New York's Best Waterfronts and Lakes

New York has the Atlantic coast, Long Island Sound, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and thousands of inland lakes — among the most water-rich states in the country.

New York City Waterfront
The Manhattan waterfront has been transformed in the past two decades. Brooklyn Bridge Park offers stunning Manhattan skyline views across the East River. The High Line (an elevated rail converted to parkway) connects multiple waterfront perspectives. The Hudson River Greenway runs 11 miles along the west side of Manhattan. The Staten Island Ferry (free) crosses New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty — the best free view in the city.

Long Island: Montauk and the Hamptons
Montauk Point, at the eastern tip of Long Island's South Fork, is home to the Montauk Lighthouse (1796) and dramatic Atlantic surf. The Hamptons (East Hampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton) are famous for their wealth and summer crowds — but the beaches themselves are excellent: Jones Beach, Cooper's Beach, and Main Beach in East Hampton are among the finest on the East Coast.

Fire Island National Seashore
A 32-mile barrier island accessible only by ferry from Bay Shore, Long Island. No cars are permitted on most of the island. The communities range from the famous Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove (LGBTQ+ resort communities with a 70-year history) to Davis Park and Ocean Beach. The Sunken Forest — a maritime holly and sassafras forest below the dune line — is a remarkable natural feature.

Lake George
The "Queen of American Lakes" in the southern Adirondacks — 32 miles long, crystal clear, surrounded by wooded mountains. Lake George village at the southern end has a resort-town character; the northern end toward Ticonderoga is more remote. Fort William Henry (1755 French and Indian War site) and the Lake George Battlefield Park add historical depth.

Seneca Lake and Finger Lakes
Seneca Lake is the deepest of the Finger Lakes (618 ft) and the center of New York wine country. Watkins Glen at the southern tip has a world-famous gorge and a NASCAR race track. The lakeside village of Watkins Glen, the wineries along Route 14, and the gorge trails make this one of the finest destinations in upstate New York.