New York State has natural charm and beauty that is often overlooked and overshadowed by New York City. While the city certainly has a great deal to offer tourists, the rest of New York State has a plethora of opportunities to get out and experience the great outdoors. Whether it’s mountains, rivers, hiking, or observing animals in their natural habitats, New York State as a whole has something to offer both lovers of nature as well as the most hardened city slickers. Here are some examples of the various fun things to see and do in New York State.
Widely known even to those outside of New York, Central Park is an expansive space located in the heart of New York City, with enough things to do for anyone. The Park includes some of the best playground equipment New York has to offer, as well as various other attractions. The Central Park Zoo hosts a wide array of animals, including penguins and sea lions, and the historic Central Park Carousel is a great way for young children to have memorable fun. Central Park is full of some of the city's best playgrounds.
The world-famous Falls are one of the single most-visited natural attractions in the country, drawing millions of tourists every year from all over the world. The plural “Falls” actually refers to three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. Every minute, somewhere around four million cubic meters of water descend from the Falls down into the Atlantic Ocean. With plenty of ways to observe the Falls, including a boat trip to the bottom and even an exciting helicopter ride around the Falls, there’s ample opportunity to observe this beautiful natural wonder.
Located in beautiful Essex County, Lake Placid is, as its name suggests, a quiet and peaceful lake. Despite being more widely known for recreational activities that take place around the lake during the winter months, the town of Lake Placid is also quite popular during the summertime as well. There are a variety of interesting shops and restaurants to visit in town.
Located near the town of Corning, the Finger Lakes are a series of long, narrow lakes in upstate New York. The shores of the Finger Lakes are lined with towns and resorts that are most busy during the months of summer and fall. Additionally, the town of Corning has some of the best playground equipment New York has to offer, and is also home to a variety of museums, including the Rockwell Museum and the Harriet Tubman House. There’s no shortage of things to do around Finger Lakes.
If hiking is of interest to you, look no further than the Adirondacks. The highest peak of the Adirondacks is Mount Marcy, which stands at 5,345 feet. When you see the Adirondacks for the first time, it’ll be easy to see why they’re one of the favorite holiday destinations for New Yorkers. Whether you visit them to enjoy hiking, canoe riding, or simply relaxing at cottages or resorts in the Adirondacks, there’s sure to be something for everyone in these beautiful mountains.
Another option outside of New York City is the luscious and rural landscape of Long Island. The western half is composed of urban and suburban areas, but locals and tourists alike have the choice to have a convenient get-away from the big city eastward. Enjoy flat farmlands and vineyards and long, sandy beaches, as well as beautiful picturesque views of New York City and the Connecticut coastline as you travel farther east into the island. Long Island is known to be one of the best winery regions in the world, and also boasts top-rated restaurants, making it an ideal spot for anyone wanting a fun-filled day tasting wine and/or eating highly rated foods.
New York City is indeed a fun and exciting tourist destination, but there are also many other places New York has to offer for a fun-filled vacation outside of the main city. Take advantage of what the Empire State has to offer and explore this location on your next vacation!
