New York, United States

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

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Introduction
New York State is far more than the city that shares its name. It stretches from the Atlantic beaches of Long Island to the thundering cataract of Niagara Falls on the Canadian border, taking in the largest protected wilderness in the lower 48, a celebrated wine country and the mansion-lined Hudson Valley along the way. For most visitors the trip begins in New York City — the five boroughs are a destination in their own right — but the state rewards those who travel upstate, where mountains, lakes, vineyards and small historic towns offer a completely different America just a few hours from Manhattan.

Discover New York

New York City is the obvious anchor — Manhattan's museums (the Met, MoMA, the Natural History Museum), Central Park, Broadway, the High Line, the 9/11 Memorial and the harbour crossing to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; Brooklyn's brownstone neighbourhoods, waterfront and food; the diversity of Queens. The city alone fills a week. East of it, Long Island stretches a hundred miles into the Atlantic: the wineries of the North Fork, the surf beaches and dunes of the Hamptons and Montauk, and the Gilded Age Gold Coast mansions of the North Shore. Fire Island's car-free beach communities and the lighthouse at Montauk Point close the island in style — an easy add-on to a city trip by train.

Travel Types

City & Culture

New York City's museums, Broadway, parks and harbour — a world capital that fills a week on its own.

Mountains & Wilderness

The Adirondacks' six million acres and High Peaks, the Catskills' waterfalls, and Lake Placid's Olympic legacy.

Wine & Waterfalls

The Finger Lakes wine trails and the gorges of Watkins Glen and Ithaca in central New York.

Niagara Falls

One of North America's great natural spectacles, felt up close from the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds.

Historic Estates & Beaches

The Hudson Valley's Gilded Age mansions and art, and Long Island's North Fork wineries and Hamptons surf.

Frequently asked questions

A great deal. Within a few hours of the city are the Hudson Valley's historic estates, the Catskill and Adirondack mountains, the Finger Lakes wine country and Niagara Falls. Upstate New York is mostly rural and mountainous — a completely different experience from the five boroughs, and a rewarding road-trip in its own right.

Autumn (late September to mid-October) is spectacular across the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Adirondacks for fall foliage. Summer is ideal for the lakes, beaches and mountains. Winter brings skiing to Lake Placid and the Catskills. New York City is a year-round destination; upstate slows down in the depths of winter outside the ski areas.

The Hudson Valley is easily reached by Metro-North and Amtrak trains running up the river. For the Catskills, Adirondacks and Finger Lakes you'll generally want a car, as public transport thins out quickly upstate. Niagara Falls and Buffalo are reachable by Amtrak from the city (a long ride) or a short flight.

Cities in New York

1 city with detailed travel information

New York City