Ready to explore the other side of New York?
Catskill Forest Reserve is definitely a dream place for outdoor activity enthusiasts. The rural area of Catskill Forest Reserve is continuous and undulating, with 98 peaks distributed, with a drop of 900 meters. The scenery in different seasons gives people different beauty. The hiking trails here range from short family hiking routes to long distance routes. The 575 km Long Path trail stretches from New York City to Albany, and 160 km passes through Catskills. You can watch black bears, deer and foxes, as well as vultures and songbirds inhabiting the forest.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is an important stop on the Atlantic migration route (the migration route of migratory birds along the east coast of the United States) and a paradise for bird watchers. Throughout the year, when you walk across the 5km path in the park, you can see hundreds of birds and other wild animals.
Jameston Audubon Nature Center is a nature center suitable for family play. The park has three hiking trails suitable for novice experience, a nature center, a botanical garden and a few animals, making this nature center an ideal destination for family outings. You can watch falcons, deer, rabbits and other wild animals.
Saratoga Spa State Park can offer you a occupied day with great satisfaction. There are about 170 species of birds identified in Saratoga Spa State Park. You can spend a day searching for these birds along the quiet hiking trails, and then enjoy the natural hot springs, swimming pools, picnic areas, farmers' markets and automobile museums open all year round.
Letchworth State Park, the eastern Grand Canyon demonstrates dense forests, 180 meters high cliffs, soaring waterfalls, and more than 100 kilometers of hiking trails... it was selected as the "Best State Park in America" in the 2015 USA Today readers' selection. Here you can watch all kinds of birds, including vultures, falcons and big blue herons.
Chittenango Falls State Park has been famous for its waterfall landscape. Follow the winding natural path to view the main scenic spot of Chittenango Falls: the beautiful 50-meter-high waterfall. You can find all kinds of animals and plants here, including the unique Chittenango oval amber snail, which is a local unique snail species.
A strong recommendation for bird-lovers is Iroquois National Wildlife Reserve, a paradise for birds. You don't need to be a bird watching expert to watch hundreds of birds living in this wildlife reserve, especially in spring and autumn (the main migration season). Walk through a few kilometers of secluded and dense paths, listen with your ears and observe these feathered friends with your eyes.
The wild center provides a unique way to interact with wildlife, from indoor otter pools and fish ponds to outdoor trails and aerial trails through the canopy of trees. With bird watching entrances and interactive exhibitions, it is an ideal activity for the whole family to participate in. There are also some regular projects, such as close contact with wildlife and canoe tours led by certified natural experts.
