It’s been four centuries since explorer Henry Hudson worked his way up the New York State river that now bears his name and the jurisdiction is paying tribute to his epic journey with ongoing tributes and offering savings to those wanting to visit New York State this fall.

And tourism officials say those celebrations -- and other developments in New York State -- underscore interesting sides to a state that may be overshadowed by better known New York City, which frequently finds itself in the international limelight.

“There’s history and there’s the beauty of the outdoors,” Thomas Ranese, chief marketing officer for the Empire State Development Corporation, said of regions outside of New York City during a recent Toronto visit.

Ranese acknowledged that New York City tops the must-do list of foreigners visiting his state, but suggested that international visitors should extend their trip right from the state’s largest city to Niagara Falls, New York, another well-known destination.

“Places in between are worth seeing as well,” he said of a state that has a park the size of the state of Vermont and which, he said, offers Ontario residents “affordable, accessible adventure next door.”

Ranese also praised the “great wines and foods” visitors will find. The state’s Finger Lakes region is, for instance, home to more than 100 wineries and is the second largest wine producing region in the United States.

Tourism promotion body I LOVE NEW YORK is offering more than 400 discounts and free activities throughout the state through Nov. 23, including nearly 200 lodging deals and more than 200 discounts on attractions, food and wine, shopping and transportation.

“With deals on everything from hayrides to theatre tickets to wine tastings, travellers can easily choose the perfect New York escape,” I LOVE NEW YORK says.

“The level of these projects is intended to create legacies,” Ranese said.

Hudson Valley spokeswoman Kim Sinistore said her region also features “estates, mansions and castles,” and its native sons include Washington Irving, author of such famed novels as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip van Winkle.

Meanwhile, New York State is slated to get a new I Love New York web site this fall, which Ranese promised will better help visitors find deals, places of interest and customize their trips.

Feel the love, check out www.iloveny.com.