Paid partnership with New York State
Beyond the skyline – New York State in photos
A four-season destination, in autumn the state welcomes you with apple orchards, farm experiences and one of the longest and most colourful foliage seasons in the US, once snow falls, you will find more ski areas than any other US state as well as ice skating, sledging and snowshoeing. Spring is the perfect time to walk through lush vineyards, discover charming small towns and sample exquisite farm-to-table cuisine, while summer’s pleasant temperatures are ideal for outdoor festivals and exploring the great outdoors,
from Long Island’s enticing beaches to the dramatic mountains, rivers and lakes of upstate New York.
The setting for The Great Gatsby, one of the most celebrated works of American literature, this is also the state where Prohibition speakeasies boomed and the Woodstock Festival aimed to change the world; where America’s Founding Fathers wrote history and the Women’s Rights movement was born; and where hidden gems blend with natural wonders such as the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls.
So whether for a day or two, or longer, the state of New York truly has something for all travellers.
Paid Partnership with New York State – First appeared in Issue Seven of JRNY.
Above: The Statue of Liberty welcomes travellers to the Big Apple, the gateway
to New York State.
Above: The iconic steel arch of the AuSable Chasm Bridge can be seen along historic US Highway 9, once the major north-south route connecting New York with Montreal. Early morning in Lake Placid, Adirondacks, a town steeped in Olympic history having twice hosted the Winter Olympics, in 1932 and 1980; Built in the early 1900s but left vacant for more than 70 years, the fascinating history of Boldt Castle on Heart Island has been drawing visitors for decades
Above: The striking Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Hudson Valley, designed by Frank Gehry; A National Historic Landmark, the New York State Capitol in Albany is the seat of the state government.
ABOVE: Fire Island entices visitors with high dunes, desolate beaches, centuries-old maritime forests and a lack of hard-surfaced roads; its 17 communities are accessible mainly by ferry or private boat. RIGHT: Climb up, down and in between rocks that are more than 300 million years old at the spectacular Watkins Glen in Finger Lakes – the 2.4-mile Gorge Trail passes no less than 19 waterfalls.
ABOVE: At 750 miles, the Empire State Trail is the longest multi-use trail in the US, starting at New York City and stretching to Albany where it splits into two sections, west to Buffalo or north to the Canadian border; Maple Weekend is held state-wide every March – New York State is one of the biggest producers of maple syrup in the US, second only after Vermont; Now in its 150th year, Chautauqua Institution is a lakeside community that comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, concerts and recreational activities; New York State Parks celebrate their centennial in 2024 – the largest is the 65,000-acre Allegany State.
ABOVE: New York State is home to more than 2,000 waterfalls, including the easily accessible, two-tiered Kaaterskill Falls; Boat ride along Erie Canal – built in the early 1800s, it was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes and helped put New York on the map.
Above: Combining awe-inspiring scenery with thrilling attractions, there is something for everyone at Niagara Falls, the nation’s oldest state park; New York State is a four-season destination, and when snow hits the ground, the state transforms into a vast winter wonderland.
Above: Hot-air ballooning over the waterfalls of Letchworth State Park, also known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’; Full of scenic byways, small towns and quaint countryside, New York State was made for road trips; The Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge in Central New York combines a park-over-the-water setting with an introduction to the area’s history and its peoples; Taking a dip in a lake, river or a pool beneath a waterfall is one of the most fun ways to cool off in the summertime.
Above: A short distance east of Manhattan, Long Island offers everything you need for a perfect beach getaway; The iconic Bonta Bridge Road in the Finger Lakes stands out thanks to its red colour and unique structure.
New York State at a glance
Slightly larger than the size of England, New York State is home to 11 distinct regions: New York City at its southern tip and Long Island to the east, while the nine remaining regions stretch to the Canadian border in the north and Niagara Falls in the west. Away from the bustling urban centres, New York State is rich in spectacular scenery, culture and cuisine. You can explore much of it on a scenic train journey (or a short connecting flight, on foot or by bike on the Empire State Trail, but the state is also perfect for self-drive holidays.
1. Greater Niagara:
New York’s second-largest city, Buffalo is enjoying an urban renaissance – architect Frank Lloyd Wright did some of his greatest and best-preserved work here. But the region is also home to breathtaking natural wonders too, such as the iconic Niagara Falls and Letchworth
State Park, the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’.
2. Chautauqua Allegheny:
Timeless landscapes, tranquil lakes,
unique geological rock formations and gracious hospitality await travellers in New York’s southwestern corner. The region is full of surprises, from the National Comedy Center to the nature trails that meander around the monumental statues at Griffis
Sculpture Park.
3. Finger Lakes:
Lush vineyards, bucolic farms and serene bodies of water – 11 glacial, finger-shaped lakes, plus the Great Lake – create a sensational quilted landscape here. The region is uniquely equipped to grow wine grapes, boasting over 200 wineries, but it is also steeped in a venerable history of human and women’s rights.
4. Central New York:
Between the world-famous museums and the world-class city, travellers will find themselves at the centre of it all in Central New York. From countless Main Streets and a booming craft-beverages industry to exceptional agritourism experiences and limitless outdoor adventures, the region lays claim to the ultimate rural American experience.
5. Thousand Islands-Seaway:
Boldt Castle is a must-see in a region that is all about experiences in, on and around beautiful bodies of water. A premier destination for competitive angling and freshwater shipwreck diving, its past is intricately linked with the Prohibition era, while the St Lawrence Seaway Trail ranks among the top Great American Drives.
6. Adirondacks:
A heaven for outdoor enthusiasts, the
Adirondacks is the birthplace of the
American ‘vacation’ and one of the
greatest conservation stories in history. With forests, lakes, rivers, streams, mountains and small towns, this six-million-acre, free-to-enter park is larger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier and Grand Canyon national parks combined.
7. Capital Saratoga:
There is no shortage of things to do in this region, which boasts a vibrant cultural scene and an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Only 45 minutes apart, don’t miss the state capital Albany, a city with a rich 400-year
history, and Saratoga Springs, America’s original spa destination and home to the oldest sports venue in the country.
8. Catskills:
Dotted with artisan communities and forever associated with the legendary Woodstock Music Festival, the Catskills are the epitome of the great outdoors. An idyllic mountain getaway just 90 minutes from New York City, it’s a place where artists and naturalists draw inspiration from its tranquil forests while explorers and families find magic on its high peaks.
9. Hudson Valley:
An area so beautiful that it gave birth to a whole new school of painting, there is something for everyone in the Hudson Valley: one of the densest populations of historic sites in the nation; the celebrated Culinary
Institute of America; and Walkway Over the Hudson, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge.
10. New York City:
The Empire State Building. Statue of Liberty. Broadway. Central Park, Fifth Avenue. New York City features so many iconic attractions that it is familiar even to those who haven’t visited yet. Explore renowned museums, eat in some of the world’s finest restaurants and make your way through bustling neighbourhoods that showcase New York’s diversity of cultures.
11. Long Island:
The Great Gatsby’s playground, Long Island is home to endless white-sand beaches, charming seaside towns and iconic sites such as the Montauk Lighthouse and the Gold Coast Mansions; and then there are the
superb wineries, locally grown produce and freshly caught seafood. All this is just a short distance from Manhattan!
Need to know
Getting there:
JFK and Newark airports are the gateways to the state for UK travellers, who can fly directly from
London, Manchester and Edinburgh with various airlines. Connecting flights are available to 15 regional
airports across the state.
Best time to go:
There is no off-season in New York State and you will find a reason to travel year round.
Where to stay:
Travellers have an extensive range of accommodation options, from lavish city hotels, lake and mountain retreats and beachside bungalows to
cosy cabins, glamping and family-owned B&Bs.
Must-pack items:
Comfortable shoes and your sense of adventure – there is so much to explore!
How to do it:
Tour operators offering New York State itineraries include America As You Like It, Bon Voyage, Trailfinders
and North America Travel Services. It’s also easy to travel independently around the state by rail, air, car and bus.
Anything else:
Many visitors like to spend a day or two exploring the Big Apple but, with so much to do and see, those who choose to explore more of the state are richly rewarded.
For more information visit the New York State website.
JRNY is an independent travel magazine published in the UK. Subscribe to JRNY for more stories like this or join our mailing list to stay up-to-date with news and promotions:
