In the middle of the Adirondack Mountains, the “Franklin Falls” lake glitters. From there you have a magnificent view of the Blue Mountain
New York? Everyone thinks of the Statue of Liberty, fashion and freedom. But the Big Apple isn’t all New York State has to offer. We have 11 cool tips for the adventure of a lifetime!
Get out of the big city and into nature! Only a few hours drive from Manhattan’s skyline, unspoiled nature, gourmet hotspots, historic sites, and picturesque little towns are waiting to be discovered. Eleven tourist regions in New York State lure with great adventures!
New York State for Adventurers
Waterfalls, canyons, tranquil lakes and spectacular hiking trails – New York State’s densely forested mountain ranges are a true paradise for all outdoor enthusiasts. The Catskills, the birthplace of American fly fishing in the 19th century, are a dreamlike area: the Neversink River is still the hotspot for this dynamic sport today.
Top tip: a hike to the raging Kaaterskill Falls, whose water masses fall from a height of 79 metres – or a hike in the Peekamoose Mountains: there the “Long Path” hiking trail leads 560 km from New York City to Albany.
Climbers should definitely note the Shawangunk Ridge in the Hudson Valley: Here both beginners and pros will find fantastic courses in grippy quartz rocks.
Also, a must-do is the Adirondack Park Nature Reserve – which is larger than Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyons combined – Greater Niagara with its world-famous waterfall and the biker’s paradise Letchworth State with dramatic gorges and breathtaking descents.
New York State for Foodies
Award-winning wine, the oldest breweries in the country and famous food festivals – the Hudson River Valley is a true gourmet paradise. Actually, it is clear that America’s celebrity chefs are born here: At the renowned Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, the crème de la crème of the local cuisine learns its craft. Insider tip: The delicacies of the budding chefs and patissiers can be tasted by everyone at the “Escoffier”, the “Caterina de Medici” or the “St. Andrews Café”. Be sure to go there – and book in advance!
In the Hudson River Valley, you will find the best pastry shops with the finest delicacies. Especially trendy: the “Escoffier”
“You have to eat chicken wings in Buffalo” – every American gourmet knows this saying. The best place to do this is where the delicacy was invented as a bar snack in 1964: in the “Anchor Bar”, of course traditionally with blue cheese and celery dip! But there is little else to go wrong in the gourmet city of Buffalo. After your meal, it is best to take a digestive walk along the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, incidentally the fourth largest of the Great Lakes in North America.
Nowhere do the chicken wings taste better than in Buffalo, they say. And indeed, the snack is offered on every street corner. Yummie!
You can also hike and feast in the Finger Lakes wine region: picturesque little roads wind around the eleven finger-shaped lakes, passing famous wineries and breweries. Beer lovers should also pay a visit to the Central New York region – also known as “Brew Central” – where they can taste cider at the time-honored apple cider factory “Harvest Moon” in Cazenovia.
With a well-filled stomach, it is then all the better to shop: Cold Spring is known for its design and antique shops. Highlight? The Cold Spring Antiques Center in a 19th-century bank building where several shop owners have joined forces: a dream come true for all antique treasure hunters!
New York State for history fans
In New York State, amateur historians don’t have to choose between museums and nature – the fascinating history of the country can be found here in the most beautiful setting. For example in Crown Point State: The remains of the two mightiest and most important forts from the British-French colonial wars in the 18th century can be found in the 24,000 square kilometers large, unspoiled landscape conservation area The Adirondacks.
Even more historic fortifications can be discovered in Thousand Islands, the water-rich home of Thousand Islands salad dressing on the Canadian border: between Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, 1864 islands are spread out for exploring by boat: On Heart Island, for example, lies the magnificent Boldt Castle, which a German hotelier had built around 1900 in the style of a medieval castle. At the bottom of Lake Ontario, there are also over 400 shipwrecks, some of them from the time of the Seven Years’ War.
Experience history live: A boat brings tourists to Singer Castle
The boat is also the mode of transport of choice for a historical exploration of the Erie Canal waterways. The best starting point is the marble town of Lockport with the Erie Canal Discovery Center, where you can get a wonderful insight into the town’s architectural past: In a simulation, visitors travel through locks with a so-called parcel ship from the 19th century. Great for young and old!
New York State for discoverers
Do you want it to go very high up – or rather deep under the earth? In New York State you can do both. Fans of glitter and mica should definitely visit the “Herkimer Diamond” mine in Herkimer, where you can dig for stones yourself. A special highlight: the up to 500 million-year-old gems on display there.
Stylish beach life, delicious seafood and the most beautiful weekend homes in the country can be found on Long Island, the most popular recreational area for New Yorkers, where water sports enthusiasts also get their money’s worth.
And at Montauk Point State Park you can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets
The “Howe Caverns” near Albany is also a feast for the eyes: In a boat, you pass through the cave system with its brightly colored limestone walls, discovered by chance in 1843. On this occasion, you should definitely plan a stop in the metropolis of Albany with its world-class cultural scene. The beautiful, rural area around Saragota Springs offers beautiful farms, its famous horse race, and healing mineral springs.
Colorful wooden houses in Queen Anne style, nice little cafés, and student life can be found in Syracuse on the Erie Canal – incidentally, an ideal starting point for exciting tours into Mohawk Valley or a bike tour on the US 20 Route, the longest road in the USA, which crosses the continent from east to west.
A balloon flight over the fields up to the canyons of Greater Niagara is an unforgettable experience with breathtaking views
How can one top so much beauty? Probably only with a balloon ride over the canyons of the “Grand Canyon of the West” in Greater Niagara – best at sunrise. There the Statue of Liberty can wrap up …