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New York
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The Empire State · Capital: Albany · The Northeast
The world's greatest city — plus waterfalls, wine country and the Adirondacks.
Why go
What makes New York worth the trip.
New York City
The definitive global metropolis.
Niagara Falls
One of the natural wonders, right on the Ontario border.
Upstate escapes
The Adirondacks, Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley.
New York on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
New York — State Facts
A short history
New York's lands were long home to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and Algonquian-speaking peoples before Dutch traders established New Amsterdam in 1624, later seized by the English and renamed New York in 1664. It became one of the thirteen original colonies and, after the Revolution, ratified the Constitution in 1788, quickly emerging as the new nation's commercial and population hub.
The 1825 opening of the Erie Canal linked the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, cementing New York City's status as America's leading port and fueling the growth of cities across the state. Waves of immigration through Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries made New York the country's demographic gateway, while Wall Street, Broadway and later the United Nations made it a genuine centre of global affairs.
Today the state's economy spans Manhattan's finance and media empires, the Finger Lakes wine industry, and manufacturing and agriculture upstate. Niagara Falls, shared with Ontario, remains one of the world's great natural spectacles, while the six-million-acre Adirondack Park protects one of the largest wilderness areas in the eastern United States.
New York earned the nickname 'The Empire State' from George Washington himself, who called it the 'seat of empire' for its trade potential, and Niagara Falls has been a honeymoon and tourist draw since the 1800s, when it became one of the first stops on the American 'Grand Tour.'
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Albany
New York's historic capital on the Hudson River.
Selected hotels
New York City
Broadway, Central Park, museums and the skyline.
Selected hotels
Niagara Falls
The thundering falls, shared with Canada.
Selected hotels
Finger Lakes
Wine country lakes and gorges.
Selected hotels
Adirondack Park
Six million acres of mountains and lakes.
Selected hotels
Skip the crowded Maid of the Mist line at Niagara midday and go right at opening or an hour before close, when the light turns the mist gold. And for the city, get your bagel and a coffee before 8 a.m. at a no-frills corner shop — that's when it's fresh and the line hasn't formed yet.
When to go
Year-round in the city; summer and autumn upstate.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold, often snowy, with New York City festive and bustling while the Adirondacks turn to a ski and snowshoe destination.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild and blossoming, a pleasant shoulder season to explore the city and Hudson Valley before summer crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and busy, ideal for upstate lakes, Niagara Falls, and long days in the Adirondacks.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Spectacular foliage upstate and comfortable temperatures in the city make this a favourite season.
New York FAQ
What is the capital of New York?
Albany is the capital of New York.
What is the largest city in New York?
New York City is the largest city in New York.
When did New York become a state?
New York became the 11th U.S. state on July 26, 1788.
What is New York known for?
New York is known for the world's greatest city — plus waterfalls, wine country and the Adirondacks.
When is the best time to visit New York?
Year-round in the city; summer and autumn upstate.
Plan your New York trip
Browse hotels and flights through the Guild's travel partner, and explore more of the United States.
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