Dear EscapeMakers -- Stop at a local farm, meet the farmers, tour the crop fields, and visit with the animals. On Open Farm Days, August 12th & 13th, participating farms in Tompkins County will be opening their doors (and barns, and pastures, and more) just for you! Experience life on a local farm and learn about how your food is grown and the people in the community who help bring the farm to your fork! Bring the family for guided tours, samples and products for sale, and enjoy the gorgeous rural scenery along the way! Open Farm Days Lodging Offers Open Farm Deal at Hotel Ithaca - $179/night Details Open Farm Deal at Super 8 Ithaca - $135/night Details Open Farm Deal at the Statler Hotel - SPECIAL! Details Want to see more of Ithaca? Download their travel guide! A small, portable guide full of must-see waterfalls, can't miss activities, and stories about Ithaca and Tompkins County. And check out more Ithaca Events here!
Dear EscapeMakers — Stop at a local farm, meet the farmers, tour the crop fields, and visit with the animals. On Open Farm Days, August 12th & 13th, participating farms in Tompkins County will be opening their doors (and barns, and pastures, and more) just for you! Experience life on a local farm and learn about how your food is grown and the people in the community who help bring the farm to your fork!
Dear EscapeMakers -- Dutchess County offers 800 square miles of breathtaking vistas; fascinating historic and cultural sites; family-friendly activities; artisanal food and wine offerings; and colorful fairs and festivals. Beacon Sloop Club Annual Corn Festival: August 13 Seeger Riverfront Park, Beacon Enjoy locally-grown and ready-to-eat Hudson Valley sweet corn on the cob, a variety of other great food, family fun, & folk music on the Hudson Riverfront. Jazz in the Valley: August 20 Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie Jazz festival on two stages, showcasing music performed by world-class musicians. Located on the banks of the Hudson River. Dutchess County Fair: August 22 - 27 Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck Experience the 2nd largest agricultural fair in New York State, with animals, rides, vendors and entertainment! Dutchess Farm Fresh Tours: September 2 - October 29 Dutchess County - Poughkeepsie, Beacon & Wassaic Metro-North Railroad Stations No car? No problem! Experience the best in agritourism! Reserve your spot on five Dutchess Farm Fresh Tours operating on weekends with Metro-North Railroad. Shuttles will take you to orchards for apple picking, distilleries and farms.
Dear EscapeMakers — Dutchess County offers 800 square miles of breathtaking vistas; fascinating historic and cultural sites; family-friendly activities; artisanal food and wine offerings; and colorful fairs and festivals. Beacon Sloop Club Annual Corn Festival: August 13 Seeger Riverfront Park, Beacon Enjoy locally-grown and ready-to-eat Hudson Valley sweet corn on the cob, a variety of other great food, family fun, & folk music on the Hudson Riverfront. Jazz in the Valley: August 20 Waryas
There's no better time than summer to get out there and plan an outdoor adventure! Did you know that exciting treasure hunts await just outside your door? One amazing way to get out there and explore your surrounding areas -- the Hudson Valley, Catskill Mountains, Finger Lakes and more -- is geocaching. Haven't tried geocaching before? Geocaching.com, guide to all things geocache, defines the game as a "real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location." It's simple! Sign up at Geocaching.com -- even simpler, download the Geocaching App -- and you can follow virtual treasure maps wherever you are to uncover clues and items planted in plain sight all around you. You can even make a day trip or weekend getaway out of it! Need inspiration? We've got you covered... Take Metro-North Railroad up to Westchester County and explore the number of hidden geocaches in the area. Maybe even leave your own! Rent a car near the Croton Harmon train station and explore the area, which is rich with agriculture, sweeping landscapes and farms to visit. While enjoying your treasure hunt, stop by and visit Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center -- bucolic, 187-acre farm with pastures, crop gardens, historic buildings and forests dating to the 1600s. Pick vegetables, have a picnic, and hike the woodland trails! After that, head a couple miles down the road to out Meadows Farm and load up on sweet corn, fresh vegetables and herbs at their farm stand to take home with you. Finish up your adventure at Faraway Farm Alpacas -- located on a beautiful hilltop farm. You can schedule a visit to meet the alpacas and friendly Icelandic horses. Learn about
There’s no better time than summer to get out there and plan an outdoor adventure! Did you know that exciting treasure hunts await just outside your door? One amazing way to get out there and explore your surrounding areas — the Hudson Valley, Catskill Mountains, Finger Lakes and more — is geocaching. Haven’t tried geocaching before? Geocaching.com, guide to all things geocache, defines the game as a “real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices.
Dear EscapeMakers -- The perfect Summer food and beverage getaways await you off Amtrak's Empire Service route! Plus, SAVE15% on Amtrak travel within New York State! RIB FESTIVAL - 7/28-7/30. Head to the Buffalo Rib Fest, a 3-day food & music festival featuring award-winning NY State rib vendors, cold beer and live music. More on lodging. STOP: Empire Service to Buffalo + walk (10 min.). THE GREAT AMERICAN IRISH FESTIVAL - 7/28-7/30. Tap into your heritage and get ready to dance with 3 days of traditional music, bag pipes, beer, food and dance workshops at this festival, just outside of Utica. More on lodging. STOP: Empire Service to Utica + cab (15 min.). SANGRIA FESTIVAL - 8/12. Spend the day at Hudson-Chatham Winery in Ghent, NY for the Sangria Festival! Enjoy unique and fruity sangria, local food trucks, tarot card readings, henna tattoos and more all day long. More on lodging. STOP: Empire Service to Hudson + car rental at station (20 min.). EXPLORE COOPERSTOWN PACKAGES - Whether you're looking for a quaint B&B or a luxurious resort for your overnight stay, Cooperstown in Central New York has it all! The Bayside Inn & Marina offers vacation packages fit for foodies, craft beer drinkers, history buffs, nature lovers, sports fans and more. Plan your visit around the Farmer's Museum and experience life on a farm and visit their Women's Rights exhibit! STOP: Empire Service to Albany + rental car at the station (75 min.). TRANQUILITY & BREWS - Plan your escape to Central New York for a uniquely upscale, private, waterside B&B stay at the Inn by the Mill, whose 1835 stone grist mill that was once part of the Underground Railroad. Enjoy the tranquility of cascading waterfalls and extensive gardens and get out and explore the region's vast Brew Central
Dear EscapeMakers — The perfect Summer food and beverage getaways await you off Amtrak’s Empire Service route! Plus, SAVE15% on Amtrak travel within New York State! RIB FESTIVAL – 7/28-7/30. Head to the Buffalo Rib Fest, a 3-day food & music festival featuring award-winning NY State rib vendors, cold beer and live music. More on lodging. STOP: Empire Service to Buffalo + walk (10 min.). THE GREAT AMERICAN IRISH FESTIVAL – 7/28-7/30. Tap into your
In Letters to a Young Farmer, the first book from Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Westchester County, some of the most influential farmers, writers and leaders of our time share their wisdom and insight in an anthology of 36 essays and letters. Stone Barns' seeds were planted in the 1990s by the Rockefeller family, together with conservation planners, organic farmers and many others who came together to set a common vision and purpose for the land. Their goal was a working farm practicing resilient, transparent, four-season agriculture and open to the public as a hub of learning, creativity and experimentation. They envisioned a place where people could connect with the land and farmers; a place that would help to inspire people to grow and eat sustainably produced food. For more info on visiting Stone Barns and the surrounding area for a day-trip or weekend getaway from NYC, visit www.visitwestchesterny.com.
In Letters to a Young Farmer, the first book from Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Westchester County, some of the most influential farmers, writers and leaders of our time share their wisdom and insight in an anthology of 36 essays and letters. Stone Barns’ seeds were planted in the 1990s by the Rockefeller family, together with conservation planners, organic farmers and many others who came together to set a common vision and
We had the pleasure of spending the day with travel blogger The Culture Collective during our Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tour FAM Trip in June. Check out her thought provoking musings on the importance of traveling and eating local here. And get a sneak peek at some of her gorgeous photos below! Check her out @KelleyTravels. Feeling inspired to sample and explore the infinitely delicious offerings of the Hudson Valley? You can experience these gorgeous farms, sweeping vistas and delicious craft beverages yourself. Book your Farm Fresh Tour for the fall today at EscapeMaker.com/farmfreshtours.
We had the pleasure of spending the day with travel blogger The Culture Collective during our Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tour FAM Trip in June. Check out her thought provoking musings on the importance of traveling and eating local here. And get a sneak peek at some of her gorgeous photos below! Check her out @KelleyTravels. Feeling inspired to sample and explore the infinitely delicious offerings of the Hudson Valley? You can experience these gorgeous
It all began in 1998 when Ken and Kimm Schick bought an old dairy farm with over 200 acres in Fultonville, NY. They came from Northwestern NJ, a farming community that was slowly being sold off to developers and built up. They went to upstate NY to escape the noise and traffic that came with this development and get back to the country living and fell in love with this piece of heaven that has since become Hummingbird Hills Winery. They are the first active winery in Montgomery County and are proud to say that all of their wines are produced right at the winery. The fruits used to produce the wine are also grown right on the farm: grapes, elderberries, apples and let’s not forget Dandelion! Hummingbird Hills offers several specialty wines, such as Eldeberry Delight, Lions Tooth Blend, several varieties of apple and many delicious grape wines. They use as little preservative as possible to bring out the natural flavor of the grapes or fruit in the fermenting process. The vineyards do not use chemicals on or around the grape vines. The fields having once been cow pastures were well fertilized and there are some weeds to contend with. Their name Hummingbird Hills comes from their love affair with the hummingbirds and they have many that keep them company at the winery. Their tag line is “Escape from the Normal” and they mean it. Hummingbird Hills Wine is not like most wines you will taste, they have many unique blends and flavors. The atmosphere is very rustic and homey; you will enjoy spending an afternoon among friends pulled up to the bar. Learn more at www.hummingbirdhillswinery.com. VISIT: Visit the winery in Central New York for a weekend getaway! The winery is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am
It all began in 1998 when Ken and Kimm Schick bought an old dairy farm with over 200 acres in Fultonville, NY. They came from Northwestern NJ, a farming community that was slowly being sold off to developers and built up. They went to upstate NY to escape the noise and traffic that came with this development and get back to the country living and fell in love with this piece of heaven that has
Dear EscapeMakers -- Dutchess County offers 800 square miles of breathtaking vistas; fascinating historic and cultural sites; family-friendly activities; artisanal food and wine offerings; and colorful fairs and festivals. Dutchess Dragon Boat Race & Festival July 22: Hudson River Rowing Association dock, Poughkeepsie An extraordinary day of exhilarating dragon boat races, good food, music, games, and fun along the Hudson River. Harlem Valley Rail Ride July 30: Harlem Valley Rail Trail, Millerton Horse & dairy farms, abandoned rail tracks, a bicycle - and YOU, on the summer's most beautiful ride. Festival finale. 15th Bard SummerScape Now Through August 20: Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson 7 weeks of music, opera, theater, dance, film & cabaret performances keyed to the life & times of composer Fryderyk Chopin.
Dear EscapeMakers — Dutchess County offers 800 square miles of breathtaking vistas; fascinating historic and cultural sites; family-friendly activities; artisanal food and wine offerings; and colorful fairs and festivals. Dutchess Dragon Boat Race & Festival July 22: Hudson River Rowing Association dock, Poughkeepsie An extraordinary day of exhilarating dragon boat races, good food, music, games, and fun along the Hudson River. Harlem Valley Rail Ride July 30: Harlem Valley Rail Trail, Millerton Horse & dairy
Dear EscapeMakers -- The perfect Summer food and beverage getaways await you off Amtrak's Adirondack route! Plus, SAVE15% on Amtrak travel within New York State! CELEBRATE JULY 4TH AT TICONDEROGA A town-wide celebration! For five days, interact with local food vendors and farmers selling local goods, a parade, live music, and of course, fireworks! Click here for area lodging options. STOP: Ticonderoga + cab (5 mins.). ILOVEBBQ FEST - 7/7-7/9 - This famous competition draws competitors from across the country and is rated one of the top 10 BBQ fests. There's also a freestyle motocross stunt show, live music and lots of games, vendors and activities. More on lodging and packages. STOP: Lake Placid (Westport, NY) + connecting thru-way bus (45 mins.). 10TH ANNUAL PIGOUT - 7/15 - One of the most loved events in the Capital Region, the Troy Pig Out is a full day of fun where culinary competitors duke it out for best BBQ, and people flock to Riverfront park to taste some of the area's best food. More on lodging. STOP: Rensselaer + cab (5 mins.). CHIP FESTIVAL - 7/16 - Prepare your taste buds for a legendary experience. Salty? Spicy? Cheesy? Potato? Corn? Thick-cut? Razor-thin? No matter how you slice or flavor them, people love chips. Check out the 2nd Annual Chip Festival in the birthplace of the potato chip: Saratoga Springs, NY! More on lodging and packages. STOP: Saratogas Springs + cab (5 mins.) or walk. EXPLORE KINGSTON DEAL - If you love RevWar or maritime history, Kingston is a dream of a walking town! Book the $169 mid-week special at the historic Rondout Inn or get 1 night free when you stay 3 nights. Also Smorgasburg returns to the Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, NY 7/15-16 & 8/19-20 featuring some of the Hudson Valley and a few
Dear EscapeMakers — The perfect Summer food and beverage getaways await you off Amtrak’s Adirondack route! Plus, SAVE15% on Amtrak travel within New York State! CELEBRATE JULY 4TH AT TICONDEROGA A town-wide celebration! For five days, interact with local food vendors and farmers selling local goods, a parade, live music, and of course, fireworks! Click here for area lodging options. STOP: Ticonderoga + cab (5 mins.). ILOVEBBQ FEST – 7/7-7/9 – This famous competition draws competitors
Dear EscapeMakers -- There's a new local FARM TRAIL! Westchester County, in the scenic Hudson Valley, has agricultural roots. Whether visiting for the day or the weekend, the Westchester County Farm Trail gives you the opportunity to visit their beautiful farms while tasting fresh locally made food. Bordering New York City, Westchester has more than 7400 acres of farms that provide high quality, seasonal ingredients - from lettuce to lamb - to the area's remarkable restaurants. Explore the NEW Westchester County Farm Trail and experience these farms firsthand! p.s. Some of the locations are a quick walk (Farmer & The Fish) or a cab ride from the nearest train station and Metro-North Railroad even offers a travel package to Stone Barns! DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE FOLLOW WESTCHESTER TOURISM ON:
Dear EscapeMakers — There’s a new local FARM TRAIL! Westchester County, in the scenic Hudson Valley, has agricultural roots. Whether visiting for the day or the weekend, the Westchester County Farm Trail gives you the opportunity to visit their beautiful farms while tasting fresh locally made food. Bordering New York City, Westchester has more than 7400 acres of farms that provide high quality, seasonal ingredients – from lettuce to lamb – to the area’s remarkable
