Known in the 21st century for horse racing, this area has been welcoming visitors to the mineral springs since the 14th century when Native Americans discovered the healing powers of the waters. Soon, Saratoga Springs became a watering hole for the rich and famous, referred to by many as the Queen of Spas. There is an interesting visitor centre in the Saratoga National Historical Park, overlooking the Hudson Valley. Overnight in Saratoga Springs.

Begin your journey into the natural paradise of the Adirondacks. Noted for its sparkling lakes, majestic mountains and rushing streams, the Lake George region is the perfect place to get in tune with the outdoors, whether your preference is serene or extreme. The area is also well known for its history and heritage. Overnight in Lake George.

Continue your discovery of the Adirondack Mountains, which witnessed the building of America when lumberjacks, miners and armies from France, Britain and Colonial America each had their impact on the region. Physicians later sent their patients to recover in the clear, mountain air. If you love the outdoors, 160 lakes and ponds with endless miles of trails await. In between, you’ll discover historic villages, intimate dining, museums, galleries and antiques. Stay for two nights in Lake Placid.

Set amidst the High Peaks of New York’s Adirondacks and surrounded by abundant lakes, rivers and forests, Lake Placid has been the focus of the world twice during the 1932 and the 1980 Olympics. If you want to be active, you can hike miles of trails through Adirondack Park, you can raft the rivers, go fly fishing, bungee jumping, horseback riding, mountain climbing, backpacking, or bicycling. If you’d rather explore at a more leisurely pace, pick up an Olympic Sites Passport and take a ski gondola to the top of one of the mountains, check out the galleries, boutiques, glass blowers and other shops, visit the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center or meander over to Saranac Lake.

It will look as though Disney decided to create a kingdom in the middle of a river. And Disney could not have done a better job than the 1000 islands that dot the St. Lawrence. Castles perched above the sparkling water of the river create an enchantment in this very beautiful and less travelled part of Upstate New York that is not found elsewhere in the state. Overnight in the 1000 Islands area.

Why not experience the Cayuga Wine Trail, a collection of 27 wineries which surround the sapphire waters of Cayuga Lake or the Seneca Lake Wine Trail which has even more wineries to choose from. Overnight in Ithaca.

When you reach the Finger Lakes region, try to make as many of the “must-sees” as possible. Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East, covers 14,000 acres along the majestic Genesee River. World-renowned chefs and famous winemakers come together to share their secrets at the New York Wine and Culinary Center, located in Canandaigua. The Strong National Museum of Play has fun for all ages. Overnight in the Northern Finger Lakes in Geneva.

Just a short distance from the Finger Lakes, Rochester is a great blend of the old and the new, the cultural and the industrial, built-up environment and natural beauty and very interesting history. Visit the Museum of Photography & Film at the George Eastman House (founder of Kodak). Overnight in Rochester.

Even repeat visitors to Niagara Falls thrill to the thunder and roar as six million cubic feet of water falls over the rocks every minute. Join the millions of travellers who every year are awed by the sights and sounds of magnificent Niagara Falls and don’t miss the illumination at night! Spend two nights in Niagara Falls. Or spend two nights in Buffalo and visit Niagara Falls for a full day. This will give you time to enjoy the museums, history and architecture of Buffalo, take a walking food tour or a boat cruise on Lake Erie.

Along the way you have the option to visit Watkins Glen State Park where a descending stream cascades 400 feet down past 200 foot high cliffs. If you don’t have time to visit anything else today, don’t pass up the Corning Museum of Glass where you can explore glass from all perspectives through works of art, stained glass, modern glass innovations and even make your own. Overnight in Corning.

Either head back to the airport today for your flight home, or spend a few nights in New York City.