New York state was one of the original 13 British colonies and is currently the third most populous state of the United States of America. The state's five largest cities are New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse. Located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country, New York is bordered by the states of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec, and Ontario.

The Great Appalachian Valley dominates eastern New York, while Lake Champlain is the chief northern feature of the valley, which also includes the Hudson River flowing southward to the Atlantic Ocean. The rugged Adirondack Mountains, with vast tracts of wilderness, lie west of the valley. Most of the southern part of the state is on the Allegheny plateau, which rises from the southeast to the Catskill Mountains. The western section of the state is drained by the Allegheny River and rivers of the Susquehanna and Delaware systems.

New York is known for its history as a gateway for immigration to the United States and its status as a transportation and manufacturing center. While the state is best known for New York City's urban atmosphere, especially Manhattan's skyscrapers, most of the state is dominated by farms, forests, rivers, mountains, and lakes. It is a major producer of dairy products (3rd in the nation after California and Wisconsin), is the nation's most prolific grower of cabbage, and has an expanding wine industry.

Attractions

New York City is one of the world's most significant cultural centers with hundreds of museums, galleries, and performance venues. Over 40 million tourists visit each year to experience many of the sights including Times Square, The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Central Park and so much more. 

Outside of its densely populated southeast corner, New York state offers numerous travel escapes whether you are looking for an exclusive getaway for two, or for a memorable family vacation. Near the U.S./Canada border awaits Niagara Falls where you'll experience the majestic waterfalls known all over the world. Be sure to take a boat tour on the Maid of the Mist in order to see the falls up close. While in the city of Niagara Falls, be sure to also visit the Niagara Aerospace Museum, Aquarium of Niagara and you can even try your luck at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Drive about an hour more between Buffalo and Rochester and you'll find Six Flags Darien Lake, one of New York's major theme parks.

On the east side of the state is Adirondack State Park, roughly the size of the state of Vermont and the largest state park in the United States. This area consists of nearly 100 campgrounds, 2000 miles of hiking trails and over 3000 lakes and ponds. Come enjoy the countless outdoor options or pamper yourself in one of the many resorts offered.

While in Lake George, Six Flags Great Escape is an adventure waiting to happen with its rollercoaster's, thrill rides, entertainment and even a water park. Great for all ages!

In close proximity to Lake George (about 2 hours drive) is the Catskill State Park which attracts about half a million visitors each year. There is over 300 miles of trails and numerous campgrounds on this 700,000 acre land.

Off the main interstate, but worth stopping to see is the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This three-story museum holds over 35,000 artifacts, 2.6 million library items (such as newspaper clippings and photos) and 130,000 baseball cards.

Accommodations

As far as lodging options, New York has them all. It is recommended if you're traveling to New York City, that you research and plan in advance as lodging prices are significantly higher here than the rest of the state. Prices in Manhattan typically range from $150-$500/night depending on the season and availability.

Across the rest of the state, there is a multitude of hotels, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds and vacation rentals for all budgets. The summer season is most popular for attractions and traveling families, so it is recommended booking in advance if you're traveling during this time.

Education

 • Cornell University
 • Columbia University
 • State University of New York (SUNY)
 • The University of the State of New York (USNY)
 • New York University
 • Syracuse University

Quick Facts

 • New York state is one of three places worldwide to have hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice.
 • Oneida, NY is the home of the world's smallest church
 • Dairying is New York's most important farming activity with over 18,000 cattle and or calves farms.
 • Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY is America's oldest street
 • The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway is the longest toll road in the country measuring 641 miles.
 • The "New York Post" is the oldest running newspaper in the United States.