In honor of me achieving my goal of visiting all 50 US States , I will post a picture of somewhere I have visited in each state and write a paragraph or two about my experience. There is so much to see in every one of them, so I am just selecting one of my best memories.
The Tee shirts don’t lie. I love NY. But in truth, I love all of New York not just ‘the city” but Long Island and the beautiful upstate area as well. I had been to NYC several times before I ventured out of the metro area and I was stunned. The Hudson Valley, The Poconos, and the Catskill Mountains and the shoreline of Lakes Erie and Ontario are all worthy of your time and attention. I always said if I ever had money the perfect home would be a house in the country but within a short distance from a major city. (And if I ever had SERIOUS money, I’d have my rural home and a small townhouse in the city). New York gives you both even without the houses. You have a major world city a short trip away from an unspoiled natural wilderness.
So when you visit New York, by all means, load your plate with NYC. See the Broadway shows, the Met (metropolitan museum of Art), Times Square and of course, the Statue of Liberty but save some room for dessert the rustic, bucolic rolling hills, lakes and valleys of upstate.
Some of my favorite memories of New York. Driving through the Adirondack region with my parents, The time I visited my high school friend Chris and watched him rehearse a show he was directing right off Times Square. The time I rode the Staten Island Ferry with my friend Jonathan, Walking through Central Park on a warm spring day. But maybe my favorite memory is driving up the Hudson Valley alone without even having the radio on and not even noticing because the beauty of the place had me spellbound.
I have something nice to say about every state, but New York is exceptional. I have great memories and dear friends there. I am not ashamed to say I love NY and if you come, I think you’ll be a lover too.
This is a really refreshing outlook on New York! I’m visiting for the first time this December and have been researching for the best things to do and see.
I’d love to experience the natural side of New York too. Do you have any top recommendations?
Hi, Thanks for posting. I guess part of the answer would depend on what part of the state you are visiting. If you are in the NYC area, the drive up the Hudson to Albany is stunning. I especially like the areas around West Point and Garrison If you are further upstate, I really like Watkins Glen State Park (it’s in the Finger lakes area.) I like Chimney Bluffs State Park In Wayne County (near Rochester) The Bluffs are barren rock and look like they belong out west somewhere like Utah. Also in western NY is the Letchworth State Park that has some amazing waterfalls.