Travel to a New York State of Mind

Travel to a New York State of Mind
By Scott Humphrey

New York City is one of the most interesting places to travel to, one that close to 47 million people flock to each year.  There is no way to sum up New York; meaning both the state and the city, so let’s take it piece by piece and get into some of the best of traveling to a New York State of Mind. Starting in the city is highly recommended, followed by some recovery and relaxation in the lush landscape of upstate New York.
Now you may not need a bit of recovery, but if you are looking for a night out in NYC, it can be exhilarating and draining by the end.  The city is full of so much energy, and you need to keep up with the pace car.  No matter how you choose your fun, NYC has an option for everyone, and getting to the greener parts of New York is a bonus no matter how we look at it.

Spend a Bit, Get a Lot
New York City is expensive; we know this, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself a little and still come out on top of the money game.  My first piece of advice is to get car service from your airport to Manhattan.  For a very reasonable rate, you can also get a limo to your destination in NYC; whichever you choose, having car & limo service to and from JFK, or LaGuardia airport to NYC for under $80 is a good way to kick things off.

Hotels don’t exactly come cheap here either, but having stayed in them a few times, I can say the Days Inn have great rooms at a very respectable price of around $150 a night.  So, let’s assume you’re settled and are ready to hit the streets; now the fun begins.
Food, Fun, and Frivolity
I am a mindful meat eater, but when I do choose to imbibe, I only go with the best there is.  If you love, or even like meat you are going to be impressed by Plataforma Churrascaria on 49th & 9th; a Brazilian steakhouse of the highest order.  The salad bar is a mile long and the meat is never ending.  $55 per person is a very good price for the amount and quality of the food that they serve.  For vegetarians, or seafood lovers, there are a few more options.

I should point out that Plataforma‘s salad bar alone would satisfy any non-meat eating guests, but there are some other choices.  For an amazing, healthy, and fresh meal; The Hummus Place is a vegetarian’s dream come true.  Not only is this place delicious, it will barely put a dent in your wallet.

There are a couple of them in the city, so obviously get to the one closest to your planned nightly activities.  There are two uptown and two downtown.  If you’re uptown head over to 305 Amsterdam Avenue or 2608 Broadway; downtown has one on 71st & 7th, and the second is at 109 St. Marks Place.  This place has you covered.

Fun is easy to find in NYC, and you can do it relatively cheap if you know how to look.  If you like expensive stuff, go to Times Square.  Central Park is 5 miles all the way around, and full of beautiful sights to see.  From the ancient Egyptian obelisk, to the promenade, to lady of the water statue in the red brick courtyard; all are worth the day spent in the park.

The Meadow is a wide open green space where the city gathers when the weather is warm. It’s an expansive meadow with room for tossing a football, team Frisbee, or just lounging.  Another favorite of mine is Shakespeare in the park.  A phenomenal experience for a very small personal investment: you will have to be up extraordinarily early to wait in line for 8 hours.  That’s the price you pay for exceptional outdoor theatre.

Upstate New York
Most people think of the city when I say I am from New York, but the rest of the state has a beauty all its own.  I live in the Hudson Valley, where the mountains and green landscapes are a plenty.  The little towns up and down the Hudson River are full of festivals, farms, and delicious local food.  Organic farming is big in the Valley, and if you are a meat eater, I highly recommend finding a place that serves Hudson Valley duck.

In Ulster County you will find the Shawangunk Mountains, where you will find some great hiking trails and rock faces to climb.  If you are looking for a posh getaway from the city, Mohonk Mountain House is a 100 year old resort, and voted #1 in the U.S. this year.  It is a beautiful Victorian castle with modern additions.  Hike the lemon squeeze, swim in the lake, or relax at the spa. This place has everything you need to shed the stresses of everyday life.

No matter where you are in New York, you will not be disappointed.  This state has much more to it than most people recognize.  So get yourself here, and see it all, or as much as humanly possible.

BIO: Scott is a freelance writer for many different blogs on a variety of topics, including travel and New York State.  When he is not writing for Luxor Limo, he is hiking in the Shawangunk Mountains.

Travel to a New York State of Mind