There is only one New York City. No other US metropolis even comes close to it in terms of population, diversity of culture, entertainment, business and commerce. Yet within a day's drive, visitors can find fine beaches and seascapes; quiet, forested mountains; quaint, small towns; and plenty of historical sightseeing.

Long Island, a short train ride east of Manhattan, is the largest island adjoining the continental USA. A popular destination for native city dwellers, it also features the celebrated seaside resort of The Hamptons.

To the north of New York City are the two major resort areas of the Catskills and the Adirondack Mountains, popular for outdoor sports, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and skiing. Adirondack Park is the largest state park in the USA at 2.4 million hectares (6 million acres).

The Finger Lakes region, with 11 slender lakes extending from north to south, is dotted with resorts, campsites, water recreation areas, fine lakes and woodland scenery. It is the state's prime wine-producing region.

New York State's capital, Albany, lies in the Capital-Saratoga region, north of the Hudson Valley. Saratoga Springs has been a leading spa and horse racing centre since the late-19th century.

The Greater Niagara region is home to the state's second-largest city, Buffalo, a major industrial centre and best known for the 56m (184ft) Niagara Falls, which can be visited on foot, by boat or by helicopter.

The lakes and rivers of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region are a centre for outdoor recreational activities, Amish communities, Native American reservations and wineries.

The adjacent Thousand Islands-Seaway region boasts a scenic route stretching 700km (454 miles) past Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River.