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Harriman State Park, Rockland and Orange Counties, NY. Home to 31 lakes and reservoirs, 2 miles of hiking trails, 2 beaches, 2 public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage points, Harriman is NY's second largest park.

Sterling Lake, Sterling Forest State Park, Orange County, NY. Sterling Forest State Park comprises over 21,000 acres of nearly pristine natural refuge amidst one of the nation's most densely populated areas – a remarkable piece of woodland and a watershed for millions. This unbroken, deep-forest habitat is important for the survival of many resident and migratory species, including black bear, hawks and songbirds, as well as many rare invertebrates and plants. Hunting, fishing and hiking opportunities abound.

Lake Tiorati, Orange County, NY. Created by combining two ponds, this man-made lake in Harriman State Park is surrounded by meadows and rolling, wooded hills. Swimming, fishing, boating, and picnicking are popular activities here. Tiorati means blue-like sky and comes from the Algonquin word for sky-like.

Camp Smith Trail, Peekskill, NY. This 3.7 mile-long trail extends from the Historic Toll House on Route 6-202 to the Appalachian Trail on Anthony's Nose. As described by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, the Camp Smith Trail rewards the hiker with many panoramic views along its route, but "is, without a doubt, the most rugged trail in Westchester County".

Hook Mountain State Park, Nyack, NY. A mostly undeveloped parcel of nearly 600 acres, Hook Mountain State Park is part of the Palisades Interstate Park system. Hook Mountain offers space for passive recreation such as hiking and bird-watching.

Footbridge over Popolopen Creek, Bear Mountain State Park, NY. Popolopen is the name of several related landmarks located within the Hudson Highlands. These include a peak – Popolopen Torne – and a short but steep-sided valley (officially called Hell Hole, but often just Popolopen Gorge). Popolopen Creek runs through this valley.

Shawangunk Ridge Trail, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, NY. Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky terrain. The park features numerous waterfalls, 3 crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, and hike.

Old Croton Aqueduct State Park, Yonkers, NY. This park was created in 1968 and encompasses the Westchester County section of the Old Croton Aqueduct between Croton Gorge County Park and the Yonkers-New York City line. Tree-lined and grassy, this recreational and cultural resource traverses villages and varied landscapes, offering glimpses of historic and architectural treasures along the way.

Harriman State Park, Rockland and Orange Counties, NY. Beginning in 1913, the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission built dozens of group camps throughout Harriman State Park to welcome the urban poor and provide them with hot meals and outdoor experiences. Today, nature centers offer environmental education programs designed to teach campers about the woods and instill in them a lifelong sense of wonder for the natural sciences.

Manitoga (Russell Wright Design Center), Garrison, NY. Manitoga was the estate and modernist home of industrial designer Russel Wright (1904-1976) and his wife Mary Small Einstein Wright (1904-1952). Today, the home, studio and surrounding woodland garden – together known as Dragon Rock – uniquely convey Wright's enduring ideas about good design whilst living in harmony with nature.