New York State USA

New York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation’s third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west, and Quebec to the north. New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.

The most popular tourist destination in New York is undoubtedly Manhattan, only 13 miles long and between one and two miles wide, the island of Manhattan encompasses at least 19 distinct neighbourhoods including the long-established Little Italy, Chinatown, Harlem and Puerto Rican ‘Loisada’, plus smaller pockets of Polish, Bengali, Jewish, Korean, German, Ukrainian, Irish, Latino, Haitian and West Indian communities.

Beyond Manhattan lie the four boroughs that make up New York City: Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island, each with their own diffuse, evolving communities.
Few other cities could hold together such a complex mix of lifestyles and people.

As it always has been, New York really is the city that never sleeps. From the moment you arrive, there’s a tangible energy and a sense of excitement.

For tourists, the temptation is to gorge oneself -there are just so many thrilling places to visit and things to do, great food to be enjoyed and a unique atmosphere that makes you want to stay up late and get up early.
New York is truly one of the world’s great cities, so slow down a little to get the most out of it: you’re never going to see everything in just one visit.
The atrocities of September 11th 2001 may have laid bare the raw heart of New York, but its spirit remains resplendently intact.

There is a lot of sightseeing to be done in New York, the most obvious of which is either in New York City or Niagara Falls. But New York also has some destinations of incredible natural beauty, especially around the Finger Lakes and in the Adirondacks. The Adirondack Park, in particular, is an incredible gem—it’s the largest single park in the continental U.S. and where the art of American painting began.
The natural beauty of the state is diverse, from the incomparable Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth Park, to the mountainous terrain of the Catskills and the Adirondacks, perfect for hiking and camping. The numerous waterways of the state include Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Erie Canal, and the Hudson River, all of which see regular boat traffic throughout the summer months. Oenophiles can visit one of the top wine regions in the country in the Finger Lakes; the entire region is dotted with small towns and villages of historic character, with almost 100 wineries in between. The region produces perhaps the best Rieslings outside of Germany, and Finger Lakes ice wines are growing in popularity.

None of the upstate cities compare to New York City in profile or in prominence, but each of them has a selection of first-class attractions and amenities sufficient to support tourism, without the crowds and frenetic activity of their larger neighbour.

Niagara Falls – Canada Side Travel Guide

Niagara Falls is a major attraction, drawing 16 million visitors each year, the Falls are acknowledged as one of the world’s natural wonders and are indeed Canada’s most important tourist attraction.
There are actually 2 waterfalls, the smaller American Falls, near the E bank on the US side, and the much larger, more impressive Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Both can be viewed from any part of the long pedestrian promenade built high above the river bank, which is punctuated by elevated viewing platforms and ranks of coin-operated telescopes.
This ramshackle, easy-going town is undergoing something of a transformation, with high-rise, upmarket hotels, a convention centre and the Minolta Tower Casino being welcome additions. Plenty of parkland, botanical centres, vineyards and minor theme parks provide alternative interest for visitors staying for more than a couple of days.

This destination is suitable for anyone wishing to experience one of the world’s most spectacular natural settings.
There is a mixture of unsophisticated hotels to upmarket bracket, plus various motels and cheap B&Bs dotted along the riverfront road and in elevated positions overlooking the Falls.

Locality:
The Niagara Falls is found in East Canada, in the South of the Ontario province (81 mls S of downtown Toronto, 95 mls S of Pearson international airport, 28 mls W of Buffalo airport (USA)). They are found in the centre of the broad isthmus that divides Lakes Ontario and Erie, on the West bank of Niagara River, which divides Canada’s Ontario province from the US state of New York.

There is a collection of motley souvenir shops and cheap and cheerful stores in the tourist downtown area opposite the Falls. There is a handful of indoor plazas, including one on the edge of Canadian Horseshoe Falls. A choice of factory outlets offering discounted branded names farther out, in downtown proper. Buffalo and Niagara Falls USA are often a better bet for low-priced jeans, trainers etc.
During the daytime experiencing the sheer spectacle of millions of tonnes of cascading water is the principal attraction as well as getting the best photographic record of “me and the Falls”. There is the remarkable Skylon Tower for an awesome panoramic view of the river and beyond into the USA. There are amusement arcades and themed museums, including Guinness World of Records and Tussaud’s waxworks. The memorable “Maid of the Mist” boat trips get you closer to the Falls.

The nightlife here is not notable as a throbbing late-night destination, although there are several bars in and around the tourist part of downtown. The nightly illumination of the Falls is well worth the wait (in summer), even if only visiting for the day.
Eateries offer predominantly fast-food joints offering the ubiquitous hamburger, fries and pizza, supplemented by roadside-diner chains, There are some smart restaurants at the larger hotels. Bon vivants will be disappointed.