New York is so much more than new york city…
New York is special for us, because we live here! Not only is it home to one of the best cities in the world, but there is so much more to New York than NYC. In fact, the state of New York offers you anything you could possibly want and more!
You can find stunning coastal landscapes and beaches in the Hamptons and Long Island. Enjoy gorgeous towns, scenic Hudson River views, historic landmarks, and scenes that inspired artists for centuries in the Hudson Valley.
The Finger Lakes are home to 11 incredible lakes, a great wine region, waterfalls, farms, cool towns, museums, and one of our favorite cities ever, Rochester.
The Catskills offer year-round outdoor adventures and activities, boutique hotels and luxurious stays, creative towns, and scenic drives.
The Adirondacks is where you’ll find a great cabin getaway, towns surrounded by nature, mountains, winter sports, hiking, and so much more. Western New York offers highlights like Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
New York’s diverse landscape—from the bustling city life of NYC to the serene beauty of the Adirondacks—offers something for everyone. The state’s variety is astounding, from the iconic Niagara Falls in the west to the picturesque Hudson Valley and the historic charm of upstate towns.
Despite our extensive travels and time spent here, New York continues to surprise us with its endless possibilities.
There’s so much to see and do, and our New York travel guides will help you discover it all—whether it’s hidden spots in New York City (oh hey, we have an entire website dedicated to New York City!), scenic drives, or the best regions to check out, we have guides to help plan your New York trip!
Quick Tips for Visiting New York State
When is the best time Of Year to visit New York?
The best time to visit New York is really any time of the year. Each season offers something different.
New York City has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, damp winters. Fall and spring are mild and quite lovely, featuring colorful foliage or flower blossoms.
The rest of the state of New York has warm summers and cold, snowy winters. When you get closer to Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, the two Great Lakes that borders New York, you can expect the winters to be more extreme with a lot more snow.
Summers range from 70-85°F with temperatures leaning on the cooler side the higher elevation you are.
And fall is a lovely season for leaf peeping and comfortable weather where spring offers more wet weather and mud.
How much time do I need to visit New York?
How much time you need for a visit in New York depends on what you’re wanting to do and area you want to cover.
If you’re only visiting New York City, you can easily have a trip as little as 3-4 days, but know that the city is huge and you won’t be able to cover it all!
If you’re trying to do a New York road trip, you may want to plan 5-7 days to make stops at a comfortable pace.
If you want to combine a trip to New York City and Upstate New York, plan a minimum of a week.
And just know, that even as locals, we still haven’t seen it all! So know that you’re going to always want to come back!
What is New York most famous for?
The State of New York is renowned for its diverse landscapes and being home to the Big Apple!
New York City, the world’s financial and cultural hub, is famous for landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park.
Upstate New York offers natural wonders, including the scenic Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains, the Finger Lakes, and Niagara Falls.
Historically significant, New York was pivotal in America’s founding and growth. It boasts prestigious educational institutions like Cornell and Columbia to rich cultural contributions from Broadway to the Woodstock Music Festival.
What’s the best way to get around New York?
The best way to get around New York State is by car. This is definitely a driving destination and a HUGE state! You’re going to want the freedom of seeing the beauty of New York, no matter which area you visit, by having a car.
Just keep in mind that there are a lot of toll roads in New York State, so either have an E-ZPass, pay the tolls by mail, or in some cases, you can still pay at the toll with cash if the toll has a tollbooth operator. This is also an expense you will want to factor into your budget too!
However, we do not recommend having a car in New York City unless you want to have one headache after another. There’s a reason why we don’t own a car living in the city (we rent a car when we go on road trips!). Parking is scarce, tolls are expensive, and traffic is a nightmare. Trust us on this one.
Public transportation is your best friend in New York City. Using the subway in NYC couldn’t be easier and it’s not as scary as you might have heard on the news. Millions of people use it daily, including us!
Must Try Food in New York
Where do we begin! A whole bible could be dedicated to must try foods in
New York City alone!
In New York City, you can find just about any cuisine i the world. For specialities though you will want to make sure you try New York-style pizza, with its thin crust and generous toppings.
Bagels, especially those from establishments in Manhattan and Brooklyn, are celebrated for their chewy texture and served with a variety of cream cheeses and smoked salmon, or you can get a classic BEC (bacon egg cheese) on a bagel.
Pastrami on rye or matzo ball soup are classics from Jewish delis.
In the fall, apples from upstate New York inspire dishes such as apple cider doughnuts and pies are a delight.
Summer brings a bounty of fresh seafood, with Long Island clam chowder and lobster rolls being seasonal favorites.
New York State, beyond the city, offers farm-to-table experiences with its dairy farms providing artisanal cheeses and the Finger Lakes region offering world-class wines and locally grown produce.
Explore by AREA
New York City
New York, New York, the city so nice they named it twice! New York City isn’t just a top global destination—it’s a microcosm of the world and our beloved home!
From the dazzling lights of Times Square to the historic charm of the Financial District and iconic landmarks like The Statue of Liberty, this city brims with unforgettable experiences.
Wander through Central Park, catch a Broadway show, or explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Brooklyn (our personal favorite!). NYC’s endless attractions can be overwhelming, but our guides are here to help you navigate the must-see spots and if you really need more help, check out our entire website dedicated to traveling New York City.
Hudson Valley
Just north of New York City along the Hudson River is where you’ll find some of our favorite towns in New York. From fall time favorites like Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown to historic hubs like Kingston.
This is the region is full of landscapes that have inspired artists for centuries, the Hudson Valley has inspired creatives from painters, authors, and muscians from its natural beauty and tranquil ambiance. You’ve probably even seen paintings of this region on the walls of museums from artists of the Hudson River School.
Gilded Age mansions, breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and historic landmarks make up this wonderful region, a treasure trove to explore from NYC or as a part of a road trip.
Catskill Mountains
The Catskills are one of the most enchanting places to visit in Upstate New York. A haven of natural beauty and inspiration, this region is known for its stunning mountain ranges, serene waterfalls, rejuvinating stays, and some of the most charming towns the state has to offer.
The Catskills offer a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and the towns offer incredible culinary offerings, charming stores, galleries, and boutique stays. In fact, it’s often said that the Catskills are Brooklyn but Upstate to illustrate the creativity of this region and small town charm with city amenities.
Like the Hudson Valley, this region is famed for its role in the American arts movement, with the dramatic landscapes inspiring the renowned Hudson River School painters.
Some of the charming small towns include Woodstock, known for its artistic spirit, to the historic sites in towns like Catskill and Phoenicia, to name a few.
Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway from NYC or as part of a scenic road trip, the Catskills promise a rejuvenating journey through nature and creativity.
Adirondack Mountains
A nature lover’s paradise. The Adirondacks is where you’ll find pristine lakes, the state’s highest peaks, beautiful forests, and rustic towns.
Much like the rest of New York, the Adirondacks region is steeped in history, from the grand Great Camps of the Gilded Age to the Olympic heritage of Lake Placid, that’s hosted not one but two winter Olympic games.
Towns like Lake George and Saranac Lake combine natural splendor with quaint charm, offering the perfect retreat for relaxation. This is the perfect place to enjoy a rent a cabin in the woods and connect with the great outdoors.
Finger Lakes
A region famous for waterfalls, wine, and one of the many natural wonders of New York, the 11 glacial lakes that make up the “Finger Lakes”. That’s not even including the scenic drives and charming towns this region boasts!
The Finger Lakes are renowned for their award-winning wineries and craft breweries, making them a premier destination for wine enthusiasts around Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake.
Historic towns like Ithaca, Corning, Owego, and Penn Yan provide charming settings for exploring vibrant arts scenes, boutique shopping, and farm-to-table culture.
The summer months make the region one of the best places for lake vacations in New York. And don’t miss chasing waterfalls in the Finger Lakes, namely around Ithaca where you’ll find 150 waterfalls within a 10 mile radius!
This region is near and dear to us as we’ve been at least a dozen times and counting. There’s just so much to explore here that it isn’t even possible on one trip!
Hamptons & Long Island
The Hamptons is known for its upscale allure, where the elite have their beach homes and escape the city and where folks like us get a glimpse of how the 1% lives. Okay, is that not selling the region? While it is expensive to live here or afford a home here, it is an absolutely amazing palce to visit.
The Hamptons are especially popular in the summer months when city dwellers flock to the pristine beaches, but there’s so much more. You’ll find charming villages, historic wind mills, wineries, and a plethora of options for relaxation and luxury.
Find serene coastal walks, surfing, chich dining and designer shopping all within the region. Enjoy picturesque towns like East Hampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, and our favorite – Montauk and it’s famous lighthouse.
Whether you’re visiting from New York City or as a trip on its own, the Hamptons create a wonderful escape. And if you ask us, we prefer to go off seaon when things are a little slower.
