New York is one of America’s most famous states, home to the country’s largest city, major historical sites, and surprisingly vast areas of wilderness. More than a century ago, millions of immigrants from Europe crossed the Atlantic and arrived through New York City, helping transform it into one of the most diverse cities in the world.
Because New York City receives so much attention, the rest of the state is often overlooked. Farther north are the enormous Adirondack Mountains, while the small capital of Albany offers a completely different experience from Manhattan. Western New York is also home to places such as Niagara Falls, which I still need to explore more thoroughly.
Explore New York City
New York City is the largest city in the United States and one of the most famous urban destinations in the world. The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, and the World Trade Center are only a few of the landmarks found throughout the city.
Despite its reputation in older movies and television, modern New York City is far safer than its historic image might suggest. Between the architecture, museums, restaurants, neighborhoods, entertainment, and sheer scale of the city, there’s enough here to keep someone exploring for weeks.
Explore the Adirondacks
Since New York is so strongly associated with dense cities and urban development, many people are surprised by how much wilderness exists farther north. The Adirondack Park covers an enormous section of northern New York and contains mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and thousands of miles of trails.
There are dozens of major peaks throughout the region, including Mt. Marcy, the highest point in New York. Summer offers excellent hiking, camping, paddling, and wildlife watching, while winter can bring deep snow, powerful winds, and extreme cold for those looking for a more serious adventure.
Explore Albany
Albany is New York’s small state capital, with a population of around 100,000 people. Compared with New York City it can feel extremely quiet, but the city has its own character and plenty of history.
The New York State Capitol is one of the most distinctive capitol buildings in the country, while the nearby Empire State Plaza contains monuments, parks, government buildings, and the famous performing arts center known as The Egg. Albany also makes a useful gateway for exploring the Hudson Valley and the northern part of the state.
