New York State Region

New York State reaches from the world’s most famous skyline to vast wilderness - Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks and the Finger Lakes all lie beyond the city.

Known for: the ultimate global city plus mountains, lakes, and waterfalls upstate

Don’t miss: New York City, thundering Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, and the Finger Lakes wineries

When to go: spring and fall; anytime for the city

New York stretches from the Atlantic coast and barrier islands of Long Island through the dense urban fabric of New York City up into the forested highlands and lakes of the north, making it one of the most geographically and culturally varied states in the U.S. Coastal plains, fertile river valleys and the rugged peaks of the Adirondacks shape a state that can feel like many places in one.

Beyond the metropolis are a number of important regional centers and parklands: the state capital Albany anchors the Hudson Valley, the Great Lakes port of Buffalo and the cultural cities of Rochester and Syracuse speak to New York’s industrial past, and the finger-lakes and college town of Ithaca add a more rural, artsy character. For wilderness and scenery, Adirondack Park sprawls across the northeast and Niagara Falls on the Canadian border remains an awe-inspiring natural spectacle; mountain resorts such as Lake Placid and seaside communities like Montauk round out the picture.

Outdoor opportunities are enormous: the Adirondacks and the Catskills offer multi-day hikes, cross-country and downhill skiing, and lakes for paddling and fishing; the Finger Lakes and numerous rivers are a draw for boating and wine-country touring; and Long Island’s beaches and the Atlantic surf attract swimmers and anglers. City parks such as Central Park provide green relief and easy urban recreation.

Food and drink in New York are as diverse as its landscape - from classic New York deli sandwiches, thin-crust pizza and bagels in New York City to famed Buffalo wings in Buffalo and farm-to-table dining in the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes wineries; the state’s culinary scene mixes immigrant traditions with local produce and a strong craft-beer and wine culture.

Visit New York for the contrast of world-class urban excitement in New York City - Broadway, museums and iconic skyline views - together with vast wilderness in Adirondack Park, the thunderous spectacle of Niagara Falls, and scenic wine country and shoreline towns that make the state endlessly varied.

New York’s climate ranges from the maritime, milder conditions of the coast and Long Island to colder, snowier winters in upstate and the Adirondacks, so the best time to visit depends on whether you want city culture, beach weather, or winter sports.

Visitors typically combine driving for exploring upstate and rural areas with trains, subways and ferries for travel around and into New York City.

Major Highways

Major routes include the New York State Thruway (I-90/I-87) running east - west and connecting Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany to the metro area; I-87 linking New York City with Albany and the Canadian border; I-95 along the southeastern corridor connecting the city to New Jersey and New England; I-81 through central New York serving Syracuse and Binghamton; I-84 across the Hudson Valley; and I-495 (the Long Island Expressway) providing the main road link out onto Long Island.