Although most people have heard of New York City, the state of New York comprises a much larger area of land including eleven vacation regions such as the greater Niagara, Thousand Islands region, the Adirondacks region, Long Island and the Hudson Valley region to name a few. New York is nicknamed the "Empire State".
Major cities in New York include New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany. The state enjoys humid, continental type weather with pleasantly warm summers allowing outdoor recreational activities. Winter, which usually starts around November, may stretch to March or April. Cold temperatures and abundant snowfall allow for some of the best skiing, snowmobiling and various other activities at this time. April through September is a good time to visit this state.
The bustling New York City with its Manhattan sky line and the Statue of Liberty is the first choice for most international travelers visiting the USA. The famous city with its towering skyscrapers, Empire State Building, the fashions of Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Art exhibits, Galleries, NYC Night clubs, Museums, The Broadway, Theaters and Restaurants are all there, in the city. Most people walk in NY City and travelers will have a great time blending in with the rest of the New Yorkers.
New York City also has activities such as cruises, boat tours, helicopter and balloon tours, Concerts, multi-day road tours and famous shopping areas of 5th avenue.
The metropolitan Museum of Art located on 5th avenue is one attraction a visitor cannot afford to miss. A sample of this year’s exhibitions includes Art of Korean Renaissance, French Sculpture from Renaissance to Revolution, Walker Evans and the Picture Postcard, Art of the Ming Dynasty and similar works. This enlightening museum is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street (212-535-7710.
Culturally, New York City residents are from all over the world and total about 8 million. Nearly 170 languages are spoken here. And about 40% of people were born outside of the USA.
In contrast to the concrete jungles of New York City, the rest of New York State is filled with forests, rivers, mountains and lakes. The largest park in the US is in New York State. Niagara Falls is in upstate New York and visitors may tour the falls on the American and Canadian sides (just bring your passport). The “Maid of the Mist” is a boat that takes you up-close to see the Niagara in its full magnificence. Although wearing plastic overcoats, we can feel the mist of the falls on your face. Take water proof cameras for the best pictures!
The Kaaterskill Falls are located in the Catskill Mountains and are one of America’s oldest attractions. Howe caverns is a wondrous underground cave that was formed over the course of six million years. Visitors climb aboard a 16 story elevator to go down 156 feet deep into the Earth to see the limestone formation and a stalagmite nicknamed the Chinese Pagoda which is about 500,000 years old.
Hudson River Museum is located in Yonkers and displays a variety of exhibits about science, art and history. The National Baseball Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown. The Victorian era styled village on which these houses are built, is by itself a tourist attraction.
The islands at the mouth of the Hudson River are Manhattan Island, Staten Island and Long Island where Brooklyn and Queens are located.
The beautiful areas of Upstate New York include the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains where people can go cycling, mountain biking, picnicking or camping in the summer months.
