Then go over to the New Jersey side and Sandy Hook-the other main strategic point. Explore Fort Hancock's many buildings, which are still largely intact. Tours are offered in the summer. And don't miss the lighthouse, which dates from 1764-America's oldest in continuous operation.

Bird The Woods
Birding in New York City? It's not as crazy as it sounds. In fact, sitting smack in the middle of the Atlantic flyway, the city is a natural resting spot for migrating birds. Gateway offers the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for just that purpose. And what a spot-more than 325 species have been spotted in this area.

So what can you see here? Take a seat on a bench near the West Pond and look for black-bellied plover, American oystercatchers, marbled godwits, egrets, and herons, to name just a few. The northern bayberry attracts warblers and mockingbirds, and long-eared owls roost in Japanese black pine trees. And though the refuge was created with the flyway in mind, it's not just the for the birds. Other creatures that make their homes here include butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians. Best times to go: during the spring nesting season and the fall migration, when thousands of ducks and geese stop over while passing through the Atlantic flyway.

Relax On The Beach
They may not have the pure, white sand of the Caribbean, but New York beaches are worth checking out-and even relaxing on. Summertime swimming is popular, and though these beaches may get a bit crowded on the weekends, the calm waters and expansive sand make for unbeatable walking or sunbathing. In the Breezy Point section, on Rockaway Peninsula, check out Jacob Riis Park. On Staten Island, find terrific swimming at Great Kills Park in the waters of Lower New York and Raritan Bays. And more clean, spacious beaches can be found on Sandy Hook. Just keep an eye out for the signs: One stretch of this beach is devoted to nude sunbathers.