New York Travel Guides
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Meet Travel Lemming’s New York creators Sky Ariella, Niamh Hayes, Larissa Albright, and Victoria Folz. Our creators are from all over the state of New York and have created dozens of travel guides to help you plan your dream trip!
Why We Love New York: New York has everything you could hope for in a destination. There’s endless nature to explore from huge mountains to deep, blue lakes, and some of the most compelling towns and cities in the country. With every turn of a season comes a new list of exciting activities for tourists and locals alike. And of course, downstate you’ll find one of the most well-known cities in the whole world – New York City. New York is an eclectic universe in and of itself. This amazing state is a necessity on any traveler’s bucket list.
Best of New York
🏙️ Destinations
If there’s one word to describe New York State, it would be “contrast.” It’s a playground of luscious nature and a maze of sprawling cities. Whether you’re craving a getaway in the mountains or looking for that big-city feel, this state has it all.
- New York City – The first place people think of when they hear “New York.” NYC is a total adventure and practically a separate entity from the rest of the state.
- The Catskills – Just 2 hours north of NYC. A dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts. Known for winter skiing and summer hiking.
- Cooperstown – This town is next to Ostego Lake in Central NY. Known for the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. Family-friendly.
- Syracuse – Industrial city in Northern NY. Also home to Onondaga Lake Park, the Clark Reservation, and kid-friendly museums and zoos.
- Hudson Valley – A huge region from Westchester to Albany with lots of interesting towns, good food, farmland, and historic sites.
- Saratoga Springs – A town 40 min north of Schenectady. Famous for horse racing at Saratoga Race Course and mineral baths at Saratoga Spa State Park.
👉 See the full list of places to visit in New York state.
✨ Things to Do
The diversity of activities in New York is mind-blowing. To help you narrow down your list, these are five of the best things to do in New York State:
- Central Park – This 843-acre park cuts through the chaos of NYC. You’ll find restaurants, tours, live music performances, and recreation.
- Brooklyn Bridge – This famous bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn and has breathtaking views of the city skyline.
- Watkins Glen State Park – Enjoy swimming, hiking trails, waterfalls, and camping in this nature escape next to the Finger Lakes Region.
- Niagara Falls – Take a tour on the Maid of the Mist boat under the world-famous falls nestled on the border between Canada and NY.
- Statue of Liberty – A key piece of American history located on Liberty Island in NYC. Book a trip and climb the statue.
🗺️ Where to Stay
New York is a very big state, and there are many places to stay. It all depends on what you’re looking for:
- Brooklyn – Where to stay in NYC to be close to Manhattan at a slightly lower price tag. Brooklyn has 77 different neighborhoods.
- New Paltz – Get in touch with Mother Nature in this little college town with big nature attractions in the Shawangunk Mountains. Find a mix of outdoor attractions, local establishments, and a lively nightlife scene.
- The Hamptons – A favorite getaway for rich & famous New Yorkers. Gorgeous accommodations, high-quality restaurants, & great shopping.
- Lake Placid – A popular and cozy snow sports vacation spot in the Adirondack Mountains. Famous for hosting the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- The Finger Lakes – This scenic region gets its name from its eleven skinny lakes. Enjoy water activities, wineries, and good food.
🛎️ Best Hotels
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New York State is home to thousands of hotels. To narrow it down a bit, here are a few of the top hotels in New York:
- The William Vale – A high-end hotel in the ultra-trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Stay here for NYC luxury at realistic prices.
- Mohonk Mountain House – A unique Victorian-style castle & resort with over 150 years of history in the Hudson Valley. It features scenic views, a world-class spa, and delicious restaurants.
- The Sagamore – A captivating and elegant waterfront hotel located in the popular Lake George. Tons of luxury amenities and nature.
- The Langham, New York – A luxury 5-star hotel on the super-stylish Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with jaw-dropping skyline views.
- High Peaks Resort – Escape into nature at this Lake Placid resort. Enjoy fishing, boating, ziplining, hiking, and on-site amenities.
🚗 Best Road Trips
New York is enormous and one of the most popular ways to see the whole state is by planning a New York road trip.
- The Adirondacks – Start south of Albany and head north through the Adirondacks on Route 32. Popular stops include Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Champlain, and Plattsburg.
- South Tier – Interstate 86 connects Pennsylvania and New York. A gorgeous, 200-mile-long drive with scenic landscapes.
- Route 9 – Begins in Albany and goes through breathtaking northern regions and adorable New York Towns like Saratoga Springs.
- Niagra Falls – One of the biggest natural wonders of NY. Depending on where you start driving, you’ll pass through NY’s stunning central areas.
⛱️ Best Beaches
There are plenty of fun, inviting beaches across the Empire State. Here are some great New York beaches worth visiting:
- Main Beach – A clean, beautiful, and exclusive beach in the East Hamptons. You’ll need a permit to park your car nearby.
- Ontario Beach – Enjoy swimming and relaxation on hot summer days at this Lake Ontario beach in Rochester.
- Robert Moss State Park – A 5-mile stretch of beaches with lots of space and privacy along the Atlantic Ocean on Fire Island.
- Brighton Beach – A personal favorite beach near NYC. A little more chill than Coney Island and perfect for relaxing by the waves.
⛰️ Best Mountains
One of the big things that New York is known for is its stunning mountains. Here are just a few of the state’s incredible mountain ranges:
- Peekamoose – Part of the Catskill Mountains, there’s a full-day hike from Demming that takes you to viewpoints. About 5.5 hours roundtrip.
- Mount Marcy – The tallest mountain in New York State with an elevation of over 5,000 ft in the middle of the Adirondacks.
- Whiteface Mountain – One of the highest mountains in NY, located near Lake Placid. Known for its top-notch skiing and snowboarding.
- Overlook Mountain – Family-friendly hike with breathtaking views of surrounding nature, located near Woodstock in the Hudson Valley.
- The Adirondack Mountains – A huge mountain range in Upstate NY that covers around 5,000 square miles. Home to beautiful mountains and endless outdoor activities.
⛷️ Best Ski Resorts
If you’re a fan of this winter sport, then you’ll have no trouble finding a place to do it in New York’s mountains. Some of the best ski resorts include:
- Hunter Mountain – A longtime favorite ski resort among locals and tourists about 3 hours north of NYC in the Catskill Mountains. Home to a 1,600-foot vertical drop.
- Windham Mountain – Good for newbie skiers and a calmer, less crowded experience. Only 15 minutes away from Hunter Mountain.
- Gore Mountain – Popular skiing area with a variety of lodges and trails located in the Adirondack Mountains near North Creek, NY.
- Whiteface Mountain – This ski resort near Lake Placid features 90 trails with varying difficulty and 11 lifts. The surrounding area has gorgeous scenery.
🎢 Best Theme Parks
New York isn’t necessarily known for its theme parks. But, if you’re looking for some thrilling rides and carnival food, there are a few options:
- Luna Park, Coney Island – The revitalized amusement park of Coney Island. Experience classic rides like the Cyclone and the Sling Shot.
- Playland Park – A huge park on Long Island with almost 300 acres to explore and nearly 100 years of history. Mainly geared towards kids.
- Six Flags Great Escape – NY has 2 Six Flags locations. Visit Six Flags Great Escape to enjoy exciting rides on land and an indoor waterpark.
🖼️ Best Museums
New York features is home to incredible and well-respected museums all around the state, but many of the best museums are in NYC.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) – This world-renowned art museum on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan has over 2 million pieces in its permanent collection. Plus, seasonal exhibits.
- American Museum of Natural History – A must-visit NYC museum for families with children. See exhibits on sharks, dinosaurs, birds, & more.
- National September 11 Memorial & Museum – This NYC memorial & museum gives an in-depth look at 9/11’s impact and pays tribute to those who lost their lives.
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – One of the largest modern art museums in the world. There’s always something interesting to see at this Midtown Manhattan museum.
New York Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
New York has very distinct seasons. Spring and fall are popular times to visit but you should visit during the season that best suits your tastes and itinerary.
- 🍂 Fall – From September to November. A brief but magical time of the year filled with foliage, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards.
- 🌼 Spring – Lasts from late March to late May. One of the best times to visit since it’s not too hot and everything is green. But expect occasional rain showers.
- 🌞 Summer – June through August is great for hot, sunny days and time by the water. Lots of outdoor activities, events, and festivals. NYC gets especially hot.
- ❄️ Winter – Lasts from December to early March. Extremely cold and snowy with great skiing and snowboarding. Come prepared with snow tires and warm clothes.
👉 Read the whole guide to the best time to visit New York City
🚌 Getting In & Around
There are a million ways to travel around New York whether you need to get across the state or just need a ride to the grocery store.
- ✈️ Airports – Major international airports include John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Albany International Airport (ALB), & Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF).
- 🚗 Driving – You’ll need a vehicle to get around most of New York apart from NYC, where driving is hectic and scary.
- 🚇 Public Transit – The best way to get around NYC by far. You can also take a bus or train to get around almost any other area in the state.
- 📲 Ride Share – You can use Uber and Lyft in New York. Lesser-known services like Via and Curb are also available.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – An awesome way to explore New York City. Biking is also convenient if you stay within the bounds of one town.
- 🛴 Scooters – Scooters like Lime and Bird are in NYC and other major cities. You probably won’t find them in other parts of New York.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – Small towns and NYC are extremely walkable. However, the rest of the state isn’t very walkable at all.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🚆 – Take Public Transportation – Take advantage of public transportation in New York City. For the rest of the state, there is public transportation, but driving might be a better option, depending.
- 💰 – Budget Properly – New York is famously one of the most expensive states in America. A one-week vacation in New York City can cost over $1,650 per person on the low end. Plan accordingly.
- 🍕 – Try New York Food Staples– New York has incredible food like pizza, bagels, cheesecake, and pastrami sandwiches on rye (from Katz’ Delicatessen, especially). Try them all!
- 🎨 – Visit the Museums – Some of the most incredible museums in the entire world live in New York. A few of the biggest names are:
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Guggenheim
- The American Museum of Natural History
- The Museum of Modern Art.
🧳 What to Pack
- 🎒 – Day Pack – A reliable day pack will help keep your devices and important items safe. Plus, it’s just easier to carry than a regular handbag.
- 🧴 – Sunscreen – Be sure to pack sunscreen no matter the season. Even in the dead of winter, the sun will still beat down on you.
- 🚰 – Reusable Water Bottle – A reusable water bottle is a must in New York, just be sure to fill it with filtered water!
- 🔋 – Portable Phone Charger – Getting around New York can be confusing so, it’s important to always have access to your phone. Bring a portable phone charger.
- 🛡️ – Safety Keychain – New York is generally safe, but you should still be prepared. Carry a safety keychain with a convert defense weapon for some peace of mind. And avoid carrying pepper spray because you could run into trouble at the airport.
🤓 Facts & Info
- Population (2024) – 19.87 million
- Capital – Albany, New York
- Largest Metro Areas – New York City, Long Island, Mid/Lower Hudson Valley
- Time Zone – ET Time (UTC -5:00 / UTC -4:00 during daylight savings)
- Airports – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York Stewart International Airport (SWF), Albany International Airport (ALB), Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
- Colleges & Universities – New York University, Columbia University, Cornell University, CUNY Hunter College, University at Buffalo SUNY
- Nickname – The Empire State
- Demonynm – New Yorker
- USPS Abbreviation – NY
- Governor – Kathy Hochul (Democratic Party)
- Country – United States of America
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- MERIC Cost of Living State Rank – #47 [Source]
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $150-$300/night
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $100-$300/night
- Rental Car – $75/day
- Public Transit Ticket – $2.90 (Metrocard)
- Take Out Meal for Two – $40
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $80
- Draft Beer – $6
FAQs About Visiting New York
Is New York safe for tourists?
New York is very safe for tourists. Like anywhere else, crimes and natural disasters like hurricanes happen. But, as long as you take proper safety precautions and stay alert, you probably won’t encounter any safety issues in New York.
What is the best month to visit New York?
The best months to visit New York are May and October. These months are at the height of the spring and fall seasons. The weather is perfect right before the change of the season. In the fall, you have the chance to see the leaves change colors. In the spring, the entire state is turning green and just getting warm.
Is New York worth visiting?
New York is definitely a state worth visiting. There are so many different activities, and every season brings something unique to the table. New York state has something for every type of traveler.
What food is New York known for?
New York is known for its pizza, bagels, cheesecake, buffalo wings, and the Manhattan cocktail.
How much money do I need to visit New York City?
You’ll need at least $1,600 a person to comfortably visit New York for a week. However, this price can fluctuate depending on what area of New York you’re staying in.
Meet Our New York Travel Experts
Sky Ariella
Sky Ariella is a professional writer from New York with an insatiable craving for exploring the world. After a post-college adventure around 6 Asian countries, she dove head-first into a writing career and travel lifestyle. Sky currently lives in Mexico City with her dog Bear. When she’s not whipping up content for Travel Lemming, she writes for Booking, Zippia, and her blog.
Niamh Hayes
Niamh Hayes is a New York City-based freelance writer and communications associate. She grew up in upstate New York and spent many summer months in Ireland, visiting her relatives around the country. She loves to spend the weekend taking mini-day trips and finding hiking spots around New York State. Niamh’s passions include soccer, writing, art, attempting to learn Spanish, and spending time with her friends in her neighborhood of Astoria.
Larissa Albright
Larissa Albright is a New York City-based writer and travel enthusiast. She loves trying local restaurants and coffee shops in her neighborhood and exploring every inch of Central Park. She visits London whenever she can and spends her summers in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
Victoria Folz
Victoria Folz is a freelance writer and travel enthusiast based in Southern California. She enjoys red eye flights, hiking, road trips, running, and solo adventures. Her favorite destination abroad is a tie between the island of Roatan and Porto Xeli, Greece. Visit her website here.
📰 New York Travel Guides
To learn more about New York, check out our other New York travel guides:
- The Best Time to Visit New York City (According to a Local)
- My Favorite New York City Neighborhoods
- 30 Best Day Trips from NYC (By a Local)
- The Essential Things to Do in the Hudson Valley
- The 26 Best Towns in New York
- The 24 Best Places to Visit in New York State (By a Local)
- The Best Places to Live in New York State (By a Local)
- Where to Stay in Buffalo (Best Areas & Places)
- Where to Stay in Hudson Valley (Best Places)
- Where to Stay in New York City (Best Places & Areas, By a Local)
- New York City Packing List (30 Things You Might Forget to Bring)
- The Perfect 7 Day New York Road Trip Itinerary
- One Day in New York City – The Perfect Itinerary
- NYC On a Budget (Exactly How to Do It On the Cheap)
- 5 Day New York City Itinerary (Planned by a Local + Map)
- The 82 Best Things to Do in NYC (By a Local)
- 23 Fun & Cool Things to Do in Central Park
- The 32 Best Museums in NYC for First-Timers
- The 33 Essential Things to Do on Long Island
- A Local’s Guide to Dining Out in NYC
- 28 New York City Travel Tips (for First-Timers)
- My Favorite Hikes in Long Island
- Where to Stay in Long Island (Best Places & Areas)
- The Top Hiking Trails in New York
- A Guide to the Top Lakes in New York State
- Is NYC Safe to Visit? (Honest Local Advice)
- 21 Best New York State Parks to Visit
- 5 Day Hudson Valley Itinerary (A Perfect Planner + Map)
- 15 Best Waterfalls in New York State
- This is When to Visit Long Island