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,
EscapeMaker is hosting a series of local food and craft beverage tasting showcases inside Fulton Stall Market as a fundraiser to benefit the shop and invite the South Street Seaport community to discover the market open daily (11am-6:00pm), and its CSA. To celebrate their Plate & Escape blog series, which launched in the fall of 2017, the EscapeMaker team is bringing together local farmers and producers, along with their artisanal sips and bites, to inspire guests to visit these hard-working and impressive artisans in action at their farms and destinations upstate and around the Northeast region. The 3 events in the series are: Thursday, February 8th (6:00pm - 9:00pm): Local Food & Wine Tasting Evening Showcase - $49 Thursday, February 27th (6:00pm - 9:00pm): Local Food & Craft Beer Tasting Evening Showcase -$39 Thursday, March 15th (6:00pm - 9:00pm): Local Food, Cider & Spirits Tasting Evening Showcase - $39 Cozy up to the bar and enjoy a wintry night filled with new tastes and live music! Each event will feature 6-8 food and beverage tastes from local producers, information on local vacations, like where to go apple picking and how to visit a farm! Attendees will have the opportunity to shop the market, network and start planning their spring escapes. Live folk and jazz music by Amos Rose. 70% of the ticket price includes a donation to Fulton Market Association, a non-profit 501c3 supporting local farms and producers. Admission includes drink and food samples from each of the stations, free local travel info and a goodie bag of locally produced artisanal samples. Local agritourism destinations within a few hours of NYC represented include Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley, Sullivan County and Delaware County in the Catskills, Ithaca/Thompkins County in the Finger Lakes, and more! Showcase vendors include Prohibition Distillery, Union Grove Distillery, Black Duck Cidery, Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider, Riss' Knishes, Mama Lam and more! Tickets are non-refundable but transferable. Your donation is tax
EscapeMaker is hosting a series of local food and craft beverage tasting showcases inside Fulton Stall Market as a fundraiser to benefit the shop and invite the South Street Seaport community to discover the market open daily (11am-6:00pm), and its CSA. To celebrate their Plate & Escape blog series, which launched in the fall of 2017, the EscapeMaker team is bringing together local farmers and producers, along with their artisanal sips and bites, to inspire guests to visit
EscapeMaker is hosting a series of local food and craft beverage tasting showcases inside Fulton Stall Market as a fundraiser to benefit the shop and invite the South Street Seaport community to discover the market open daily (11am-6:00pm), and its CSA. To celebrate their Plate & Escape blog series, which launched in the fall of 2017, the EscapeMaker team is bringing together local farmers and producers, along with their artisanal sips and bites, to inspire guests to visit these hard-working and impressive artisans in action at their farms and destinations upstate and around the Northeast region. Thursday, February 8th (6:00pm - 9:00pm): Local Food & Wine Tasting Evening Showcase - $49 Thursday, February 27th (6:00pm - 9:00pm): Local Food & Craft Beer Tasting Evening Showcase -$39 Thursday, March 15th (6:00pm - 9:00pm): Local Food, Cider & Spirits Tasting Evening Showcase - $39 Cozy up to the bar and enjoy a wintry night filled with new tastes and live music! Each event will feature 6-8 food and beverage tastes from local producers, information on local vacations, like where to go apple picking and how to visit a farm! Attendees will have the opportunity to shop the market, network and start planning their spring escapes. Live folk and jazz music by Amos Rose. 70% of the ticket price includes a donation to Fulton Market Association, a non-profit 501c3 supporting local farms and producers. Admission includes drink and food samples from each of the stations, free local travel info and a goodie bag of locally produced artisanal samples. Local agritourism destinations within a few hours of NYC represented include Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley, Sullivan County and Delaware County in the Catskills, Ithaca/Thompkins County in the Finger Lakes, and more. Showcase vendors will feature local breweries from across the region! Tickets are non-refundable but transferable. Your donation is tax deductible and we will provide you with a receipt. Buy the
EscapeMaker is hosting a series of local food and craft beverage tasting showcases inside Fulton Stall Market as a fundraiser to benefit the shop and invite the South Street Seaport community to discover the market open daily (11am-6:00pm), and its CSA. To celebrate their Plate & Escape blog series, which launched in the fall of 2017, the EscapeMaker team is bringing together local farmers and producers, along with their artisanal sips and bites, to inspire guests to visit
This time of year, I run into two cooking woes. 1) What to make when I'm too tired and lazy to chop and prep and use every one of my pots and pants, and 2) what's a quick and easy bite to make/bring to one of the many holiday parties popping up on my calendar? This quick, easy, farm-fresh dish is the perfect solution to both! It takes 10 minutes, makes very little mess, and is an absolute crowd-pleaser! Enter: The Pawlet & Honey Crostini. During my Saturday shopping excursion at McCarren Park in Brooklyn for my Honey Roasted Carrots, I picked up a few additional items for my crostini. From Vermont's Consider Bardwell Farm, I perused a variety of delicious cow and goat cheeses. I was specifically searching for something that was soft and easy to melt, so I was directed to the "Meltlet" cheese, which is a version of their Pawlet. It was nutty and mild and perfect for a sweet and savory recipe. I bought 1/4lb ($5). I picked up a fresh baguette ($3) from New Jersey's Baker's Bounty. The outside felt nice and crusty, but the inside was soft and pillowy. The perfect type of bread for a crostini! The honey, which I picked up for my Honey Roasted Carrots last week, came from Nature's Way ($6.25/honeybear). There's something about fresh cheese that brings on an unstoppable craving for wine, am I right? Luckily, Borghese Vineyard was set up just across from the cheese stand, so I made my way over to pick my poison :). They had so many delicious bottles straight from their Long Island vineyard, but I settled on an easy-drinking red wine, the Petit Chateau ($17). Time to head home and assemble my delicious and festive treats! Here's how
This time of year, I run into two cooking woes. 1) What to make when I’m too tired and lazy to chop and prep and use every one of my pots and pants, and 2) what’s a quick and easy bite to make/bring to one of the many holiday parties popping up on my calendar? This quick, easy, farm-fresh dish is the perfect solution to both! It takes 10 minutes, makes very little mess, and
Hey, EscapeMakers! These past few summer/fall seasons, our team has had the privilege of posting up in the Greenmarkets across NYC and chatting with all of you about farm escapes, green travel, weekend getaways and more. We absolutely love hearing from you and getting your feedback on what you're searching for when it comes to the perfect escape. After having several people come to us with specific inquiries about local destinations that were wheelchair accessible and suitable for persons with limited mobility, we decided to put together a list!* We can't thank you all enough for smart questions and engaging conversations that inspire our content. While some agritourism destinations in the region are difficult to navigate or are still in the process of retro-fitting or getting ADA-compliant with things like adding accessible means of egress and power-assisted doors, many have identified readily-achievable barriers for removal and have made it convenient for everyone in your family to enjoy. Check out a few of these spots below and plan your escape this fall and next spring when growing season starts again!** 1-3 HOURS FROM NYC: Hawthorne Valley Farm Store (Columbia County, Hudson Valley): Hawthorne Valley is a biodynamic farm & store filled with beautiful Hudson Valley products. They strive to offer as many locally grown or produced fruits, vegetables, grocery products, and household items as possible and are committed to supporting local farmers and artisans. Their 18-year old cow Kohlrabi is featured in EscapeMaker's upcoming (and first-ever!) Agritourism Ambassadors Calendar for 2018, which benefits the farm. You can purchase yours here! For more on area lodging, click here. Crown Maple Estate (Dutchess County, Hudson Valley): Crown Maple Estate is located on 800 acres of pristine land at Madava Farms in Dutchess County, New York, and truly sets the standard of excellence in maple production and flavor. From bark
Hey, EscapeMakers! These past few summer/fall seasons, our team has had the privilege of posting up in the Greenmarkets across NYC and chatting with all of you about farm escapes, green travel, weekend getaways and more. We absolutely love hearing from you and getting your feedback on what you’re searching for when it comes to the perfect escape. After having several people come to us with specific inquiries about local destinations that were wheelchair accessible
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
Head up to the Great Western Catskills in Delaware County for the 6th Annual Bovina Open Barn & Studio Tour. Meet the local artists, makers and farmers who make Bovina the perfect environment for creation and collaboration. Visit cometobovina.com to learn about the participating studios and farms, schedules and more. Video courtesy of Mark Foster of Foster Built Coffee. For more information on where to stay, eat and play while in the region, visit //www.greatwesterncatskills.com.
Head up to the Great Western Catskills in Delaware County for the 6th Annual Bovina Open Barn & Studio Tour. Meet the local artists, makers and farmers who make Bovina the perfect environment for creation and collaboration. Visit cometobovina.com to learn about the participating studios and farms, schedules and more. Video courtesy of Mark Foster of Foster Built Coffee. For more information on where to stay, eat and play while in the region, visit //www.greatwesterncatskills.com.
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
