New York City

• No trip to New York can be complete without a visit to the Big Apple. This city, the most populous in the United States, is a mecca for finance, the arts and, of course, shopping. Familiar sights from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building may make for the perfect postcard, but don't miss the city's more subtle charms. These include a stroll in Central Park, a guided tour of historic downtown, where George Washington was sworn in as the nation's first president, and a dramatic walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. You'll also have the chance to sample some of the world's best shopping at boutiques along Madison Avenue or in SoHo, depending on your taste. And don't miss the city's culinary offerings--New York's restaurants are among the world's finest.
  
  

Long Island

• Though it's frequently maligned for its suburban sprawl, Long Island actually has much to offer its visitors. To the east, in the world-famous Hamptons, movie stars and titans of finance pass lazy summers in their compounds by the beach. Ordinary folk can also enjoy the public beaches and charming towns, but beware of traffic, especially on summer weekends.
  
  Closer in, vast Victorian-era mansions still dot the island's North Shore. These palatial residences were the summer homes of New York City's wealthy until the 1920s, and provided the backdrop for F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." In the decades since, many have been converted to museums or other civic institutions, and remain open to the public for viewing.
  
  

The Lakes and Mountains

• The central portion of the state is dominated by the Catskill Mountains in the south, the Adirondacks in the north, and the Finger Lakes in the west. All three regions offer hiking trails, beautiful vistas, and sport, depending on the season. The Catskills, though relatively small next to the Adirondacks, were made famous as the Borscht Belt. These mountains were a favorite summer destination for New York's Jewish population in the first half of the 20th century. Though the area had fallen into decline by the last quarter of that century, it is now witnessing a renaissance, thanks in part to its young but respected wine industry, according to the Catskill Association for Tourism Services.
  
  

Western New York

• According to the Niagara Parks Police Service, the waterfalls at Niagara continue to attract more than 10 million visitors each year. They're an impressive sight, but if you take a boat cruise that gets up close, bring a rain jacket. The nearby city of Buffalo is the second-largest in the state. Fans of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright will relish the opportunity to tour some of his earlier, smaller scale work spread among Buffalo's neighborhoods.
  
  

The Hudson River Valley

• From New York City, the Hudson River and its accompanying valley meander their way north toward Albany. Though perhaps not as famous Long Island, the Hudson River Valley preserves some of the original Dutch character of the region. Many old New York families, including the Vanderbilts and Roosevelts, built their family homes along the banks of this river. While many remain in private hands, some are now museums and open to the public. The Village of Sleepy Hollow was made famous by Washington Irving's Headless Horseman, but even if you're not in the mood for a spook, stops along the river offer great antiquing and hiking.