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Native Americans from the Lenape Nation, the Shinnecock, the Canarsee Delaware and other Algonquin tribes were the first settlers in the New York area. They began the long New York tradition of welcoming tourists.

When the first Europeans to discover New York dropped in for a visit in 1524, Native Americans went out in their canoes to greet the new arrivals. The Italian explorer who they met was Giovanni da Verrazano. You may recognize his name from the modern Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. He accepted the welcome and gifts from the people who lived there. He trip was being paid for by the French government, so he named the land New Angoulême in honor of the king and claimed ownership of the land.

Next came the Dutch and, like many visitors to New York, they liked it so much they decided to stay. They established New York's first European settlement at what is now the state capital in Albany. On May 6, 1626, it was Peter Minuit who purchased Manhattan Island from the Lenape Indians in exchange for some trinkets, beads and wampum worth about 60 Dutch guilders. The colony of New Amsterdam was established and the precedent was set for the trades that make up New York City's high priced real estate market today.

In 1664, the English arrived to take control of New Amsterdam without a shot being fired. Rechristened New York, for the Duke of York, the area was briefly back in Dutch hands for a while and renamed New Orange. The British took back the colony and the area once again became New York. It remained under British control throughout the Revolutionary War... and the name became permanent.

The first capital of the United States was New York City and it remained the nation's capital until 1790. Visitors can see the spot where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. It's the Federal Hall on Wall Street.

From New York City, the scenic Hudson River served as a natural transport for trade and transportation to and from the state's northern areas. Trade reach was further expanded to the Midwest U.S. and the Great Lakes with the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. These areas are less commercial since cheaper ways to transport goods were discovered, but the natural beauty, climate and history make for a great New York visit.

Today, New York State remains a major manufacturer and industry giant as well as an agricultural leader and leading wine producer as well as one of the major financial centers of the world with it's center at New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street.

History, great shopping, major universities, great architecture, forests, mountains, waterfalls, beaches, Great Lakes, international cuisine, fashion, canals, Atlantic Ocean views, spectacular bridges, fishing, hiking, skiing... New York has it all.

Major tourist attractions such as New York City, the nation's honeymoon capital at Niagara Falls, the state's more than 180 wineries, the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, Catskill Mountain resorts and Long Island's Atlantic shore beaches are still drawing international visitors — and, despite rumors to the contrary, the current native New Yorkers are very friendly.

Take a virtual tour of New York State or plan a real visit with these excellent online resources...

I Love New York - The entire state covered in detail, with travel tips and information by region and season, with focus on top tourist attractions, vacation packages, travel ideas, hotels & accommodations, New York State for Kids, weather facts, maps.

NYC & Company - Welcome to New York City! - It'll take you more than a New York minute to see this, the city's official site offering current travel highlights, neighborhood guides, getting around, travel itineraries, hotels & restaurants, picture gallery, maps, fast facts.

Long Island Tourism - NYC's bedroom community, and a major tourist attraction all on its own with opportunities for fishing, boating, wine tours, historic places and more with maps, pictures, beach guide.

Niagara USA - The nation's honeymoon capital with a guide to seeing the falls, its nearby attractions, plus an event calendar and related links.

Lake Placid - The state's winter playground in the Adirondack Mountains, with more on what to see and do throughout the year including fishing, boating, skiing, sightseeing, hotels and dining.

New York Fall Travel Calendar:

New York Summer Travel Calendar:

New York Beaches | New York Wineries

New York City Tourist Attractions | New York Fall Foliage

also see -> Christmas in New York

Moving to New York