New York State

Times Square, New York City (Terabass, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Let’s Visit New York State

Join our virtual tour highlighting the top tourist attractions of New York State
For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. New York

Highlights

Central Park, New York City (Ed Yourdon, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in New York State.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (New York City) is famous as a symbol of freedom and democracy. This iconic statue, gifted by France, welcomes millions of visitors each year as a representation of the American Dream.
Times Square (New York City) is renowned for its bright lights, massive digital billboards, and as the location of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. It’s one of the most visited tourist spots in the world.
Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls) is famous for its breathtaking waterfalls that straddle the U.S.-Canada border. The site offers boat tours like the Maid of the Mist, allowing visitors to experience the falls up close.
Central Park (New York City) is known as one of the largest and most famous urban parks in the world. The park offers outdoor activities, concerts, and scenic landscapes, providing a peaceful escape in the middle of Manhattan.
Empire State Building (New York City) is renowned for its towering presence in the New York skyline. Visitors can take an elevator to its observation deck for panoramic views of the city.
The Adirondack Mountains (Northeastern New York) are famous for their stunning landscapes and outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and camping. This vast wilderness area is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City) is one of the largest and most prestigious art museums in the world. It houses over two million works of art, from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces.
The Finger Lakes (Central New York) are famous for their beautiful lakes, wineries, and charming small towns. The region is a top destination for boating, hiking, and wine tours.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum (New York City) is known for honoring the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The memorial pools and museum provide a solemn place of remembrance and reflection.
Broadway (New York City) is internationally famous as the center of American theater. It is home to countless iconic shows, offering world-class performances that attract visitors from around the globe.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Saranac Lake, Adirondacks (Mwanner, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Discover these little-known facts about New York.

New York Is Home to the First Pizzeria in the U.S.
Lombardi’s, located in Manhattan, opened in 1905 and holds the title of America’s first pizzeria. It started the country’s obsession with pizza, which has since become a staple of American food culture.
New York City Was Once the U.S. Capital
Before Washington, D.C., New York City served as the capital of the United States from 1789 to 1790. George Washington even took his first presidential oath of office in New York.
The Adirondacks Have Over 3,000 Lakes
The Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York contain more than 3,000 lakes and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who love to fish, swim, and kayak.
Times Square Was Originally Named Longacre Square
Times Square, one of the busiest places in the world, was originally called Longacre Square. It was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters there.
New York Has Its Own Loch Ness Monster
Lake Champlain, located in northern New York, is said to have its own lake monster named Champ. Sightings of this creature have been reported for over 200 years, adding to the mystery and allure of the lake.
The Statue of Liberty Was Almost Gold
The original design of the Statue of Liberty called for it to be covered in gold leaf, but due to cost concerns, the final version was built with copper, which has since oxidized into its iconic green color.
New York’s Central Park Is Larger Than Monaco
At 843 acres, Central Park in New York City is larger than the entire country of Monaco, providing plenty of green space for millions of visitors to enjoy year-round
New York Has a Town Named After the Looney Tunes Character, Whoville
There’s a real-life Whoville, located in Upstate New York, which shares its name with the fictional town from Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s a tiny hamlet near Rochester.
New York Was the First State to Require License Plates
In 1901, New York became the first state to require cars to have license plates. However, car owners had to make their own plates out of leather, wood, or metal until the state started issuing them in 1910.
There’s an Abandoned Subway Station Underneath City Hall
Hidden beneath City Hall in New York City is an elegant, abandoned subway station. It opened in 1904 but was closed in 1945 because it couldn’t accommodate modern, longer subway cars.

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from New York State.

Famous Men

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) was born in New York City and became the 26th President of the United States. He is known for his progressive reforms, conservation efforts, and leadership during the construction of the Panama Canal.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) was born in Hyde Park, New York, and served as the 32nd President of the United States. He led the country through the Great Depression and World War II and is famous for his New Deal policies.
Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was born in Huntington, Long Island, New York, and became one of America’s most influential poets. His work, Leaves of Grass, is a cornerstone of American literature.
Michael Jordan (1963– ) was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and revolutionized the game of basketball.
Billy Joel (1949– ) was born in The Bronx, New York, and became one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Known as the Piano Man, he has created numerous hit songs like Uptown Girl and We Didn’t Start the Fire.

Famous Women

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) was born in New York City and served as First Lady of the United States. She was a champion of civil rights, women’s rights, and human rights, becoming one of the most influential First Ladies in U.S. history.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) was born in Brooklyn, New York, and served as a Supreme Court Justice from 1993 until her death. She was a pioneering advocate for gender equality and civil liberties.
Lucille Ball (1911–1989) was born in Jamestown, New York, and became an iconic actress and comedian. She is best known for her groundbreaking TV show I Love Lucy, which made her a pioneer in the entertainment industry.
Lady Gaga (1986– ) was born in Manhattan, New York, and is a globally recognized pop star and actress. She is known for her chart-topping hits, unique fashion, and her Oscar-winning role in A Star is Born.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929–1994) was born in Southampton, New York, and became the First Lady of the United States as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. She is remembered for her style, grace, and cultural preservation efforts.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

July 26, 1788 (11th)

State Capital

Albany
Government of New York

Area and Total Population

Area: 47,126 square miles

Total Population: 19,746,000

Major cities and their population

City	Population
New York City	8,258,000
Hempstead Town	786,000
Brookhaven	488,000
Buffalo	275,000
Yonkers	298,000
Rochester	208,000
Syracuse	146,000
Albany	101,000
Mount Vernon	71,000
Schenectady	69,000
Niagara Falls	48,000
Jamestown	28,000
Plattsburgh	20,000

Education

Butler Library, Columbia University, New York City (Andrew Chen, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Universities in New York City

Educational Resources

Twinkl. New York State

Fairs and festivals

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City (Anthony Quintano, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Flag

The shield displays a masted ship and a sloop on the Hudson River (symbols of inland and foreign commerce). Nearby is a grassy shore and Mount Beacon in the background with the smiling sun rising behind it.

Above the shield, there is an American eagle looking westward and spreading its wings over the whole globe. To the left of the shield is the figure Liberty with the revolutionary imagery of a cap raised on a pole. She holds her foot on the overthrown English Crown.

To the right of the shield is the figure Justice wearing a blindfold signifying impartiality and holding scales signifying equality before the law. She holds her sword high ready to fight tyranny.

The New York state legislature, on April 8, 1896, adopted a law making the coat of arms on a buff field the official state flag. The buff field was chosen because Major Asa Gardiner, the main proponent of the flag, argued that it should be similar to the facing color of uniform worn by troops. George Washington had ordered that troops from New York and New Jersey serving in the Continental Army wear buff facings.

However, the buff color flag was unpopular. The custom for military flags was blue with the coat of arms, similar to what was used for New York troops during and before the Civil War. Thus, the legislature changed the field from buff to blue by a law enacted on April 2, 1901.

Geography

Location

New York State (Tubs, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Google map of New York State

Glimpses into History

New York Harbor ,1727 (New York Public Library, Wikimedia Commons)

The history of New York

Iconic Landmarks, Monuments and Historic Sites

Statue of Liberty, New York (William Warby, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island

Breathtaking Landscapes

Montauk Point, Long Island (Ronald Diel, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of New York State.

Museums and Art Galleries/ Adventures in Time Travel

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Arad, WIkimedia CCA 3.0)

National Landmarks and Historic Sites

Historic Sites in New York State

National Monuments

National and State Parks

National Park Service. New York
New York State Parks

Performing Arts

David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City (Ajay Suresh, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Sports

New York Giants (All Pro Reels, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Professional Sports Teams

Buffalo

National Football League (NFL): Buffalo Bills
National Hockey League (NHL): Buffalo Sabres

Elmont, Nassau County

National Hockey League (NHL): New York Islanders

New York City

Major League Baseball (MLB): New York Mets, New York Yankees
Major League Soccer (MLS): New York City FC, New York Red Bulls
National Basketball Association (NBA): New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets
National Football League (NFL): New York Giants, New York Jets
National Hockey League (NHL): New York Rangers

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

State Motto

“Excelsior” meaning ‘Ever upward’

State Nickname

The Empire State

State Symbols

See official symbols. New York

Seal

The seal of New York State was officially adopted in 1778. The current version of the State Seal was last modified in 1882.

The Goddesses of Liberty and Justice support the shield. The Goddess of Liberty, holding a pole on which rests a Liberty Cap, represents the right of people to live independently and free from oppression and tyranny. On the right is the Goddess of Justice, blindfolded and holding the scales of justice, symbolizing the State’s pledge of impartial, fair and equal treatment under the law for all its citizens.

License Plate