New York General Information Nickname: Empire State State bird: Bluebird State flower: Rose Capital: Albany Date of admission to the Union: 26th July 1788 (original 13 States; date of ratification of the Constitution) Population: 18,976,457 (2000) Population density: 134.5/sq km 2000 total overseas arrivals/US ranking: 5,922,000/3 Time: Eastern (GMT - 5). Daylight Saving Time is observed. The State: New York State can be divided into 11 holiday regions – New York City, Long Island, The Catskills, Capital-Saratoga, The Adirondacks, Finger Lakes, Thousand Islands-Seaway, Chautauqua-Allegheny, Central-Leatherstocking, Greater Niagara and Hudson Valley. There is only one New York City. No other US metropolis even comes close to it in terms of population, diversity of culture, entertainment, business and commerce. Yet within a day’s drive, visitors can find fine beaches and seascapes; quiet, forested mountains; quaint, small towns; and plenty of historical sightseeing. Long Island, a short train ride east of Manhattan, is the largest island adjoining the continental USA. A popular destination for native city dwellers, Long Island has recently been discovered by everyone else. It boasts some beautiful white sand beaches, as well as the celebrated seaside resort of Hamptons. To the north of the city lie the Hudson River Valley and the resort area of The Catskills. Many visitors have compared the Hudson River with the Rhine – both feature busy boat traffic, dramatic cliffs, green hills and magnificent mansions. The Catskills, situated almost in New York City’s backyard, are among the State’s leading resort areas. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, the region offers a range of activities including fishing and skiing, as well as some fascinating historical buildings. New York State’s capital, Albany, lies in the Capital-Saratoga region, north of the Hudson Valley. Its fine museums are among the oldest in the country. Saratoga Springs has been a leading spa and horse-racing centre since the late 1800s and is the ‘summer home away from home’ for the New York City Opera and Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra. The Finger Lakes region in Central New York is dotted with resorts, campsites, water recreation areas, fine lakes and woodland scenery. Gouged into the land by the action of prehistoric glaciers, 11 slender lakes extend from north to south like the fingers of a hand. The area used to be famous for the quality of its glass, and today is known as the State’s prime wine-producing region. The Greater Niagara region is home to the State’s second-largest city, Buffalo, a major industrial centre with a strong sense of history. It is a good base from which to plan an excursion to the most celebrated natural attraction in New York State, the 56m (184ft) Niagara Falls, which can be visited on foot, by boat or by helicopter. The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, plunging down to form the celebrated falls in the process. The lakes and rivers of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region offer a range of outdoor recreational activities. Visitors can also tour Amish communities, Native American reservations and wineries; the region is the largest grape-growing area outside California. The Adirondacks region is where James Fenimore Cooper set the action of his legendary novel, The Last of the Mohicans. Adirondack Park is the largest State park in the USA at 2.4 million hectares (6 million acres). The region is known for its woodland cabins, luxurious lakeside resort hotels and the prospect of canoeing, salmon fishing and big-game hunting. The adjacent Thousand Islands-Seaway region offers a host of summer activities, including cruises among the many picturesque islands. More than 320km (200 miles) of spectacular coastline can be seen from the famous Seaway Trail byway, a scenic route stretching 700km (454 miles) past Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River. The Central-Leatherstocking region was once the USA’s western frontier, but is known today for its Native American memorials and sporting museums, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. Travel - International AIR: The three airports serving New York City are operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (website: www.panynj.gov). Public transport (buses and subway) in New York is run by Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) – New York City Transit (tel: (718) 330 1234; website: www.mta.nyc.ny.us) whose services are cheaper and more efficient than those of the private companies also operating. International airports: John F Kennedy (JFK), La Guardia (LGA) and Newark (EWR). All airports handle domestic and international flights, but most international flights into New York arrive at JFK. Flights from or via London Heathrow to New York land at JFK, and flights from London Gatwick land at JFK and EWR. Some transfer connections via continental Europe land at LGA, but the airport’s primary function is to handle internal US flights. For further information on timetables, transport and details of travel to New York City, contact the New York Port Authority. Travellers from Europe arriving at JFK will generally make their onward connection from there. Connections to smaller locations, and connections for travellers arriving at EWR, may have to be made by transferring to LGA. John F Kennedy International (JFK): The airport (website: www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkframe.HTM) is located in Queens, 24km (15 miles) southeast of midtown Manhattan (travel time – 50-60 minutes). For transport into the city, a free Airport Shuttle Bus labelled ‘Long Term Parking Lot’ (operating 24 hours a day at 15-minute intervals) takes travellers to Howard Beach Station; from there, a subway connection on the ‘A’ train (which runs every ten to 15 minutes) takes approximately 90 minutes to central Manhattan, stopping at a number of stations with further connections on the way. A 24-hour express bus service, the New York Airport Service Express Bus, is offered by New York Airport Service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal (Manhattan West Side) or Grand Central Station (Manhattan East Side). A single fare is US$13; buses operate every 15-30 minutes from 0600-0000 and every 30 minutes at other times (travel time 45-90 minutes depending on traffic). Gray Line Air Shuttle (tel: (212) 315 3006) operates a shared minibus service on demand between 0700-2300 which goes anywhere between Battery Park and 125th Street (travel time – 40-60 minutes, including stops at all major hotels). The Super Shuttle Manhattan (available on demand 24 hours a day) is a shared door-to-door service going anywhere between 23rd and 96th Streets. Taxis cost US$30 plus tolls and tips for all destinations on Manhattan island. Travellers are advised not to travel with a taxi driver who approaches them first. Always find out the standard rate as unscrupulous drivers may overcharge. Uniformed taxi dispatchers (recommended) are available during peak hours and provide information on fares. Transport to other destinations: Limousine services are available to some cities in Connecticut, Long Island and upstate New York. Coach services are available to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. La Guardia (LGA): The airport (website: www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgaframe.HTM) is located in Queens, 13km (8 miles) east of midtown Manhattan (travel time – 30-45 minutes). For transport into the city, the M-60 MTA bus goes over Triborough Bridge and intersects with all subway lines as it crosses to the Upper West Side of Manhattan; exact change (US$1.50) or a ‘MetroCard’ (an electronic fare card in use on all MTA buses and most subway stages) is required plus an additional US$1.50 if changing to the subway. Frequent express bus services are provided by Grayline Bus Services, New York Airport Services and Supershuttle. There are also buses from Grand Central Station to La Guardia from 0600-0000 as well as from Port Authority Bus Terminal to La Guardia 0715-2315 and from the hotels 0545-2200. There is also a ferry service, the Delta Water Shuttle, which departs from the Marine Air Terminal to 34th Street on the East River or to Pier 11 on Wall Street in downtown Manhattan (travel time – 30-45 minutes). Yellow taxis are readily available from designated taxi stands. Newark International Airport (EWR): The airport (website: www.newarkairport.com) is located across the river in New Jersey. For details, see the New Jersey section. Inter-Airport transfers: Regular helicopter transfers are available on New York Helicopter (HD) between New York airports and to Newark Airport Terminal ‘C’. Coach transfers are available between all three New York airports, though it may be necessary to change at Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. New York Airport Express Service offers links between JFK and LGA, as well as services between Manhattan and the airports. The Princeton Airporter offers a frequent service between JFK and EWR. Olympia Airport Express Service offers links between EWR and Manhattan. A limousine service is available to Newark Airport. Taxis are also available. Approximate flight times: From New York to Anchorage is 8 hours 30 minutes, to Atlanta is 2 hours 40 minutes, to Baltimore is 1 hour 20 minutes, to Barbados is 4 hours 40 minutes, to Bermuda is 2 hours, to Boston is 1 hour 10 minutes, to Buenos Aires is 10 hours 15 minutes, to Buffalo is 1 hour 50 minutes, to Caracas is 4 hours 55 minutes, to Chicago is 2 hours 50 minutes, to Cincinnati is 2 hours 10 minutes, to Cleveland is 1 hour 45 minutes, to Dallas/Fort Worth is 4 hours, to Detroit is 2 hours, to Frankfurt is 7 hours 30 minutes, to Hartford is 1 hour, to Honolulu is 12 hours, to Houston is 4 hours, to London is 6 hours 50 minutes (3 hours 50 minutes by Concorde), to Los Angeles is 6 hours, to Mexico City is 5 hours 10 minutes, to Miami is 3 hours 10 minutes, to Minneapolis/St Paul is 3 hours 10 minutes, to Montréal is 1 hour 25 minutes, to Moscow is 8 hours 50 minutes, to Nassau is 3 hours, to New Orleans is 3 hours 25 minutes, to Norfolk is 1 hour 30 minutes, to Orlando is 2 hours 50 minutes, to Philadelphia is 50 minutes, to Pittsburgh is 1 hour 30 minutes, to Providence is 1 hour, to Rio de Janeiro is 9 hours 15 minutes, to Rome is 8 hours 10 minutes, to St Croix is 4 hours, to St Maarten is 3 hours 50 minutes, to St Thomas is 3 hours 50 minutes, to Santo Domingo is 3 hours 50 minutes, to San Francisco is 6 hours 10 minutes, to San Juan is 3 hours 50 minutes, to Shannon is 6 hours 5 minutes, to Singapore is 21 hours 55 minutes, to Sydney is 26 hours, to Tampa is 3 hours, to Tel Aviv is 12 hours 30 minutes, to Toronto is 1 hour 30 minutes and to Washington, DC is 1 hour 10 minutes. SEA/LAKE: The Staten Island Ferry (departing from Whitehall Terminal) operates between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. The Circle Line Statue of Liberty Ferry (departing from Battery Park) sails to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises provide guided tours around Manhattan Island and along the Hudson River (departing from Pier 83, West 42nd Street). Frequent ferry services also run from Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey. Operators include NY Waterway (website: www.nywaterways.com) and Seastreak (website: www.seastreakusa.com). Lake Champlain Ferries provide several crossings on Lake Champlain, between New York State and Vermont. Routes include: Plattsburg NY–Grande Isle; Port Kent NY–Burlington and Essex NY–Charlotte. Wolfe Island, Ontario, is connected to Cape Vincent in New York by a ferry service which operates daily during the summer (website: www.wolfeisland.com). A service from Wolfe Island to Kingston, Ontario, operates daily throughout the year. RAIL: Pennsylvania Station (34th Street/6th Avenue) serves both the Long Island Railroad (Long Island and New Jersey) and Amtrak (nationwide). Grand Central Station (42nd Street/Park Avenue) is the terminus for services to upstate New York (Metro North) and Connecticut. There are two daily trains to Montréal and one to Toronto. Approximate rail travel times: From New York on the ‘Adirondack’ to Montréal is 14 hours 30 minutes; on the ‘Pennsylvanian’ to Philadelphia is 1 hour 30 minutes and to Harrisburg is 16 hours; on the ‘Maple Leaf’ to Buffalo is 8 hours, to Niagara Falls is 9 hours and to Toronto is 12 hours; on the ‘Silver Meteor’ to Baltimore is 3 hours, to Washington, DC is 3 hours 30 minutes, to Jacksonville is 18 hours, to Orlando (Disney World) is 21 hours, to Tampa is 23 hours and to Miami is 26 hours; and on the ‘Crescent’ to Charlotte is 10 hours, to Atlanta is 16 hours, to Birmingham is 19 hours and to New Orleans is 27 hours. There are frequent shuttles to Washington, DC and Boston, taking 3 hours 15 minutes and 4 hours 30 minutes respectively. The new ACELA Express takes two and half hours to Washington, DC and three hours to Boston. ROAD: Travel from Manhattan to New Jersey is across George Washington Bridge or through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Brooklyn with Staten Island. Queensborough Bridge links Manhattan and Queens. Take Triborough Bridge for upstate New York and the New England Thruway and Bruckner Expressway to New England. Bus: The Port Authority Bus Terminal (40th Street/8th Avenue) handles long-distance and regional buses. Approximate driving times: New York to Philadelphia is 2 hours, to Hartford is 2 hours, to Albany is 3 hours, to Boston is 4 hours, to Baltimore is 4 hours, to Washington, DC is 5 hours, to Portland (Maine) is 6 hours, to Montréal is 7 hours, to Buffalo is 8 hours, to Pittsburgh is 8 hours, to Toronto is 9 hours, to Cleveland is 10 hours, to Indianapolis is 15 hours, to Chicago is 16 hours, to Miami is 27 hours, to Dallas is 33 hours, to Los Angeles is 58 hours, to San Francisco is 61 hours and to Seattle is 61 hours. All times are based on non-stop driving at or below the applicable speed limits. Approximate bus travel times: New York (tel: (800) 231 2222; toll free) to Philadelphia is 2 hours 20 minutes, to Albany is 3 hours, to Washington, DC is 4 hours 40 minutes, to Boston is 4 hours 45 minutes, to Montréal is 8 hours 30 minutes, to Buffalo is 9 hours, to Pittsburgh is 9 hours and to Cleveland is 9 hours 30 minutes. Urban: Subway: Despite its reputation, the New York City subway is fast, air-conditioned, cheap and runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Moreover, the latest statistics show that crime on the subway has declined considerably. Express trains run between major stops and local trains stop at every station. Subway maps are posted in each subway car and pocket maps are available from token booths. Prepaid Metrocards can be purchased from subway booths or newsagents and can be used on buses. There are reduced fares for senior citizens and the disabled. For further information, contact the Metropolitan Transportation Authority – New York City Transit (MTA) (tel: (718) 330 1234). Bus: Services are extensive and are run mostly by the New York City Transit Authority. Metrocards are valid, or one may pay the driver. The exact fare is required, change will not be given. Three-quarters of the city’s buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts at the rear door. Taxi: The standard yellow cab is metered and reasonably cheap. There is no charge for extra passengers, but there is a 50-cent surcharge between 2000 and 0600. Hansom cabs: Horse-drawn carriages line up at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, just outside the Plaza Hotel. Car hire: All the major national car rental companies are represented in New York City and many have offices at the city’s airports. New York City New York, the ‘city that never sleeps’, is one of the world’s great metropolises, offering visitors everything from the ethnic flavours of Chinatown and Little Italy, to the galleries of SoHo, the cafes of Greenwich Village, the glitz of the Theater District, the shopping on Fifth Avenue and the affluence of Park Lane and the Upper West Side. New York City is made up of five boroughs and is laid out on a grid of avenues and streets. Most tourist sights are found on Manhattan Island, the city’s entertainment and business centre. The remaining four boroughs are primarily residential – the Bronx to the north, Queens to the east, Brooklyn to the southeast and Staten Island to the southwest. Each has wealthy and salubrious districts alongside working-class neighbourhoods – demonstrating New York’s varied social mix. The total area of all five boroughs is 780 sq km (301 sq miles). New York’s location at the mouth of the Hudson River on the Atlantic Ocean is reflected in the city’s importance as a port, and as the point of disembarkation for millions of immigrants to the USA. Vibrating with the energy of over seven million inhabitants, New York is a constantly evolving, growing and changing organism. The sheer volume of things to do – theatre, ballet, opera, museums – is astonishing. Many of the city’s 18,000-plus restaurants are reporting boom times. The once seedy Times Square is one of several areas currently being redeveloped, with new entertainment and retail complexes springing up around 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. Renovations of historic theatres in the area – such as the Victory, the Lyric or the Academy/Apollo – have been followed by a flood of restaurateurs and prospective retail tenants signing up for space on or near Times Square. The number of visitors streaming to New York continues to rise: every year, the city’s airports get busier, more people are booking into hotels, and ticket sales at famous tourist attractions continue to increase. Crime, on the other hand, is plummeting, following the introduction of ‘zero tolerance’ policing. Visitors with disabilities will now find wheelchair access to 99 per cent of New York City buses and 40 subway stations. Public telephones for the deaf are also widespread. Two brochures for disabled people are available from New York City Transit (see contact number above). MANHATTAN: The Manhattan skyline is an instantly recognisable sight, immortalised in countless films and television programmes. One of the best views of it can be obtained from the Staten Island Ferry (see below). It should be noted, however, that following the terrorist attacks of Tuesday 11 September 2001 the famous landmark of the World Trade Center with its twin towers was completely destroyed. The first European settlement on Manhattan was by the Dutch in the 1620s, who named the city New Amsterdam. In 1664, the British took over and renamed it New York, and settlement continued from south to north along the island. Skyscrapers, such as the art-deco Empire State Building, offer spectacular views of the city by day or night. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: New York’s most famous image is the 46.5m- (151ft-) high Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island, which may be reached by boat from Battery Park on Manhattan’s southern tip. A lift and staircase inside the Statue take visitors up to an observation platform. The Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry departs from the historic Castle Clinton at Battery Park every 30 minutes and also stops at Ellis Island, the gateway for the massive numbers of immigrants arriving in New York between 1892 and 1954. On the island, the Wall of Honor, the world’s longest wall of names, commemorates over 600,000 immigrants, and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum offers an interesting insight into the lives of New York’s early immigrants. Lower Manhattan: The oldest part of the city is at the southern end of Manhattan. East of Battery Park is the Financial District, containing the famous Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, where visitors have access to a public gallery to catch a glimpse of the frenetic trading action. The historic South Street Seaport, located at the end of Wall Street, offers great views of New York Harbor. The seaport is a thriving waterfront community with a world-class maritime museum and more than 100 shops, cafés and restaurants. To the northeast of the seaport is the famous Brooklyn Bridge, leading to Brooklyn. Chinatown, Manhattan’s most thriving ethnic neighbourhood extends from Canal Street into Little Italy and east into the Lower East Side. This labyrinth of narrow streets, crammed with Chinese stores and restaurants, is home to over 100,000 residents. While Chinatown has expanded in recent years, neighbouring Little Italy has dwindled somewhat, and few of the original Italian immigrants remain, though Little Italy’s restaurants, delis and bakeries remain as tempting as ever. East of Little Italy, the Lower East Side has traditionally been New York’s Jewish area, owing to a flow of Jewish immigrants to the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The area is also known for its Orchard Street Market, an open-air bazaar, and its numerous delis. To the northwest, Greenwich Village has been a melting pot for art, literature and music for decades, though its legendary bohemian feel has partly been replaced by upmarket beatnik chic. South of Greenwich Village is SoHo (South of Houston), which has become synonymous with art since the 1960s, and retains its arty, avant-garde character, with plenty of galleries, cafes, boutiques and loft spaces fronted by interesting cast-iron façades. Still further south is TriBeCa (Triangle Below Canal Street), once a deserted warehouse district, and now a growing residential area. Midtown Manhattan: The heart of the city is located between 34th Street south and 59th Street north and contains several of New York’s landmark buildings, including the 102-storey Empire State Building (completed in 1931). Worth visiting here are Bryant Park and the beautiful New York Public Library nearby; the 1930 art-deco Chrysler Building (New York’s first skyscraper); the United Nations Building (the organisation’s world headquarters); Grand Central Station, which has been completely restored, with special attention paid to its magnificent constellation ceiling; Fifth Avenue, the city’s most glamorous thoroughfare, filled with luxury shops and department stores; the Chelsea neighbourhood, home of the landmark Chelsea Hotel and also centre for New York’s gay community as well as a new magnet for art galleries and commercial developers; the Rockefeller Center, famous for its (winter-only) ice-skating rink and also the home of NBC Studios, which can be visited; the Museum of Modern Art, a few blocks away; and, at the heart of Midtown, the Broadway theatre district near the newly revamped, now ‘family-friendly’ Times Square. Uptown Manhattan: Uptown Manhattan covers the area north of 59th Street and is split roughly in the middle by Central Park (see below). To the northwest of the park is Columbia University and the Cathedral of St John the Divine, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, which is still under construction (begun in 1812). Further north, Harlem is noted for its rich African American community. Good examples of classic New York brownstones can be seen in Harlem’s Sugar Hill. Several decayed and crime-ridden areas in Harlem are now being redeveloped. BROOKLYN: Brooklyn is best reached via Brooklyn Bridge, which is particularly striking at night, and usually bustling with people during the day. Having crossed the bridge, visitors arrive in Brooklyn Heights, a good area to walk around. Further southeast lie Prospect Park and the adjacent Brooklyn Botanic Gardens; the Brooklyn Academy of Music, home to the interesting Next Wave Festival; and the historic Park Slope district, notable for its old brownstones. Coney Island and Brighton Beach, the latter full of Russian shops and restaurants, are at the south/southeastern end of the borough. THE BRONX: Major attractions include the world-famous Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden; Yankee Stadium, home to the Yankees baseball team; Poe Cottage, former home of the writer Edgar Allan Poe; and Woodlawn Cemetery, where several famous musicians, including Miles Davis, are buried. QUEENS: Major attractions in the borough include the Astoria Movie Studios with the (attached) American Museum of the Moving Image, close to La Guardia airport; and Shea Stadium (home to the New York Mets Major League Baseball team), with the nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The southern half of Queens includes a portion of the Gateway National Recreation Area which, despite its location next to JFK International Airport, provides a refuge to hundreds of bird species. STATEN ISLAND: Visitors to the island often do so mainly to enjoy the view of the classic New York skyline from the Staten Island Ferry, which operates from Battery Park (downtown) past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to Staten Island. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island with Brooklyn. PARKS & BEACHES: New York’s most famous park, Central Park, was created in 1856, when officials set aside 341 hectares (843 acres) of land between 5th and 8th Avenues and 59th and 110th Streets. John Lennon fans may pay their respects at Strawberry Fields, the area of the park dedicated to his memory. Also within the park is the Central Park Wildlife Center, a small but interesting zoo. During summer, the park hosts afternoon and evening concerts. Additions to the park include the Dana Discovery Center and fishing pond (with free poles and bait). Visitors should note that it is not advisable to visit Central Park after dark. The recently restored Bryant Park, behind the New York Public Library, has been a great success with businesspeople and visitors on lunch, especially as it offers free outdoor concerts and comedy shows. Reminiscent of Paris, with gravel pathways, green folding chairs and a manicured lawn, it’s a great place for sunbathing, reading or enjoying a sandwich or salad bought from kiosks in the park. The fountain at the western end is a good place for a romantic rendez-vous. Other parks include the world-famous New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, which has 100 hectares (250 acres) of woods, waterways and gardens and whose centrepiece is the newly restored Enid A Haupt Conservatory. Riverside Park, running alongside the Hudson River; Battery and Washington Square parks in Lower Manhattan; Prospect Park, Marine Park and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn; and Flushing Meadows/Corona, Cunningham, Kissina and Jacob Riis parks in Queens. Clove Lake Park and Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island boast impressive views of New York harbour. There are several fine beaches to the east of New York City. Nearest to Manhattan are Coney Island, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach. Other beaches include Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park, South Beach and Wolfe’s Pond Park on Staten Island. SPECIAL EVENTS: The following is a selection of events in New York City in 2003. For further events contact NYC & Company CVB (see Contact addresses section): Mar 17 St Patrick's Day Parade, Manhattan. Jun 8 Celebrate Brooklyn Performing Arts Festival, Brooklyn. Jul 4 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, near East River. Aug Harlem Week, citywide. Aug 25-Sep 7 US Open Tennis Tournament, Flushing. Nov 2 New York City Marathon. Nov 27 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Manhattan. Greater Niagara Located in western New York State between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls is one of the most outstanding spectacles on the North American continent. There are three main waterfalls, American, Canadian (Horseshoe) and Bridal Veil Falls, each in a different stream of the Niagara River. Other attractions in the region include Letchworth State Park, Buffalo, Lake Erie and Lewiston. SPECIAL EVENTS: Each spring, the Festival of Gold celebrates the blooming of daffodils all over Niagara County. The flowers can be seen at Old Fort Niagara, Artpark and the New York Power Authority, as well as in extensive areas along the Robert Moses Parkway from Rainbow Boulevard North to Lewiston. The Festival of Gold began in 1992, when volunteers planted 405,000 daffodil bulbs across the county. From Nov 20-Jan 4 2004, A Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls attracts more than 8.5 million visitors. Billed as ‘Niagara’s Holiday Gift to the World’, the festival is one of the nation’s premier winter attractions, combining hundreds of thousands of colourful lights, animated displays, professional and community entertainment and 44 days of events. Other events to be held in 2003 include: Mar Annual Polar Bear Swim, Olcott Beach (near Lake Ontario); Mar St Patrick’s Day Celebrations, Niagara Falls. May-Sep Classic Car Cruise Nights (Saturdays), Olcott Beach. Aug Niagara County Fair, Lockport; 19th Century Faire, Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown; Annual Lewiston Outdoor Fine Arts Festival. Sep-Oct Annual Pumpkin Fiesta, (weekends). Oct Niagara’s Apple Country Festival, Lockport. Niagara Falls Ten million tourists visit Niagara Falls each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in America. The Niagara River rapids, just above the Falls, and the Niagara Gorge, below the Falls, offer beautiful scenery and many opportunities for sightseeing. The price of most merchandise is lower in Niagara Falls than in most other parts of the USA and Canada. Within the city of Niagara there are two large factory outlet malls, a large shopping mall and several retail districts. The region offers good antique shopping. Niagara’s hotels are near to the Falls, attractions and shopping. Many of them are only a short walk from the edge of the Falls themselves. The New York State Park that surrounds the Falls is the oldest State Park in the nation and has been restored to its original 19th-century design. Created by Frederick Olmstead to provide a natural setting for the Falls, it became a model for the uniquely American style of park. It includes many woodland islands in the rapids just above the Falls and a new visitor centre. The Viewmobile is a coach that tours the park. The Great Lakes Gardens outside the centre use grass, flowers and shrubs to depict the Great Lakes. Visitors can take the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour that travels into the spray of the Falls, or explore the Cave of the Winds, on Goat Island, in the middle of the river above the Falls. The Niagara Whirlpool, on the river beneath the Falls, can be visited by jet boat. North of the Falls is Old Fort Niagara – a restored fortress and park containing military buildings, including the 1726 French Castle, one of the oldest European-designed buildings on the continent. Other attractions in the area include the Daredevils Hall of Fame with photographs, contraptions and memorabilia of the swimmers, tightrope walkers and others who braved the Falls (sometimes fatally); the Aquarium of Niagara, with more than 1500 aquatic animals including sharks, piranhas and sea lions; the Niagara Aerospace Museum, and the Amherst Museum at Amherst, which recreates life on the 19th-century Niagara Frontier. TRAVEL: The Buffalo/Niagara Falls International Airport is only a 25-minute drive from the Falls and is served by many airlines. The Niagara Falls International Airport is just seven minutes away by coach or taxi. It can accommodate the largest jumbo jets and is available for charter flights. For people arriving by coach, Niagara Falls is located on a major Interstate Highway, less than a day’s drive from New York City and the eastern USA. The Falls are also accessible by rail. Amtrak offers two trains per day from New York City and Toronto. Greyhound provides a direct service from New York to Niagara. Buffalo & Area Standing at the eastern extremity of Lake Erie on the border with Canada, Buffalo is the State’s second-largest city, the gateway to Niagara Falls and the Finger Lakes, and within easy reach of Lake Ontario and Toronto. It is home to the State’s most important museum outside New York City, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, which contains works by Picasso, Renoir, Van Gogh and Monet, among others. The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society displays the inventions of Niagara Frontier residents, including Cheerios, cold remedies and pacemakers. Allentown Association is among the largest historic preservation sites in the USA. The area includes arts and crafts, Victorian-style homes, international food and galleries. The graves of President Millard Fillmore and Seneca Indian Chief Red Jacket can be found at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. Other attractions include the Burchfield Arts Center, with the largest collection of watercolours by American artist Charles F Burchfield; the Buffalo Museum of Science with a children’s discovery room; CEPA Gallery, devoted to photographic art; and the Naval and Military Park, where the World War II destroyer, USS Sullivans, is docked. Buffalo Zoo in Delaware Park has large enclosures with natural features and is home to Siberian tigers, gorillas and elephants. EXCURSIONS: Artpark, in the historic village of Lewiston, is the only State Park in the nation dedicated to the visual and performing arts. The 80ha (200-acre) park includes a 2300-seat theatre, nature trails, free outdoor performances and workshops. Letchworth State Park is known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’ and offers visitors magnificent views of the Genesee River Gorge. Outdoor activities on offer include camping, hiking and picnicking. The only socialised wolf pack in the eastern USA lives at the Institute for Environmental Learning in Lyndonville, which also houses bald eagles and cougars. Full of houses and shops from the 1820s, Lockport is known for its five enormous locks on the Erie Canal. The Lockport Cave Tour takes visitors along the locks, through a tunnel blasted out of rock in the 1800s, and ends in an underground boat ride. TRAVEL: There are limousine services from Greater Buffalo Airport (BUF) to the city, 14.5km (9 miles) away, or direct to Niagara Falls. Taxis are also available. There are Amtrak rail links from Buffalo to Niagara, and frequent local buses. Hudson Valley The Hudson River Valley spans 225km (140 miles) from the Battery in Manhattan to New York’s State Capitol in Albany, encompassing New York City and a ten-county region to the north (Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Duchess, Ulster, Columbia, Greene, Albany and Rensselaer counties). As the Hudson River flows northwards, its landscape becomes more subdued and turns from rugged shorelines to gentle, rolling hills. The Catskill Mountains, located to the west, provide a stunning backdrop. Away from the river itself, the Valley contains rich, fertile lands that were originally farmed by the many Native American Algonquin tribes and the early Dutch settlers. Although some of it is being converted to non-agricultural uses, these lands remain the largest agricultural area in the State. The Hudson River Valley was originally inhabited by Native Americans over 3000 years ago, before being settled by the Dutch in the early 1600s. Important decisions involving the early development of the USA were made throughout the region and it was the centre of the Revolutionary War. Today, approximately three million people live in the Hudson Valley. The Hudson River Valley corridor serves as a major transport and commercial link between the ports of New York City and Albany. The Erie Canal, constructed in 1852, linked New York City to Chicago before the development of the railway in the late 1880s made barges obsolete. The scenery of the Hudson Valley inspired the works of early US writers, artists and designers and contributed to an appreciation of the natural environment. The Valley was the birthplace in the mid-19th century of the Hudson River School of painting – the largest, longest and most influential movement in American art history. James Fenimore Cooper (The Leatherstocking Tales) and Washington Irving (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) used the unique landscape and folklore of the Hudson Valley as the backdrop to their literary works. The Hudson Valley is also scattered with the works of famous landscape architects Andrew Jackson Downing, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted as well as a wide array of historic and archaeological sites and museums associated with Native Americans, the Dutch and English settlements, the Revolutionary War and the Hudson River School. The Hudson Valley has a long tradition as a holiday destination. In the mid-to-late-19th century, it served as a retreat for wealthy industrialists from New York City such as the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, who built the elaborate estates along the shores of the Hudson known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’. City dwellers have also sought refuge at the many resorts located in the western mid-to-upper Hudson Valley region. Today, the area continues to offer year-round opportunities for many outdoor activities such as boating, camping, hiking, hunting, skiing, bicycling, rock climbing and canoeing. Tourism is the Valley’s largest employer. WESTCHESTER COUNTY: Known as the ‘Golden Apple of New York State’, Westchester is located just 24km (15 miles) north of Manhattan and is the gateway to the Hudson Valley. With ties to both areas, Westchester benefits from the two different worlds. The county is bordered on the west by the Hudson River and on the east by the Long Island Sound, offering plenty of opportunities for boating, sailing and watersports. The county is home to 40 private and public golf courses and top-name department stores, discount malls and exclusive boutiques. The city’s historic roots go deep and are reflected in the many museums, historic sites and other attractions. These include the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, where paintings by the famous Hudson River School of artists are on display. At Tarrytown is the restored home of writer Washington Irving, and nearby is Lyndhurst, the estate and Gothic-style mansion formerly owned by the 19th-century tycoon, Jay Gould. Visitors can also tour the recently opened Rockefeller estate, Kykuit. ORANGE COUNTY: This is the only county in the State located between two rivers, the Delaware River on the west and the Hudson on the east. Founded in 1683, Orange County was named after England’s House of Orange, and the county has played a major role in US history. George Washington lived and had his headquarters here until the Revolutionary War ended. Today, Orange County has the greatest number and the most diverse assortment of attractions in New York outside Manhattan: West Point, where visitors can observe impressive military parades by cadets at the United States Military Academy; Storm King Art Center (the largest sculpture park in the USA); Woodbury Common (the largest discount designer outlet in the world); Museum Village (the largest living history museum in New York); Sugar Loaf Art and Craft Village, with working craftsmen and more than 60 shops, and the New York Renaissance Faire. At Washingtonville is the Brotherhood Winery. The country’s oldest winery, it also boasts the largest wine cellars in the USA. Orange County is also known for the beauty of its rolling farmland, and features apple orchards and picking farms that have farm stores, hay rides and seasonal events throughout the year. With 56km (35 miles) of the Appalachian Trail and several large State Parks, hiking is popular in Orange County, as is canoeing or rafting the Delaware River, one of the ten most ecologically healthy rivers in the USA. DUCHESS COUNTY: Named for Mary, Duchess of York and later Queen of England, this county was home to Franklin D Roosevelt, who is buried with his wife, Eleanor, at Hyde Park. Here, on the Hudson River, is the Vanderbilt Mansion, a striking 54-room Italian Renaissance structure, furnished elegantly in marble and mahogany. The Culinary Institute of America, three miles north of Poughkeepise, is one of the world’s great cookery schools. Visitors can sample the cuisine at one of the three restaurants on its campus, the Escoffier Room, American Bounty Restaurant or Caterina de Medici, as well as two cafés. At Rhinebeck, the Old Rhinebeck Aeordrome houses an extensive museum of native warplanes, including several World War I models. SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb 15-17 George Washington’s Birthday Celebration, Newburgh. Mar 12th Annual Orange County Boat Show, Middletown. Apr Annual Food and Wine Festival, North Salem. May-Jun Westchester County Fair. Aug Duchess County Fair, Rhinebeck. Sep-Oct Fall Pumpkin Festival, Red Hook. Sep International Food and Entertainment Festival, Middleton; 9th Annual Cheese Festival, Monroe. Oct 31st Annual Fall Art and Craft Festival, Sugar Loaf Craft Village; Oktoberfest, Bear Mountain State Park; Applefest, Warwick; Fall Foliage Festival, Highland Falls, Port Jervis. Dec Holiday Festival, Bear Mountain. Finger Lakes Located midway between New York City and Niagara Falls in west central New York State, the Finger Lakes represent one of the truly unspoiled vacation areas in the USA. Well known for its picturesque lakes, wineries and lush forests, the region offers many opportunities for recreational activity. It is home to 25 State Parks and a variety of museums and historic homes. The Native Americans believed the Finger Lakes were formed when the Great Spirit reached out to bless the region and left behind the imprint of his hand. Geologists report instead that the unique features of the area – the 11 long narrow lakes lying side by side, the wide valleys and the deep gorges with rushing waterfalls – were formed by the grinding action of Ice Age glaciers. These geographical features are found nowhere else in the world. Jesuit missionaries, the first Europeans to arrive in the region, found it controlled by the Cayuga, Seneca and Onondaga Native Americans, part of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy. The area’s Native American heritage is still apparent today in the names of communities and landmarks throughout the region. Although the Finger Lakes area is known primarily for its natural beauty and abundant recreational opportunities, it has also played a significant role in US social, economic and political history and is the home of famous statesmen, inventors and businessmen. From west to east, the six largest lakes are: Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, and Skaneateles. There are many fine lodges and small resorts on the lakes’ shores, where visitors can take in the outstanding scenery and make the most of recreational opportunities, especially boating and fishing. SYRACUSE: The city flourished after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, and the Erie Canal Museum, a restored 1850s canal-boat-weighing station set along the canal, celebrates the waterway’s importance to the region. Other attractions include the Milton J Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology, which has a planetarium and a terrarium with live lakeshore creatures, and Burnet Park Zoo with 14.5ha (36 acres) and more than 1000 animals in their natural habitat. The Everson Museum of Art features the nation’s largest display of US ceramics. Life in the 17th century is recreated at the Sainte Marie Among the Iroquois Living History Museum; the Sainte Marie mission was built by the French in 1657 at the invitation of the Iroquois people. The Canal Center has a canoe launch and facilities for biking, hiking and picnicking, while visitors to the Cedarvale Maple Syrup Company can see how maple syrup is made. ROCHESTER: The third-largest urban area in New York State, Rochester has more sites on the National Register of Historic Places than any other city its size. Known for its beautiful parks and gardens, the city hosts the celebrated Lilac Festival each May. George Eastman, inventor in 1892 of roll film and the Kodak camera, lived here. The George Eastman House is a national historical landmark and its outstanding International Museum of Photography details the development of the art from the time of Daguerre to the satellite photos of the space age. At the Rochester Museum and Science Center, visitors can learn about the Seneca Native Americans through exhibits and artefacts that date from 1550 to 1820. At nearby Victor, the ‘capital’ of the Seneca people from 1650 to 1687 is preserved at the State Historic Site of Ganondagan. WINE REGION: Viticulture has flourished in the Finger Lakes region for more than a century, and today it is one of the world’s leading wine districts. Many wineries offer free guided tours and tastings. All of the area’s vineyards and wineries lie on the Cayuga Wine Trail, located between Seneca Falls and Trumansburg, centred around the Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga lakes. The Greyton H Taylor Wine Museum in Hammondsport details the history and the process of winemaking. ELSEWHERE: The Finger Lakes region was renowned for the quality of its glass, and the newly renovated Corning Museum of Glass in Corning has exhibits spanning 3500 years of glass-making. Visitors can still observe craftsmen shaping exquisite glass objects. Ithaca is home to the Sciencenter, a hands-on science museum and outdoor science playground, and the Herbert F Johnson Museum of Art, which houses a collection spanning 40 centuries and six continents. North of Ithaca, the Taughannock Falls State Park features a waterfall higher than Niagara. At Watkins Glen, visitors will find the National Motor Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. At the north end of Cayuga Lake is the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a resting and feeding area for more than 235 species of migratory birds. SPECIAL EVENTS: Mar 17 St Patrick’s Parade, Syracuse. May Naples Arts and Music Festival, Naples; Lilac Festival, Rochester. Jun Fairport Canal Days, Fairport. Jul Sterling Renaissance Festival, Fair Haven; Rochester Music Festival, Rochester. Aug 15th Annual Fair Haven Arts and Crafts Festival, Fair Haven; Seneca Lake Whale Watch, Geneva; New York State Fair, Syracuse. Aug-Sep New York State Festival of Balloons, Dansville. Nov 48th Annual Art Mart, Syracuse. The Adirondacks The Adirondacks region is full of natural attractions – dense forests, craggy mountains, streams, rivers and spring-fed lakes – and historic sites. The region saw many critical skirmishes during the American Revolution and French and Indian Wars. Visitors may choose to tour these battlegrounds, walk in the footsteps of Hawkeye from The Last of the Mohicans or meditate in the solitude of a remote Adirondack lake as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Albert Einstein did. The area has long been home to artisans, and local products, known as Adirondackana, include the famous Adirondack chair, birchbark picture frames, authentic North Country maple syrup and hand-woven pack baskets. ADIRONDACK PARK: The Park is the USA’s largest wilderness reserve outside Alaska and one of the most successful conservation efforts in history. Created in 1882 to preserve the Great North Woods of New York State, the 2.5 million hectare (six million acre) natural sanctuary is protected under the State Constitution. Roughly the size of Vermont and bigger than the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks combined, the park stretches over nearly a third of New York State. This rugged land, which looks today very much like it did more than 10,000 years ago, is less than a day’s drive from northeastern USA and eastern Canada. It is the abundance of water – nearly 2500 lakes and ponds and more than 48,000km (30,000 miles) of rivers and streams – that makes the Adirondacks so distinct among the world’s great wilderness areas. As recently as the late 1800s, these waters were virtually the only mode of transport in the Adirondacks. Today they are a source of recreation, attracting canoeists, kayakers and whitewater rafters. There are miles of sandy beaches and thousands of secluded swimming holes, broad lakes for windsurfing and boating, and nearly every species of freshwater fish to challenge fishing enthusiasts. ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS: The Adirondacks region is home to some of the tallest and most dramatic mountains in the eastern USA. With names like Giant, Skylight and Upper Wolfjaw, the 46 highest Adirondack mountains, known as ‘the High Peaks’, are situated in the northeastern part of the park. Here, on the summit of the majestic Mount Marcy, is the highest point in New York State. Traversing the mountains and surrounding wilderness are more than 3200km (2000 miles) of marked trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, and extreme pitches off the beaten path to challenge rock climbers. The Adirondacks are a winter playground, with more than nine different ski areas and thousands of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Opportunities for winter camping attract the robust of spirit and there are bob-sleigh rides for those wishing to experience the ‘champagne of thrills’. Snowmobilers consistently put the Adirondacks high on their list for its extensive network of trails and great pit stops. There are also dog-sleigh rides and hundreds of frozen lakes on which to skate or go ice fishing, and Olympic venues to visit in Lake Placid. At the base of the mountains lies Lake Champlain, considered the most historic body of water in North America. The excellent Lake Champlain Maritime Museum includes a rigged and armed 54-foot replica of Benedict Arnold’s gunboat Philadelphia II. The museum’s interactive hands-on exhibits in an 1818 stone schoolhouse explore the lake’s history, while the Nautical Archaeology Center uncovers the lake’s legacy of shipwrecks, including the recently discovered schooner Troy, which sank in a gale in 1825. SPECIAL EVENTS: All year round, the towns and villages of the Adirondacks are bustling with activity. Throughout the region there are art and craft exhibitions, music festivals, and theatrical performances. There are also good old country fairs, holiday celebrations and sports events of all kinds, including international athletic competitions. Full details can be obtained from the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (see Contact addresses section). The following is a selection of events held in the region during 2003: Feb Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake; Pack Forest Dog Sled Races, Warrensburg; Empire State Winter Games, Lake Placid. Jun Spring Fishing Contest, Long Lake. Jun-Jul Lake Placid Horse Show. Jul 3 Independence Day Celebrations, Tupper Lake. Jul ESPN Outdoor Games, Lake Placid; Woodsmen’s Field Days, Tupper Lake. Aug Riverfest, Lowville; Lake Placid Institute International Jazz Seminar. Sep Canoe Classic, Old Forge to Sarnac Lake; Battle of Plattsburgh Celebration; Hot Air Balloon Festival, Queensbury; ‘The World’s Largest Garage Sale’, Warrensburg. The Catskills From the lush greenery of the southern Catskills to the dramatic, unspoiled peaks of the north, there is plenty to occupy visitors, whether they are seeking excitement or the perfect spot for a tranquil stay. The four-county region offers opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities, from ballooning to rafting and from fishing to skiing. The region lies just 145km (90 miles) north of New York City, and around half an hour from Stewart International Airport, which is served by six major airlines. GREENE COUNTY: The home of Washington Irving’s legendary Rip Van Winkle, picturesque Greene County is popular with families and offers top-quality skiing in the winter. The Catskill Game Farm, open from May to October, is home to more than 2000 animals, including endangered species. It has a petting zoo where visitors can feed animals, and hosts the only chimpanzee act in the USA. Giant waterslides, rafting and swimming pools will keep children entertained at the Zoom Flume, the Catskills’ largest water park. Just two hours from New York City, the Hunter Mountain ski resort is known as ‘the snowmaking capital of the world’, ensuring plenty of snow throughout the winter. With 53 trails on three mountains, the resort caters for everyone from beginners to experienced skiers. In the summer months, a 1.5km (1 mile) chairlift takes visitors up to a summit lodge. Night skiing is one of the attractions at the resort of Ski Windham. Other resorts include Ski Cortina, Bobcat and Ski Plattekill. SULLIVAN COUNTY: In the south of the region, Sullivan County, along with Ulster County, hosts most of the Catskills’ famous resort hotels, where Broadway entertainment and sumptuous dining are staples. Sullivan is noteworthy as the site of the most famous rock concert in history – the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, commemorated at the Bethel Woodstock Museum at Kauneonga Lake. Today, Woodstock is a haven of art and craft galleries and shops. The Onteora Trail, part of Highway 28 which skirts the Ashokan Reservoir, makes a good scenic drive to the town. The county is the cradle of modern fly fishing, and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum at Livingston Manor is dedicated to preserving the USA’s fly-fishing heritage and protecting its environment. The scenic Delaware River is also home to the largest wintering population of bald eagles in the northeastern USA. ULSTER COUNTY: Located where the Catskill Mountains meet the Hudson River, Ulster County is home to a hefty slice of US history. It boasts the largest collection of old stone houses in the USA, built by Dutch and French Huguenot settlers three centuries ago. Kingston, New York State’s first capital and third-oldest city, features buildings that in 1777 hosted the first State Senate, Assembly and Constitutional Convention. The 1676 Senate House is the oldest public building in the USA. The maritime heritage of the Hudson River is preserved at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, which runs boat rides to the nearby historic Rondout Lighthouse. At Phoenicia, in the 1899 Ulster and Delaware Station, the Empire State Railway Museum houses an exhibit relating to the history of the railway in the region. Esopus Creek is noted for its fine trout fishing. The ski resort of Belleayre operates a summer chairlift to picnic areas over 1000m (3285ft) high. In the winter, it offers good cross-country skiing and is close enough to New York City for a weekend or even day ski trip. DELAWARE COUNTY: The Catskills are bordered to the west by Delaware County, which offers excellent antique shopping and is dotted with 19th-century covered bridges. Hanford Mills Museum, a vintage water-powered mill, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Delaware-Ulster Rail Ride at Arkville takes a scenic route through the Catskill Mountains and allows passengers to experience the thrills of the days when rail was the chief means of cross-country transport and train robberies were not unusual. In Delhi, the Gideon Frisbee Homestead, built in the 1790s for a local judge, is an outstanding example of early federal architecture. SPECIAL EVENTS: Apr 6th Annual Hudson Valley Beer and Food Festival, Hunter Mountain; Opening of the Trout Season, Catskill Region. Jun Annual Strawberry Festival, Eldred. Jul 20th Annual Peaceful Valley Bluegrass Festival, along the East Branch of the Delaware River. Aug International Celtic Festival, Hunter. Sep Native American Indian Festival, Hunter; Native Irish Festival, Leeds. Oct Oktoberfest, Hunter. Capital – Saratoga The capital of New York State, Albany’s attractions include museums, art exhibitions and 19th-century architecture. Saratoga Springs is one of the northeast’s more accessible resorts, half an hour north of Albany and only three hours from New York City, Boston and Montréal. The region is renowned for top-class horseracing and the Saratoga Race Course draws thousands of visitors from around the world each year. ALBANY: The city of Albany stands beside the Hudson River north of New York City and makes a good base from which to explore ‘upstate New York’. Albany is dominated by the US$2 billion Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, a striking ten-building complex that includes the 44-storey Corning Tower, the venerable State Capitol and the city’s performing arts theatre (nicknamed ‘The Egg’ for its unusual shape). The New York State Museum, the country’s oldest and largest State Museum, portrays the urbanisation of New York City and has lifelike dioramas among the exhibits on Native Americans, gems and birds. The Albany Institute of History and Art is the oldest museum in the State; its permanent collection of 15,000 objects relate to the art, history and culture of Albany and the Upper Hudson Valley. St Peter’s Church, notable for its stained glass and floor mosaics, is well worth visiting. SARATOGA SPRINGS: Saratoga Springs has been a leading spa and horseracing centre since the late 1800s and the streets are lined with regal Victorian mansions. Walking tours of the city’s historic districts are available from the Saratoga Urban Cultural Park Visitors Center. Popular attractions include the Saratoga Raceway and the Saratoga Race Course. The raceway is known as the world’s most beautiful harness track and features races nine months a year. The race course hosts the country’s most prestigious thoroughbred racing during late July and August. Spectators are welcome at the polo matches held during the summer. Racing fans will appreciate the National Museum of Racing, which features hands-on exhibits, while the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame houses a varied collection of harness racing memorabilia. For those in the mood for something other than horses, a drive over to nearby Saratoga Spa State Park, with its 890ha (2200 acres) of woods, manicured lawns, Georgian architecture and pavilions, mineral bathhouses and recreational facilities is recommended. The New York City Opera and Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra perform here in the summer at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which is also the venue for the Newport Jazz Festival. In winter, the park offers cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. Also located in the park is the National Museum of Dance, the only one of its kind in the country. The Saratoga National Historic Park is the site of two important battles which proved to be a turning point in the American Revolution. Activities on offer include sunrise and sunset hot-air balloon flights. ELSEWHERE: Canoeists will enjoy the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Lake George is the most popular resort region in the southeastern corner of the park. Flower lovers can visit the gardens of Yaddo, a legendary artists’ retreat. Open to the public every day during daylight hours, some 20,000 people visit the gardens annually. SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb The Albany American Wine Festival. May 54th Annual Tulip Festial, Albany. Jun 38th Annual Riverfront Arts Festival, Troy. Jul Fleet Blues Fest, Albany. Jul 4 Independence Day Celebration, Albany. Aug Altamont Fair (agricultural exhibit and carnival); Great Northern Catskills Balloon Festival, Greenville; Niagara Mohawk International Food Festival, Albany. Sep Irish 2003 Music and Arts Festival, Altamont. Oct Columbus Parade and Italian Festival, Albany. Nov-Dec Capital Holiday (over 100 events take place throughout the Capital – Saratoga Region). Long Island Located just east of New York City, Long Island is the largest island adjoining the continental USA, stretching 190km (118 miles) into the Atlantic Ocean. Long Island has been the chosen vacation resort of savvy New Yorkers for 100 years and is just being discovered by everyone else. The region is famous for the Hamptons, celebrated seaside resorts and fishing villages, and the mansions described in the books of F Scott Fitzgerald. Whale watching and deep-sea fishing, wineries and ‘pick-your-own’ produce stands are guaranteed to keep visitors occupied. Each region of Long Island – the North Shore, South Shore, South Fork, North Fork and Central Suffolk – offers something special. For culture seekers, Long Island has 140 museums and historic sites. Sports enthusiasts can watch horse racing, horse jumping and polo, motor racing, hockey, lacrosse, major league baseball, tennis and golf. Sports participants can play golf and tennis, ride horses, hang glide, sky dive, sail and surf. Long Island offers a variety of shopping opportunities – from indoor shopping malls such as Roosevelt Field in Garden City, the East Coast’s largest shopping centre, to quaint visitor-oriented shopping villages on historic main streets – places like Sea Cliff, Syosset, Stony Brook and Huntington. NORTH SHORE: The North Shore is known as the ‘Heritage Trail’, with areas dating back to colonial times, the Revolutionary War era and the earliest days of the nation. Tycoons like the Vanderbilts, Chryslers and Guggenheims spent their summers here in opulent Great Gatsby-era mansions and gardens, many of which are open to the public today. Port Jefferson offers a historical village, waterside dining and numerous antique shops. Walt Whitman was born on Long Island, and his 19th-century farmhouse, now a State Historic Site, stands in West Hills, Huntington Station. It includes an interpretive centre with 130 portraits of the poet, original letters, manuscripts and artefacts. Also on the North Shore are the Museums at Stony Brook. This nine-acre site includes an art museum with 19th- and 20th-century US works; a Carriage Museum, with 90 renowned horse-drawn carriages; and a history museum with changing exhibits on historical themes and 15 miniature period rooms. The Nassau County Museum of Art, located in a mansion on the former Frick estate at Roslyn Harbor has four major art exhibitions annually, while the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington has a collection spanning 500 years of European and American art. SOUTH SHORE: The South Shore is a seaside haven, with 80km (50 miles) of ocean beaches, including the beautiful white sand of the Fire Island National Seashore and Jones Beach. Long Island has an island of its own, the famous Fire Island seaside resort with its restored lighthouse. Cars are forbidden along its 50km (32-mile) stretch of communities. This part of the island also features numerous museums, including the Long Island Maritime Museum; the Long Island Children’s Museum with hands-on exhibits and the Long Island Reptile Museum with 3000 live reptiles and amphibians (the largest collection of exhibits and reptiles in the world). A world-class aquarium will be opening in 2005. NORTH FORK: The North Fork has preserved the tranquility of its 17th-century farming and fishing heritage, and features miles of lush farm land with ‘pick-your-own’ produce stands and acres of vineyards. There are whales to watch far out in the ocean, coastal nature trails to hike and beaches to explore. Shelter Island, reminiscent of a peaceful New England village, is located on the North Fork and is perfect for exploring by bicycle. The Railroad Museum of Long Island at Greenport commemorates the region’s railways. SOUTH FORK: Known as The Hamptons, the South Fork offers a mix of culture, restaurants, historic sites, nightlife, shops and recreational activities. Long Island’s Native American heritage can be explored in Southampton, where the Shinnecock Indians maintain a reservation and present a public pow-wow in early September. The region features the seaside resort of Montauk, fishing villages and beaches, one of which, in East Hampton, was rated the second most beautiful in the northeastern USA. At Southampton is The Parrish Art Museum, housing a collection of American and regional art. The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, the home and studio of abstract expressionist painters Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner, is at East Hampton. CENTRAL SUFFOLK: In the centre of Long Island, Central Suffolk is a favourite with outdoor enthusiasts and features the Pine Barrens, 40,470 hectares (100,000 acres) of preserved forest. The area’s rivers flow through wildlife refuges and are ideal for canoeing and kayaking. The new Atlantis Marine World features 80 exhibits, including the largest live coral display in North America. Other attractions include the SplishSplash Water Park at Riverhead and the Animal Farm Petting Zoo at Manorville. SPECIAL EVENTS: There are more than 300 annual festivals and events, such as the maritime and harvest festivals celebrating Long Island’s nautical and agricultural heritage, throughout the year. The following is a selection of events held in 2003: Jun 2003 Annual Strawberry Festival, Mattituck; Belmont Stakes (thoroughbred racing), Belmont Park. Aug Paumanok Pow Wow, Tanner Park, Copiague; Polish Town Street and Poker Festival, Riverhead; Balloon Festival, Long Island; Scottish Games, Old West Ferry Gardens; Northville Long Island Golf Classic, Jericho; Hamlet Cup Tennis Tournament, Commack; Hampton Classic Horse Show, Bridgehampton. Sep Shinnecock Pow Wow, Shinnecock Indian reservation, Southampton; Bellmore Street Fair, Bellmore. Oct Oyster Festival, Oyster Bay; Long Island Fair, Old Bethpage Restoration Village. Thousand Islands – Seaway The lakes, rivers, islands and forests of this scenic corner of New York State offer the visitor four seasons of fun. The Thousand Islands are actually 1870 islands which extend along an 80km (50-mile) stretch of the St Lawrence River between New York State and Ontario. Attractions include an Amish community, State Parks and sights such as the Thousand Islands, the Eisenhower Lock and the Erie Canal. Visitors should not miss a trip to romantic Boldt Castle on Heart Island. Begun by the owner of the Waldorf-Astoria as a gift for his wife, work on the castle was abandoned after her untimely death. The historic lighthouses at Oswego, Port Ontario, Sackets Harbor, Cape Vincent and Ogdensburg mark the way along Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River. Historic battlefields at Fort Ontario, Little Sandy, Sackets Harbor and Ogdensburg commemorate the defence of the frontier of the nation. The Minna Anthony Common Nature Center on Wellesley Island offers bird walks, hiking trails, a butterfly house, canoeing and cross-country ski trails in winter. Visitors can tour the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton and see 150 North American freshwater craft, 250 engines and other nautical memorabilia. Other attractions include the St Lawrence-FDR Power Project Visitors Center in Massena and the Frederick Remington Museum in Ogdensburg. Thousand Islands-Seaway offers a huge choice of accommodation – spectacular resorts, modern hotels and motels, quaint bed & breakfast facilities, cabins and campsites. Visitors can dine, dance and enjoy evenings of nightclub entertainment at the major resorts, complete with luxurious rooms, swimming pools and boat-dockage. There are both public and private campsites, most of which are equipped to serve both tents and recreational vehicles, and many include facilities for swimming, hiking and boating. Tourists can choose from a selection of golf courses or tennis courts, tour the Islands or the Erie Canal on a cruise boat, and watch spectacular sunsets over the St Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The region is full of opportunities for people who love the outdoors. Sailing, scuba diving and whitewater rafting are popular, as are skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Some of the best sports fishing in the nation can be found here all year round. It’s not unusual to see a professional bass or salmon tournament underway on the St Lawrence River, Lake Ontario or Oneida Lake. SPECIAL EVENTS: Summers are enlivened by a wide variety of festivals, old-fashioned county fairs, fishing derbies, regattas, and many high-energy events. The following is a selection of events taking place in 2003: Apr 2003 1000 Islands Annual Spring Boat Show. May 27th Annual Watertown Home Show, Watertown. Jul Riverfest 2003; Harborfest 2003, Oswego. Oct Oktoberfest. Nov Holiday Parade, Carthage. Nov-Dec 1000 Islands Christmas Festival. Dec Country Home Christmas Tour. Chautauqua-Allegheny Located in the western corner of the State, Chautauqua-Allegheny’s natural beauty has made it a popular tourist destination for over a century. The region’s many lakes and rivers offer a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, complemented by a variety of cultural and historical attractions and the influence of Amish and Native American communities. CHAUTAUQUA: Chautauqua County, on the southeastern shore of Lake Erie, is home to the largest and finest grape-growing region in the East, where local wineries conduct tours of their facilities and offer tastings. Fishing, boating, sailing and water-skiing are popular pastimes at the region’s lakes and waterways. Visitors can enjoy Chautauqua Lake aboard the Chautauqua Belle, an 1890s replica steam-powered paddle-wheel boat. The Chautauqua Institution is a lakeside community occupying 300ha (750 acres) in a Victorian setting. Its nine-week summer season, from June to August, offers visitors the best in fine and performing arts, education, recreation and religion. The institution’s covered amphitheatre has played host to many outstanding musicians and lecturers including Anne Murray, Tony Bennett, Barbara Bush and President Clinton. LILY DALE: The Lily Dale Assembly, established in 1879 by the ‘Free Thinkers’, is a community dedicated to the science, philosophy and religion of Spiritualism. The summer season from June to September offers daily lectures on psychic phenomena and the ideas of God and humankind which Spiritualists adopt as their standard for living. A short drive from Lily Dale will lead visitors to Amish country. A society within a society, the Amish community is well known for woodwork, leathercraft, carpentry and rug-making. A variety of Amish handmade crafts are available at local shops, and area restaurants offer a taste of Amish foods. JAMESTOWN: Birthplace of the world’s most famous ornithologist, Roger Tory Peterson, Jamestown is home to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, dedicated to informing visitors about the natural world. An art gallery (and its collection of Roger Tory Peterson prints), library, gift shop, butterfly garden and the Institute’s headquarters are situated on 11ha (27 acres) of woods and meadows. Fenton Historical Society is also located nearby. Set in a Civil-War-period mansion, the museum includes Victorian memorabilia, Swedish and Italian rooms and early Jamestown genealogy. The Lucille Ball – Desi Arnaz Museum, a tribute to the town’s most famous daughter, opened its doors to Lucy lovers in 1996. SALAMANCA: Salamanca is the only city in the world situated on a Native American reservation. The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum highlights the cultural and contemporary heritage of the Seneca and five other tribes that make up the Iroquois Confederacy. The Salamanca Rail Museum is a restored passenger depot constructed in 1912 by the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway. Historic photographs, video representations and artefacts are reminders of a time when rail was the primary means of transport. The largest State Park in New York, Allegheny State Park occupies 26,000ha (64,000 acres) and offers excellent facilities for both summer and winter recreation including camping, hiking, fishing and cross-country skiing. The Allegheny Reservoir provides excellent canoeing and watersports. ELSEWHERE: Other attractions in the region include Griffis Sculpture Park in Ashford Hollow, with 200 pieces of sculpture in a 400-acre woodland setting; Rock City Park in Olean; Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse Veterans Park; Panama Rocks with caves, cliffs and wild flowers; the 1891 Opera House in Fredonia; and Webb’s Candy Factory Tour in Mayville. SPECIAL EVENTS: Feb 2003 Ice Castle Extravaganza/Winter Fest, Mayville. Jun-Aug Chautauqua Institution Summer Season 2003. Aug 58th Gerry Rodeo, Gerry; Nature Art Festival (view artists at work in their ‘studios away from home’), Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Jamestown Audubon Nature Center, and the Jamestown Armory. Sep Festival of Grapes, Silver Creek. Oct Ellicottville Fall Festival (one of the largest autumn festivals in the region), Ellicott. Central – Leatherstocking Once considered to be America’s western frontier, the Central – Leatherstocking region now ranks in the forefront of world-encompassing sports and Native American memorials. The area is famed for hidden caverns such as Howe Caverns, with its massive stone formations and stunning underground lake. COOPERSTOWN: For more than 50 years the name Cooperstown has been synonymous with baseball. Home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Doubleday Field and numerous trading card and memorabilia shops, this vibrant village on the shore of Otesgo Lake contains some popular museums. The Farmers’ Museum and Village Crossroads graphically recreates life in the 1880s. Costumed guides work at looms, on the printing press and make brooms on the farm. Meanwhile, ox-carts carry visitors through the complex of buildings. Across the road, two golf courses are laid out along the lake by Fenimore House, headquarters of the New York Historical Association. Each summer, Gallery 53 Artworks mounts a show of ‘baseball as art’ with paintings, sculpture, wood and metal works defining the athleticism and agility of players as well as historic moments and places associated with the game. The Glimmerglass Opera stages productions at the Alice Busch Opera Theater throughout July and August. ONEONTA: A few miles from Cooperstown, the city of Oneonta is home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Soccer tournaments are held at the Wright Soccer Campus, the State University facility and the fields of Harwick College. The college’s Yager Hall displays changing exhibitions in addition to artefacts, pottery and baskets from the local Susquehanna River Valley archaeological digs. HOWES CAVE & AREA: In the heart of the Leatherstocking region at the town of Howes Cave are the famous Howe Caverns. Visitors to the ten-million-year-old caves, which feature magnificent limestone formations, travel 48m (156 feet) under the earth. Tours of the caverns include a boat ride on the underground Lake of Venus. Other attractions in the area include the Iroquois Indian Museum, which has exhibits of Native American arts, history and archeology and includes a Children’s Museum and Nature Park, and the living museum at the 1743 Palatine House at Schoharie. The Howe Caverns Animal Farm is a favourite with children. ONEIDA INDIAN NATION: Just off the NY State Thruway (1-90) at exit 3, the Oneida Indian Nation operates a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week gaming facility, the only casino in the State. Four elegant restaurants, no-smoking black-jack areas and slotless games are among the amenities on offer. Vernon Downs, a nearby harness (standardbred) racing facility, features a new hotel on its grounds. Traditions with a Future examines the heritage, artefacts and culture of the nation at its white pine log Shakowi Cultural Center. At exit 34 stands the International Boxing Hall of Fame, a storehouse of gloves, robes and other mementos of pugilists from around the world. Each year in early June, new members are initiated into the hall with a weekend of ceremonies, exhibition bouts and public meetings. The Canal Museum depicts how this impressive cross-state waterway was constructed. A side trip to the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum shows where packet boats were dry-docked for repair and upkeep. ROME: The Erie Canal Village in Rome is where construction of the canal actually began, one group of workers heading east, the other west. Some 20 buildings were moved here to create a replica of a canal-side town, complete with church and tavern. On a section of the 1825 waterway, visitors can ride on a packet boat pulled by mules. Travellers can also rent their own packet boats at Troy and Skaneateles for self-steered trips on the canal. Several communities on the route provide tour-boat trips on the enlarged, turn-of-the-century canal. Outside Rome is Delta Lake, a new 2000m (6500ft) rowing course. SPECIAL EVENTS: Mar 2003 Sugaring Off, (traditional maple-sugaring activities), Cooperstown. Jul Waterways Festival, Frankfort. Jul-Aug Honor America Days Celebration, Rome. Aug Canal Fest, Sylvan Beach; 55th Annual New York State Woodsmen’s Field Days, Boonville. Sep Remsen Barn Festival, (Welsh village festival), Remsen. Oct Columbus Day Parade, Rome. Climate The climate is changeable with moderate rainfall throughout the year. During the summer heatwaves are common, with temperatures staying at over 99°F (37°C) for several days. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.