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.
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
With Mother's Day fast approaching, we know what's going through your mind: breakfast in bed? That book she mentioned she'd like to read? A trip to her favorite nail salon? Family gathering over brunch? Flowers again? While all these gestures are lovely and universally mom-approved, maybe it's time to switch it up and give the moms in your life something new, like a weekend getaway! Flowers wilt, but experiences create memories that last a lifetime. Hop in a Zipcar or grab a train ticket via Amtrak or Metro-North Railroad and take a special lady to do something unique this year! Fresh out of ideas? You've come to the right place! Check out some Mother's Day inspiration below... Visit Ithaca on Saturday, May 13th for the Honey Bee Jubilee at Varick Winery & Vineyard. Taste wines and enjoy honey-inspired foods! Or head up on Sunday, May 14th for a Mother's Day Supper Club with Northland Sheep Dairy. $55 per ticket include cheese and cider pairing in the pasture and a 4-course supper with Good Life Cider pairings. If there's one thing most moms can agree on, it's CHOCOLATE! Visit Dutchess County this Mother's Day weekend and enjoy wine and chocolate tastings at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery. The tastings take place on Saturday, May 13th and Sunday, May 14th with two tasting reservations at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Prepare to be dazzled by Oliver Kita Chocolate from Rhinebeck, NY and a handful of Millbrook wines. Is your mom an outdoor adventurer? Hop on the train to Westchester where you can hike, bike and walk through trails offering picturesque scenery, parks, picnic spots, restaurants, historic sites and nature preserves along their routes. Pack a special picnic to celebrate Mother's Day and enjoy the spring season! Or maybe she's up for a fishing adventure!? Getaway
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, we know what’s going through your mind: breakfast in bed? That book she mentioned she’d like to read? A trip to her favorite nail salon? Family gathering over brunch? Flowers again? While all these gestures are lovely and universally mom-approved, maybe it’s time to switch it up and give the moms in your life something new, like a weekend getaway! Flowers wilt, but experiences create memories that last a lifetime.
Tax season is, at last, behind us...now what to do with that lovely refund? Treat yourself to a little R&R with a weekend getaway. Our craft beverage packages offer scenic views, artisanal eats and endless craft brews, ciders, wines and spirits. With so many amazing regions and places to visit, check out our escapes and pick what works for you! The Hudson Valley Region, located 1-2 hours from New York City by Zipcar, Amtrak or Metro-North Railroad, is known for its trendy restaurants, celebrity chefs and innovative cuisine. Home to a number of cutting-edge culinary educational institutions like Westchester County's Stone Barns Center and the Culinary Institute of America, the area has seen a rise of a new crop of malting houses, breweries and distilleries. Book packages to visit Dutchess County's Rhinebeck, Red Hook or Hudson and get a taste of the local ingredients, artisanal eats and craft brews and bubbles the area has to offer! A few must visit spots: WM Farmer & Sons, The Crimson Sparrow, The Rhinecliff Hotel, and Daughters Fare and Ale. You could also plan a getaway to the Sullivan County Catskill Region, 2-3 hours from NYC by car or by bus, and known for its tranquil beauty, rugged outdoor recreation and craft beverage trails! The area has become seriously popular for outdoor enthusiasts and beer and spirit lovers in search of a new adventure. Check out the Roscoe NY Beer Company and Prohibition Distillery! Book your vaca here. Want to check out the beautiful and bustling Capital of New York State? Book a trip to Albany County, just 3 hours from NYC. The bucolic farms (i.e. Indian Ladder Farms), scenic landscapes (check out the Glen Sanders Mansion) and rolling countryside are the perfect pairing for a warm weekend getaway to sip craft brews from
Tax season is, at last, behind us…now what to do with that lovely refund? Treat yourself to a little R&R with a weekend getaway. Our craft beverage packages offer scenic views, artisanal eats and endless craft brews, ciders, wines and spirits. With so many amazing regions and places to visit, check out our escapes and pick what works for you! The Hudson Valley Region, located 1-2 hours from New York City by Zipcar, Amtrak or
Women's History Month may be coming to a close, but the celebration of women cannot and should not be limited to one month out of the year. This evergreen celebration is as important now as it has ever been, and for those of you looking for special ways to remember and honor strong females past and present, we've got a few ideas for you...day trips, weekend getaways and the perfect spring escapes! Plan a getaway to the Finger Lakes to visit the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY. The Hall of Fame is the nation's oldest membership organization dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of great American women, including inspirations like Maya Angelou, Julia Child, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Betty Ford, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Helen Keller, Coretta Scott King, Annie Oakley, Rosa Parks, Janet Reno, Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, Edith Wharton, Oprah Winfrey and so many more. Make a whole weekend out of it by booking EscapeMaker's Craft Beverage Package in the Finger Lakes! Discover New York State's Women's Heritage Trail, filled with historic sites and museums that celebrate the achievements and history of women in NY. Visit the Hudson Valley's Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in Dutchess County; the Matilda Joslyn Gage Home just outside of Syracuse, celebrating Gage who was a noted speaker and writer on woman’s suffrage, and an abolitionist; the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum in Chautauqua County; or visit the national historic landmark, the Susan B. Anthony House, in Rochester. Or, celebrate women in agriculture by visiting some of the female-led farms and producers across the state and in New York's citywide Greenmarkets. Meet two of the Hudson Valley's finest: Elizabeth Ryan of Breezy Hill Orchard in Dutchess County and Beth Linskey of Beth's Farm Kitchen in Columbia County;
Women’s History Month may be coming to a close, but the celebration of women cannot and should not be limited to one month out of the year. This evergreen celebration is as important now as it has ever been, and for those of you looking for special ways to remember and honor strong females past and present, we’ve got a few ideas for you…day trips, weekend getaways and the perfect spring escapes! Plan a getaway
For those of you who weren't able to make it to Union Square Greenmarket for EscapeMaker's 2nd annual Maple Fest, you were missed! But for those of you were were able to attend and returned home with gallons and gallons of local maple syrup, you might be wondering...what to do with all this sweet, sticky goodness? Although the New York Maple Weekends are over, there are a few festivals still going on in Vermont (check the event calendar) and a few of them in or near towns off Amtrak's Vermonter, like the 51st Annual Maple Festival in St. Albans! And even if Maple Weekends are coming to a close in and around New York, the liquid gold is still flowing! We've got a few ideas for what to do with it: Maple Glazed Carrots: In a large skillet, combine 3 lbs sliced carrots, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp butter, ½ cup water, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Boil, then reduce heat and simmer 12-15 minutes.(Crown Maple) Maple Stout Float: Divide 1 pint maple ice cream into 4 pint glasses. Pour beer (24 oz stout divided) slowly into each glass until full. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of maple syrup in each glass. Grab spoons and enjoy! (Vermont Maple) Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette: Place ½ cup balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, salt and pepper (to taste) into a blender. Pulse to combine, then add 1 cup olive oil in a steady stream with the motor running. (Crown Maple) Banana-Nut Pancakes: Combine dry ingredients (1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 2 1/2 t baking powder, 1/2 t baking soda, 1/2 t salt, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans) in a large bowl and toss to mix. In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs until frothy, then whisk
For those of you who weren’t able to make it to Union Square Greenmarket for EscapeMaker’s 2nd annual Maple Fest, you were missed! But for those of you were were able to attend and returned home with gallons and gallons of local maple syrup, you might be wondering…what to do with all this sweet, sticky goodness? Although the New York Maple Weekends are over, there are a few festivals still going on in Vermont (check
EscapeMaker.com will partner with Dutchess Tourism Inc. to run popular Farm Fresh Tours program with Metro-North Railroad through 2017. EscapeMaker.com, NYC’s guide to local getaways since 2000, announced today that it has secured a contract with Dutchess Tourism, Inc. to administer the development and operation of their successful Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tours program through 2017. For 10 years, Dutchess Tourism, Inc. has operated the Farm Fresh Tours program, which offers guided day trips to local farms and producers in and around Dutchess County by providing bus shuttle service to train passengers arriving at Metro-North stations in Poughkeepsie and Beacon, among others. The objective has long been to encourage car-less travelers to hop on a train from New York City and spend a day exploring local agriculture, a driving economic force and way of life in the Hudson Valley. Many Dutchess farms are family-owned and welcome visitors to “pick-your-own” produce, make purchases from their farm stands, or join them during family-oriented festivals. Apple picking, wine making, visiting breweries or learning about cheese making are all examples of agritourism, which supports local farmers and producers. “One of our major focuses for the past several years has been to seamlessly connect the dots between customers eager to learn about where their food comes from and the local farmers who work tirelessly to produce goods to the region,” says Caylin Sanders, founder and CEO of EscapeMaker.com. “Having worked with the amazing team at Dutchess Tourism for 12 years and with our expertise for bringing New Yorkers out of the city to experience the endless offerings of the Hudson Valley, jumping at the opportunity to take over the program was an obvious and organic choice for us. Our missions are aligned.” EscapeMaker.com will continue to offer many of the existing farm and destination itineraries,
EscapeMaker.com will partner with Dutchess Tourism Inc. to run popular Farm Fresh Tours program with Metro-North Railroad through 2017. EscapeMaker.com, NYC’s guide to local getaways since 2000, announced today that it has secured a contract with Dutchess Tourism, Inc. to administer the development and operation of their successful Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tours program through 2017. For 10 years, Dutchess Tourism, Inc. has operated the Farm Fresh Tours program, which offers guided day trips to
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
