New York Tourism BureauWhat’s New
• Think Green: For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, New York State has launched a green initiative that includes promoting green-certified restaurants and hotels, the State's parks, beaches, waterways and mountains. Empire State Development has even unveiled a new “green heart” in its famous I LOVE NEW YORK logo in honour of this initiative.
• Iconic Green Destinations: New York State has chosen 10 must-see green places. The list includes icons like Niagara Falls State Park, the Catskill Scenic Trail, Adirondack Park's high peaks, The Empire State Building; scenic State Parks.
Attractions
• Hudson Valley Mansions: Historic estates of the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden: Butterflies fly freely in the Strong National Museum of Play conservatory. Rochester.
• The Wild Center: Explore the Adirondack’s animals, habitats and waterways, plus ice wall and wide-screen theatre. Tupper Lake.
• Howe Caverns: This 10-million-year-old living limestone cave is located 48 metres below the earth’s surface. Howes Cave.
• National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: A shrine to baseball and a perennial favourite. Cooperstown.
Events
• Chautauqua Institution Season (late June to end August), Chautauqua.
• Harborfest (July), Oswego.
• French and Indian War Encampment (July), Old Fort Niagara.
• National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend (July), Cooperstown.
• Lucille Ball’s Birthday Celebration (August), Jamestown.
• Annual Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally (August), Binghamton.
• Celebrate America’s Grape Country Week (August), Dunkirk.
• Great New York State Fair (August to September), Syracuse.
• Adirondack Balloon Festival (September), Queensbury.
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (November), New York City.
Places
• Thousand Island-Seaway: Great fishing, beautiful State parks and the Seaway Trail, a 725-kilometre scenic and recreational byway and home to the romantic Boldt Castle.
• Adirondacks: A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring Lake Placid’s Olympic village, the beaches and amusement parks of Lake George and championship golf.
• Finger Lakes: Land of lakes, waterfalls, steep hillsides and home to more than 100 wineries.
• Capital-Saratoga: Steeped in tradition and history from world-class thoroughbred races to rich Dutch heritage.
• New York City: The largest collection of museums and galleries in the U.S.; great theatre; the finest dining; world-class shopping; plus Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty.
New York Tourism Bureau• Long Island: Miles of white sand minutes from Manhattan; village walks; shopping; fishing; swimming and boating.Hidden Gems
• Bannerman’s Castle: Abandoned military surplus warehouse constructed in the style of a castle. Glenham.
• The Museum of the Moving Image: Fascinating museum features exhibitions of film and television artifacts, artworks and interactive experiences. New York City.
• Lucy-Desi Museum: Honouring native daughter Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, and their mark in pop culture. Jamestown.
• Weatherwax: Replica of a 19th-century sailing ferry offers trips to Valcour Island to see the historic Bluff Point lighthouse. Adirondack Coast.
Did You Know?
State Motto: Excelsior
State Flower: Rose
State Bird: Bluebird
Fast Facts
Region: MID-ATLANTIC
America’s Byways: Lakes to Locks Passage, Mohawk Towpath Byway, Seaway Trail
Direct Flights: Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental, Delta Airlines, Porter, United Airlines, WestJet
Cruises: Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regal Cruises, Royal Caribbean International
Sales Tools: New York State Travel Guide & State Map, New York City Travel Guide, Travel Ideas E-Zine
Info: New York State Department of Economic Development
1-800-CALL-NYS
www.iloveny.com