These are the cheapest family vacations you can take in New York, says new ranking
Their new ranking of "2025's Best Cheap Family Vacations" includes two stunning New York destinations: the Adirondacks (ranked No. 12) and the Catskills (ranked No. 22). Both promise fresh air, family-friendly fun and zero need for airfare.
With six million acres of wilderness, 10 unique regions and more outdoor activities than a kid at summer camp can handle, the Adirondacks are the ultimate low-cost adventure playground. Hike forested trails, bike around Mirror Lake or hop on the Adirondack Railroad for a scenic ride through mountain terrain. Come September, don't miss the Adirondack Balloon Festival in Queensbury—it's free to attend and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser (because what kid doesn't love giant floating balloons shaped like animals?).
You'll also find budget-friendly lodging in the form of campgrounds, cabins and affordable motels in charming towns like Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. (Bonus: Olympic buffs can check out the Lake Placid Olympic Museum for a side of sports history with their s'mores.)
Then there's the Catskills. Southeastern New York's favorite mountain escape is more than just a retro postcard—it's a wallet-friendly wonderland. From swimming at Peekamoose Blue Hole to hiking up to Kaaterskill Falls (yes, taller than Niagara!), there's no shortage of outdoor thrills. Little history buffs can learn about the original Woodstock at the Museum at Bethel Woods and art lovers can tour Frederic Church's Olana estate without breaking the bank. For those who prefer their nature with a side of nap, nearby wellness retreats like Hemlock Neversink offer a serene reset.
kinda affordable. Just don't forget the bug spray.
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The National
2 days ago
- The National
Andy Brown began windsurfing on Loch Insh, now he's world champion
But it's the latter where Glaswegian Andy Brown began a windsurfing journey that's seen him sail all the way to the top of the world. Earlier this month, Brown made history by becoming iQFOiL windsurfing world champion. It was a remarkable achievement for someone who was up against men who hail from nations in which windsurfing is a far more mainstream sport than in Scotland and his victory has, he hopes, set him on a path that will lead all the way to Olympic gold. Brown has long been a fan of what he calls 'niche sports'. His first love was not football which so dominates his home city but trapezing over water, which he spent most of his afternoons as a child practicing at the Western Baths in Drumchapel. With opportunities to make a career out of trapezing unsurprisingly limited in his home country, Brown's attentions soon turned to windsurfing, for which he'd found a love after trying it at a summer camp aged just 10. In the early days, Brown may have been operating on a relatively low level but he quickly became aware of quite how thrilling a sport windsurfing can be as one's abilities progress and that, he admits, was a major attraction for him. 'When you're 10 years old, you're not going super-fast but I saw the older guys doing tricks and at the top level, you can reach about 31 knots (over 35mph) which is pretty fast and I really liked the look of that,' the 25-year-old says. "It's a great sport in that you're out on the water all day and at my local club, there was a good bunch of guys and a great coach so I just really enjoyed it right from the start.' Brown progressed through the ranks, going from club competitions through to Scottish, British and then international events. Silverware at the Youth World Championships highlighted his potential and although his early years as a professional brought him considerable success, it wasn't a patch on what he achieved earlier this month at the World Championships. After a competitive battle with Frenchman Tom Arnoux, Brown came out on top to take the world title and the Dorset-based Scot admits that although his hopes had been relatively high going into the World Championships in Aarhus in Denmark, becoming world champion was well beyond what he'd ever imagined achieving. Andy Brown won his world title in Aarhus (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) 'Going into the Worlds, my confidence was pretty high and I was hoping for a top five performance. Top five would have been a bit of a dream so to actually win was just incredible,' says Brown, whose celebrations for becoming world champion have been relatively tame - merely a few trips to the pub. 'Anyone in the top 15 in the world could probably win these major competitions because it's very small margins in this sport. It's about doing everything perfectly in the build-up and then everything going your way on the day. 'It's my best World Champs result ever by far - I was fifth in 2021, but last year I finished in the 30s so when I realised I'd won this one, my main feeling initially was shock. It felt pretty surreal and I didn't really believe it.' Andy Brown with his gold medal (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) Brown has been a full-time windsurfer since 2017 and his career trajectory has not, he admits, been smooth. But throughout even his greatest disappointments, there was one thing that kept him going and the bank of experience he's accumulated over the years went a considerable way to helping him claim his maiden world title, and will, he hopes, help him successfully defend it on home waters when the 2026 World Championships are held in Weymouth and Portland on the south coast of England next summer. 'I've definitely not had the smoothest path to this point. I've had some good results but I've also had some pretty bad results along the way as well, so it's been quite a journey,' he says. 'But what has always kept me going is how much I love doing what I'm doing. If I didn't love it as much as I do, I would have stopped a long time ago. 'The struggles are all part of the journey and to consistently perform at the top level in this sport, you do need to go through years and years of struggling and figuring things out before you figure it out.' Brown (left) is now targeting the 2028 Olympics (Image: Sailing Energy / iQfoil Class) Brown's discipline, the iQFOiL class, became an Olympic event for the first time last summer, in Paris. Brown was forced to face the disappointment of missing out on a place in Team GB but that blow of failing to become an Olympian only served to strengthen his will to not only be at the LA Olympics in 2028, but emerge as Olympic champion. 'Missing out on Paris was tough, but I didn't really deserve to be there because I wasn't at the required level at the right time. I feel like I only want to go to the Olympics when I'm in a position to contend for a medal, and I wasn't ready for that,' he says. 'I feel like I've learned from it, though, and I've used it to drive me on. 'I'm at the point now where I've made a lot of the mistakes and so I'm much more aware of what to do and what not to do and that hopefully will help me when I get to the Olympics in 2028.'
BBC News
5 days ago
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'Side Quest' sightseeing cycle routes for exploring London
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Metro
7 days ago
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Heat, humidity, hotel hairdryers - these top products keep your hair shiny
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Whether your summer holiday has been booked since last year or you're more of a last minute traveller, there's one thing you'll need to pack – no it's not your passport (although that would come in handy), it's your holiday haircare. From salty sea swims to chlorinated pools and high humidity, your strands can take a serious beating while you're living your best holiday life. One day it's glossy and blow-dried, the next it's dry, frazzled and resembling a haystack in a heatwave. So, as the Scouts say, be prepared. Packing some brilliant products to preempt the inevitable frizz-fest or dried up split ends means you won't have to spend your precious vacation time battling these common issues. Below, we've rounded up the best products for the job, to suit all hair types and textures so you won't have a sweaty meltdown in the mirror halfway through your trip. Whether you're dealing with sun-scorched ends, colour fade, or the dreaded post-pool green tinge, these hard-working heroes will help keep your hair soft, shiny and manageable, no matter where your holiday takes you. Forget heat styling on holiday, give your hair a break too and use the Living Proof Style Lab Air-Dry Styler. This lightweight cream formula tames frizz by up to 86%, helps to repel humidity, tame flyaways, and keep your style looking fresh throughout the day. BUY NOW FOR £27 Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Mask is designed to protect your hair from the damaging effects of chlorine, salt water and UV rays. Originally developed for the US Olympic synchronised swimming team, this rich, creamy formula forms a waterproof barrier over the hair, shielding it from moisture loss, colour fade and breakage during swimming or sun exposure. BUY NOW FOR £25 The Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Water to Foam Shampoo is specially formulated for curly and coily hair types, and targets stubborn flakes while nourishing natural curls. Enriched with piroctone olamine, salicylic acid and glycerin, it gently cleanses, reduces visible dandruff and soothes dry, sensitive scalps. BUY NOW FOR £18 If your blonde fades in the sun, is turning orange or goes a little green after swimming, try the John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo. Formulated with citrus and chamomile, it gently cleanses while helping to lighten and enhance blonde shades with daily use. It's suitable for both natural blondes and colour-treated hair. BUY NOW FOR £2.99 Enriched with antioxidants, the L'Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Spectrum Hair Mask helps preserve the vibrancy of your colour while strengthening and conditioning each strand. The mask hydrates, smooths, and gives hair incredible shine, leaving it soft, smooth and healthy. BUY NOW FOR £31.20 Your skin needs UV protection and so does your hair and the Hair by Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray is just that. Made using natural sea salt, sunflower seed extract, pro-vitamin B5, hibiscus flower extract, and castor oil, it enhances texture while nourishing and protecting hair from UVA/UVB damage. BUY NOW FOR £26 If your hair dries out on holiday try the Umberto Giannini Frizz Fix Deep Conditioning Hair Mask. Formulated with KeraFUSION™ bond repair technology, this mask penetrates deep into the hair shaft to repair and strengthen from within. It also contains castor oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil, to leave hair softer, stronger, and frizz-free. BUY NOW FOR £11.25 A build up of chlorine, salt water, sweat, SPF and styling products can weigh your hair down and leave it looking dull but K18's Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo fixes that. Formulated with activated charcoal and salicylic acid, it effectively removes 99% of product buildup, 95% of sebum, and 76% of copper from hair in a single wash. BUY NOW FOR £39 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: The best SPF for your undereyes, face, scalp, hands and body for full protection MORE: Pimple patches remain a cult skincare saviour – and here are the best to buy now MORE: Bella Hadid reveals 'secret' beauty travel hack – it's none other than this £9.50 skin cream Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
