New York’s Nature

Day 1: Arrive New York City

Welcome to the Big Apple! New York is the largest and most fascinating city in America. There’s Broadway, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Empire State Building. The Statute of Liberty, Macy’s and more. The city boasts more than 50 museums, hundreds of art galleries, and incredible shopping. If it’s available, you can find it in New York. To make it even more interesting, the city has been a melting pot since it was New Amsterdam. You can find foods, music and culture from every country. Try some people watching while you’re touring.
Standard hotel: Best Western President Hotel
Deluxe hotel: The Wellington Hotel

Day 2: Explore New York City

Few people remember that New York City served as the first capital of the United States and witnessed the inauguration of President George Washington. This is only one of the remarkable firsts for this city which also includes Ellis Island, the immigration point for millions of new Americans, Ground Zero, which is September 2001 forever changed the country, the Empire State Building, which represented a new thrust in big city buildings and the Statute of Liberty. The American Museum of Natural History features the geologic and geographic events that changed the nation.

Day 3: NYC to New York’s Hudson Valley

(85 miles )
Ever since Henry Hudson came to call in 1609, the Hudson Valley has been welcoming visitors to its spectacular palisades, lush forests and soothing countenance. Marvel at the Hudson Highlands rising nearly 1,000 feet above the river. Stand in awe of the magnificent mansions perched above the cliffs. Learn about the Roosevelts and the Vanderbilts while surrounded by landscapes so beautiful they inspired the Hudson River School of Painting. Meander through historic Hudson River towns.
Standard hotel: Best Western Inn and Conference Center
Deluxe hotel: Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel

Day 4: Hudson Valley to Albany

(80 miles)
It’s a little known fact that Albany ranks only behind Santa Fe, St. Augustine and Hampton, as the fourth oldest city in the United States. In addition to being New York’s state capital, the city’s impressive collection of architecture is one of its main draws. You can admire the grand state capital building, perched atop one of the seven hills in the city, from Empire State Plaza, built on the monumental scale of Paris or Montreal. Watch the Heritage Area’s orientation Albany: A Cultural Crossroads and take a trolley tour from there.
Standard hotel: Best Western Sovereign Hotel
Deluxe hotel: Crowne Plaza Albany

Day 5: Albany to Saratoga Springs

(35 miles)
Horse racing now carries the day in Saratoga Springs. It has grown from a quiet little village with beautiful scenery and magnificent natural springs into a luxury resort city. You can place your bets, take the waters and generally enjoy yourself in the traditions handed down from the Victorian era of the 1860s.
Standard hotel: Best Western Park Inn
Deluxe hotel: The Saratoga

Day 6: Saratoga Springs to Lake George/Adirondack National Park

(25 miles)
Mountains with faces full of character, lush woods and rivers, fresh water shorelines, the scent of balsam on a forest trail and serene quiet. It’s all there in the New York Adirondack Mountains. Wild and civilized by turns, tourism began when doctors from the large cities sent their patients to recover in the fresh air at Saranac Lake. World awareness of the Adirondacks increased dramatically when the 1980 Winter Olympics were held at Lake Placid. In the great outdoors, you can hike, paddle or drive from location to location and still be back in time for dinner. Start your Adirondack experience enjoying the crystal clear blue waters of Lake George.
Standard hotel: Best Western Lake George
Deluxe hotel: The Georgian

Day 7: Lake George to Saranac Lake

(90 miles)
Spend one more day meandering the great scenic roads in Adirondack National Park. It is larger than Yellowstone, the Everglades, Glacier and Grand Canyon National Parks combined. The Adirondack Museum, located in Blue Mountain Lake is comprised of the original 1876 Blue Mountain House surrounded by more than 30 authentic buildings each featuring a different aspect of Adirondack culture and art. It is a must see.
Standard hotel: BW Mountain Lake Inn
Deluxe hotel: Hotel Saranac

Day 8: Saranac Lake to 1000 Islands

(125 miles)
A whole network of Scenic Byways crisscrosses Adirondack National Park on your way to the 1000 Islands region, a chain of islands that straddles the US Canadian border in the St. Lawrence River. Once there, you can delight in the delightful river landscape of sparkling water and lush forested islands. Stay over on the Ontario side for a change of pace.
Standard hotel: Best Western White House Inn
Deluxe hotel: The Royal Albert

Day 9: 1000 Islands to Syracuse

(100 miles)
Syracuse has been at the center of commerce and trade since great quantities of salt were discovered and the Erie Canal was dug to ship it. It was a hotbed of activity during the fight for a woman’s right to vote in the 1920s. Today, it’s the gateway to New York’s very lovely Finger Lake region and is waiting to delight you.
Standard hotel: Best Western Syracuse Airport Hotel
Deluxe hotel: Park View Hotel

Day 10: Syracuse to Niagara Falls

(165 miles )
If you didn’t have the opportunity to tour Finger Lakes yesterday, you can meander through this delightful area on your way to Niagara Falls. Be sure to stop in Rochester and Buffalo along the way. Both cities represent the best in New York traditions. Check out the world-renowned Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Buffalo while traveling through.
Standard hotel: BW Summit Inn
Deluxe hotel: The Oaks Fallsville Hotel

Day 11: Niagara Falls

The thunder and roar of six million cubic feet of water falling over Niagara Falls every minute has thrilled visitors since 1820. Sam Patch, The Yankee Leaper, began the long tradition of daredevils trying to go over the Falls in 1829. Visitors have enjoyed the view in the whirlpools beneath the Falls on the Maid of the Mist since 1846. Join the millions of travelers who every year are awed by the sights and sounds of magnificent Niagara Falls. Don’t miss the illumination at night!

Day 12: Niagara Falls to Corning

(175 miles )
You’ll be able to see more of Upstate New York on the drive from Niagara Falls south through the Finger Lakes Region and the Foothills of the Adirondacks on your way to Corning. The Corning Museum of Glass is not to be missed. Farther up the hill, meticulously preserved mansions stand proudly in one of the best historic districts in the state.
Standard hotel: Best Western Painted Post
Deluxe hotel: Radisson Hotel Corning

Day 13: Corning to the Catskill Mountains

(165 miles )
Early in American history, the Catskills were a famous wilderness. Now incredibly civilized, you can enjoy the Schwangunk Wine Trail, great food and historic architecture as you meander through the natural beauty.
Standard hotel: Best Western Monticello
Deluxe hotel: Emerson Resort and Spa

Day 14: Catskills to New York City

(100 miles)
Spend another day exploring the sights and sounds of America’s most fascinating city. If you have visited New York before, we’ll provide you with information on new and interesting things to see and do, especially about events and places in New York that changed American history.
Standard hotel: Best Western President Hotel
Deluxe hotel: The Wellington Hotel

Day 15: Depart New York City