Here at EscapeMaker, we are on a mission to connect all you adventurous, curious, farm- and food-loving travelers to unique local experiences. We're here to open your eyes to the herculean effort that goes into getting those fresh apples into your farmers market tote, or crafting that crisp, hoppy pint of beer in your hand. In our new "Escape to the Maker" series, we hope you'll take time to learn a little bit more about the producers and craftspeople that are helping to make this region so special. And even more, we hope you'll be inspired to take a day trip or weekend getaway to visit these local treasures in person. Happy traveling! The Maker: Buck Brook Alpacas Who Are You?: We are a family run fiber farm specializing in alpacas and angora rabbits. We have over 150 alpacas, we offer hands on tours to meet our animals and learn about their history and purpose. We have a farm store on site, which features many handmade alpaca items. Location/ Contact: 35 Bestenheider Rd. Roscoe, NY 12776 / (845) 807-3104 Hours: 10-4 on weekends during the winter and by appointment during the week. Open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Travel: No car? Take the Shortline Bus from Port Authority in NYC to Roscoe. Cab 6.5 miles from bus drop-off to the farm.Agritourism Offerings: Interactive livestock activities and tours; festivals; workshops/classes; children's activities; farm stay. Stay: Accomodations in Sullivan County.Highlights: You will leave feeling well informed!Local Attractions: 2 local breweries and a distillery are within 5 miles. Several restaurants and bed and breakfasts. Outdoor Offerings: Fishing, biking, boating, hiking, state parks, etc. More here.Learn: //buckbrookalpacas.com/Follow: Find Buck Brook Alpacas on Facebook & Instagram
Here at EscapeMaker, we are on a mission to connect all you adventurous, curious, farm- and food-loving travelers to unique local experiences. We’re here to open your eyes to the herculean effort that goes into getting those fresh apples into your farmers market tote, or crafting that crisp, hoppy pint of beer in your hand. In our new “Escape to the Maker” series, we hope you’ll take time to learn a little bit more about
One of the most special parts about living in New York is the quick access to so many different Northeast regions, famous for their fresh air and utter beauty. Spend the weekend in Central New York, where you can take off on a rare adventure below ground at the Howe Caverns! 156 ft below the earth's surface, your journey will wind through limestone corridors, cavernous galleries, under massive boulders, until you discover a subterranean riverbed carved over countless millennia. Deep in the cave, solid rock appears fluid: creating strange formations, flowing sheets and dripping stalactites. Mysterious grottos lead off into distant, unexplored passages. Shadows hide secrets in deep cracks and crevices. The well-worn path twists and turns descending into the depths, downward to the glassy surface of an underground lake that trails off into the absolute darkness of the cave’s Eastern Terminus. An amazing experience for all ages! Visit Garden of Eve in Riverhead, NY for their Sunflower Festival Weekends (July 21 & 22, 28 & 29 9am - 6pm). For just a $5 admission fee, enjoy Fun Fields admission with 100,000 flowers, one sunflower to take home and you can cut your own as you explore the Sunflower Path (additional stems are $1 each), hayrides, farm animals and more! The farm café will include Sunflower specials and locally produced organic sunflower oil tasting! U Pick blueberries and other berries available! Get there via LIRR from Penn Station in NYC! If you can't get enough Sunflowers at these Festival Weekends, head up to Dutchess County to Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils. This year, they are offering U-Pick sunflowers in addition to their variety of sunflower oil products. Plan your visit for U-Pick fun from August 7 - August 12. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates! Get there via Metro-North Railroad
One of the most special parts about living in New York is the quick access to so many different Northeast regions, famous for their fresh air and utter beauty. Spend the weekend in Central New York, where you can take off on a rare adventure below ground at the Howe Caverns! 156 ft below the earth’s surface, your journey will wind through limestone corridors, cavernous galleries, under massive boulders, until you discover a subterranean riverbed
Oh, sweet summertime, how we've been longing for you! With your bright shining sun, long days and - most importantly - your seasonal produce! Is it just me, or does your diet automatically become healthier come warmer months? I'm just constantly surrounded by fresh ripe berries, bright leafy greens, colorful summer squash, and more. The raw deliciousness is a no-brainer. So while perusing the market this week, I was inspired by an abundance of colorful produce: tuscan kale, speckled zucchini, plump blueberries and peaches. What could I make that was satisfying and delicious, while still preserving the raw, ripe flavors? Enter: the Summer Farmers Market Smoothie Bowl. After stumbling across a bag of crispy, golden local granola, I knew this was the answer. I scooped up one giant zucchini ($1.50), a quart of peaches ($3), one bunch of tender kale ($3), one container of blueberries ($4.50) and a small bag of granola ($6) and off to the blender I went! Now, I know leafy greens in your smoothie are a tale as old as time these days. They create a superhero-esque green hue and pack a punch with protein and vitamins. But you may be wondering: what the heck are you doing with a zucchini? Let me tell you. An absolute perfect way to bulk up your smoothies without adding the extra sugar and fat of additional fruits like banana or avocado: steamed zucchini! When you get it home from the market, wash it and chop it (into coins or spears, whatever you prefer) and cook in a steamer basket for 5-10 minutes over a pot of boiling water. Then let the zucchini cool and pop it in the freezer in an even layer. Once it's frozen, throw it in an airtight container or bag. Then next time you're looking
Oh, sweet summertime, how we’ve been longing for you! With your bright shining sun, long days and – most importantly – your seasonal produce! Is it just me, or does your diet automatically become healthier come warmer months? I’m just constantly surrounded by fresh ripe berries, bright leafy greens, colorful summer squash, and more. The raw deliciousness is a no-brainer. So while perusing the market this week, I was inspired by an abundance of colorful
When the weather heats up, nothing cools us down quite like a crisp, chilled, local beer. With a surplus of brewery options these days in and around New York, it's impossible to pick just one hoppin' spot to visit. Check out a list of some of our favorite breweries - new and old - below and plan your weekend getaway to hit one, two or ALL of these delicious spots this summer! The Hudson Valley is brimming with beer. For decades, craft beverage makers have taken a locally-focused, earth-to-bottle approach in creating award-winning liquid gold. They take advantage of the regional climate, perfect for growing hops. Check out Westchester County gems Broken Bow Brewery, Peekskill Brewery and Yonkers Brewing Co. Take a tour, chat with brewmasters and quench that summer thirst! A few of our faves in Dutchess County are 2 Way Brewing Co., Hudson Valley Brewery, and Hyde Park Brewing Co. Want to enjoy a little history alongside your brew? Book our Dutchess Pints & Political Figures Tour on July 21 or 22 for a trip to some historic homes of famous political figures, all washed down with local brews from Hyde Park Brewing Co. Get up to the Hudson Valley via Metro-North Railroad and stay for the weekend -- lodging options here and here. Drive up to the gorgeous Catskills region in Sullivan County for a brew-filled weekend. Head over to Roscoe, NY - aka Trout Town, USA - for a little fly fishing along with your cold ones. Check out the new 1,600 sq foot store front, self-serve tap wall, tasting bar and lounge at Roscoe Beer Co. Make your own beer trail (with a designated driver, of course) and stop by Catskill Brewery and Callicoon Brewing Co. Make a weekend getaway out of it with one of these gorgeous luxury
When the weather heats up, nothing cools us down quite like a crisp, chilled, local beer. With a surplus of brewery options these days in and around New York, it’s impossible to pick just one hoppin’ spot to visit. Check out a list of some of our favorite breweries – new and old – below and plan your weekend getaway to hit one, two or ALL of these delicious spots this summer! The Hudson Valley
From quick trips to the Hudson Valley to a leisurely road trip far upstate, the options are endless around here when it comes to finding beautiful vineyards and amazing wine. Particularly this time of year, these weekend getaways are filled with sunshine, surrounded by colorful blossoms, and doused in rich, local wine. The perfect relaxing, yet adventurous (and oh-so-delicious) escape awaits! Of course, don't forget to bring along a designated driver if you're partaking in the wine tasting fun. With Father's Day on the horizon, all you EscapeMakers have the perfect excuse for a wine weekend escape! Check out some of our favorites below. Treat yourself to a weekend in the Finger Lakes Region and cruise along the famous Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, which has been around for 30+ years. The trail is the first organized and longest running wine trail, comprised of 16 members including 15 wineries, a cidery, meadery and four distilleries. These wineries have won over 5,000 national and international medals and six Governor’s Cups. See breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake, Taughannock Falls, and the rolling vineyards all weekend long. Stay for the weekend and check out one of the local inns or B&Bs in the bustling Ithaca, NY area. Mark your calendar for our upcoming Farms & Wineries Weekend in the Hudson Valley! Bring your mom, dad, sweetie or friends up to Dutchess County via Metro-North Railroad on Saturday, June 9th or Sunday, June 10th for a day filled with wine, farm fresh eats, and beautiful views! On this tour, you can select your own farm fresh stops via our hop on/off looper shuttles. Take in the warm breeze of early June while visiting the charming Village of Millerton. Explore McEnroe Organic Farm, its garden and cider bar; sample award-winning wines at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery or Cascade Mountain Winery; tap
From quick trips to the Hudson Valley to a leisurely road trip far upstate, the options are endless around here when it comes to finding beautiful vineyards and amazing wine. Particularly this time of year, these weekend getaways are filled with sunshine, surrounded by colorful blossoms, and doused in rich, local wine. The perfect relaxing, yet adventurous (and oh-so-delicious) escape awaits! Of course, don’t forget to bring along a designated driver if you’re partaking in
Every March, maple farms across New York State invite visitors to their sugar houses to see for themselves how local, pure maple syrup is made. Weekend activities include tours, pancake breakfasts, shopping and, of course, tasting. These weeks are absolute treats for the whole family! So mark your calendars for March 17-18 and March 24-25 and make your escape up to one (or several) of these sweet destinations. Need a ride? Download the ReachNow app, grab a car share, and enjoy a road trip from the city in some fresh MINI or BMW wheels. Drive up to the Catskills for breathtaking views, delicious fresh air, and maple houses galore! GrowNYC farmer Roxbury Mountain Maple in the lush Delaware County is nestled in the midst of some of the most idyllic scenery in the state. Tour their brand new sugar house and recent expansion to 24,000 taps and 200 miles of pipeline. Visitors can watch demos of syrup, candy, maple cream and granulated maple sugar making. Bring the kids and hang out the with farm animals while sampling delicious maple goodies! Want to hop around to a few? Check out the other Delaware County Maple Weekend celebrations here. Pop over to Sullivan County in the Catskills for maple weekend at The Catskill Mountain Sugar House or Justus Asthalter Maple Syrup Inc. Just a 2.5 hour drive from the city, there is so much to eat, do and explore in the area, you'll want to indulge in way more than the pure, golden syrup. A bit closer to the city, you'll find dozens of maple farms and sugar houses in the bucolic Hudson Valley. Check out Dutchess County's Soukup Farms. This family farm offers guided tours where you can see firsthand how maple syrup is made. Stick around for the night or the whole weekend and enjoy
Every March, maple farms across New York State invite visitors to their sugar houses to see for themselves how local, pure maple syrup is made. Weekend activities include tours, pancake breakfasts, shopping and, of course, tasting. These weeks are absolute treats for the whole family! So mark your calendars for March 17-18 and March 24-25 and make your escape up to one (or several) of these sweet destinations. Need a ride? Download the ReachNow app, grab a
Select your own Dutchess farm fresh stops via our hop on/off looper shuttles! The shuttle will run on both days so you can plan your own day trip or weekend itinerary! Take in the blossoms and warm breeze of early June while visiting the charming Village of Millerton. Explore McEnroe Organic Farm, its garden and cider bar; sample award-winning wines at Millbrook Vineyards or Cascade Mountain Winery; tap into sweet samples and learn about maple syrup-making at Soukup Farms or Crown Maple Estate; or sign up for an animal sanctuary tour at Lucky Orphan’s Horse Rescue. Stay overnight! Weekend lodging packages at Amenia House, Blue Barn B&B and the Inn at Pine Plains are bookable through the EscapeMaker.com website and based on availability. Reserve at EscapeMaker.com/FarmFreshTours then BUY IT! Adults, $55.75; Seniors, $48; Kids 5-11, $17; Kids under 5, $17. Available at ticket kiosks and full-service ticket vending machines. Tours, riding and tastings will be available at an additional cost. GET THERE! Take the Harlem Line to Wassaic Station where the shuttle buses will meet the trains arriving at 9:52 a.m. and 11:52 a.m.
Select your own Dutchess farm fresh stops via our hop on/off looper shuttles! The shuttle will run on both days so you can plan your own day trip or weekend itinerary! Take in the blossoms and warm breeze of early June while visiting the charming Village of Millerton. Explore McEnroe Organic Farm, its garden and cider bar; sample award-winning wines at Millbrook Vineyards or Cascade Mountain Winery; tap into sweet samples and learn about maple