Make your own itinerary! Plot your own day’s adventure on a hop on/off looping shuttle that picks you up at the Beacon Station and drops off at a variety of local pick-your-own Dutchess fruit farms. Revel in the fall foliage and apple orchards of the Hudson Valley! The bus will make stops at Fishkill Farms, Meadowbrook Farm, and Sprout Creek Farm, where you can spend your own time exploring fall harvest festivities in full swing, go apple picking, pet farm animals galore, and sample delicious local bites and sips. Reserve at EscapeMaker.com/FarmFreshTours.com, then BUY IT! Adults, $50; Seniors, $45; Kids 5-11, $17; Kids under 5, $17, available at ticket kiosks and full-service ticket vending machines. Ticket price also includes apple-picking entrance fee. Extra activities/tastings may require an additional fee. GET THERE! Take the Hudson Line to Beacon Station arriving at either 10:16 a.m. or 11:16 a.m. Our shuttle buses will meet both trains and transport you throughout the day.
Make your own itinerary! Plot your own day’s adventure on a hop on/off looping shuttle that picks you up at the Beacon Station and drops off at a variety of local pick-your-own Dutchess fruit farms. Revel in the fall foliage and apple orchards of the Hudson Valley! The bus will make stops at Fishkill Farms, Meadowbrook Farm, and Sprout Creek Farm, where you can spend your own time exploring fall harvest festivities in full swing,
If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that by the time we've endured the long and frigid month of January, we NEED A VACATION! Even if we're still shivering into February across the Northeast, there are so many warm and cozy getaways just a short train ride or road trip away. If you're anything like us, you might agree that Valentine's Day in and around NYC is (ahem) overrated. The crowds, the costs, the Mission Impossible-level reservation making...it certainly doesn't always lay the groundwork for happy-go-lucky-love, am I right? Flip the holiday on its head, and rather than fight the crowds to make mid-week, balloon-covered plans this Valentine's Day, set up an escape later this month or even later this season! A weekend getaway beats an overpriced, overcrowded meal any time of year! We've got big ideas for a snuggly and romantic trip, whether it's with your boo, your fam or your bff! Nothing says cozy, romantic weekend getaway like winery-hopping! Spend a weekend in Ithaca where you can visit the oldest and longest running wine trail in America, the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. You can hop around to over 25 wineries, with tours departing from various locations throughout Ithaca. Make your road trip upstate via ReachNow and meander around the breathtaking Finger Lakes region! Who says you need lots of activities for a weekend getaway? Simply curling up by the fire in a charming B&B, tucked away in a small town is sometimes better than making any plans at all. Plan a romantic escape to Central New York, which is chock full of villages, quaint inns, elegant local restaurants and more. If you haven't already, download the ReachNow app, book your BMW or MINI, and drive up to The Colgate Inn, an overnight favorite in Madison County. Book a romantic
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that by the time we’ve endured the long and frigid month of January, we NEED A VACATION! Even if we’re still shivering into February across the Northeast, there are so many warm and cozy getaways just a short train ride or road trip away. If you’re anything like us, you might agree that Valentine’s Day in and around NYC is (ahem) overrated. The crowds, the
It always feels like there is a very short period after that Thanksgiving feast where you can rest and fill up on detoxifying veggies and wholesome foods in preparation for the onslaught of holiday cookies, cocktail hours, treats, and sweets that descend upon you each December. I try to take advantage of the wintry assortment of vegetables the NYC Greenmarkets have to offer this time of year. My go-to dish is roasted root vegetables. Warm, toasty, juicy, and satisfying, you can mix and match any root veg with an array of spices and flavorings to trick you into thinking you're eating something rich and sinful. I took a walk through Brooklyn's McCarren Park Greenmarket on Saturday and was immediately drawn to the vibrant orange carrots from Garden of Eve Farm. Parked right next door was Nature's Way Farm, with all of its delicious local honeys and honey products. The perfect (and absolute simplest) recipe came to mind: Honey Roasted Carrots. I grabbed a bunch of carrots ($4) and a honey bear jar of honey ($6.25) and I had everything I needed! You won't believe how easy this recipe is... INGREDIENTS: 1 bunch whole carrots, peeled salt & pepper to taste approx. 2 tbsp honey (you may use more or less for desired sweetness) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 350F. Place washed and peeled whole carrots onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper. Toss to coat carrots evenly and spread them out into a single layer. Drizzle the surface of the carrots with honey. Bake until desired tenderness, 40 - 50 minutes. Cooking up these honey-roasted carrots will surely inspire you to get out there and support these amazing farmers who bring you fresh, flavorful carrots, sweet sticky honey, and
It always feels like there is a very short period after that Thanksgiving feast where you can rest and fill up on detoxifying veggies and wholesome foods in preparation for the onslaught of holiday cookies, cocktail hours, treats, and sweets that descend upon you each December. I try to take advantage of the wintry assortment of vegetables the NYC Greenmarkets have to offer this time of year. My go-to dish is roasted root vegetables. Warm,
I don't know about you, but with the holidays creeping closer and closer, I've got dessert on my brain! After my plentiful and autumnal shopping trip to the Union Square Greenmarket last week (check out the Overnight Oats post for all the details), my pantry and fridge were still spilling over with Breezy Hill Orchard apples and cranberries and Greenmarket Grains Project rolled oats. So I created a "part 2 recipe" from those leftover ingredients. A good tip to remember when shopping fresh and local at your neighborhood markets: one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce waste is to come up with multiple recipes from the same ingredients! This time I was totally inspired to make one of my all-time favorite treats: Cranberry Apple Crisp. It's gooey and delicious on the inside, crisp and buttery on the top, and those sweet apples and tart cranberries make the most perfect fall dessert...or breakfast, :). It's quick and easy to make and if you're somewhat baking-adverse (like myself), this takes way less precision than other technical baking. It's a great place to start, especially to gear up for all the baked goods, sweets and treats that are so fun to make (and eat) this time of year! Here's how I made it: INGREDIENTS: 1/2 C rolled oats 1/2 C + 3 tbsp all purpose flour, divided 1/2 C brown sugar (light or dark) 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1/4 tsp ground ginger 1 stick butter, chilled and diced into small cubes 1/4 C granulated sugar Zest and juice of 1 lemon 4 apples, cored and sliced thin (I used a combo of Jonah Gold and Mutsu) 1 C fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed) INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat over to 375F. In a mixing bowl, combine sliced apples,
I don’t know about you, but with the holidays creeping closer and closer, I’ve got dessert on my brain! After my plentiful and autumnal shopping trip to the Union Square Greenmarket last week (check out the Overnight Oats post for all the details), my pantry and fridge were still spilling over with Breezy Hill Orchard apples and cranberries and Greenmarket Grains Project rolled oats. So I created a “part 2 recipe” from those leftover ingredients. A
Take any road through Dutchess County, head in any direction, and eventually, you'll pass a farm. More likely, several. Agriculture is a driving economic force in the Hudson Valley, and a way of life. To get the complete Hudson Valley Farm Fresh experience, avail yourself of the many opportunities to enjoy its bounty. Many family-owned farms welcome you to pick-your-own produce, make purchases from their farm stands, or join them during family-oriented festivals. Vineyards will invite you to taste their vintages from local grapes, and perhaps stay for a picnic or concert. Reserve your spot NOW for the Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tours, beginning September 2nd through October 29th on Saturdays and Sundays. Explore quaint Hudson Valley towns, pick apples, tour distilleries, visit farm animals and more on a variety of tour itineraries. Book your spot before they sell out!
Take any road through Dutchess County, head in any direction, and eventually, you’ll pass a farm. More likely, several. Agriculture is a driving economic force in the Hudson Valley, and a way of life. To get the complete Hudson Valley Farm Fresh experience, avail yourself of the many opportunities to enjoy its bounty. Many family-owned farms welcome you to pick-your-own produce, make purchases from their farm stands, or join them during family-oriented festivals. Vineyards will
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
EscapeMaker HQ had the best day last Thursday: we officially *took over* the Heritage Radio Network Instagram in preparation for our very own agritourism episode on HRN Happy Hour! We had too much fun chatting with the HRN gang - Kat Johnson, Caity Moseman Wadler and Hannah Fordin - about our upcoming Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tours. Dutchess Tourism's Mary Kay Vrba and Dutch's Spirits' Lydia Higginson joined to provide a little history, travel inspiration, and some impressive Dutchess County trivia knowledge throughout the show. Listen to the full episode here and book your own Farm Fresh experience before they're sold out!
EscapeMaker HQ had the best day last Thursday: we officially *took over* the Heritage Radio Network Instagram in preparation for our very own agritourism episode on HRN Happy Hour! We had too much fun chatting with the HRN gang – Kat Johnson, Caity Moseman Wadler and Hannah Fordin – about our upcoming Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tours. Dutchess Tourism‘s Mary Kay Vrba and Dutch’s Spirits‘ Lydia Higginson joined to provide a little history, travel inspiration,
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.
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
