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Introduction to NY state

New York state is a historic centre of learning with famous colleges and universities like University of Buffalo, Columbia University, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York Institute of Technology, Bard College, Colgate University and Vasser College.

Long Island

Stretching east from New York City and somewhat isolated from the rest of the state, Long Island is a popular place to live and commute from the city, and is home to two of its busiest airports, La Guardia and JFK International. Covering a length of over a hundred miles, Long Island is quite heavily populated, yet at its eastern edge you’ll find The Hamptons, where quaint fishing villages, coastal views and many small islands off shore feel a world away from the city.

Upstate New York

Also a world away from the dense metropolis of New York City, upstate New York is a landscape of hills, valleys, mountains, lakes and small towns which are lovely to explore.

Highlights include natural landscapes like the Adirondack State Park, Ausable Chasm and the peaks of the Algonquins. And all along its country roads and highways are pretty villages, university towns, fun family attractions and of course Niagara Falls itself.

Anyone visiting New York City for the first time may not find the time to visit upstate. Yet for a different trip when the city becomes too familiar, it’s easy to take day trips or an extended road or rail trip to the upper parts. Alternatively, upstate New York is an essential part of a tour of New England, forming part of the rural landscape and autumnal leaf-peeping season.

History of NY state

Keep going north and you’ll reach Albany, the state capital with plenty of museums and cultural activities for a weekend break. But a little further is Saratoga Springs – a perfect New England town.

To explore the Adirondacks, base yourself at Lake Placid or North Hudson where you’ll find plenty of creature comforts like good accommodation and places to eat and shop, but also easy access to the best sights and attractions of this wild region.

When visiting the Great Lakes region it is a good idea to stay in Buffalo, which is within easy reach of Niagara Falls but at a safe distance from the tourist traps which cling to its surroundings. Other good bases in this part of the state are Rochester and Syracuse, each with a good selection of hotels and local attractions.

If you’re visiting on a ski break, the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid offers a luxury spa experience, mountain views, access to local boutiques and restaurants, and of course proximity to the state’s best ski runs. Another great place in Lake Placid is the Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa, with perfect views and amenities.

Similarly well sited for a ski break (or summer break by the lake) is the Friends Lake Inn, dubbed a rustic boutique inn where rooms have views of Friends Lake, or the hotel’s wonderful gardens. Enjoy the local ski runs, or go boating on the lake. Chestertown is the nearest town.

The Sagamore on Lake George is another lakeside hotel mixing rustic charm with modern luxury. First opened in 1883 it is located on its own island and boasts sunset cocktails and its own golf course.

If you visit the Thousand Islands region, the 1000 Islands Harbour Hotel is an affordable luxury resort in Clayton with miles of shoreline to explore and a great grill restaurant on site.

In Buffalo the Curtiss Hotel is a downtown 5-star boutique hotel with huge beds, lavish interiors and its own spa. A little inland from the city is the River Spring Lodge offering rural calm in close proximity to civilization, plus incredible gardens, spas and dining.

An unusual hotel in Ithaca is the William Henry Miller Inn situated in a traditional house built by the architect and named in his honour. It’s known for its comfort, amazing breakfasts and attentive staff, and you’re very close to local attractions like the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.

The Morgan State House is a similarly historic town property in the heart of Albany. Here you can enjoy your own living areas and kitchens, with comfortable and cosy rooms and all the city’s attractions on your doorstep.

For music lovers, the Hotel Dylan is located near site of the famous Woodstock Festival, with rooms named after artists who performed there (including Bob Dylan). Set in an elevated position you can great views over the countryside and can enjoy local walking trails.

Montauk in The Hamptons has many great hotels and bed and breakfasts to choose from. Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, and the popular Hero Beach Club offer spaces to relax in the sun, swim and explore the town.

Food and drink lovers can explore many established and upcoming wine regions, not to mention incredible restaurants and serving some of America’s most iconic dishes and foods.

Even aside from the skyscrapers, museums and galleries of New York City, there are many more important attractions elsewhere in the state. From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to America’s oldest racetrack, the former Winter Olympics resort of Lake Placid, and the International Maple Museum.

There is so much on offer in this state, whether your stay is a couple of days or a couple of weeks.

The entire northern part of New York state is a visual masterpiece. Home to many natural areas, and the huge Adirondack national park, there are no end of amazing vistas to see. You can hike any of the 46 peaks, boat or paddle across any of the 10,000 lakes, hike one of the many trails, or simply enjoy the Fall foliage.

If you’re here in the winter, this region is a snowy masterpiece. Thousands come each year to enjoy skiing and the winter resorts. One to consider is Lake Placid, a former Winter Olympics venue with excellent hotels, boutiques, shopping and scenery.

Another great place to see the foliage is Saratoga Springs, north of Schenectady, which is a lovely traditional town next to a lake. It also has some of the state’s best museums, including the National Museum of Dance, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, and the National Museum of Racing at America’s oldest horse racing track.

The area around the St Lawrence River as it enters Lake Erie emerges into an area of coastline known as Thousand Islands. You can explore by boat, or by driving around the inlets and bays enjoying the views. One unusual sight is Boldt Castle, built to look like a medieval Scottish pile out on the water.

Watkins Glen State Park west of Ithaca is a fantasy land of waterfalls and narrow gorges which is impossibly beautiful. It has many hiking trails and walks to explore.

At Cooperstown, any fan of America’s national sport will want to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Opened in 1939 as a means of developing tourism in this small town following the Great Depression, it has grown into a landmark museum full of displays and precious items, and where new members are inducted every year. Nearby is Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum.

In Albany, the state capital, there’s a lot of history and culture to soak up. Among its highlights are Washington Park, the Albany Institute of History and Art, the Palace Theater, the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site and Empire State Performing Arts Center.

South of Albany are the Catskills where forests, hills and pretty villages can be explored by road, on foot or by cycling. And the Hudson Valley, stretching north to south, has many inspiring destinations where you can enjoy traditional cuisine, traditional villages, restaurants, inns, wineries, craft-breweries and visitor attractions. It is even home to the world’s longest footbridge, known as the Walkway Over the Hudson.

You can also visit the former home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor at Hyde Park, with tours of the house, gardens and presidential library.

Bypassing Long Island’s urban sprawl, at its eastern end are The Hamptons. In the summer, its beach resort of Montauk is alive with music festivals, markets, galleries, surfing, fishing and relaxation.

And of course there is New York City itself – a sprawling metropolis with some of the best and most famous attractions in the world. Its museums, galleries, shopping, theatre and world-famous buildings draw millions of visitors every year. It has something for everyone, with some of the best and most luxurious hotels, shops and restaurants to enjoy.

For a snack, New Yorkers love a pastrami sandwich, and end your evening meal with a New York cheesecake from Junior’s near Times Square.

Yet of course New York City is home to every style and cuisine imaginable, as well as having its own Little Italy, Chinatown and Koreatown.

Buffalo in northern New York is home to Buffalo Wings, the famous finger-licking chicken wings tossed in hot sauce, found across America but first served here in the Anchor Bar on Main St.

Salad lovers the world over should make the journey to the Thousand Islands region near the St Lawrence River and Canadian border where, as you might have guessed, the Thousand Island dressing originated in the early 20^th century. Order one with a salad at the River Rat Cheese Store in Clayton for an authentic experience.

Hyde Park in the Hudson valley is home to the Culinary Institute of America. So, as would be expected, you can sample some incredible food in this place where great chefs are trained. In fact, there are six restaurants, cafes, bars and bakeries here producing mouthwatering food for any meal.

In the college town of Ithaca, another New York staple can be found – the ice cream sundae. First invented here in 1892, today you can experience it in its historic setting at the Purity Ice Cream Company on Cascadilla St.

Finally, in northern New York state you are among the maple syrup producing region which stretches across New England. The International Maple Museum Centre in Croghan (part of the Adirondacks) preserves the history of this sweet, sticky treat which goes so well on American pancackes. But you can sample this produce almost anywhere.

In America the road is king and there is a widespread highway and interstate network stretching north from New York City and covering much of the central part of the state across to Erie and Buffalo. Roads in the northern part are more rural around the Algonquin region.

Regional airports can be found at Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Elmira, Ithaca, Plattsburgh and Albany.

While New York City can be lovely in the snow, with ice skating in Central Park and Rockefeller Center, upstate New York can become inundated with snow. The effect of the Great Lakes means many inches of snow can often fall in northern parts of the state in one go, and it is often present from November to March. This does, however, mean that the ski resorts in the Adirondacks like Gore Mountain and Whiteface, plus Hunter Mountain, Belleayre and Catamount in the central part of the state, are a big draw for winter sports fans.

Then there are the best restaurants in the state, including 75 Michelin-starred examples, like Blue Hill at Stone Barns in the Hudson Valley or Oxalis in Williamsburg.

For a touch of the Gilded Age of luxury where the rich and famous have always congregated, head to The Hamptons in the summer. They can still charm today and are easy to reach from New York City. Many boutique hotels offer luxury elements like spas, heated pools and wine tasting, in addition to the beaches and attractive coastline of the region.

Weather in NY state

Visiting NY soon? See below for the latest weather forecast for New York state.

NEW YORK STATE WEATHER