New York State
Go for New York City, Niagara Falls, Finger Lakes wine country and Adirondack lakes and mountains, with trips that range from a city weekend to a multi-day road trip.
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New York State sits in the northeastern United States, with Canada to the north, Pennsylvania to the south and the Atlantic coast at Long Island. Many trips start in New York City, the state's largest city, then head north along the Hudson River or west to Niagara Falls on the Canadian border. On the way you pass river valleys and historic towns, the Finger Lakes, the forested Adirondacks and Catskills, and the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
The state suits trips built around cities, road trips and time outdoors. Wine is made in the Finger Lakes, and Adirondack Park is one of the largest protected areas in the contiguous United States. Late September into October is usually the peak for leaf color in the north. Summer suits lakes and hiking, and winter brings skiing in the Adirondacks and Catskills. Plan at least a week to cover more than one region, or several days if you stay only in New York City. Outside the city, a car is the simplest way to move between regions.
New York State in five
- Get OMNY-ready for the NYC subwayTap a contactless credit or debit card, or a phone, at the turnstile. Use the same card or phone for every ride so your fares are counted together.Getting around
- Rent a car for upstate New YorkMost of the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes wine trails and the Hudson Valley estates need a car. You do not need one in New York City.
- Book Amtrak Empire Service up the HudsonEmpire Service trains run from New York City north along the Hudson to Albany, and west to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Book ahead for the best fares.Hudson Valley
- Download offline maps for the AdirondacksPhone signal drops in many parts of the Adirondack Park. Save the area in Google Maps or another offline map app before you leave town.Phones and eSIM
- Save 911 and 511 before you driveDial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance. Dial 511 for road closures and delays in New York State.
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in New York State, the full guide
Hudson Valley
- Best for: Day trips, weekend stays, a car
- Price band: $$$
- Hudson Line trains run from Grand Central
- Hudson and Rhinebeck have antique and food shops
- A car is needed to reach most estates and trails
Skip if you want a city base with late-night food.
Buffalo
- Best for: Architecture, Niagara day trips
- Price band: $$
- Albright-Knox Art Gallery is on Elmwood Avenue
- Elmwood Village has cafés and independent shops
- Niagara Falls is reached by car or Amtrak
Skip if you want mountains or wine country in the same stay.
New York City
Travelers come for the skyline, Broadway, Central Park and five boroughs, each of which lines up with one county of New York State.
Long Island
Long Island runs east from New York City and offers ocean beaches, the Hamptons on the South Fork and wineries on the North Fork.
Things to do in New York State
See all attractions in New York State
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for visa waiver countries; visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected at restaurants, bars and taxis
- Time
- UTC-5 Eastern; UTC-4 with daylight saving, March to November
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, gray
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilBlossoms, mild
- MayGreen, mild
- JuneLong days
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, busy
- SeptemberMild, fewer crowds
- OctoberFall foliage
- NovemberCooler, quieter
- DecemberHoliday lights
Right now in New York State
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 35%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
New York State
03:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°6°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Tue21°6°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed21°10°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu20°15°55%Thursday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Fri22°17°54%Friday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Sat17°9°47%Saturday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sun14°8°13%Sunday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 13%.
Updated 01:00 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- SepFeast of San GennaroNew York City, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Hudson ValleyAbout 1.5 to 2 hours by trainHyde Park's Roosevelt home, Storm King Art Center and river towns.Read the guide
- Long IslandAbout 1 to 2 hours by car or LIRRBeaches, Montauk and the Gold Coast estates.Read the guide
- Finger LakesAbout 4 to 5 hours by car from NYCWine trails, gorges and lake towns, best with a car.Read the guide
- The AdirondacksAbout 4 to 5 hours by car from NYCLakes, trails and the High Peaks in Adirondack Park.Read the guide
Before you go to New York State
Rules for New York State, checked
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Check current entry rules on the US Department of State site.Source
- Drinking alcohol on New York City streets is prohibited, so keep drinks inside bars or other licensed venues.
- Keep your driver's license, rental agreement and proof of insurance in the car. Police can ask for them at any traffic stop.
Plan around New York State
Five boroughs, the subway, museums and Broadway.
Read the guideHudson ValleyRiver towns, estates and day trips from New York City.
Read the guideThe AdirondacksAdirondack Park lakes, towns and High Peaks hiking.
Read the guideFinger LakesLake towns, gorges and wine trails, best by car.
Read the guideGetting aroundSubway, trains between regions and renting a car.
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa Waiver, ESTA and the passport check.
Read the guideNew York State FAQ
How many days do you need in New York State?
Three to four days in New York City covers the main sights. Add a week if you want the Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes or the Adirondacks by car.
Do I need a car in New York State?
Not for New York City. Yes for the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes and most estates in the Hudson Valley.
Is Niagara Falls in New York State?
Yes. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are on the US side, and Buffalo is the nearest large city.
When is the best time to see fall foliage in New York?
Late September to mid October for the Adirondacks, Catskills and Hudson Valley. Dates shift each year, so check a foliage report before you book.
Can you day-trip from New York City to the Hudson Valley?
Yes. Metro-North Hudson Line trains leave Grand Central for Poughkeepsie, and Amtrak stops at Hudson and Rhinecliff. A car helps for the estates.