1. It’s Not Just New York City
While the State of New York is known around the world for being home to the “City that Never Sleeps,” that’s not all that is there by any means. While the metropolitan area is a huge part of this state, a majority of the state is much more rural with rolling hills and small towns.
The two cultures are different in nearly every way, with the exception that everyone can still proudly say they’re from New York.
2. Most Of New York Is Actually Considered “Upstate”
When talking to New Yorkers, if they say they’re from “upstate,” it really just means they’re not from the city. Even though the geographical “Upstate New York” is much larger than are metropolitan area around the Big Apple, “downstate” has many more residents.
3. Not Everyone Is A Jet Or Giants Fan
While New York City residents are more likely to back their local teams, Upstate New Yorkers are more likely to wear a different shade of blue and red. While the Buffalo Bills might be an underdog in the league, nothing can keep their fans from showing their undying support.
4. Tourists Don’t Flock Everywhere
A word that tends to be synonymous with New York is “tourism.” However, what most out-of-towners don’t realize is that most of the tourism industry in New York is pretty much restricted to Manhattan.
The further away from New York City one gets, the fewer tourists are seen, despite there being plenty of awesome things to see around the entire state.
5. It’s Not All Hustle And Bustle
The State of New York isn’t just one big city, it’s actually mostly farmland. With huge yields from field crops, fruits, and veggies every year, the agriculture industry makes up a huge part of Upstate New York’s economy.
The state also has some of the most productive livestock industries around, ranking 4th in milk and dairy production in the US.
6. New York Basically Invented The Chicken Wing So… You’re Welcome
Nowadays, Buffalo wings are seemingly a staple on every appetizer menu around the country. Surprisingly, this wasn’t always the case.
Before the 1960s, chicken wings weren’t a very popular menu item. Thanks to Buffalo entrepreneurs that gave this finger food a spicy twist, the product took off and quickly took the nation by storm.
7. Having A Friend With A Lake House Is More Valuable Than Gold
One perk of living in New York is that lakes are everywhere and nothing beats the summer heat like a free stay in someone’s lakeside cabin.
While most out-of-towners assume that New York is nothing but a smoggy, dirty, metropolitan, the beautiful countryside is one of the most relaxing places in America.
8. There’s A Reason Fall Is Every New Yorker’s Favorite Season
Each year come fall, New York turns into the most colorful place around. The foliage seems to span every color of the spectrum, stretching far and wide.
Sure, the snow is pretty and the warm summer months are hard to beat, but nothing can trump the sheer beauty of an autumn in New York.
9. Hudson River Is Kinda Gross
Sure, the Hudson might look pretty when it’s featured in New York City skyline shots, but up close and personal it’s a little more sketchy.
There are literally advisories from the government warning people about eating fish from the Hudson due to the chemicals in the water. It might be nice to look at sometimes, but most New Yorkers would think twice before taking a dip.
10. SUNY Isn’t A Specific Campus
With over 64 different locations, the State University of New York’s 467,000 students are spread all around the entire state, with larger campuses in places like Binghamton and Stony Brook.
Not only does each location have a different specialty, they also each have a unique reputation around the state. Every New Yorker knows which SUNY campus someone goes to can say a lot.
11. Out-Of-Towners Would Never Think It But Bug Spray Is A Necessity
New York City may have its pigeons and subway rats but mosquitoes thrive in Upstate New York. Around the lake areas, it’s getting to the point where they might as well be considered the “state bird.”
Every Upstate New Yorker is well aware of the importance of bug spray, even if one only plans on being outside at night for a few minutes.
12. “The City” Means NYC
Sure, there are tons of cities around the state, but if someone says “the City”, the pretty much exclusively mean New York City.
While around the country, “the City” might mean places like Chicago, Denver, or Miami, in these parts, it’s the “City So Nice, They Named It Twice.”
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about New York in the comments below! 
