Get Lost in CNY: New Name for the Region, Same Great Outdoor Attractions

    SYRACUSE, NY, July 11, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Sometimes it's nice to be able to unplug from it all. Especially on a beautiful summer's day in the Central New York region. Originally the Central Leatherstocking region, the eight county area was renamed to the Central New York region in 2010. Regardless of the area's name, one things for sure: The Central New York region has a bit of everything a traveler could ever want out of a New York State outdoor excursion.

But what to do with this newfound freedom? Why not extend it even further by getting out into the great outdoors? After all, the latest research shows that spending time in nature is actually a natural remedy, no pun intended, to reduce stress and anxiety. In fact, studies have shown that "relaxation" and "peacefulness" are associated with exposure to settings with water.

We can't think of better reasons to hit the lakeside trails and/or the links of the Central New York region. Relaxation is only a short drive away. It's time to get fishing, camping, hiking and golfing in the great outdoors. From shady trails through wooded forests, to lakes teeming with a variety of fish, to golf courses known as some of Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play," the Central New York region offers a bit of everything a traveler could ever want from a New York State outdoor adventure.

Some specifics when it comes to the great outdoors in the Central New York region.

There are so many ideal outdoor spaces within the Central New York region to explore in the quest to be one with Mother Nature that we'll sum up some highlights as a starting point.

Fishing, Hiking, Camping... In Greater Binghamton, the Chenango River offers exceptional fishing for walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass. Visitors can spend the night under the stars at the Chenango Valley State Park and take a scenic hike at The Glen at IBM. Avid fishermen and women can try the Susquehanna River in Otsego County, with small-mouth bass to tiger musky, or Otsego Lake packed with salmon, trout and other cold water fish. Another possibility is to create a fishing/hiking combo at Robert V. Riddell State Park in Cooperstown, made up of more than 1,000 acres of forested woodlands located in the Susquehanna River Valley. Chittenango Creek, Chenango Canal and the Otselic River offer plenty of fish, including brown trout, in Madison County, as does West Canada Creek in Herkimer County, plus plenty of trails to unwind upon. Largemouth bass, pickerel, and pan fish, as well as a small park setting with primitive campsites, a picnic area, and a boat launch site can all be found in Chenango County's Hunt's Pond. Another place to head down to is the Rural Grove State Forests, a working circle of two state forests, Rural Grove State Forest and Yatesville Falls State Forest, in Montgomery County for hiking opportunities galore. In Schoharie County, Minekill State Park, which overlooks the New York Power Authority, boasts a lower reservoir stocked with trout, bass, walleye, carp and pan fish, an 80 ft water cascade, Mine Kill Falls, and various hiking trails.

And Golfing... Golfers can take advantage of golf packages including three of Greater Binghamton's top rated courses: Conklin Players Club, the Links at Hiawatha Landing and Traditions at the Glen. What's more, the PGA's Champions tour makes an annual stop in Greater Binghamton, and the Dick's Sporting Goods Open is held every year at En-Joie Golf Club. Not too shabby, right golfers? Madison County's championship courses are many. Two of which include: Oneida Community Golf Club and Seven Oaks, the latter rated among the nation's top college courses. Designed by world renowned golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish and located 12 miles northeast of Utica and 13.5 miles from Herkimer, The Golf Club of Newport sits in a beautifully serene country setting overlooking Kuyahoora Valley. Another scenic course?: Cobleskill Golf and Country Club in Schoharie County. The outdoors enthusiast would want to try a round at Montgomery County's Canajoharie Country Club where nature is at its finest, with beautiful waterfalls and gorges in a park nearby. The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Oneida County boasting three PGA ranked courses is a top golf destination by Golf Digest and the premier golf destination of the northeast.

The Central New York Region boasts hundreds of parks and open spaces complete with nature trails for hiking, picturesque lakes for fishing, wooded areas for camping and exceptional greens for golfing. Every possible element a traveler could desire for an ideal outdoor excursion can be found right here. No matter where they go within the region, they're sure to find a peaceful escape with minimal time in the car.

For more information on any of the areas mentioned here in the Central New York Region, or to plan a trip into the great outdoors, please visit www.JustGoCNY.com.

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