New York Tourism Guide - Information for the motorcycle touring enthusiast Weather Wise

Lakes to Locks Passage

Midway between Manhattan and Montreal, Lakes to Locks Passage lets you experience the interconnected waterway that shaped the destiny of North America. By bike, foot, boat, train or car, you will discover charming small cities, rural landscapes and Adirondack hamlets with diverse historic, natural, cultural and recreational sites.

Mohawk Towpath Byway

Visit New York's historic canal system and see the locks and bridges that made canal transport possible for almost two centuries. The Mohawk Towpath Byway links scenic, recreational and historic resources. Architecture from the 18th and 19th Centuries endures, as does the landscape and the perseverance of the canal builders.

Seaway Trail (Pennsylvania, New York)

The Great Lakes Seaway Trail driving/boating byway parallels the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes in New York and Pennsylvania. This adventure includes Niagara Falls; 1000 Islands; 29 lighthouses; War of 1812, farm, and nature sites; welcoming harbors, world-class sportfishing, bridges/ferries to/from Canada, and the Seaway Trail Discovery Center.

New York Motorcycle Touring - African Burial Ground National Monument -
2003 Baltimore Coach  From the 1690s until the 1790s, both free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6 acre burial ground in Lower Manhattan, outside the boundaries of the settlement of New Amsterdam, later known as New York. Lost to history due to landfill and development, the grounds were rediscovered in 1991 as a consequence of the planned construction of a Federal office building.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Castle Clinton National Monument - New York, NY
Castle Clinton in lower Manhattan  Located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, Castle Clinton represents not only the growth of New York City, the the growth of a Nation. First intended to keep out a British invasion in 1812, the Castle has transformed over the years to welcome theater goers, immigrants, sightseers and now millions of visitors to New York Harbor. 

New York Motorcycle Touring - Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site - Hyde Park, NY
Val-Kill the home of Eleanor Roosevelt  "The greatest thing I have learned is how good it is to come home again," Eleanor Roosevelt  This simple statement expresses her love for the modest house she called Val-Kill. The only National Historic Site dedicated to a first lady, Val-Kill welcomes visitors in the style of Mrs. Roosevelt. Come and be part of the entire Roosevelt Experience at Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Ellis Island National Monument - NJ,NY
Ellis Island from across New York Harbor.  Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum on September 10, 1990. Today, over 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor - Upstate, NY
Vintage photo of the Weighlock Building, today the Canal Museum  The official Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor website provides a unified venue for information from Corridor sites on many levels --federal, state, local, and private. General information on the Corridor is provided here. For more detailed information, it can be found on the official website.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Federal Hall National Memorial - New York, NY
Federal Hall National Memorial  Here on Wall Street, George Washington took the oath of office as our first President, and this site was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. The current structure, a Customs House, later served as part of the US Sub-Treasury. Now, the building serves as a museum and memorial to our first President and the beginnings of the United States of America.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Fire Island National Seashore - Patchogue, NY
Fire Island seen from calm of the Great South Bay.  Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife—Fire Island has been a special place for diverse plants, animals and people for centuries. Far from the sounds and pressures of nearby big-city life, Fire Island National Seashore's dynamic barrier island beaches offer solitude and camaraderie, and spiritual renewal to civilization-weary people.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Fort Stanwix National Monument - Rome, NY
Soldiers stand on the walls of the fort at sunset, muskets leveled at an unseen target. Grey smoke lingers in clumps surrounding them.  Discover how people endured harsh conditions along the Oneida Carrying Place. Learn how the American victory at this frontier fort directly contributed to the British defeat at Saratoga in 1777; setting the stage for westward expansion through New York. Follow in the paths of the people who made history in the Mohawk Valley during the American Revolutionary War.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Gateway National Recreation Area - Brooklyn, Queens & Staten Island, New York and Monmouth County, New Jersey, NY,NJ
Beach scene in the Sandy Hook Unit.  Gateway provides abundant recreational and learning opportunities, from swimming, boating and fishing to team sports, bicycling and nature study.The living world can be explored in a wildlife refuge, holly forest, ocean dunes and coastal uplands.The nation's oldest operating lighthouse, forts that defended America, and sites that trace aviation’s early days tell significant stories.

New York Motorcycle Touring - General Grant National Memorial - New York, NY
Grant's Tomb is at the intersection of W. 122nd Street and Riverside Drive on a bluff above the Hudson River  Overlooking the Hudson River from the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan, General Grant National Memorial is the largest tomb in North America. Grant's Tomb (as it is commonly called) is not only the final resting place of the General, but a memorial to his life and acomplishments.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Governors Island National Monument - New York, NY
Castle Williams, the nineteenth century three tiered masonry fortification overlooks New York Harbor.  For more than two centuries, the military communities on Governors Island were woven into the intricate social, political and economic tapestry that is New York City. From 1776-1996, Governors Island stood as a silent sentinel in New York Harbor, and provided protection of the ideals represented by the Statue of Liberty across the Bay. We invite you to explore the Island's history as it evolved ...

New York Motorcycle Touring - Hamilton Grange National Memorial - New York, NY
Period furnishings evoke an early 19th-Century way-of-life at Hamilton Grange  Hamilton Grange, the home of Alexander Hamilton from 1802 - 1804, has moved from Convent Avenue to St. Nicholas Park. Learn more about the restoration of the Grange by adding your contact information to our e-mail list and read our updates. Alexander Hamilton was the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, a Founding Father, and political philosopher.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site - Hyde Park, NY
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt  "All that is within me cries out to go back to my home on the Hudson River" FDR This quote captures FDR's connection to Springwood, the estate that he loved & the place he considered home. The first US Presidential Library was started by FDR here. Visit the Home of FDR and Presidential Library & Museum to learn about the only President elected to four terms.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area - Albany, NY
Kayaking on the Hudson River  Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area stretches from New York City to Albany. The area resources exhibit the roles of freedom and dignity in the valley's history, and the historical and contemporary role of commerce. Revolutionary War stories, famous residences, scenic parks and gardens, and landscape interpretations all contribute to the Hudson Valley's beauty and wealth of resources.

Complete information coming soon...

New York Motorcycle Touring - Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site - Manhattan, NY
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum offers a rich variety of programs year-round  The heart of the museum is the historic tenement, home to an estimated 7,000 people from over 20 nations between 1863 and 1935. Tour the tenement's cramped living spaces. Learn about the lives of past residents and the history of the Lower East Side. Throughout the year, take part in programs such as walking tours, plays, art exhibits, and readings that represent the immigrant experience.  New York Motorcycle Touring - Manhattan Sites - New York, NY
Lower Manhattan  You can discover some of the most fascinating people in American history at the Manhattan Sites.  Visit the homes of Alexander Hamilton and Theodore Roosevelt, the tomb of Ulysses Grant, a Revolutionary War church, a fort from the War of 1812, and the place where George Washington became President.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Martin Van Buren National Historic Site - Kinderhook, NY
A rendering of the Lindenwald farm circa 1850 by Steven Patricia.  Politics before the Civil War was a whirlwind of opposing interest groups. Martin Van Buren was able to unite those groups becoming president in 1837, but he was unable to gain a second term. As frustration and violence over the extension of slavery grew in the 1840's, Van Buren ran for the presidency twice more from this house. He hoped for re-election but failed, ultimately, just as the union.

New York Motorcycle Touring - National Parks of New York Harbor - Northern New Jersey and New York City, NY
George Washington was inaugurated on the site of today's Federal Hall, located across from the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street  You may be surprised to learn that there are 10 National Parks with 23 unique destinations in New York City and northern New Jersey. The National Parks of New York Harbor includes nearly 27,000 acres and welcomes more than 12 million visitors each year. Your Parks offer year-round public programs, curriculum-based education, recreational opportunities, natural habitats, historic buildings ...

New York Motorcycle Touring - Niagara Falls National Heritage Area - NY
Niagara Falls at night  Designated by Congress in 2008, the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area stretches from the western boundary of Wheatfield, New York to the mouth of the Niagara River on Lake Ontario, including the communities of Niagara Falls, Youngstown and Lewiston. The region is home to natural wonders, rich cultural traditions and nationally significant historical sites.

New York Motorcycle Touring - North Country National Scenic Trail - Seven States-New York to North Dakota , MI,MN,ND,NY,OH,PA,WI
Scenic View of the Adirondack Mountains in New York  Hiking Adventures in Seven States The North Country National Scenic Trail links scenic, natural, historic, and cultural areas in seven states. When completed, through the efforts of many people, the trail will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States. The trail allows hikers to experience a variety of northern landscapes. Come and experience your America, at a walking pace.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Sagamore Hill National Historic Site - Oyster Bay, NY
Winter at SAHI  Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. During Roosevelt's time in office, his "Summer White House" was the focus of international attention. Otherwise, it was the home of a most remarkable fellow and his interesting family.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site - Mount Vernon, NY - 897 South Columbus Avenue, NY
Discover more about the way of life during the time of the Revolutionary War  St. Paul's Church helps to tell the story of the development of colonial society and the road to the American Revolution. It consists of an 18th century stone church that was used as a Revolutionary War hospital, a cemetery with burial stones dating to 1704 and the remnant of a Village Green that was the scene of the famous Election of 1733 which raised issues of Freedom of Religion and the Press.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Saratoga National Historical Park - Stillwater, NY
Early morning light shows two cannons overlooking a foggy Hudson River Valley from American positions on Bemis Heights.  Here in the autumn of 1777 American forces met, defeated and forced a major British army to surrender. This crucial American victory renewed patriots' hopes for independence, secured essential foreign recognition and support, and forever changed the face of the world.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Statue Of Liberty National Monument - Ellis Island, NY
Bd of Special Inquiry  Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site - New York, NY
Theodore Roosevelt was one of the architects of what would become the National Park Service  Not all Presidents were born in log cabins. One was actually born in a New York City brownstone! Visit the birthplace and boyhood home of Teddy Roosevelt and see what it was like to grow up in the "gilded age."

New York Motorcycle Touring - Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site - Buffalo, NY
1901 illustration of Theodore Roosevelt taking the oath of office in Buffalo, NY.  As president, Theodore Roosevelt created protections for ordinary citizens, began regulation of big business, and made the US a major force in international affairs. Yet one of the most important presidencies in America's history nearly didn't happen. See the place where a brief, emotional, and improvised ceremony in Buffalo, NY brought TR into office, and forever altered the nation.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Pike and Wayne (PA) and Delaware, Orange and Sullivan (NY) counties along the Delaware River, NY,PA
Roebling Bridge, the oldest wire cable suspension bridge in the United States  Rolling hills, riverfront villages, and bald eagles perched on trees form a vibrant backdrop as the Delaware River snakes gracefully through the rural countryside. But the story of the Upper Delaware is more than just a collection of beautiful pictures. We enjoy the river's recreational opportunities while it supports a healthy ecosystem for wildlife and provides water for over 17 million people.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site - Hyde Park, NY
North Side of Vanderbilt Mansion  Vanderbilt Mansion NHS, in terms of architecture, interiors, mechanical systems, road systems and landscape, is a remarkably complete example of a gilded-age country place, illustrating the political, economic, social, cultural, and demographic changes that occurred as America industrialized in the years after the Civil War.

New York Motorcycle Touring - Women's Rights National Historical Park - Seneca Falls, NY
M'Clintock House  In 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and four other women invited the public to the First Women's Rights Convention to discuss expanding the role of women in America. At the end of the two days, 100 people made a public commitment to work together to improve women's quality of life. While women have achieved greater equality with the vote, property rights, and education, the revolution continues today.