For many years, my exposure to the state of New York was limited to the view from inside an air-conditioned car heading north from Ohio to my summer camp in Maine. My family’s annual drive through the Empire State became somewhat of a joke over time, as my brother and I held contests to see who could sleep the longest through the seemingly never-ending pattern of rolling hills, rocky Adirondacks, rest stops, and tiny towns. To our teenaged eyes, New York State was beautiful but boring.
I’m a little older now, and the appeal of the New York that lies beyond the Big Apple has become more obvious. It’s one of our country’s most populous states, and it offers a similarly expansive variety of sights and experiences for locals and tourists alike. I spoke with Sascha Zuger — who, as the author of the Moon New York State Handbook, has seen the state from top to bottom — to find out her favorite spots. She shares her recommended locations after the jump.
Finger Lakes
There is little that can beat taking in the view of the lovely Finger Lakes region from the sipping stool of a vineyard’s tasting table — unless you count taking in that same view from an 800-lb. sailplane as it soars overhead. The Harris Hill Soaring Center in Elmira offers public glider rides every weekend through October 31, and its junior program gives local kids the chance to earn a pilot’s license early by helping out around the club. Another area highlight: Pulling molten glass into petals in the art studio at the Corning Museum of Glass.
Hamptons
My preconceived prejudice against the Hamptons — likely earned from various news stories and reality shows spotlighting privilege gone bad — was totally altered when I visited the Hampton Ocean Resort. A family-owned beachfront gem, the resort won me over with cushy towels, personalized service, and sweet, friendly staff members (as well as the Dove chocolate bars they brought right to my beach chair). Tip: Online rates can be found at discounts up to 65%.
Niagara
Sascha Zuger’s Moon New York State Handbook is available now. You can follow the author on Twitter @Sascha_Zuger and on Tumblr. Photos courtesy Sascha Zuger.
New York – Ohio – Maine – New York City – United States
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Thu, Sep 9, 2010
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