Whether you’ve been a life-long resident or eventually moved here from someplace else, by now you know that there are so many reasons to love living in New York. With a state so big that’s full of so many things to love and amazing attractions to experience, we often forget to take the time to fully appreciate why exactly it is we enjoy calling the Empire State our home. Reminding you of why this place is so unique, read this list of luxuries that New Yorkers have that our friends and family in other states don’t.
1. We have America's oldest natural attraction right in our backyard.
Head up north towards the tiny town of Keeseville and prepared to be wowed by Ausable Chasm. Originally opening in 1870, when Ausable Chasm is open you can experience everything from walking through gorges, climbing your way through adventure trails, or even taking float tours where you'll let the water bring you right through the gorge!
2. We're even home to the UFO Capital of the East Coast.
If you've ever felt compelled to brag about something unusual about New York, yet will somehow make you love our state even more, then bring up the fact that the town of Pine Bush is the UFO Capital of the East Coast. Less than 2,000 residents live here, but you'll find that a great majority of these people have experienced the unexplainable while living in this town. Even hosting an annual UFO Fair in May, the town has come to embrace its strange encounters by even having its own 'Cup and Saucer' Diner!
3. We get to live in a 'gorge-ous' state.
Head out to regions like the Finger Lakes and you'll find yourself surrounded by endless gorges that will make you feel like you're on another planet. Living in New York means you're just a quick road trip away from visiting the famous Watkins Glen State Park, our most well-known gorge that has a 2-mile long trail that takes you past nearly twenty different waterfalls. These views never get old!
4. Soon we're going to have our very own Legoland.
All throughout New York, there's a variety of historic amusement parks to more modern theme parks that have all the crazy attractions that you could hope for. But one thing we now get to brag about? Having our very own Legoland. Coming to the town of Goshen by 2020, New York will finally have its own Legoland and a Lego-themed hotel that will remain open all year long.
5. No one does pizza and wings better than we do.
Despite the fact that people like Alton Brown may be ill-advising people to stay away from Buffalo's wings, our residents and anyone who visits New York knows that no one does wings better than we do. A mostly rhetorical statement to make at this point in life, one of the basic luxuries of living in New York means you'll always have amazing tasting pizza right at your fingertips. Yum!
6. We've masted how to make a good drink.
From the Finger Lakes to out on Long Island, New Yorkers have mastered how to make the most delicious wine. Fun fact: Did you know that Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, New York is the oldest winery in America? For those of our residents who prefer something different, you'll also be glad to know that we have plenty of small-town breweries that are pumping out fantastic craft beer that will make you feel proud of where you came from.
7. Waterfalls can be found everywhere.
Aside from the fact that there are so many waterfalls in New York, you should also know that so many of our waterfalls are beautifully record-breaking. Niagara Falls State Park happens to be the oldest state park in our country, while spots like Taughannock Falls State Park feature the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi River!
8. Our state parks are some of the best in the country.
Time and time again you'll find that destinations like Letchworth State Park out in Western New York have been recognized for being one of the best state park's in America. An amazing reason to head out west, running through the heart of the park is the Genesee River — featuring three major waterfalls that attract thousands of visitors every year. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, who needs to head out to the West Coast to see the real Grand Canyon when you have this undeniably gorgeous natural wonder right here!
9. Our scenic byways will always take you on a breathtaking adventure.
You don't have to necessarily be driving on a scenic byway to enjoy a beautiful adventure in New York. While living in the Empire State you'll realize that nearly every time you hit the road you'll be amazed by the surrounding sights, or quickly stumble upon a winding road that will make you feel like you've found your own rollercoaster.
10. Our Olympic history.
Sure there are other states in the U.S. that have hosted the Olympics, but Lake Placid has hosted the Winter Games twice . Today visitors of this Adirondack town can visit our well-preserved Olympic history at places like the Olympic Sports Complex where you can make your way to the top of the towering ski jumps or go for a ride in a bobsled that will pump you full of adrenaline. This is one historic privilege we'll always appreciate.
11. Whether you hate it or love it, there's no denying that it's a privilege to have one of the greatest cities in the world right here in New York.
When it comes to explaining how residents of New York feel about the Big Apple, you'll almost always find that people either love this city or want absolutely nothing to do with it. Regardless of where your feelings fall on the spectrum, you can't deny that there's a reason so many people visit this city... it's one of the greatest!
12. From Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean, and all of the bodies of water in between, New York's waterfront views never disappoint.
It's been proven that spending time by the water can relax you and make you happier, so we couldn't be more pleased to bask in the fact that New York has so many waterfront views! To local rives and great lakes to oceanfront living, you're always just a moment away from hanging by the water in this state.
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