New York City
With a population more than 8 million people, New York City is a frenetic and exciting metropolis with culture and activities to spare. For rock climbers, the Shawagunks, or "the Gunks," are only an hour's drive from the city and considered a world-class rock climbing area.
The Catskills
Made famous in the movie "Dirty Dancing," the Catskill Mountains are home to inns, camps, quaint bed-and-breakfasts and solitude. Once known as the "Borscht Belt," the Catskills have a long tradition of dinner theater and entertainment. For hikers and birders, the region gives great opportunities for both. Autumn is a stellar time for leaf watching and sipping fresh apple cider from roadside mills.
The Adirondack Park
The largest park in the contiguous 48 states, the Adirondack Park is a natural paradise. Since its inception, the adage "Forever Wild" is the Adirondacks' mission and motto. Home to Lake Placid, a two-time host of the Winter Olympics (1932 and 1980), the Adirondacks provide opportunities for skiers, hikers, boaters and nature lovers.
The Finger Lakes and Wine Country
Famous for quality wineries and picturesque villages, New York's Finger Lakes region is a gastronome's and wine lover's paradise. One of the nation's best kept secrets for road bicycling, this region has miles of wide-shouldered roads and beautiful scenery to log in training.
Outdoor Opportunities Abound
Outdoor enthusiasts find opportunities for world-class skiing, hiking, rock climbing and road biking in the Empire State. For further information on outdoor pursuits in New York, go to the websites in the reference section below.
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
