Letchworth State Park, New York

© Jay O'Brien/Danita Delimon

'Grand Canyon of the East'. 'Grand Canyon of the East'

It's easy to see why Letchworth State Park in New York has earned this 'Grand' title. About 60 miles southeast of Buffalo, the 17-mile-long park protects a stunning section of the Genesee River that cuts through a deep gorge. The cliffs, close to 600 feet high in some places, offer knockout views of several waterfalls and the thick deciduous forest. The historic Glen Iris Inn, once the home and refuge of industrialist William Pryor Letchworth, overlooks Middle Falls. In 1906, Letchworth bequeathed his 1,000-acre estate to the state of New York. The parcel would become the heart of this 14,427-acre park that bears his name.