Empire State Building standing tall in the New York City
Why does New York seem so inviting? Broadway plays, Mad Men of Madison Avenue, and a vibrant Jazz scene in Queens may be fascinating for travelers, but there are even bigger temptations than the ‘Big Apple.’ The upstate countryside and every nook and cranny of Hudson Valley in this Empire State are too good to miss out. Untamed wilderness of national parks, perennial glory of Niagara Falls, and the fox grape wineries are indeed worth a visit.
Tourist Attractions in New York
Statue of Liberty – A national icon of freedom, this neoclassical sculpture is the perfect backdrop for celebrations having roots in patriotism. No tour to New York state or city is complete without seeing this copper statue located on Liberty Island.
Adirondack Park – Spanning over an area larger than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Everglades, and Grand Canyon national parks combined, it includes mountains, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands. Lake Placid and Lake George are getaway destinations for New Yorkers.
Finger Lakes – It is a bio-region of waterfalls, gorges, and shoreline along with 11 lakes. These long and narrow lakes resemble human fingers, and thus they were named Finger Lakes. Through May to October, many festivals and events such as Ithaca Fest, Clothesline Art Festival, and Grass Roots Festival are held in this region.
Brooklyn Bridge – One of the oldest landmarks in Big Apple, this suspension bridge is as integral to cityscape as the Empire State or the Chrysler buildings. It has made countless appearance in movies and television shows.
Howe Caverns – Experience the thrill of getting into the recesses of a cave and exploring its mysteries during a lantern tour. More than six million years old, this cave in Schoharie County gives travelers the opportunity to undertake this dramatic odyssey.
Darwin D. Martin House – A masterpiece by F. L. Wright, this historical landmark is located in Buffalo city. This complex includes residential houses, cottage, conservatory, and pergola. A tour inside all houses must be included in your to-do list while you are in Buffalo.
Rockefeller Center, The Wall Street, Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, The Guggenheim, Carnegie Hall, George Eastman Museum, Flatiron Building, Ausable Chasm, The Buffalo Zoo, New York State Museum, and Boldt Castle are some of the places to visit in New York State.
New York Tourist Map
Places to visit in New York
Things to Do in New York
Visit National Parks – Along with Adirondack, the prolific ground of Hudson Valley and the Catskill Park sustains abundant variety of flora and fauna. Black bears, bob cats, minks, and fishers can be easily spotted in these ‘forever wild’ parks. Fishing and hunting is allowed inside the parks with salmon, trouts, and black bass having significant population in the rivers and lakes. Miles of multipurpose trails in Adirondack High Peaks region offer hiking, camping, and rock climbing opportunities. Adirondack Canoe Classic – a canoe and kayak race – is the mecca for paddlers.
Know about : National Parks in New York
Take Road Trips to Scenic Byways – Seaway Trail is a 454-mile-long National Scenic Byway that covers scenic vistas of Niagara Falls, Great Lakes, and St. Lawrence River. The Mohawk Towpath Byway and Lakes to Locks Passage are other two recognized roads with historic, natural, and archeological importance.
Discover the Thousand Islands – This secluded archipelago’s river-centric culture that once inspired Walt Whitman, is a corridor for nature lovers and vacationing locations. Hot air balloon rides, afternoon boat tours, trips to historic sites, golfing, and outdoor adventure sports are the main attractions for visitors. This is where people gather for pleasure of boating and to catch a prized sport-fish in crystal-clear waters of Ontario Lake.
Seek Adventure in Letchworth State Park – Due to its deep gorges formed by fast rapids, it is often regarded as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Declared as the best state park in the country by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice competition, this state park includes hiking trails, campsites for tents, log cabins, and picnic tables. Activities such as biking, geocaching, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing can be enjoyed here. Rapids and streams near Inspiration Falls are popular spots for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
Go on a Shopping Spree – From vibrant Fifth Avenue in NYC to affluent Saratoga Springs in upstate, there are all sorts of luxury brand retailers, local boutiques, and souvenir shops in the state.
Upstate Wine Tours – You can go for wine sampling of 25 wineries alone in Hudson Valley and the river region that feature Dutchess Wine Trail, Hudson Berkshire Trail, and Shawangunk Wine Trail. Moreover, Finger Lakes region and Lake Erie region are other wineries having grape-growing vineyards and apple orchards.
Visit Times Square – Although the Times Square is synonymous with the New Year’s Eve celebrations, there’s more to the place. Take a 75-minute ride through midtown Manhattan on a special bus or go on walking tours of the Theater District to understand the potential of this part of New York city.
Hit the Beaches – While Coney Island in Brooklyn has acquired an iconic status, the Woodlawn Beach State Park in the Greater Buffalo garners much attention because of its natural sand dunes and beautiful sunsets. The Sylvan Beach may be a personal favorite for many New Yorkers, but the Rockaway Beach in Queens is arguably the largest urban beach in the US.
Know about : Beaches in New York
New York Airports
Following are the major international airports in New York state –
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Albany International Airport (ALB)
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG)
Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
Stewart International Airport (SWF)
Watertown International Airport (ART)
Related : New York Airports Map
Where is New York ?
New York state is situated in the northeastern Mid-Atlantic region of the US. It is bordered by Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts in the East, Quebec and Ontario (Canadian provinces) in the North and West respectively, and New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the South.
How to Reach New York?
By Air – LaGuardia and JFK airports in NYC are two of the busiest ones in the US. AirTrain JFK allows passengers to travel directly to JFK airport. All the metropolitan areas of Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse have international airports.
By Train – Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf, Empire Service, Adirondack, and Ethan Allen Express are the Amtrak trains in the state. New York Penn Station is the main hub of Amtrak. Grand Central Terminal is the terminus for New York subway system.
By Road – The New York State Thruway is a system of road networks that connects the state with neighboring states and Canada. I-90, I-87, I-287, and I-390 are among the interstate highways that travel through the state.
Facts about New York
• New York was the 11th state to enter the union on July 26, 1788.
• Mount Marcy at 1629 meters is the highest point in the state.
• Albany is the state capital and the state motto is ‘Excelsior’, which means “Higher and Upward.”
• The Woodstock Festival was held in Bethel town of this state.
• The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cooperstown, New York.
• Aptly referred as ‘The Flower City’, Rochester hosts Rochester Lilac Festival annually.
• The Erie Canal – connecting Lake Erie with Hudson River – was considered a gateway to the west US.
• The Hudson River is the longest river in the state.
• The New York State has around 1,300 museums and galleries, 230 theaters, and 64 centers for performing arts.
• Taughannock Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in the entire northeastern US.
Related : Museums in New York | Hotels in New York | New York Metro Map
