There's more to New York than NYC
Most adventures to New York start in the Big Apple, and there's no better introduction than the soaring Art Deco architecture, top-notch museums to rival any city on Earth and, arguably, the best dining scene in the world. That said, if you tire of bar-hopping in Brooklyn, follow the Hudson upstream and you'll find a whole world of towering cascades, forested mountains and rows of vineyards, not to mention the historic rust-belt cities now on the up. Alternatively, you can hop abroad a train to Long Island to kick back on the beaches, or mingle in the Hamptons.
Escape to the country in New York
You'd better warn your wallet – it's difficult to leave NYC without hitting up some of the country's best retail spaces. After you've escaped upstate – hopefully with your credit card intact – there's much to keep you occupied. From your New York vacation rental, you could spend the sunny days paddling downstream on kayaks, or hiking up into the pine-scented woodland for a little mountain air and a cool dip in the waterfalls. Anglers could opt to spend an afternoon reeling in chinook salmon on the lakes, while those who like a drop of the good stuff could swing by one of the wineries.
New York heatwaves cooled by the sea
The state sees some mighty warm weather during summer, when the skies are clear and heatwaves are cooled by the mountain or sea breezes. If you're visiting the big city, the shoulder seasons are more comfortable and see a considerably dip in New York vacation rental prices. Those who head to Upstate New York during fall are treated to an extraordinary kaleidoscope of colors, when the leaves turn to hues of orange and red. Don't discount the below-freezing winters, when you can ice skate or race along the snowy trails on snowmobiles.
Wildlife encounters in New York on land and sea
Though you've got the odd critter in New York City, for impressive wildlife encounters, you'll need to leave the buzz of the city behind. If you've scored a New York vacation rental on the oceanfront of Long Island, you can hop aboard daily charters to spot whales and playful dolphins. The Hudson River in Upstate New York, along with all the other waterways, thrives with birdlife. It's not uncommon to see blue herons wading in the shallows, kingfishers swooping and osprey gliding with fish in their talons.