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New York CityThe 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 theaters 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.
Getting Around: New York's public transport system is relatively good and cheap, including buses and the subway. There are also the ever-present, although more expensive, yellow cabs. Unlicensed gypsy cabs should be avoided. It is possible to get around the city using a combination of these, or simply on foot. Walking is often the best way to experience the city, and during rush hours, when buses and taxis are caught up in the gridlock and the subway is overcrowded or delayed, it can also be the fastest way to get around. Generally though, the most efficient way to get around is the 24-hour underground system with most of Manhattan's sights near subway stations, although it can be confusing at first. Much simpler but slower, is the bus system, which is a good option for shorter distances or for traveling across town. The subway and bus fare are standard ($2); note that buses require the exact change in coins, not dollar bills. MetroCards allow free transfer between buses and the subway within two hours. Driving in New York is not recommended as traffic is heavy, drivers aggressive and parking exorbitant.
Long IslandLong 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.
Western New York StateKnown 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.
AdirondacksThe 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.comHudson Valley and the CatskillsJust 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.
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