Almost everyone lands in New York and dives straight into the yellow cabs, the bright lights and the bagels. We understand the temptation, because the city really is electric. But here at ETW Travel, years of exploring this corner of America ourselves have taught us something rather lovely: New York tastes even sweeter when you have earned it. So save the city for last, let it be the dazzling crescendo of your trip, and begin somewhere altogether more relaxing.
The beauty of flying into New York is that some of the loveliest scenery in the north-east sits right on its doorstep. Before you tackle Times Square, give yourself a few days to unwind. Here are two of our favourite ways to start.
Option one: sand between your toes on Long Island
Just a couple of hours from the skyscrapers, Long Island feels like another world, and it is one we adore. Point the car east and the pace slows with every mile.
Begin in the Hamptons, where weathered grey shingle houses, roadside farm shops and soft white beaches have charmed New Yorkers for generations. We love an early morning stroll along the shore at Southampton before the crowds wake up, coffee in hand. From there, wander into Sag Harbor, a former whaling village with a gorgeous little harbour, independent bookshops and some of the best seafood we have tasted anywhere. Order the lobster roll, you can thank us later.
Keep going to the very tip of the island and you reach Montauk, affectionately known as The End. This is where the Atlantic crashes against the cliffs beneath the lighthouse, surfers ride the breaks and the seafood shacks serve the day’s catch with a cold drink and a glorious sunset. It is wild, breezy and wonderfully unpretentious, the sort of place where you can happily lose a whole afternoon doing very little at all. A few days here and your shoulders will have dropped a good few inches before you have even thought about the city.
Option two: mountains, lakes and a road trip to remember
If you would rather swap sand for soaring scenery, head north instead and lose yourself in the Catskills. We always tell our clients this is the New York most people never see: forested peaks, glassy lakes and pretty mountain towns where the air smells of pine.
Base yourself somewhere like Phoenicia or Woodstock, hike a trail or two, paddle out on a lake and enjoy long, lazy dinners in cosy lodges. Autumn is our personal favourite, when the hillsides blaze in red and gold, but it is a tonic in any season.
Then, when you are ready for something truly jaw-dropping, climb back into the car for one of the great American road trips. The drive west towards Niagara Falls takes you through rolling countryside and the Finger Lakes wine region, which is well worth a leisurely stop. Nothing quite prepares you for that first sight and sound of the Falls. Stand on the viewing deck, feel the spray on your face and take the boat trip right up to the thundering water. We have done it more times than we can count, and it still gives us goosebumps every single time. Plan to stay overnight nearby so you can watch the Falls light up after dark, a spectacle that feels worlds away from the city you are about to discover.
And finally, the big finish
However you choose to start, this is where the magic of saving New York for last truly reveals itself. After days of fresh air, big skies and gentle living, the city greets you with all its glorious energy. Suddenly the noise, the lights and the buzz feel thrilling rather than overwhelming, because you arrive rested, recharged and ready to soak up every moment.
Spend your final days doing New York properly. Catch a Broadway show, wander through Central Park, ride to the top of a skyscraper at golden hour and eat your way around the neighbourhoods. By ending your holiday here, you leave on the highest of highs, with the city’s sparkle as your final, unforgettable memory.
Let us plan it for you
The very best part? You do not have to organise a single thing. Our team has travelled these routes, stayed in these places and learned the little tricks along the way, so you simply get to enjoy them. We will tailor every detail, from the right hire car to the perfect balance of beach, mountains and city, all fully ATOL protected for complete peace of mind.
Pop into our Woburn Sands office, call us on 01908 886491 or email woburn@etwtravel.co.uk, and let us help you experience New York exactly the way it was meant to be enjoyed: last.
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