Beautiful pieces of history, you can find magnificent lighthouses scattered all across New York. But if you're looking to view our historic locations that will bring you out to the ocean, you'll want to take this ultimate road trip that will take you out on Long Island.
Formerly known as Lloyd Harbor Lighthouse, this piece of Long Island's history can be found out in Huntington Bay. First lit in 1912, now the light has been automated since 1949.
A stunning landmark on Fire Island, the lighthouse began operating back in 1858. Now part of the National Register of Historic Places, you can't make a trip to Fire Island without taking a classic shot of this picturesque lighthouse! You'll love walking along beachy boardwalks that will lead you to this beautiful location.
Located on a bluff above the Long Island Sound, the Horton Point Lighthouse was built back in 1857. A popular place for tourists to come and visit all year long, the Horton Point Lighthouse can be found on the National Register of Historic Places.
A lighthouse that's now privately owned, visitors can still enjoy views of this sparkplug lighthouse from the town shores of Orient. The lighthouse was put up for auction and sold back in 2013 to the owner of a New York City construction company; the Orient Point Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Possibly the most popular and well-known lighthouse in all of New York, the Montauk Point Lighthouse can be found at The End of the World. Bringing you away from it all, the lighthouse opens back up for the year in March.
Do you have a favorite lighthouse to visit along the coast or in the Empire State? For more planned out getaways through New York, add these 11 Unforgettable Road Trips to your 2017 bucket list!
To find the best bookstores and libraries in a state, you might have to drive a good distance unless, of course, you live in the largest city in the United States. Then it's entirely possible to put together an incredible New York literary road trip without even leaving Manhattan. And that's exactly what we did, spotlighting seven of the city's best spots for bibliophiles. This literary road trip itinerary covers about four miles, from upper Midtown to the East Village, and has a little something for everyone - massive bookstores, historic libraries, and even a little taste of Japan. You can drive it, use public transport, or even walk it, but no matter how you explore the city's best bookstores and libraries, you're bound to find something you'll want to read again and again.
With seven stops over around 50 blocks in Manhattan, this is an ideal all-day adventure. Of course, depending on how much you find to explore at each spot, you might want to budget even longer.
1. Argosy Book Store
Likely the tallest bookstore in Manhattan, Argosy Book Store has a whopping six floors to explore. This family-owned gem is found in a converted townhouse and is known not just for its massive collection of books but also for its unique and historic items, including celebrity autographs and vintage maps. This is a frequent celebrity haunt, and the old-fashioned bookstore feels like a movie set, complete with a lot of hidden enclaves to sit and read.
Quite possibly the most famous library in the world, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the flagship location of the New York Public Library. While it's only one of many branches in the city, this one is an architectural marvel. The library has dozens of rooms, including rare book reading spots, but it also doubles as a mini-museum. There are rotating exhibits about the history of the city, as well as permanent exhibitions, including the original stuffed toys that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise.
One of my favorite spots in the city, Kinokuniya New York is the state's largest Japanese bookstore, a spectacular temple of translated books, Japanese literature, and a staggering collection of manga both popular and rare. It's a great place to spend a few hours, especially since this location has an upstairs cafe, Cafe Zaiya, offering Japanese snacks and even hot food.
4. Rizzoli Bookstore
Hidden in the Flatiron District, Rizzoli is a true gem known for its elegant atmosphere and eclectic selection. Founded in 1964, this independent bookstore has a great selection of New York-themed books you can't find anywhere else, as well as the city's best selection of art, fashion, and photography books put out by the in-house publisher.
Home to more than 2.5 million books, The Strand is one of the most iconic bookstores in the world. This sprawling, multi-floor institution is a few blocks from Union Square and is the kind of place you can get lost in. There are dozens of sections to explore, with a staggering selection of new and used books. There's even a program called "Books by the Foot" that will provide aesthetic books for your bookcase. And it's only feet from your next stop...
For comic book fans, Forbidden Planet is the city's closest thing to heaven. While Midtown Comics may be the favored choice for Wednesday Warriors looking for the latest release, this institution is acclaimed for its wide selection of independent and older comics, as well as a fantastic assortment of collectibles. It moved to a larger location about a decade ago, and every inch of it is worth exploring.
7. Book Club Bar
Located in the East Village, Book Club Bar is the best of three worlds. It's a small independent bookstore, a coffee shop, and a boutique cocktail bar serving a selection of beers, wines, and specialty cocktails themed to books. It feels like a little slice of paradise for book lovers, who can now read and drink the night away.
What are your favorite bookstores and libraries in New York? Share this article with a friend and create your own New York literary road trip! If you're beat after a late night at the Book Club Bar, consider checking into The Standard East Village, which is only a short walk from the bar and gets rave reviews.
The Adirondack Mountains are spectacular. Take a New York Adirondacks road trip to see these majestic landmarks. These mountains cover nearly 5,000 square miles and they are more than 5 million years old. Since 1892, the area they cover has been designated as Adirondack Park and is a protected area, but 200,000 people live in it seasonally, and 132,000 live there year-round.
advertisement
As you can imagine or may already know, there is much to explore on an Adirondack road trip. It's a great place to visit for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest draws is its stunning natural beauty. Many people underestimate the Adirondacks, but after visiting, they find that they have fallen in love with the scenery and the environment. Once you've tried it, we are sure you will agree that this mountain trip is one of the best road trips in New York.
Adirondack Park is the largest park in the contiguous United States. Its 9,375 sq. mile area is 1/3 of New York state; it's bigger than Vermont. It's impossible to see it all, but this 250-mile road trip will give you a great overview of the region and its incredible beauty.
There are so many sights and views in the Adirondacks that will amaze and excite you. Between the mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests, there's something for everyone to love. You'll see all of these things and more.
This road trip begins in Wells at the John Van Alstine and Caroline Ramersdorfer Sculpture Park. Stroll near interesting, large-scale, modern art pieces by the park's namesakes on eight acres along the Sacandaga River.
Although this art is man-made, the way it is placed in the sculpture garden invokes much connection with the natural world. This is a great place to start for this very reason, as you move away from the hustle and bustle of your life and into the serenity of these mountains.
Take Route 30 north to Route 8 to Wevertown and then head south on Route 28 to Lake George. Here, you can drive to the top of Prospect Mountain for great views of the lake.
From there, drive north on Route 9N along the western shore of Lake George. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in the state at any time of the year. Once you arrive at the gorgeous Bolton Landing, you will see some truly mind-blowing views.
You'll continue to follow Route 9N all the way along the edge of the lake until you get to Ticonderoga at the top. Here, you can visit historic Fort Ticonderoga. This fort was built by the French in the French and Indian War and was later used in the Revolutionary War, too.
Next, take Route 74 west to I-87 north, then take 28N west to NY-30 north to Tupper Lake to visit The Wild Center.
This natural history museum on 115 acres has informative exhibits about the Adirondacks. The biggest draw here, though, is the Wild Walk. It's 1,000 feet of bridges and platforms that allow guests to get above the trees on foot for incredible and unique views.
Now take NY-30/State Rte 3 E to Lake Placid. This mountain town was the home of the 1980 Winter Olympics. There are two lakes, actually. Mirror Lake is small and still and reflects the mountains around it. It's the lake the town is primarily built around. Larger Lake Placid is more active and recreational, but also quite breathtaking.
Finally, on one of the most scenic road trips in New York, you'll take NY-86-E to NY-9N north to Ausable Chasm. This incredible sandstone gorge is a surprising sight in New York. It was created by the Ausable River. It's privately owned so you'll have to pay for entry, but you can walk the trails or take a raft or tube through the canyon if you'd like for an additional fee.
You'll be amazed at all the magnificent sights that you'll see on this Adirondacks road trip. This one-of-a-kind road trip is a great way to explore the stunning sights you will find in our beautiful state. Adirondack Park is a remarkable scenic drive in New York and it's likely that you'll want to come back time and time again. It's different and special in all seasons, so visiting this area is well worth it no matter the season or month of the year.
From the fall's fantastic autumn foliage to the summer's lush greenery and winter's snowy wonderland, there is so much to love all year long. Share the fun with your family and friends to really make some unique memories, and be sure you bring your best camera to capture all the lovely vistas all around you. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your Adirondack road trip today! If you need some ideas of what to pack, check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide. That way, you will be extra prepared for all the fun you're going to have.
