We're in the thick of county fair season, EscapeMakers! Go take a ride on the ferris wheel, peruse antiques and artisanal goods, listen to live music, say hello to some four-legged friends, and get your deep fried everything just outside New York City! Take a look at the fairs near you (below) and plan your escape today. ESCAPE TO A LOCAL COUNTY OR STATE FAIR via ESCAPEMAKER.COM Booneville Oneida County Fair, NY 7/25 – 7/30 -- Lodging info Jersey State Fair, NJ 8/4 – 8/13 Delaware County Fair, NY 8/14 – 8/19 -- Lodging info The Vermont State Fair, VT 8/15 – 8/29 Little World’s Fair, NY 8/18 – 8/20 -- Lodging info Dutchess County Fair, NY 8/22 – 8/27 -- Lodging info The Great NY State Fair, NY 8/23 – 9/4 Luzerne County Fair, PA 9/7 – 9/11 -- Lodging info The Big E, MA 9/15 – 10/1 Orange Country Fair, CT 9/16 – 9/17 Long Island Fair, NY 9/16, 17, 23 & 24 For more info on county fairs, u-pick farms, wineries, craft beer trails, day trips and agritourism getaways, visit EscapeMaker.com!
We’re in the thick of county fair season, EscapeMakers! Go take a ride on the ferris wheel, peruse antiques and artisanal goods, listen to live music, say hello to some four-legged friends, and get your deep fried everything just outside New York City! Take a look at the fairs near you (below) and plan your escape today. ESCAPE TO A LOCAL COUNTY OR STATE FAIR via ESCAPEMAKER.COM Booneville Oneida County Fair, NY 7/25 – 7/30
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
Bovina Valley is a collection of regional, family-run businesses that have come together with a shared heritage and common purpose. Dating back to 1817, the 30 cow Jersey dairy farm, Cowbella, is home to 5th, 6th, and 7th generations of Danforths to have grown up and live on the farm. Shannon Mason grew up as the 6th generation on the Danforth Jersey Farm when it was run by her Grandpa George. After his passing in 2004, the farm called her back from city life to her roots. The Jersey herd she inherited is one of the longest running in the country, and she started Cowbella Creamery on the farm in 2010 to share the amazing qualities of Jersey milk with her neighbors. Love for her children and family drives her, the legacy given to her by her ancestors inspires her, and she is passionate about preserving what her 200 year old dairy and all small dairies give and represent in our world. Dan Finn returned to his roots in the Catskills in 2000 and reconnected with his family’s heritage of award-winning cheesemaking. Largely self-taught, the lure of cheese making was calling out to Dan through that old family history, and the desire to make a small farm viable again in these challenging times. The fond memories of growing up surrounded by Bovina’s once thriving dairy community is a recurring theme in his adult life. His Great Grandfather had a reputation for his White Rose Cheddar cheese making in the early turn of the century and left a legacy of award-winning cheeses. VISIT: Visit the bovine ladies in the Great Western Catskills for a weekend getaway! Open Sunday 9AM - 5PM, or by appointment. PUBLIC TRANSIT: AMTRAK to Hudson Station + car rental for 1 hr 20 minute drive.
Bovina Valley is a collection of regional, family-run businesses that have come together with a shared heritage and common purpose. Dating back to 1817, the 30 cow Jersey dairy farm, Cowbella, is home to 5th, 6th, and 7th generations of Danforths to have grown up and live on the farm. Shannon Mason grew up as the 6th generation on the Danforth Jersey Farm when it was run by her Grandpa George. After his passing in
It's maple season, Escapemakers! When cold wintry days start to transform into spring, northeasterners know that this short and sweet (yes, pun intended) season is upon us. This rings especially true for the state of Vermont. Vermont maple syrup -- rich in flavor, rich in heritage -- is a signature agricultural product in the Green Mountain State. The sugar makers of Vermont care deeply for the high quality maple syrup products they create, building relationships with their communities and their customers. Vermont maple syrup is so much more than a topping for pancakes. Its unique flavor is unparalleled and allows it to be used in baked goods, savory foods, and many different cuisines. And it's as a healthy a sweetener as you could hope for, easily surpassing cane sugar, corn syrup, or honey in its level of macronutrients and antioxidants! Get up to Vermont via Amtrak this spring to experience the sugaring season for yourself!
It’s maple season, Escapemakers! When cold wintry days start to transform into spring, northeasterners know that this short and sweet (yes, pun intended) season is upon us. This rings especially true for the state of Vermont. Vermont maple syrup — rich in flavor, rich in heritage — is a signature agricultural product in the Green Mountain State. The sugar makers of Vermont care deeply for the high quality maple syrup products they create, building relationships
DID YOU KNOW over half of the country’s maple syrup comes from Vermont and New York State? Celebrate the maple sugaring season this March at a Maple Weekend, Open House or festival near you via Amtrak, Metro-North, Zipcar or bus! Hudson Valley, New York: Crown Maple at Madava Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.crownmaple.com White Oak Farm + Hilltop Hanover Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.whiteoakfarm1.com Soukup Farms Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.soukupfarms.com Finger Lakes, New York: Wellspring Forest Farm & School Maple Weekend: 3/18-3/19 www.wellspringforestfarm.com Catskills, New York: Roxbury Mountain Maple Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.roxburymountainmaple.com Vermont: Smugglers’ Notch Resort MapleFest: 3/18 – 4/2 www.smuggs.com/maple Woodstock Village Green Maple Madness: 3/25 – 3/26 www.woodstockvt.com/upcoming-events St. Albans, VT Vermont Maple Festival: 4/28-4/30 www.vtmaplefestival.org Town of Poultney MapleFest Craft Fair: 3/25-3/26 www.poultneyvt.com Sugarhouses Statewide Maple Open House: 3/25-3/26 www.vermontmaple.org/openhouse
DID YOU KNOW over half of the country’s maple syrup comes from Vermont and New York State? Celebrate the maple sugaring season this March at a Maple Weekend, Open House or festival near you via Amtrak, Metro-North, Zipcar or bus! Hudson Valley, New York: Crown Maple at Madava Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.crownmaple.com White Oak Farm + Hilltop Hanover Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.whiteoakfarm1.com Soukup Farms Maple Weekends:
Shoppers at GrowNYC’s Union Square Greenmarket will be greeted with a special treat on March 17th, 2017 when EscapeMaker.com, New York’s guide to local getaways and farm escapes, hosts its second annual Maple Fest. The event will run from 10am – 4pm on the north side of the square and will feature maple product samples, dancing maple trees, competing pancakes and more. Attendees will get to taste maple yogurt, maple candy, icy local treat “sugar on snow,” and compare a variety of syrups at a maple tasting bar. The event kicks off the 2017 series of agritourism-themed events designed to promote Greenmarket farmers, producers and winemakers within a day’s drive or train ride of New York City. EscapeMaker will be on hand with general agritourism info on how to visit farms, farm stores, breweries and wineries whether by car, bus, ZipCar, Metro-North Railroad or by Amtrak. Beginning at 10am, market-goers can listen to live music, watch maple-inspired cooking demos, and enjoy free samples of a variety of local maple products from New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. There will also be an opportunity to learn about agritourism getaways through literature and conversations with the representatives from a number of tourism regions. Attendees can find information about Maple Weekends via Amtrak in Vermont, craft beverage trails in the Finger Lakes, charming bed & breakfast stays in the Hudson Valley, Farm Fresh Tours via Metro-North Railroad in Dutchess County, and more. “We’re thrilled to be back for our second year of special agritourism-themed events with GrowNYC,” said Caylin Sanders, President and Founder of EscapeMaker.com since 2000. “Our 2016 events were a huge success in terms of interacting with Greenmarket shoppers, providing agritourism education and inspiring local getaways and vacation packages. We look forward to building upon that enhanced shopping experience – beginning with
Shoppers at GrowNYC’s Union Square Greenmarket will be greeted with a special treat on March 17th, 2017 when EscapeMaker.com, New York’s guide to local getaways and farm escapes, hosts its second annual Maple Fest. The event will run from 10am – 4pm on the north side of the square and will feature maple product samples, dancing maple trees, competing pancakes and more. Attendees will get to taste maple yogurt, maple candy, icy local treat “sugar
Happy President's Day Weekend, EscapeMakers! As we celebrate a three-day weekend and great presidents from the past, we would be remiss not to explore the American history right here in our backyard. The Northeast is rich with historic sites and landmarks, and now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to reflect on these great and progressive events and places that have helped define what it truly means to be American. Whether you only have time for a day trip or are looking to spend a long weekend away, get inspired to escape into history! Hop on Metro-North Railroad from Grand Central Terminal for a day-trip out to Westchester. Spend the day at the Hudson River Museum's current exhibitions open now through May, which feature images of the Civil War, i.e. faces of steely-eyed generals, femme fatale spies, crusading abolitionists, and teenage African American soldiers; images of Abraham Lincoln on the banks of the Hudson; and also images and objects that show the art and culture of the nation and New York at the time of the Civil War. You can also check out a complete itinerary for the American Revolutionary Trail from Visit Westchester! Once we're out of winter and into the warmer spring weekends, head up to the Catskills in Sullivan County to explore the Minisink Battle Ground Park (open daily between Mother's Day and Columbus Day). The park, which is part of the Revolutionary War Heritage Trail, is dedicated to the men who fought and died at the “Battle of Minisink,” the only major skirmish of the Revolutionary War fought in the northern Delaware Valley. The 57 acre park includes picnic areas, extensive hiking trails, restroom facilities, picnic pavilion, and more. Looking to make a weekend getaway out of this exploration? Check out our Catskills Craft Beverage
Happy President’s Day Weekend, EscapeMakers! As we celebrate a three-day weekend and great presidents from the past, we would be remiss not to explore the American history right here in our backyard. The Northeast is rich with historic sites and landmarks, and now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to reflect on these great and progressive events and places that have helped define what it truly means to be American. Whether you only have
The winter blues have officially set in and we're all looking for a little something to look forward to. What better time to get away for some R&R than Valentine's Day? Whether it's a trip with your honey or a getaway with your besties, we could all benefit from a little cozy weekend escape come February. Or -- better yet -- give the gift of a weekend getaway this year! Mom, Dad, sister, boyfriend, wife...a Northeast escape is the perfect gift for ALL of your loved ones this February 14. Purchase one of EscapeMaker's vacation packages via Amtrak or Metro North Railroad and present it as a gift on the big day. Or, allow us to offer some inspiration on cozy bed & breakfasts, sexy local restaurants and romantic outings within a few hours of NYC for you independent travel planners out there. Venture out to Dutchess County in the gorgeous Hudson Valley. There are so many things to do and see, you'll have to come back again and again. Check out some date ideas that won't break the bank; get your cibo e vino fix in Mount Carmel, Poughkeepsie's own "Little Italy"; wander around the historic & eclectic village of Millerton's antique shops, glass-blowing studios, retro milkshake counters and more. Or, if you're looking to hang onto that sweet New York apple goodness throughout the winter, hit one (or several!) of the amazing Hudson Valley cider and apple spirit makers! There's also a statewide map of cider opportunities offered by the New York Apple Association, if you decide to venture further from New York City! Sticking inside the magical Hudson Valley, go get your cultural buzz on in Westchester County -- the Hudson River Museum, the Neuberger Museum of Art, and the Katonah Museum of Art offer special exhibits
The winter blues have officially set in and we’re all looking for a little something to look forward to. What better time to get away for some R&R than Valentine’s Day? Whether it’s a trip with your honey or a getaway with your besties, we could all benefit from a little cozy weekend escape come February. Or — better yet — give the gift of a weekend getaway this year! Mom, Dad, sister, boyfriend, wife…a
With Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and a long weekend around the corner, and Black History Month kicking off on February 1st, now is the perfect time of year to explore some of the incredible black history sites, museums and landmarks the Northeast has to offer. According to New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State was at the forefront of the Underground Railroad movement. It was a major destination for freedom-seekers for four main reasons: Destination & Gateway: New York was a gateway to liberation for freedom-seekers (often referred to as escaped slaves). Its prime location, with access to Canada and major water routes, made it the destination of choice for many Africans fleeing slavery along the eastern seaboard. Safe Haven: Freedom-seekers knew they would be protected in New York's many black communities as well as Quaker and other progressive white and mixed race communities. A large and vocal free black population was present after the manumission (freeing) of slaves in New York State in 1827. Powerful Anti-Slavery Movement: Anti-slavery organizations were abundant in New York State - more than any other state. The reform politics and the progressive nature of the state gave rise to many active anti-slavery organizations. Strong Underground Railroad Leaders: Many nationally-known and locally influential black and white abolitionists chose to make their homes in New York. Among them were: Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Gerrit Smith, Henry Ward Beecher, Sojourner Truth and John Brown. Explore all that the Underground Railroad Heritage Trail has to offer across New York State this winter by visiting the many important historic sites, museums and interpretive centers related to the Underground Railroad. Visit The Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, NY. The Harriet Tubman Home preserves the legacy of "The Moses of Her People" in the place where
With Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and a long weekend around the corner, and Black History Month kicking off on February 1st, now is the perfect time of year to explore some of the incredible black history sites, museums and landmarks the Northeast has to offer. According to New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State was at the forefront of the Underground Railroad movement. It was a major destination for freedom-seekers
When January 1st arrives, we often make resolutions to focus on health in our lives. But just because you're eating cleaner, and looking to be more active and increase wellness, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your cravings for travel and adventure! With so many spas, wellness centers, and active winter sports just a short drive or train ride from NYC, you can still plan your weekend escape while staying true to those resolutions. So for all of you looking for healthy and adventurous escapes, check out our weekend getaway inspiration below: Spas & Wellness in the Hudson Valley: The Hudson Valley is dotted with peaceful spas, wellness and healing centers where you can go to relax and unwind. Grab a quick Amtrak to Rhinecliff (+ quick cab)to visit the IZLIND Integrative Wellness Center & Institute, complete with tailored experiences for groups and individuals looking to increase wellness, whether that be via acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, massage, meditation, life coaching, tai chi and more. Or, plan a wellness retreat with yourself, your friends, your family, or your colleagues to Rhinebeck's Linwood Spiritual Center. Overlooking the Hudson River, Linwood's programs feature silent, guided workshops, spiritual direction and exercises, yoga, arts programs and more. Hop off at the Poughkeepsie stop via Metro North Railroad and make a spa crawl out of the many day, massage and facial spas like Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa or Oasis Medi-Spa. Want to learn more? Click here for a list of spas and wellness centers in Dutchess County. Outdoor Sports in Westchester: If you're looking to stay close for a 1 night or weekend getaways, Westchester, just a short Metro North Railroad ride away from Grand Central Station, is a great escape for some winter sports. Whether you prefer challenging cross county skiing trails through wooded areas, scenic outdoor ice
When January 1st arrives, we often make resolutions to focus on health in our lives. But just because you’re eating cleaner, and looking to be more active and increase wellness, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your cravings for travel and adventure! With so many spas, wellness centers, and active winter sports just a short drive or train ride from NYC, you can still plan your weekend escape while staying true to those resolutions. So for
