The Ultimate New York Travel Guide

If you live in New York, you're lucky to live near some of the biggest tourist destinations in the United States. This state contains a variety of exciting events, beautiful scenery, and fun things to do. Whether you prefer popular locations or hidden treasures, check out this New York travel guide to find the best things to do in the state.

Nature

New York has a lot of stunning nature to explore. If you love hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and enjoying the scenery, make sure to visit these incredible New York parks.

Letchworth State Park

Situated near Buffalo, this park's soaring cliffs have earned it the nickname, "Grand Canyon of the East." It stands out for the giant waterfalls that fall between the rocks and the wide range of things to do at the park. During warmer months, you can hike and swim. During the colder months, the park offers skiing and snow tubing opportunities.

Saratoga Spa State Park

This interesting park in Saratoga Springs combines fascinating history with beautiful nature. Originally a 19th-century resort, this spot is now a National Historic Site. Swimming pools, golf courses, and museums nestle amid acres of pine trees, geysers, and natural springs.

Green Lakes State Park

Go off the beaten path to explore this hidden treasure. Green Lakes State Park, east of Syracuse, is one of the most beautiful parks in the state. It features several interconnected lakes surrounded by mountains and forests. You can swim, golf, ski, and snowshoe without running into annoying crowds.

Arts and culture

Especially in New York City, there are a lot of fascinating attractions to explore. Whether you're an avid supporter of the arts or not, it's worth checking out these locations.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

As the biggest museum in America, the Met is a can't-miss trip. It holds over 2 million works of art including hundreds of renowned pieces by artists like Rembrandt, van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Vermeer, and more. Even those who don't care much for paintings will love browsing the Met's collection of ancient armor, Egyptian sarcophagi, and other intriguing artifacts.

Broadway

If you like live theater, this district has plenty of exciting opportunities. Countless plays, musicals, and other performances are constantly hosted in the 41 Broadway theaters. Just make sure to plan your trip if you want to see a popular show because Broadway plays and musicals can sell out fairly quickly.

Food and drinks

New York is one of the states with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the nation, so it's no surprise that it has a lot of appeal for gourmands. If you love fine food and beverages, New York City is a fantastic place to explore. Every neighborhood is a chance to try a variety of delicious restaurants, fun bars, and charming cafes. Whatever cuisine you prefer and budget you have, you can find something incredible. Here are some of the top spots to visit in New York:

• Kanopi
• The Inn at Pound Ridge
• Karenderya
• DPNB Pasta & Provisions
• Dhamaka
• Buvette
• Gage & Tollner
• Cervo's
• Wildair
• Adda Indian Canteen
• Raoul's

Summer fun

The warmer months are one of the most exciting times to plan a vacation in New York. The state has a lot of great beaches and other activities to do during the summertime.

Beaches

New York has a lot of beaches to explore. The right option depends on how you prefer to spend your beach vacations. If you like action and adventure, check out Rockaway Beach in Queens, which offers surfing, volleyball, and fishing. If you prefer peaceful, untouched nature, try the white sand and crisp water of Robert Moses State Park on Long Island. For those who like a little luxury, consider a visit to the ritzy East Hampton area which has fine dining and beautiful beaches.

Coney Island

If you're in the area, make sure to visit Coney Island. This theme park district has a reputation for being outdated, but in the past few years, it's been thoroughly revitalized. It's a charming blend of vintage flair and modern amusements. Whether you like to ride roller coasters, sample a variety of fun food, or play games on the boardwalk, Coney Island guarantees a fun afternoon.

Special events

Depending on when you plan your vacation in New York, there are a lot of great events to choose from. Most touring artists stop by New York City at some point, so you can always catch great concerts at spots like Madison Square Garden or Carnegie Hall. The state also hosts prestigious events like the New York Film Festival and the New York Comedy Festival.

Don't forget that there are also a lot of great seasonal events as well. From watching the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square to seeing the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, there are a lot of ways to make the holidays special.

Sightseeing

With its rich history and fascinating past, it's no surprise that New York has all sorts of incredible sightseeing attractions. There's something for everyone, so you can find a fascinating place to visit whether you love architecture, vintage railroads, botanical gardens, or more. Here are some particularly fun sightseeing locations to consider checking out.

• Niagara Falls
• Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff
• Central Park
• Storm King Art Center
• St Patrick's Cathedral
• Vanderbilt Mansion
• American Museum of Natural History
• National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
• Ellis Island

Keep your New York home safe no matter where you are

It's even easier to enjoy your vacation in New York when you don't have to worry about your home. A home security system from Vivint gives you peace of mind while you're away. Here are some of the many ways that our products help vacationers:

• Use the Vivint app to easily see all your devices and check up on your entire home.
• Watch live and automatically recorded footage from our security cameras and get alerts when people are lurking in your customizable detection zones.
• Lock forgotten doors remotely and open the door to let house sitters in with our smart locks.
• Automate your smart lighting to make it look like someone is home even when your house is empty.
• Adjust your smart thermostat remotely to save money, keep pets comfortable, or adjust temperatures when you're on your way home.

If you're ready to get all these helpful perks, Vivint is here to assist you with product selection and professional installation. Contact our Smart Home Pros at 855.822.1220 today.