed by Lake Ontario.
Along this lake find small towns like Canton, located between the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence Valley. Below it is the Finger Lakes Region, a chain of eleven lakes that are a scenic and popular tourist destination. The region has many different cities and towns, parks, and attractions.
Starting in the city of Watertown, you can see the elaborate architecture and paintings at the Flower Memorial Library and Native American artefacts at the Jefferson County Historical Society, which is actually an 1876 Tuscan villa. The Thompson Park Conservatory and Zoo has many native North American animals in their natural habitat and a children's zoo. Take a short boat trip to Heart Island to explore the Boldt Castle, a 6-story replica of a Rhineland Castle. Enjoy whitewater rafting along the 8 miles of the Black River Canyon or take a fishing trip on Lake Ontario.
Oswego is a port city on the border of Lake Ontario. In some winters, this town receives over 300 inches of snow. Explore the history of Oswego by visiting museums like the H. Lee White Marine Museum, The Richardson-Bates House, and Fort Ontario. Visit the Oswego Speedway, a well-known automobile racetrack. You can also partake in two of the favourite pastimes of Oswego: boating and fishing.
Just outside of the Syracuse area is Auburn, New York. Its most famous landmarks are the home of Civil War freedom fighter Harriet Tubman, and the Auburn Prison, a high-security establishment where the first execution by electric chair took place in 1890. Located in Madison County in the Finger Lakes Region is the city of Oneida. Oneida is located centrally, about the same distance from Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, and New York City. Be sure to spend a day on Oneida Lake, the largest within the state of New York. Learn all about the history of the area through the exhibits at the Oneida County Society Museum.
Also visit the nearby town of Vernon, home of the Vernon Downs horseracing track. Vernon also offers outdoor attractions like Kalamalka and Kin Beach.
Just outside Oneida is the city of Rome. It is conveniently located within driving distance of all the major cities, such as Rochester, Albany and Syracuse. There are four different golf courses in the area. Learn all about sail planes and take lessons at the Iroquois Soaring Association. Adirondack Park offers outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and skiing.
Just south of Rome is the city of Utica, at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains. Visit Utica Zoo where you will find over 200 species of reptiles, primates and birds. The picturesque Utica March Wetlands Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers. During the winter, Utica is the premier destination for skiing and snow sports.
Slightly west of Oneida is the city of Syracuse. Syracuse is rich in Polish and Italian history; in fact it is named after the city of the same name in Sicily, Italy. Its namesake school, Syracuse University, is a top research school, among others in the city. Visit the distinct Syracuse neighbourhoods of Little Italy and University Hill. Families will enjoy visiting the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and Thornden Park. The historic Erie Canal Museum, as well as the Everson Museum of Art, which was designed by famous architect I. M. Pei., are famous attractions. Syracuse is also known for its contemporary music scene, particularly jazz and heavy metal. Be sure to see an outdoor concert given by the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra taking place in Armory square throughout the year.
Visit Manlius Street in the suburb of East Syracuse for great shopping, dining, and nightlife attractions.
Slightly east of Syracuse is the town of Fayetteville , a small community situated in Onondaga County.
Further west is the town of Canandaigua , which is rich in Native American history.
The city of Ithaca is located on the southern part of Cayuga Lake. Be sure to visit the Ithaca Commons, a shopping and business district. It is the home of the prestigious Cornell University, founded in 1865.
Geneva, located on Lake Seneca, is another important city in the Finger Lakes Region. The Seneca State Park provides the opportunity for many outdoor activities such as swimming, biking, hiking, fishing and camping, and also has a children's playground and picnic facilities. The Big Oak Golf Course is an 18-hole course designed by Bob Tallman. Take a tour of the Seneca Lake wine trail to visit over 100 wineries, including the Amberg Wine Cellars and the Nagy's New Land Vineyard and Winery.
The villages of Horseheads is also home to over 60 wineries. Visit the waterfall and gorges in nearby Watkins Glen.
The city of Corning is known for its long history of glassmaking. Also located in the
Geneva area is the village town of Waterloo. The Joseph Schneider Haus and the Woodside National Historic Site offer an insight into the area's rich past. Enjoy a visit to the Homer Watson House & Gallery or The Registry Theatre. Outdoor activities include the Glen Ridge Golf Course, Sports World canoeing facilities, and the
Chicopee Ski Resort. Just south of this region is the town of Bath, a historic city. Tour the local wineries and museums, or visit Mossy Bank Park to take in the beautiful scenery.
By travelling west on Interstate 90 about 50 miles from Syracuse, you will find the city of Rochester. Rochester is known for its large number of parks, including Highland Park, Ontario Beach Park, and Letchworth State Park, known as the "Grand Canyon of the East". Partake in theatre, music, and nightlife in the East End neighborhood, or visit the cafes, shops, and museums on Park Avenue. Family attractions include Seabreeze Park and the Seneca Park Zoo. The Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Rochester are two prominent schools in the state of New York. Also visit the nearby Finger Lakes region.
The village of Newark is located east of Rochester. Visit the Blue Cut Nature Centre, with its 40 acres of open land, marshes, and a red pine plantation.
Further west, on the border separating Ontario, Canada and New York, is one of the most famous landmarks in North America Niagara Falls. The massive waterfalls are renowned for their spectacular beauty and attract over 10 million visitors annually. They also provide a large source of hydroelectric power. You can view Niagara Falls from the Prospect Point Park observation tower. Nearby Goat Island also offers breathtaking views of Niagara Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. You can also take a tour by boat on Maid of the Mist, or the Flight of Angels balloon ride. The Seneca Niagara Casino, recently opened, and the nearby wine region are other reasons to visit the city of Niagara Falls.
The second-largest city in New York, Buffalo, is located slightly south from Niagara Falls on Route 82. It is a waterfront city on Lake Erie, the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers. Buffalo has a reputation for its beautiful summer season and snowy winters. Buffalo is sometimes called the City of Trees and is home to over 20 parks and historic places. It is also known for the namesake Buffalo Bills football team and Buffalo Chicken Wings, which were invented here. The city consists of 32 different neighbourhoods including Elmwood Village and Riverside. Nightlife areas can be found around the colleges and universities. Some important cultural attractions in the city are the Albright-Knox art gallery, Shea's Performing Arts Centre, and several buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Families can enjoy the Buffalo Museum of Science and the Buffalo Zoo.
The town of Amherst is located just north of Buffalo, in Erie County. Part of its western border is along the Erie Canal. Visit the Amherst Museum to learn more about the history. Amherst and Buffalo are also home to a large Jewish population; The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Buffalo has branches throughout the area.
Travelling further south, in the southwest corner of the state, is the city of Jamestown, located at the southern part of Chautauqua Lake. It is a town full of historic charm. Visit the Fenton History Centre for local history exhibits and information. Check in to the Peek'n Peak Resort and Conference Centre, where comfort and luxury is on the top of the list. If you love the great outdoors, Jamestown offers RV parks and camping with full services, such as Hidden Valley Campgrounds. There are also condo and vacation rentals available. For recreation, ride a hot air balloon over Jamestown and see it from a different angle â€" all you have to do is drop by Balloons over Chautauqua. Forest Heights Golf Club and South Hills Country Club are great spots for avid golfers. Visit the Reg Lenna Civic Centre for music, theatre and dancing.
Also located in Chautauqua County is Elmhurst, where there are a few museums such as the Louis Armstrong Museum, which enable visitors to soak up both history and culture. Before leaving New York, there are a few unique cities in the Southeast that you won't want to miss.
Situated in Chenango County, Norwich is a fairly small industrial town of just over seven thousand residents.
Binghamton is a gorgeous city situated at the intersection of the Susquehanna and the Chenango rivers.
The rural town of Cortland has a hometown feel. You can see the exhibits Bob's Country Store and Museum, the Homeville Museum, the Suggett House and the 1890 House Museum. See the displays of fine art at the CPF Gallery and the Dowd Fine Arts Gallery if you like looking for original pieces of art. Year round horseback riding is available at the Maybury Brook Stables and you might like to take in some car racing at the Skyline Raceway.
In Southeastern New York lies the small town of Rock Hill , population 1,000, located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains.
Monticello is a historic city originally named after the home of Thomas Jefferson. Close by there's the scenic Milford, a small town surrounded by mountains and lakes. The town of Orangeburg has a unique energy where visitors can take part in helicopter tours, charter boats, shopping, sightseeing, picnic areas, and county parks. Visit the namesake Fred Johnson Amusement Park in the friendly village of Johnson City.
In the city of Middletown you can enjoy a trip to the farmers market or one of the local wineries, a cruise along the Hudson River, or camping in the foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains. After visiting these many cities and towns, you will have a great idea of the history and diverse culture that the state of New York is famous for, from the excitement of the Big Apple to the multitude of smaller towns throughout Upstate New York. Be sure to come back to spend more time in other areas of the state, where you can experience something different every time.
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