New York (NY)

Known as "The Empire State," New York is a dynamic blend of towering skyscrapers, cultural landmarks, and breathtaking natural scenery. From the bright lights of Broadway to the serene Adirondack Mountains, the state offers endless opportunities for exploration, entertainment, and adventure.

• Population: ~19 million
• Weather: Cold, snowy winters (20-40°F); warm, humid summers (70-85°F).
• Famous Sites: Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Niagara Falls, Central Park, Empire State Building.
• Top Activities: Sightseeing, Broadway shows, hiking, dining, museum visits, shopping.

New York State offers diverse job opportunities in finance, healthcare, technology, and education. These industries provide high salaries and strong job growth, making them great choices for career seekers. Below are the top five in-demand jobs in New York, based on salary and job availability. Click on the job titles to learn more from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

New York state has several large cities known for vibrant communities and strong college environments. Each of these cities attracts thousands of students every year, thanks to renowned universities and colleges. The following table displays New York's 10 largest cities, their approximate populations, and the estimated college student enrollments.

New York is home to some of the finest public and private universities, offering exceptional programs in business, engineering, healthcare, and the arts.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in New York

• University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) – A leading public research university known for its strong engineering, business, and medical programs.
• Binghamton University (SUNY Binghamton) – A top-ranked public university offering rigorous academics in business, engineering, and the sciences.
• Stony Brook University (SUNY Stony Brook) – A major research institution with top programs in health sciences, engineering, and computer science.
• The City College of New York (CUNY CCNY) – A prestigious institution known for strong STEM programs and its commitment to accessible education.
• Baruch College (CUNY) – Offers one of the best business programs in the country, especially in finance and accounting.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in New York

• Columbia University – An Ivy League institution renowned for its research, business, law, and journalism programs.
• Cornell University – A prestigious Ivy League university with top programs in business, engineering, hotel management, and life sciences.
• New York University (NYU) – A globally recognized school known for its excellence in business, the arts, law, and media studies.
• Fordham University – A Jesuit university with strong liberal arts, business, and law programs.
• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) – A leader in STEM education, known for its programs in computing, engineering, and design.

New York State is home to some of the best public and private high schools in the country. These schools are known for their academic excellence, top-tier faculty, and outstanding college preparatory programs. Students benefit from advanced placement courses, extracurricular activities, and strong support systems to ensure success.

Top Public High Schools in New York State

• Stuyvesant High School, New York City – A prestigious specialized high school offering advanced STEM programs and rigorous academics.
• Bronx High School of Science, Bronx – Known for its strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn – One of the largest specialized high schools, offering a challenging curriculum and various majors.
• Townsend Harris High School, Queens – A high-performing public school with an emphasis on humanities and a strong college-focused program.
• Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, New York City – A unique public high school that combines rigorous academics with specialized programs in the arts.

Top Private High Schools in New York State

• Trinity School, New York City – One of the oldest and most prestigious private schools, known for academic excellence and Ivy League placements.
• Brearley School, New York City – A highly selective all-girls school with a rigorous curriculum and emphasis on leadership.
• Horace Mann School, Bronx – Offers a challenging academic program with strong extracurricular and athletic options.
• Dalton School, New York City – A progressive private school known for personalized education and a strong record of college admissions.
• Riverdale Country School, Bronx – Focuses on academic excellence, character development, and leadership skills in students.

New York State is home to some of the most recognizable and successful professional sports teams in the country. The state has a strong presence in all four major professional leagues, as well as several minor league and semi-pro teams. With passionate fan bases, historic franchises, and modern arenas, New York is one of the top sports hubs in the United States.

New York City's five boroughs and surrounding areas are packed with teams across different sports, while other regions like Buffalo feature their own dedicated teams. Here is a breakdown of New York’s major professional sports teams:

Major Professional Sports Teams in New York

Football 🏈 (NFL)

• Buffalo Bills – Based in Buffalo, the Bills are known for their passionate fan base and recent success in the NFL.
• New York Giants – Despite playing in New Jersey, they represent New York and have won multiple Super Bowls.
• New York Jets – Another team that plays in New Jersey but carries the New York name, the Jets have a loyal following.

Baseball ⚾ (MLB)

• New York Yankees – One of the most successful and historic franchises in sports, the Yankees have dominated baseball for decades.
• New York Mets – Based in Queens, the Mets offer an alternative to Yankees fans and have a passionate community.

Basketball 🏀 (NBA)

• New York Knicks – Playing at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks are one of the NBA's most popular teams despite recent struggles.
• Brooklyn Nets – Originally from New Jersey, the Nets moved to Brooklyn and have become a major player in the NBA.

Hockey 🏒 (NHL)

• New York Rangers – A historic franchise known for its championship legacy and passionate fan base.
• New York Islanders – Based on Long Island, the Islanders have a devoted following and multiple Stanley Cups.
• Buffalo Sabres – While struggling in recent years, the Sabres have die-hard fans in Buffalo.

Soccer ⚽ (MLS)

• New York City FC – Competing in Major League Soccer, NYCFC has built a strong presence in the city.
• New York Red Bulls – Based in New Jersey but representing New York, the Red Bulls are a consistent force in MLS.

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in New York

Baseball 🏟️

• Syracuse Mets (Triple-A – New York Mets affiliate) – The top minor league team for the Mets.
• Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A – Toronto Blue Jays affiliate) – A strong Triple-A team with deep roots in Buffalo.
• Hudson Valley Renegades (High-A – New York Yankees affiliate) – One of the Yankees' farm teams.

Hockey 🏒

• Rochester Americans (AHL – Buffalo Sabres affiliate) – A successful minor league team connected to the Sabres.
• Utica Comets (AHL – New Jersey Devils affiliate) – A dedicated hockey team with passionate fans.
• Syracuse Crunch (AHL – Tampa Bay Lightning affiliate) – An important pipeline for NHL talent.

Basketball 🏀

• Westchester Knicks (NBA G League – New York Knicks affiliate) – A development team for future Knicks players.
• Long Island Nets (NBA G League – Brooklyn Nets affiliate) – A key part of the Nets’ player development system.

Soccer ⚽

• Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro) – A professional team with deep roots in the game.

With a combination of historic franchises, championship-winning teams, and passionate fan bases, New York remains one of the ultimate destinations for sports lovers. Whether cheering for a major league team or supporting minor league clubs, fans in New York have no shortage of exciting sports action to enjoy.

1. The Big Apple Nickname 🍏 – New York City got its famous nickname "The Big Apple" from horse racing slang in the 1920s, referring to the city's big prize winnings.
2. Home to the First U.S. Capital 🏛️ – Before Washington, D.C., New York City was the first capital of the United States in 1789 when George Washington took the oath of office as the first president.
3. Birthplace of Buffalo Wings 🍗 – The world-famous Buffalo wings were created in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.
4. Largest Subway System in the World 🚇 – The New York City subway has 472 stations, making it the largest subway system in terms of stations in the world.
5. Home to Niagara Falls 🌊 – One of the most famous waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls, is located on the border between New York and Canada.
6. Statue of Liberty Came From France 🗽 – The iconic Statue of Liberty was a gift from France in 1886 as a symbol of friendship and freedom.
7. Empire State Building Was Once the Tallest 🏙️ – When completed in 1931, the Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world, standing at 1,454 feet, including its antenna.
8. The Adirondacks Have the Largest Park 🌲 – The Adirondack Park in New York is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous U.S., covering over six million acres.
9. New York Invented Toilet Paper 🚽 – Modern toilet paper was invented in 1857 by Joseph Gayetty, a New Yorker, who sold it in flat sheets.
10. First Pizzeria in the U.S. 🍕 – Lombardi's, the first licensed pizzeria in the United States, opened in New York City in 1905.