New York vacation rentals

Experience the splendor of New York in vacation home rentals

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.

Heritage sites near New York vacation homes

New York has an array of historic sites to delight the history buff. Vacation homes are available near places like the Statue of Liberty National Monument, an American icon and historic site with guided tours, a museum, and city views, and Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, a flight museum on an aircraft carrier with exhibits that include a Concorde, submarine, and space shuttle. You could also visit Flushing Meadows Corona Park, a vast parkland with World’s Fair monuments, museums, sports facilities, and a zoo.

Sightseeing near New York vacation rentals

When you stay in a New York vacation rental in the Big Apple, attraction-wise, you're spoiled for choice. Take art for example. In the Met and MoMA, you can see a dizzying number of works from some of the most inspiring artists, both past and present. You'd need several lifetimes to explore the ideas that sit within every book in the New York Public Library, but the building alone is worth a long look. Sports fans should catch a New York Yankees game, or swing by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.

Things to do near New York vacation homes

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.

Best time to travel to New York vacation homes

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.

How to get to and around New York

Fly into Hancock Intl. Airport (SYR), the closest airport, located 16 mi (25.8 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could book a flight to Cortland, NY (CTX-Cortland County), which is 21.3 mi (34.3 km) away.

If you're traveling by train, Syracuse Regional Transportation Center, New York State Fair Station and Rome Station are the main stations in the city. You can get around New York by jumping on the metro at University Station, Lasalle Station or Amherst Street Station.

Sample signature cuisine in New York

Much of New York’s distinctive cuisine comes from the city and the ethnic groups that entered the country. You'll find enclaves reflecting international cuisine, such as Little Italy, Chinatown, and Koreatown, as well as signature dishes like Manhattan clam chowder, New York-style pizza and bagels, and hot dogs. There’s no shortage of options in New York to satisfy any craving near your vacation rental.