by Brenda Cotter

Buttermilk Falls and Genesee Gorge, Cherry Valley and Cayuga Lake, Kaaterskill Clove and Saratoga Springs… names that intrigue, invite and inspire. Along with the host of other captivating locales that grace the Empire State, they have served as muse for a multitude of artists and authors and beckoned droves of vacationers.

The Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is a testament to both nature’s beauty and man’s bounty. Picturesque drives, gorgeous waterfalls, country villages and brimming vineyards mix with fascinating museums like the Corning Glass Center, Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology and the George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography.

A drive down State Route 90, designated a New York State Scenic Byway, affords visitors a chance to savor some of this region’s delights. Follow the eastern shoreline of Cayuga Lake and soak up the view while stopping to explore Cayuga, Union Springs, Aurora and Homer.

The cities of the Finger Lakes region are fun-filled sights to discover. Syracuse annually hosts the New York State Fair, and is where you’ll find the Erie Canal Museum, the Everson Museum of Art and the Cedarvale Maple Syrup Company.

In Rochester, visit the George Eastman House, the Strong Museum and the Susan B. Anthony House. In Elmira, stop at the Mark Twain Study and Exhibit; Woodlawn Cemetery, where author Mark Twain is buried; and the National Soaring Museum, housing the world’s largest exhibit of sail planes and historic gliders.

Head to Ithaca and discover why it’s known as the city of waterfalls. You’ll find dozens within the city limits and hundreds more in close proximity. Ithaca is also home to Cornell University.

A visit to Corning is a must so you can explore the Corning Museum of Glass. This innovative museum covers the art, history and science of glass.

Finger Lakes boasts of being the largest wine region east of the Rockies, so make time to stroll some of the plentiful vineyards and sample the region’s vintages. The shores of Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake are well worth the drive. The views are fantastic, and you’ll stumble upon great little towns like Dresden, Penn Yan and Hammondsport.

Outdoor enthusiasts will want to take advantage of the Finger Lakes’ extensive recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, bird watching and water sports. The region boasts 25 state parks, including Taughannock Falls State Park, where you’ll find the state’s highest waterfall plummeting 215 feet into a rock amphitheater. Hike the paths of Watkins Glen State Park, a rock-walled gorge that is home to 19 waterfalls, cascades and grottos. Also be sure to check out the world-class auto racing featured at the Watkins Glen International Race Track. Find your way to the town of Montour Falls, and you’ll be rewarded with the likes of Chequaqua Falls and Havana Glen Park, with its scenic walk to Eagle Cliff Falls. Additionally, the Finger Lakes National Forest is the only National Forest in New York State.

The Adirondacks
For those seeking to discover some of Mother Nature’s most inspired creations, a trip to the Adirondacks should definitely top your list of vacation destinations. Boasting 46 high peaks, 3000 clear lakes and 1500 miles of rivers, the Adirondacks pack a powerful punch.

The lure of the water is irresistible to all who venture to these parts, with Cascade Lake and Chapel Pond, Johns Brook and the Ausable Chasm, not to mention Lakes Champlain and George—legends among the trophy fisherman set.

And if hiking is your thing, then Adirondack Park is the place to strap on your boots and hit the trail. Larger than the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National parks, it features the most extensive trail system in the nation.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Lake Placid, home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and now a year-round training ground for world-class athletes.

Finally, for the history buff, plan a trip to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. It gives visitors an in-depth look at the history of the region. Also well worth a visit are Fort Ticonderoga and Lake Champlain.

Central/Leatherstocking
Howe Caverns, Cooperstown’s National Baseball Hall of Fame, Glimmerglass Opera and Fenimore House are just a few of the many attractions that make this region an attractive vacation destination.

But that’s not all the area has to offer. Visit the Farmers’ Museum, a living history landmark that celebrates life in a 19th-century village. Seasonal festivals and changing exhibitions keep this museum fresh. Here in the foothills of the northern Catskills overlooking Otsego Lake you’ll also find Glimmerglass State Park, made famous by author James Fenimore Cooper in his Leatherstocking Tales. Check out the Hyde Hall Mansion, Covered Bridge and Beaver Pond Nature Center.

Nature will astound you at Howe Caverns. This prehistoric marvel takes you 156 feet beneath the earth to the massive limestone formations forged millions of years ago by an underground river.

A visit to quaint Cazenovia will allow you to tour the formal garden and arboretum at Lorenzo State Historic Site. While there, take in Chittenango State Park, with its scenic waterfall. Oneida County features the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, the national Distance Running Hall of Fame, Erie Canal Village and the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.

For a truly nostalgic rush, round out your trip to this region with a visit to the magical carousels of the Triple Cities of Broome County. Six of these magnificent merry-go-rounds operate Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Catskills
Idyllic is the word that comes to mind when one thinks of the Catskills. Cascading waterfalls, streams that sparkle as they cut their way through captivating mountains—this is the setting for the legend of Rip Van Winkle. But you won’t be tempted to catch any shuteye.

Perfect for a driving tour, consider Route 97 from Port Jervis to Callicoon as it snakes its way along the Delaware River, giving up spectacular views at every turn. The route passes 100-foot-deep “Big Eddy” Gorge near Narrowsburg.

Other routes will land you at equally enchanting destinations like Kaaterskill Clove, an area ever popular with painters and photographers; Hunter Mountain, with its chair-lift ride; and Saugerties, the site of the Woodstock ’94 rock concert.

Hudson Valley
Picturesque beyond belief, this region has served as inspiration for an entire school of painters and features the mighty Hudson River, with its attendant grand estates, striking cliffs, historic inns and charming towns.

At Tarrytown, visit historic Philipsburg Manor, an 18th-century working farm, and Kykuit, the impressive house and gardens of John D. Rockefeller.

Take the Bear Mountain Bridge to Bear Mountain State Park, and enjoy a hike, swim or picnic. Nearby in Highlands Falls, take a tour through the United States Military Academy at West Point. Just up the road, stop in Newburgh to tour General George Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site.

The home and grounds that served as the summer White House of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Sites are worthy of a visit, as is the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site.

In addition to the sheer beauty and fascinating history of the region, you’ll find plenty else to love about the Hudson Valley.

Seaway Trail
Great fishing, pristine campsites, and lovely state parks are the hallmark of the 1800 islands that make up the grand St. Lawrence River. The Seaway Trail, a nationally recognized Scenic Byway, parallels Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River and will take you from Niagara Falls to the Eisenhower Locks.

Just minutes from the world-famous Niagara Falls sits Old Fort Niagara, a living history museum, which presents re-enactments and exhibits. In Lewiston, Artpark is an innovative approach to appreciating artistic endeavors.

Take in the sights from the water for a nautical perspective of the Thousand Islands at Clayton, where you can board a tour boat and explore the beautiful surroundings. While in the area, check out Alexandria Bay, famous for its premier attraction, the magnificent Boldt Castle.

From a nature lover’s perspective, this region boasts much appeal. As you follow the Lake Ontario shoreline northward, you’ll discover the fragile barrier beaches, dunes, lagoons and freshwater marshes of the Sandy Pond area. The trail network also provides many miles of safe bicycling. Along the shores of the Niagara River, sportfishing for salmon and steelhead is popular. Lake Ontario’s eastern shore, known as the Golden Crescent, has protected harbors that make it ideal for sailing, boating and fishing.

Capitial-Saratoga
With charming landscapes that inspired folk artist Grandma Moses, this region guarantees visitors a fusion of both bucolic beauty and modern vitality. Albany, the state capital, is found here and is a logical start to a trip to this region. Visit the New York State Capitol and the adjacent Empire State Plaza, which houses a portion of the largest public modern art collection outside of a museum.

A journey through the countryside lands you in the hamlet of Shushan in Washington County, where you should see the Shushan Covered Bridge Museum.

In Saratoga Springs, don’t miss the Saratoga Race Course, the nation’s oldest thoroughbred track. Racing season runs from late July through early September. Saratoga Spa State Park is also here with its tree-lined Avenue of the Pines. The park features mineral baths and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

New York City
Taking a bite out of the Big Apple can be a bit overwhelming, but with careful prior planning you can fashion a vacation that is sure to appeal to everyone. New York City’s multitude of museums, galleries, entertainment venues, sports teams, not to mention fabulous culture, cuisine and fashion, are sure to make your itinerary planning a challenge.

Instead of trying to see and do it all, consider customizing a vacation agenda that creates a sampler platter of offerings you’re especially interested in.

A bus tour can be an excellent way of getting a brief introduction to the city, allowing you to then go back and enjoy what most interested you. There are the standard sights, of course—Times Square, the Empire State Building, a Broadway show, Central Park. But be sure to sample some of the city’s other options.

New York’s museums are world renowned, from the American Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Ellis Island Museum of Immigration and the Statue of Liberty Museum.

Exploring the Big Apple’s neighborhoods is an excellent way to gain an appreciation for the city’s cultural diversity. You’ll find Greenwich Village with its Bohemian atmosphere and assortment of jazz cellars, coffee houses and eccentric boutiques intriguing. South of the Village is SoHo, a haven for artists, which offers superb shopping, great art galleries and fine restaurants. Mulberry Street in the heart of Little Italy has hundreds of cafés, with every Italian epicurean delight.

And then there’s Chinatown, where you can dine or shop for silk and bamboo products. You’ll want to do a bit of shopping. Hit Fifth Avenue, where you’ll find Tiffany’s and F.A.O. Schwarz, if you’ve got the money to burn. Macy’s, the world’s largest department store, is located at Herald Square. And you can find the Giorgio Armani Boutique and Bloomingdale’s on upper Madison Ave. Bargain hunters should head for the Lower East Side between Orchard and Delancey streets, where dickering over the price is an art form.