Hey, EscapeMakers! These past few summer/fall seasons, our team has had the privilege of posting up in the Greenmarkets across NYC and chatting with all of you about farm escapes, green travel, weekend getaways and more. We absolutely love hearing from you and getting your feedback on what you’re searching for when it comes to the perfect escape. After having several people come to us with specific inquiries about local destinations that were wheelchair accessible and suitable for persons with limited mobility, we decided to put together a list!* We can’t thank you all enough for smart questions and engaging conversations that inspire our content. While some agritourism destinations in the region are difficult to navigate or are still in the process of retro-fitting or getting ADA-compliant with things like adding accessible means of egress and power-assisted doors, many have identified readily-achievable barriers for removal and have made it convenient for everyone in your family to enjoy. Check out a few of these spots below and plan your escape this fall and next spring when growing season starts again!**
1-3 HOURS FROM NYC:
Hawthorne Valley Farm Store (Columbia County, Hudson Valley): Hawthorne Valley is a biodynamic farm & store filled with beautiful Hudson Valley products. They strive to offer as many locally grown or produced fruits, vegetables, grocery products, and household items as possible and are committed to supporting local farmers and artisans. Their 18-year old cow Kohlrabi is featured in EscapeMaker’s upcoming (and first-ever!) Agritourism Ambassadors Calendar for 2018, which benefits the farm. You can purchase yours here! For more on area lodging, click here.
Crown Maple Estate (Dutchess County, Hudson Valley): Crown Maple Estate is located on 800 acres of pristine land at Madava Farms in Dutchess County, New York, and truly sets the standard of excellence in maple production and flavor. From bark to bottle, Crown Maple is a defining ingredient, delivering a gourmet maple experience like no other. More on area lodging click here!
Dutch’s Spirits (Dutchess County, Hudson Valley): First “organized” in 1932 during the twilight of Prohibition, Dutch’s Spirits’ land was the site of an extensive bootlegging operation financed by the iconic mobster, Dutch Schultz. Now, over 80 years later, Dutch’s Spirits is reviving the distillery foundations and revitalizing its land as kept by the Adams family for generations. Although the hidden tunnels beneath the land may not be accessible, the farm, tasting room and land are available to all! More on area lodging click here!
Muscoot Farm (Westchester County, Hudson Valley): Muscoot Farm is an interpretive farm that is part of the Westchester County Parks system. As a visitor you can see over 50 farm animals, learn about the history of an early 1900s dairy farm in Westchester, or attend one of our year-round programs–from bird watching to movie nights! More on area lodging click here!
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture (Westchester County, Hudson Valley): Stone Barns is on a mission to create a healthy and sustainable food system that benefits us all. On 80 acres in Westchester County, just 25 miles north of New York City, they operate a highly diversified, four-season farm and an education center that hosts over a hundred thousand visitors each year. This is also the location of world-famous Blue Hill at Stone Barns, which sources directly from the farm and highlights the abundance of the Hudson Valley. More on area lodging click here!
Union Grove Distillery (Delaware County, Catskills): Union Grove Distillery is a craft distillery located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains in Arkville, NY. They opened their doors in February 2016. They have a beautiful cocktail lounge and tasting room with a wood-burning fireplace. Come relax by the fire and have a cocktail made from the award-winning Vly Creek Vodka or purchase a bottle to take home. Enjoy a taste at the copper top bar. Meet the owners and maybe even catch the still in action. There is also a kids room available so the little ones can play while you take a tour and have a taste. Free tours and tastings daily. More on area lodging click here!
Thanksgiving Farm at the Center for Discovery (Sullivan County, Catskills): Thanksgiving Farm is part of a large-scale care facility, The Center for Discover. The clients are individuals with multiple disabilities or individuals on the autism spectrum disorder. Educational, residential, clinical and adult programs are offered to both children and adults with a focus on wellness, high quality food and sustainability. Outdoor activity, which includes farming across the 170 acres, is another important element of the program. Visit the farm and spend a weekend in the Catskills, more on area lodging here!
Catskill Distilling (Sullivan County, Catskills): Catskill Distilling is a farm distillery that produces award-winning spirits in Bethel, NY in the Catskills. Right across from the original 1969 Woodstock Music Festival and Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center, they make their spirits with NY-grown grains and fruits. Also on site is The Dancing Cat Saloon, which serves simple yet elegant food with a side of live music every Sunday for the live Jazz Brunch. More on area lodging click here!
Catskill Brewery (Sullivan County, Catskills): The Catskill Brewery makes fresh ales and lagers using the best natural ingredients available. They not only make beer in the Catskills, but they live there too. So, they’re dedicated to keeping an eye on the steps they take, ensuring they don’t leave a trace. In the brewery’s building, beliefs, and process, they look for every opportunity to make the best beer, share the best stories, and introduce new people to the Catskills, a place they love so much. More on area lodging click here!
3-5 HOURS FROM NYC:
Ithaca Farmers Market (Tompkins County, Finger Lakes): The Ithaca Farmers Market is a cooperative with 165 vendors who live within 30 miles of Ithaca, New York. Agricultural vendors grow and offer high quality fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, poultry and dairy products. Food vendors bring a wide variety of freshly baked goods, jellies, honey, and sauces as well as delicious meals to eat at the market. Many talented artists and craftspeople sell their exceptional, locally made items. More on area lodging click here!
Black Bear Winery (Broome County, Central New York): Black Bear produces fruit wines, meads, and hard ciders. Besides the grapes, they use 100% locally grown produce for their numerous flavors and types of beverages. Recognizing the interest in a healthy lifestyle, they’ve narrowed the field to include the superfruits that contain the essentials and antioxidants that feed our souls, like blueberries, raspberries, elderberries, cherries, black currants and more. Taste, purchase, drink by the bottle or the glass. You’ll relish the clean air and view of the countryside and casual atmosphere in the party room next to the fire! More on area lodging click here!
Stoughton Farms (Tioga County, Central New York): Stoughton Farm is a greenhouse, roadside farm market, and “MAiZE” site located in Newark Valley, New York. The farm grows and sells 10 greenhouses of annuals and perennials. Baskets, combination planters, cell packs and more are available for your spring, summer and fall gardening needs! In addition to the corn maze and fall produce, mums, apples, cider, kettle corn, fresh cut fries, and fudge are a few of their other fall favorites. More on area lodging click here!
Verde View Equestrian Center (Broome County, Central New York): VVEC is a non-profit organization accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International. It’s a unique facility designed to promote independent riding while catering to the needs of differently abled riders, using horses to heal and promote the belief that all equine activities are therapeutic for individuals of any ability. More on area lodging click here!
Critz Farms (Madison County, Central New York): Critz Farms is a 325-acre family-owned business established in 1985. They welcome visitors throughout the year, beginning in March for their Maple Syrup Celebration. Don’t miss the Apple Blossom Festival in May. In the summer they are open for pick-your-own berries and host an annual Blueberry Jam. The fall brings their annual Fall Harvest Celebration, and from Thanksgiving to Christmas, they’re open for Holiday Family Fun. The Critz Farms Brewing & Cider Co. tasting room welcomes visitors from March through December. More on area lodging click here!
The Root Farm (Oneida County, Central New York): The Root Farm is focused on learning and healing for people of all ages and abilities through the power of equine, agricultural and recreational experiences. The Root Farm will soon begin construction of a Challenge Course, one of a kind to NY State with unique components and accessibility to everyone. It will include team building challenges, high and low ropes courses, rock climbing walls and a handicapped accessible zip line. You can learn about and experience the cultivation of fresh produce, maple syrup, fresh eggs, honey, horticulture and more. More on area lodging click here!
*Note: This list of destinations was determined with the help of individual county tourism boards, convention & visitors bureaus, and Yelp’s “Wheelchair Access” feature.
**Note: This selection of destinations does not represent all accessible locations in the region and we’d love to get your suggestions to keep this list growing! Please email kash@escapemaker.com with your suggestions! Thanks!
Comments