Following our initial three-week family journey through the eastern United States, my third trip to the USA in 2010 focused on visiting family in Pennsylvania and exploring the Great Lakes, New York City, and the scenic Finger Lakes of Upstate New York.
Lake Skaneateles: Cabin Life in the Finger Lakes
Departing Frankfurt for Philadelphia aboard US Airways, we drove north into the picturesque Finger Lakes region of central New York. We spent five days at a private lakeside cabin on Lake Skaneateles – renowned as one of the cleanest freshwater lakes in North America.
Every day was spent out on the water aboard a motorboat: wakeboarding, waterskiing, and “tubing” behind the wake, accompanied by evening campfires, barbecues, and tranquil lakeside sunsets.
Lancaster County: In the Land of the Amish
Returning south to Bucks County, my great-uncle took us on an excursion to historic Lancaster County. The pastoral countryside is home to traditional Old Order Amish communities. Horse-drawn buggies share the paved country roads, and we enjoyed the legendary country buffet smorgasbord at Shady Maple before browsing handmade quilt shops and jams in Kitchen Kettle Village.
24 Hours in New York City: Skyline, Ellis Island & Broadway
Catching an early morning train from New Jersey, we arrived in the heart of New York City. We boarded the harbor ferry to the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, where millions of European immigrants first entered the United States.
Taking in the city from the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building revealed an endless sea of Manhattan skyscrapers: the Art Deco needle of the Chrysler Building, the Flatiron Building, and the sprawling green canopy of Central Park. After walking through bustling Times Square, we enjoyed dinner at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where singing waitstaff perform Broadway showtunes, followed by front-row seats at the high-energy Blue Man Group theater performance!
From peaceful Finger Lakes waters to the electric energy of Manhattan, the diversity of the northeastern USA is truly remarkable.
🎒 USA East Coast Essentials
Exploring New York City and Upstate New York is easy with the right gear:
- USA Power Adapter (Type A/B): Charge cameras, phones, and travel accessories in hotels.
- City Walking Shoes: Manhattan blocks are deceptively long – prepare to walk 8 to 10 miles in a single day.
- Pre-Booked Observatory Tickets: Reserve observation deck time slots in advance to avoid long security queues.