Ten Things to Do in New York

This 7,336-yard course hosted the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open Championships. With it's sharp, narrow fairways and clunky fescue, this is as tough of a test of golf as any public course in the country. You don't normally find a course of this caliber open to the public, but in-state rates start at $60 ($120 for out-of-state).

99 Quaker Meeting House Road
Farmingdale, New York 11735-1847
(516) 249-0701
nysparks.state.ny.us/golf-courses/11/course-information.aspx

There are four other courses to play at Bethpage State Park, with the most challenging coming at the Red Course. It stretches 7,014 yards, surely long enough to test your strength but features more winding, dogleg fairways than at the often-overpowering Black Course.

99 Quaker Meeting House Road
Farmingdale, New York 11735-1847
(516) 249-0701
nysparks.state.ny.us/golf-courses/11/course-information.aspx

This 6,692-yard course overlooks historic Richmond Town in Staten Island. Many think you have to wander outside the five boroughs to find a quality course, but La Tourette's rolling hills and deep valleys keep this course at the top of locals' lists.

1001 Richmond Hill Road
Staten Island, New York 10306-1101
(718) 351-1889
americangolf.com/ny/staten-island-la-tourette-golf-course

This 6,538-yard course is perhaps the quickest play in the boroughs. The pace of the course is due to well maintained fairways and greens. The landscape is fairly diverse for a municipal, with hard, dry fairways carrying the ball at all times. A new clubhouse was added in 2008, so feel free to unwind after 18 holes.

Dyker Beach
86th Street and 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11228
(718) 836-9722
nycteetimes.com

The rough at Bethpage Black isn't the only course where you can find championship-style fescue. Tallgrass lives up to its name, with ankle-to-waist high tall grasses punishing you for errant tee shots. The 6,587-yard course plays a lot longer if you miss the fairways.

24 Cooper Street
Shoreham, NY 11786
(631) 209-9359
golfattallgrass.com

If you travel about an hour north of the city you'll come upon perhaps the best links course in the state. Inspired by the farmlands of Ireland, this 6,829-yard course is the closest thing you'll see to the layouts on the other side of the pond. Elevation changes, sweeping winds and bunkers dominate this landscape.

153 N Parliman Rd
Lagrangeville, NY 12540-6218
(845) 223-1000
thelinksatunionvale.com

The famous Robert Trent Jones Sr. laid out this 6,976-yard course located on the tip of Eastern Long Island, more than an hour outside New York City. The elevated tees and greens make approach shots critical -- and especially challenging once the wind picks up off the coastline.

50 South Fairview Avenue
Montauk, New York 11954
(631) 668 -5000
montaukdowns.org

If you've spent all day walking around Manhattan, surrounded by towering sky scrapers, consider changing vantage points. At the Empire State Building's 86th Floor observatory you can finally get a birds-eye view of one of the world's largest cities.

350 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10118
(212) 736-3100
esbnyc.com

The landmark of freedom and liberty stands 151 feet tall in Liberty Island overlooking Manhattan. You can hike up the 354 stairs to get a lookout. If you want to go higher and take a peek from Lady Liberty's crown, you'll have to set up a reservation.

Liberty Island
New York, New York 10004
(212) 363-3200
nps.gov/STLI

Take a stroll down the fast-paced street of the world's leading financial district. Wall Street houses the New York Stock Exchange, and although it no longer offers tours, you can feel the rush just by being in the vicinity, surrounded by suits at every turn. You can, however, take a tour of Federal Hall, which was the fist capital of the United States. Free guided tours are available to the public Monday through Friday at 10 and 11 a.m., and 1, 2 and 3 p.m.