Almond Lake In the Finger Lake region, near the wineries at Hammondsport. From Hornell, 2 mi S on NY 21.
Amagansett NWR The Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge is situated on the Atlantic Ocean on Long Island's south fork and is of special significance in the protection and management of a fragile shore habitat and its associated wildlife. Amagansett NWR borders the Atlantic Ocean and consists of a unique double dune system. Habitats on the refuge include marine sand beach, primary dunes, secondary dunes, swales, fens, cranberry bogs, and oak scrub. Many rare plants including several orchid species occur on the refuge. A chief function of the refuge is the protection of the secondary dune system. Oldsquaws, white winged scoters, common loons and horned grebes winter off the refuge and shorebirds, songbirds and raptors are conspicuous during migration. Merlins, Cooper's hawks, kestrels, sharp-shinned hawks, and peregrine falcons are particular prevalent during autumn and spring passage. Ipswich sparrows winter at the refuge as well as rough legged hawks and short eared owls. The marine beach is used by piping plovers and other shorebirds as well as by common and least terns. Eastern hognose snakes, a New York State designated species of special concern, which is in decline is still prevalent on the refuge.
Castle Clinton National Monument More than a dozen forts were built to defend New York Harbor at the time of the War of 1812. The Southwest Battery was constructed on the rocks off the tip of Manhattan Island between 1808 and 1811. Although fully armed and staffed, the fort never had occasion to fire upon an enemy. In 1817, the fort was renamed Castle Clinton in honor of DeWitt Clinton, Mayor of New York City. The army vacated the fort in 1821 and the structure was deeded to New York City in 1823. In the summer of 1824, a new restaurant and entertainment center opened at the site, now called Castle Garden. A roof was added in the 1840s and Castle Garden served as an opera house and theater until 1854.
On August 3, 1855, Castle Garden, now leased to New York State, opened as an immigrant landing depot.
During the next 34 years, over 8 million people entered the United States through Castle Garden, until it was closed on April 18, 1890. The building was altered once again and reopened as the New York City Aquarium on December 10, 1896. It was one of the city's most popular attractions until it closed in 1941.
East Sidney Lake Located in rolling dairy country of New York. The annual canoe slalom is held downstream of dam during October. From Binghamton, E on I-88 to Unadilla, 5 miles E on NY 357 to park.
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site "The greatest thing I have learned is how good it is to come home again," Eleanor Roosevelt once told a friend. This simple statement expresses her love for the modest house near the Hudson River she called Val-Kill, the only home that was ever hers. The only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady, Val-Kill welcomes the visitor as Mrs. Roosevelt welcomed her many guests. Visitors may tour Mrs. Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage and enjoy the lovely gardens and grounds on the site.
Elizabeth A. Morton NWR Habitats at the refuge include bay, brackish pond, impoundment, kettle holes, tidal flats, saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, upland shrub, grasslands, maritime oak forest, red cedar stands, and pioneer hardwoods. The strand habitats attract many beach using species including nesting piping plovers, roseate terns, least terns, common terns, harbor seals, and numerous shorebird species. The waters surrounding the refuge are considered critical habitat for juvenile Kemp's Ridley seaturtles and are also used by loggerhead sea turtles. Waterfowl use of the refuge is most heavy during the colder months, the most common being oldsquaw, white winged scoter, goldeneye and black ducks. The north/south axis of the peninsula also makes it serve as important habitat for migratory birds including shorebirds, raptors and songbirds.
During November, up to 100 each of common loons and horned grebes can be viewed from the refuge's beach. Morton provides habitat to several State and Federal endangered and threatened species, including piping plover, roseate tern, common tern, least tern, osprey, peregrine falcon, northern harrier, Kemp's ridley sea turtle and loggerhead sea turtle.
