Sights in New York State
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Wellesley Island State Park
Alexandria Bay has the greatest concentration of old homes – more like castles, really – on the dozens of tiny islands along its coast. There’s where you’ll find Wellesley Island State Park, a 2600-acre floating village attached to the mainland by the Thousand Islands International Bridge. The park is full of wildlife, and has a nature center open to visitors. If you’re carrying a valid ID (preferably a passport), you can go to the Canadian side of the bridge and take an elevator to the top of the Skydeck, a massive tower with sprawling views of the St Lawrence Seaway.
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Thousand Islands Museum
A beautiful drive that can easily be done in a day from Niagara, with plenty of scenic stops as you progress alongside Lake Ontario and the Seaway Trail, will bring you to the Thousand Islands, a stunning collection of small islands dotted with turn-of-the-century dream homes. Head for the towns of Oswego and Sackets Harbor to Alexandria Bay, taking in the tiny fishing villages and small communities along the bright blue water. If you don’t have time to visit the islands as you drive through, take a detour to the village of Clayton to check out the Thousand Islands Museum.
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Women's Rights National Historical Park
After being excluded from an antislavery meeting, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her friends drafted an 1848 declaration asserting that 'all men and women are created equal, ' transforming this small town into the birthplace of this country's organized women's rights movement. The inspirational Women's Rights National Historical Park has a small but impressive museum, as well as a visitor center offering tours of Cady Stanton's house. The surprisingly tiny National Women's Hall of Fame honors American women such as first lady Abigail Adams, American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and civil-rights activist Rosa Parks.
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Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Spa State Park. The mineral- and gas-infused waters are pumped underground from Lincoln Springs over a mile away. These days very hot tap water is added to the mix, though purists insist on going cold. Park grounds include golf courses, an Olympic-sized pool complex, multiuse trails, ice rinks and, world-famous Saratoga Performing Arts Center, with orchestra, jazz, pop, rock and dance performances. From late July to September, horse-racing fans flock to Saratoga Race Course, the country's oldest thoroughbred track.
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Niagara Falls State Park
The traditional way to see Niagara Falls is on the Maid of the Mist, a boat cruise that’s ferried soaking visitors into the rapids right below the falls since 1846. You can also walk along the Prospect Park Point walkways to view the American Falls. Goat Island is accessible by foot, and has an elevator bringing folks down to the Cave of the Winds. From there you can hike to Bridal Veil Falls. The bulk of the attractions are all within Niagara Falls State Park and there’s a trolley offering guided trips through the park.
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Boldt Castle
Among the thousands of options floating around you, don’t miss a visit to the grandest and most romantic castle of them all: Boldt Castle on Heart Island. This gothic gem was built by George C Boldt, who used to own Manhattan’s famous Waldorf-Astoria hotel. It was supposed to be a replica of a huge castle in Rhineland, Germany, but Boldt abandoned it partway through after his beloved wife Louise died. It was a playground for squirrels and beavers for decades, until a preservation effort in the 1970s reclaimed it and finished it the way Boldt intended.
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Sands Point Preserve
In Port Washington, Sands Point Preserve is a wooded bayfront park with nature trails that's also home to the 1923 Falaise, one of the few remaining Gold Coast mansions and now a museum. East of there is the bucolic town of Oyster Bay (hometown of Billy Joel), with an even bigger claim to fame: it's home to Sagamore Hill, a National Historic Site home where Theodore Roosevelt vacationed during his presidency.
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Lake George
Maybe it's a blessing that the primary gateway to the Adirondacks, the village of Lake George, is a kitsch tourist town full of cotton candy, arcades and cheap souvenirs. The real reason for coming is the 32-mile-long lake itself, with its crystalline waters and forested shoreline, and once you leave the town behind the contrast is only more striking.
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Singer Castle
A standout is Singer Castle on Dark Island. It was constructed by the president of the Singer sewing machine company, and modeled on a classic Scottish castle. It’s a spooky sight, all long, gloomy passages and turreted walkways, but you can spend the night in handsomely renovated suites that are luxurious enough for any modern Scottish laird.
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Macari Vineyards
Mainly, the North Fork is known for its unspoiled farmland and wineries - there are close to 30 vineyards, clustered mainly in the towns of Jamesport, Cutchogue and Southold - and the Long Island Wine Council provides details of the local wine trail, which runs along Rte 25 north of Peconic Bay. Try Macari Vineyards for tasting.
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Saugerties Lighthouse
Saugerties Lighthouse offers a truly romantic and unique place to lay your head. The picturesque 1869 landmark sits on a small island in the Esopus Creek, accessible by boat or more commonly by a half-mile-long trail from the parking lot. Rooms are booked far in advance but a walk to the lighthouse is highly recommended regardless.
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Cooperstown
For sports fans, Cooperstown, 50 miles west of Albany, is instantly recognized as the home of the shrine for the national sport (baseball). But the small-town atmosphere and stunning views of the countryside around beautiful Ostego Lake make it worth visiting even for those who don't know the difference between ERA and RBI.
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Corning Museum of Glass
Around 44 miles to the southwest is the charming town of Corning, home to Corning Glass Works and the hugely popular Corning Museum of Glass. The massive complex is home to fascinating exhibits on glassmaking arts, complete with demonstrations and interactive items for kids.
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Prospect Point Observation Tower
You can see side views of the American Falls and their western portion, the Bridal Veil Falls, which drops 180ft, by simply walking across the pedestrian bridge from Canada. Take the Prospect Point Observation Tower elevator up for a vista.
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Prudential Building
Architecture buffs will have a field day here, starting at the Prudential Building. It was designed by Louis Sullivan in 1895 as the Guaranty Building, and used an innovative steel-frame construction to create the first modern skyscraper.
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Shelter Island
Between the North and South Forks, Shelter Island, accessible by ferry from North Haven to the south and Greenport to the north, is home to a cluster of Victorian buildings. It's a great spot for hiking or kayaking (no bicycling).
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Adirondack Loj
South of Lake Placid town, Adirondack Loj, run by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), is a rustic retreat surrounded by mountains on the shore of peaceful Heart Lake. Wilderness campsites, lean-tos and cabins are also available.
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Albright-Knox Art Gallery
North of downtown, sprawling Delaware Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Its jewel is the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, a sizable museum including some of the best French Impressionists and American masters.
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Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Guided tours of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in the Ansley-Wilcox house examine the tale of Teddy's emergency swearing-in here following the assassination of William McKinley in 1901.
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Frederic Remington Art Museum
Frederic Remington (1861−1909), is an artist who romanticized the American West in paintings and sculpture. The Frederic Remington Art Museum has some of his sculptures, paintings and personal effects.
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Hyde Collection Art Museum
In nearby Glens Falls, the remarkable Hyde Collection, housed in the Hyde Collection Art Museum, an impressive 1912 Florentine Renaissance−style villa, includes works by Rembrandt, Degas and Matisse.
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Cave of the Winds
From the north corner of Goat Island, an elevator descends to the Cave of the Winds, where walkways go within 25ft of the cataracts (raincoats provided).
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Greenport
The main North Fork town and the place for ferries to Shelter Island, Greenport is a bit more down-to-earth and affordable than most South Fork villages.
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Herbert F Johnson Museum of Fine Art
The modern Herbert F Johnson Museum of Fine Art - designed by IM Pei - has a major Asian collection, plus pre-Columbian, American and European exhibits.
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Goose Watch
Dozens of wineries line the shores of Cayuga Lake, Lake Seneca and Lake Keuka. One of it is Goose Watch, which has stunning lake views.
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