Explore a new part of New York State. With mountains, plateaus and lowlands there is something to tickle everyone’s fancy. For more information check www.iloveny.com.
1. Long Island: East of New York City the island has the Atlantic on the south and Long Island Sound on the north separating it from the New England States. The island ends in twin tines. The Southern one is home to the Hamptons, long the city getaway for the rich. On the North Fork the potato farms have become the state’s newest wine region.
2. Hudson Valley: The Hudson River connects New York City and Albany, the capital. Along the river there are impressive mansions that belonged to the Rockefellers, Roosevelts, and Vanderbilts. At a narrow part of the river, high on a bluff is West Point which once guarded the river but is best known as a military academy.
3. Albany: All visits should begin at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center in historic Quackenbush Square where exhibits detail Albany's rich history. The New York State Museum has artifacts related to the early Dutch settlement and the expansion of the city along with the natural history of the state. Visit historic homes from the 1700s and tour the Capitol building.
4. Lake Placid: Lake Placid is the perfect destination in any season but it is winter that put it on the map. Lake Placid, in the High Peaks area of the Adirondack, is considered the birthplace of winter sports in America. The Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum explores the legacy of the Lake Placid Winter Games.
5. Adirondacks: Covering nearly one-third of the state the Forever Wild Adirondack Mountain are a wilderness area perfect for hikers, skiers, river rafters, adventure seekers but also for those looking for a luxurious getaway. Truly an all-season destination.
6. 1000 Islands: Actually there more than a thousand islands in the St. Lawrence River between the USA and Canada. The most famous is Heart Island,home to the unfinished romantic Boldt Castle. Singer Castle, of sewing machine fame, was completed and is now open to the public.
7. Erie Canal: When it was built in the 1800s it was considered one of the marvels of the world and opened up the continent to settlers. Following the lowlands from Albany to Buffalo, the canal is no longer bustling with people but today is an amazing scenic trip best traveled by houseboat.
8. Seaway Trail: The 518-miles of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail has something for everyone. Along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, and Lake Eire there are forts, waterfalls, quaint villages, islands, along with excellent birding and fishing.
9. Finger Lakes: The rolling hills of the Finger Lake Region is home to the state’s famed wine region but there are many other attractions: Corning Museum of Glass, Women’s Hall of Fame, Susan B. Anthony House, boat rides, nature preserves, and much more.
10. Chautauqua: The famed Chautauqua Institute began in the southwest corner of the state in 1874 as an adult education movement founded on the belief that everyone “has a right to be all that he can be - to know all that he can know.” The concept spread but then died out except for Chautauqua Institute, which has continued to flourish with an extensive list of summer programs in a picturesque Victorian setting.