When I tell people I am going to New York for vacation, unless they already know the answer, a common question people ask me is “State or city?” When I was younger I didn’t understand the question. Was there even a difference between New York State and New York City? The answer to that question is yes, there is a noticeable difference between the two units that make up the whole New York. I am fortunate enough to have visited NYC once and New York State multiple times. In fact, for my family, New York State is our annual destination during the summer vacations between school years. Both the city and the state of New York hold special places in my heart, but for very different reasons.
New York City. Its name basically says it all. I have only been to New York City once so far, and I went with my Girl Scout troop as an end of the year celebration. Walking along the streets of Times Square was unbelievable. So many billboards advertising Broadway and opening restaurants filled the spaces over the tall apartment or store buildings. The small gift shops filled with trinkets and souvenirs were so addicting and hard to get out of. Along the streets vendors were selling food and wood carved animals and even jewelry. The two landmarks that everyone sees when they go to NYC are the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty. Both were so beautiful and significant. The Statue of Liberty was a delight to see and stand “next” to. She looked so proud and majestic standing up so tall and holding up the torch so many can see from the shoreline of NYC. Riding on an elevator to the top of the Empire state building was so suspenseful. I wanted to get to the top as fast as possible, even though my fear of heights was becoming more evident as the elevator continued to rise. Once I was out on the top, I lost my fear and marveled at the glorious view that the building opened to me. I will never forget the way it felt, to feel as if I was on top of the world looking out on the most beautiful city I could imagine. It was the middle of the night, yet taxi cabs continued to snake through the streets and lights flashed over the billboards I had been underneath during the day. New York City had definitely earned its reputation as “the city that never sleeps”. Visiting the city for the first time is not something I am likely to forget. All the different cultures and people I was exposed to make me truly appreciate the places that I have access to in less than five hours. NYC holds a place in my heart that will never be replaced.
Up north of NYC, lies an even bigger part of New York itself. New York State is so much bigger in land mass and holds so many different wonders. When I go to New York every summer, my family’s destination is a small lake up in the Adirondack Park. Ever year we pack up the minivan and drive up to our house on the lake. We normally arrive around 6 and 7 in the afternoon, just as the sun is starting to disappear behind the mountain landscape across the lake. The sun reflects off of the lake water, making it look as if tiny stars are dancing on the surface. It may not be the bright blinking lights of the city, but it’s close enough to resemble them. Up at the lake we do many things outdoors and spend as little time as possible indoors. We go out on the boat and water ski, tube, and just ride around. Water skiing is my favorite activity to do while we are up there. It feels like flying across water as you skid over the white foam generated by the boats propeller. Swerving inside and outside the wake is also such an exhilarating feeling. On the lake we also go for short canoe rides around the fringe of the lake. At the lake we can also swim and fish off the docks during the sunset hours. Being with family and having a blast is what I look forward to whenever we go up there. Compared to the city, the lake is so quiet and relaxing. There is no hurry to be somewhere like in the city or any noises that break your eardrums. It’s so peaceful and relaxing, which is something that is hard to find in the heart of the city. The lake also has some downfalls as well for a teenager. There is barely any TV or cell phone service when we go there. There is no large mall in the next town over that I can shop at. These are things that don’t come with the lake, but come with the city. The lake and New York in general, holds a large place in my life and heart. I have been going up to the same lake ever since I was a young girl, and will continue to go there till I can’t move anymore. It’s a place where I know there will always be family and joy. I love my annual vacation destination, and nothing in the world would be able to change that.
Although both completely different, New York state and New York City will always be two of my favorite places to go. The City with its diverse culture, amazing national landmarks, and memorable experiences will continue to be an important vacation that I took. I go to the lake every year, and every year something my family does together or something I accomplish for the first time makes it a special vacation. One vacation was with a group of my greatest friends, and my other annual vacation will always be with my family. These experiences were shared with different people, but they both were and will continue to be two of the most memorable vacations of my life.
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