The problem with visiting New York is knowing where to begin,
but even if you don't immediately rush off to view the world-famous
sights and icons of this most dynamic of cities, just being there
is enough. The wonder of New York is in the energy and the
diversity that emanates from its densely packed, multi-cultural
population. The city vibrates with colliding cultures, languages
and nuances; here high-life and low-life rub shoulders, and whoever
you are and whatever your taste, there will be something to amuse
and stimulate you 24-hours a day.
Whether lolling on a bench in leafy Central Park, watching the
world go by from a French bistro in Soho, gazing up at 'Lady
Liberty' from the deck of the Staten Island Ferry, most visitors
will feel they've done it all before, simply because New York is so
familiar to anyone who has ever seen a movie or watched television.
There is something special however in actually seeing the familiar
landmarks and experiencing the pulse of the clichéd, but true,
'city that never sleeps'.
New York City is made up of five boroughs - Staten Island, The
Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, but many visitors never
leave Manhattan. There is a lot packed into this tiny area: the
24-hour pasta restaurants of Little Italy and the bustling
sidewalks of Chinatown, the jazz clubs of Greenwich Village and the
theatres of Broadway; and of course the iconic sights of the Statue
of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Times Square.
New York has been described as the best three-day city in the
world, and that's about right. After a frenzy of museums,
galleries, bars and clubs, some visitors are ready for a break.
Fortunately there's a lot of choice, from the National Parks of
Upstate New York, to the beaches of Long Island or simply the leafy
oasis of Central Park. Whatever you're after, New York is ready and
waiting to bewitch, bother and bewilder.
Long Island extends 100 miles (161km) east of New York City into
the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular weekend destination for New
Yorkers and tourists wanting to escape the sweltering city. The
south shore is fringed by glorious white, sandy beaches including
Jones Beach, a six-mile (10km) stretch of ocean where tens of
thousands of people converge to soak up the sun. Fire Island, a
short ferry ride away, is the east coast's leading gay resort. The
more exclusive beaches are on the north shore where the cliffs are
crowned with stately homes and luxurious manors. The showy Hamptons
is in the far east, its miles of pristine beaches attract the rich
and famous from all over America. The heart of the Hampton scene is
East Hampton, which has some excellent shops and restaurants and a
lively nightlife. In Long Island's North Fork, around the town of
Cutchogue, are the winelands. Of the 13 vineyards the best known is
Pindar, which has tours and tastings every day. Nearby, the pretty,
17th-century town of Orient is worth a visit for its white
clapboard houses and unspoilt beaches. There are hundreds of
museums, attractions and sporting facilities scattered around Long
Island to suit all tastes; for more information see
www.licvb.com. Buses depart for
Long Island regularly each day, although the quickest way to get
there is via the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station. If driving
visitors should head east on the Long Island Expressway from
Manhattan.
Known as the "Western Door" by the indigenous population of
Seneca Native Americans who originally inhabited the area, the
Western region of New York State is more than just a gateway to the
rest of the country. A spectacular mix of farmlands, gorges, lakes
and waterfalls exists here; a diversity of landscapes forged by
ancient glaciers. Strategically situated on two of the Great Lakes,
Erie and Ontario, the Western area also borders Canada, and is a
critical link between the two countries, as well as a major
commercial and transportation hub for upstate New York.
Perhaps the biggest draw card to this area is the breathtaking
beauty of Niagara Falls in the extreme northwest of the state, a
spectacle that attracts an estimated 13 million visitors annually.
The Finger Lakes, below Lake Ontario, are also an immensely popular
attraction and the area surrounding the Lakes is home to the
country's oldest commercial wine producing area. Cliff-hugging
vineyards compete with rolling farmlands, and fields of sunflowers
border picturesque towns harking back to the Victorian era. The
region is not all sleepy hollows and rural landscapes, however, and
bustling cities such as Rochester and Buffalo offer top class
amenities and attractions, including parks, museums, galleries and
fine restaurants.
The Western New York State region is therefore a healthy mix of
natural beauty and urbanity, and there is plenty to see and do,
from hiking, fishing, and white-water rafting, to wine tasting,
shopping and dining.
The Adirondack Park begins 150 miles (241km) north of New York
City and covers an area larger than the Grand Canyon and
Yellowstone national parks combined. This two million hectare (six
million acre) wilderness is full of natural attractions and
historic sites and is a nature lover's haven. Thousands of miles of
streams and rivers cross the park, attracting canoeists and
kayakers; and the hundreds of lakes and glassy ponds are ideal for
boating, windsurfing and swimming. There is also good fishing,
particularly salmon, trout and pike, but be aware that in summer
flies can be a nuisance.
The Adirondack Mountains are among the highest and most dramatic
in the eastern United States. In the summer they attract hikers,
horse riders and rock climbers and in winter nine ski resorts open
up. The best ski resort in the region is Whiteface, nine miles
(14km) northeast of Lake Placid, which has some challenging skiing
and spectacular views, but visitors should be aware of the icy
winds which regularly whip up the valley. Lake Placid is a major
cross-country skiing destination with 283 miles (455km) of trails
and has plenty of other activities including ice skating,
tobogganing and bobsleighing - $40 a run and a must for braver
visitors. Some lifts remain open in the summer months - ideal for
idle mountain bikers.
For more information contact the Adirondack Regional Tourism
Council on (518) 846 8016, or at
www.adk.com
Just north of New York City, the Hudson Valley is surprisingly
rural and is littered with charming towns, picturesque farms and
old mansions. Many New Yorkers head this way at the weekend
attracted by the slower pace of life and the scenic drives. The
region's capital, Albany, was founded by Dutch fur trappers in the
17th century and made its money by controlling trade along the Erie
Canal. There is not a great deal to do or see in Albany but sights
include the New York State Museum and the Albany Institute of
History and Art, which has a good collection of Hudson River School
paintings.
