The state of New York is in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America. New York is known as the Empire State and with good reason. One of the original 13 British colonies, it has been one of the most populous and most influential states since the nation's founding.

Of course everyone knows the most celebrated city in the world, New York City, and it's certainly a premier travel destination, but the state is so much more than just one famous metropolis. Go beyond the concrete canyons of Manhattan and you'll find a large state with a variety of attractions. From the magnificent Niagara Falls, to the farms and wineries of the Finger Lakes; from the untamed wilderness of the Adirondacks, to the large and small cities scattered throughout the state, New York has something to offer everyone.

Metro New York is the massive metropolitan area around New York City in New York state, Connecticut, and New Jersey. It is both the biggest and wealthiest metro area in the United States.

The Catskills of New York are a "dissected plateau", a highland worn into mountains and valleys by erosion. Largely rural and wild, the Catskills are a popular vacation destination for New Yorkers, but they also have much to offer the traveler from out of state. The Catskills are adjacent to the Poconos region of Pennsylvania. You can go fly fishing - this region is home to numerous rivers hallowed by fly fisherman including the Beaverkill, Neversink, the Delaware, the Esopus, and the Willowemoc.

The Hudson Valley of New York is anchored at the top by the state capital of Albany and its surrounding cities, and it extends south to the outskirts of the New York City area. Between them is an area that has much in common with nearby Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, consisting of rolling hills leading down to the Hudson River. In 1996 Congress established The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, one of 27 federally designated heritage areas. Columbia County - mostly rural - You have the options to visit farmstands, wineries, and historic sites. Dutchess County - its southern half is rapidly becoming suburban, but the northern portion is still rural; visit farmstands, orchards, and wineries. Putnam County - western side of the county is dominated by the rocky Hudson Highlands, the eastern side by reservoirs of New York City's water supply; a nice getaway from New York City.

The Adirondack Park is both the largest and the first government-protected park in the contiguous United States. It covers a vast expanse—bigger than New Hampshire—of rugged, thickly wooded, mountainous terrain in northeast New York State. The Adirondacks are a popular destination for all lovers of outdoor activities, from hiking and skiing to ice and rock climbing. Keene Valley - Experience great rock and ice climbing. Champlain Valley - The "sixth" Great Lake, this spectacular Lake Champlain marks the frontier between New York State and Vermont.

North of the Adirondacks lies the North Country, the northern border of New York. Although more populated than the mountains to the south, this region is still dominated by the large areas between cities. It also incorporates much for the traveler to see, including the St. Lawrence River and its Thousand Islands. The North Country serves as a northern gateway into Quebec and eastern Ontario, which exert a strong influence on the culture of the region. The Thousand Islands are an island group in New York's North Country lying on the Canada-US border, where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River.

The Central region of New York (Central New York) is a crossroads, dominated by the state's fifth-largest city, Syracuse, and the Mohawk River that flows eastward through this region. It borrows aspects from all of the surrounding regions to create a microcosm of New York as a whole: hills and rivers, cities and farms, hard work and recreation. Central New York is sometimes called the "Gateway to the Adirondacks" and is a natural starting point for fall foliage expeditions. It is also rich in history: The battle of Oriskany and the siege of Fort Stanwix figured prominently in the American revolutionary war. Cooperstown is known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Cooperstown is also home to the Farmers' Museum, the Fenimore Art Museum, The New York State Historical Association (NYSHA) library and Brewery Ommegang.

The Finger Lakes is a region of New York state south of Lake Ontario. One of the major viticultural areas of the United States, this is the east coast answer to the Napa Valley region of California. Waterfront attractions are also popular; in addition to the eleven Finger Lakes themselves and Ontario to the north, the Erie Canal and the Genesee River run through this region. The city of Rochester, New York's third largest, offers urban attractions and amenities.

The Southern Tier of New York State is the geographical region that includes the counties of New York State west of the Catskill Mountains and along the northern border of Pennsylvania. Lake Erie lies to the west of the Southern Tier, and the north or bordered by the Niagara region and the Finger Lakes. The region is bordered to the south by the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, and together these regions are known as the Twin Tiers.

It is largely a rural area full of dairy farms, quaint towns, and deep forests. Numerous small fairs and markets dot the valleys in the summer and the area is a destination for hunters and leaf peepers in the fall. The occasional city hugs the riverbanks, providing modern amenities and urban comforts while struggling to hold on to the small town charm that is typical of the area. It is considered to be the northernmost reaches of Appalachia.

The Niagara Frontier region of New York State consists of 5 counties situated near the Great Lakes of Erie and Ontario, just across the Niagara River from the Golden Horseshoe region of the Canadian province of Ontario. Buffalo, the state's second-largest city, and Niagara Falls, the "honeymoon capital of the world", are the major destinations in the Niagara Frontier, but the eastern areas of the region also offer educational and recreational attractions, focusing on history, agriculture, industry, and the local waterways.