Every Friday in 2013, the Let’s Fly Away Across the USA series will feature a different state, documenting the things we love about each sate and what you should do or see when you visit. Want to submit your photos or travel tips? Visit the Across the USA page.
Honestly, I expected to have a hard time getting travel tips for anywhere in New York outside of NYC, but surprisingly, that wasn’t the case! These travel tips prove that while NYC is amazing, there are definitely other areas of New York worth seeing as well. I’ve always wanted to visit NYC but haven’t been yet — looks like I’ll need to plan some extra time to get out of the city as well!
Kathy says
I’m Kathy, and I blog at Beauty Palette. I currently live in Manhattan. I went to NYU for undergrad and have lived in NYC since graduation.
KATHY LOVES // New York is definitely one of the most well-rounded states in the country! I love that I can enjoy New York City’s amazing restaurant / shopping / art scene anytime I want but if I’m feeling a little antsy, a quick train ride can get me to the Long Beach for some seaside relaxation or to upstate to get in some hiking and clear my head.
KATHY RECOMMENDS //
1. Mohonk Mountain House. The most beautiful Victorian-style castle in Hudson Valley on Lake Mohonk. It’s the perfect blend of old-world luxury and outdoorsy charm. I used to spend my childhood summers here, canoeing on the lake and hiking their trails. If you’re a little worn out at the end of the day, you can take a leisurely brunch break and enjoy their amazing food inside the castle itself.
2. Storm King Art Center. One of my favorite art exhibits in the entire state (that’s saying a lot considering the Met and the MoMa are just a few steps away from my apartment). It is an amazingly curated sculpture garden that is located on a 500-acre field. Absolutely stunning and incredibly unique — there is nothing like it. Just keep in mind they aren’t open during the winter!
3. Blue Hill at Stone Barns. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Farm-to-table cuisine at a restaurant that is literally right on the farm — all their food is from Blue Hill Farm. Before your meal, you can tour the farm grounds and really know where your food came from. It is pretty hard to get a reservation, so plan ahead (as in, if you’re calling a month out — that’s already too late).
FOR BONUS POINTS // If you’re visiting NYC, please please please don’t waste your time at some chain restaurant in Times Square. Do your research first (hello Immaculate Infatuation!) and make your reservations ahead of time to make sure you get the best of what NYC’s culinary scene has to offer.
My personal favorites are ABC Kitchen for farm-to-table done right, Five Points for brunch, Mas (la grillade) for a special occasions and Little Branch for the city’s best custom cocktails!
see more recommendations on page 2
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Thanks for having me, Lisa! And I love all these recommendations – so useful, especially as I prepare for another weekend trip to NYC. I may have to check out Five Points for Saturday brunch next week!
Also, I want to say that Christie’s recommendations for Syracuse rock. As a native upstate/western NYer, it’s nice to see that area represented too. If anyone happens to be in Rochester, be sure to go to one of the hometown Wegmans. They are far and away better than the ones in satellite states! (But I may be biased.)
Jess – so happy that you think my Syracuse suggestions rock! Wegmans is my favsies – I thought I would miss Whole Foods but when I moved here I fell in love with that place.
Love these tips! I’m going to have to check out a bunch of these places!
love the High Line! and totally agree about doing your research for your meals out and avoiding Times Square chains… but there’s something to be said for stumbling into a hole in the wall almost anywhere below 14th St and discovering an amazing secret!
Thank you so much for including my photos, tips, and sharing my gluten free in brooklyn post Lisa!
Like you said, there are so many great tips for things outside of NYC in this post. It’s getting quickly pinned so I can refer back next time I’m out there. I definitely want to ride the Roosevelt Island Tram and check out that castle on the Hudson River.
Ew, I can’t believe I accidentally got associated with a blog post that mentions that one terrible food blog. You know what a GREAT food blog is? donuts4dinner.com.
Oh, hey, I just got to the second page, where you mention d4d! Haha, thanks, LMB.
I love everyone else’s pictures and suggestions! Seeing my snow picture next to the one of the cab, I’m secretly wondering if I should desaturate everything. Off to run that thing through Photoshop!
Bahaha I’m going to laugh when the day comes that a new reader sees one of your comments and thinks you are being rude because there’s no sarcasm font on the internet (why doesn’t this exist yet?). NOTE TO ALL READERS: Do not take anything Katie Ett says seriously. Except for the nice stuff, of course.
Thanks for the tips and photos! You know you’re the first person I’m calling when I finally get to visit NYC — I expect a Shake Shack visit, a Roosevelt Island Tram ride, and a grand tour of public transportation with your commentary. Got it?
All sarcasm should be written in Comic Sans. Or Papyrus. I hate them equally. DONE. DECIDED.
I would looooooooove to show you around NYC. You’re going to love staying at my apartment with its white walls and vaguely matching furniture.
Comic Sans as the sarcasm font? Best idea ever.
Lisa! If you ever want a place to crash in NYC my apartment is yours! And actually… I’ll be out of town quite a bit this summer if you want the place all to yourself
Email anytime if you want to take me up on the offer!
Awww, thanks so much Clara! Might have to take you up on that if Katie gets tired of me!
I’ve been to NYC once, but I definitely want to go back, visit and eat my way across the city with Katie!
Ummm, can I tag along?!