Dear EscapeMakers -- It's the most beautiful time of the year! Whether you've been to Ithaca before, or have yet to visit, now is the time to explore! Constantly evolving, the Finger Lakes region always has new opportunities for you to experience. Fall Foliage at peak! There's still time to catch the last leaf peeping in New York State! Due to the lakes themselves (heat retention and air flow), the Finger Lakes has a more temperate climate compared to the rest of Upstate. This climate allows for a better growing season and extended leaf peeping opportunities. Take a hot air balloon ride or cruise the Cayuga Scenic Byway to explore Ithaca's beauty. Did you miss Cider Week? Fear not, you can experience cider year-round in Ithaca! With outdoor seating and socially distanced practices, Ithaca can welcome you safely. There are 7 cidery tasting rooms open for your enjoyment. Spend an afternoon at Eve's Cidery eating a farmer's lunch and being guided through a flight of artisan cider. Get away from it all, in Ithaca! We all have a reason to getaway, spend a week upstate, to return and reset in nature. Ithaca's mesmerizing waterfalls, meandering trails, and endless fresh air are just a quick trip away. No matter how many times you visit, it always has that wow-factor. Escape to the Finger Lakes! Interested in lodging packages? Click here. For information about Ithaca and COVID-19, please visit www.visitithaca.com/covid-19-information-visitors www.VisitIthaca.com MORE INFO:
Dear EscapeMakers — It’s the most beautiful time of the year! Whether you’ve been to Ithaca before, or have yet to visit, now is the time to explore! Constantly evolving, the Finger Lakes region always has new opportunities for you to experience. Fall Foliage at peak! There’s still time to catch the last leaf peeping in New York State! Due to the lakes themselves (heat retention and air flow), the Finger Lakes has a more
No one could have predicted the explosion in hard cider production and cideries in New York State over the last few years! That is except for a few visionaries that took a gamble with a dollar and a dream. In 2013, an inspired young man from Columbia County had a dream to support New York agriculture by crafting quality hard ciders using apples grown in Hudson Valley orchards -- those that he explored, harvested and enjoyed throughout his childhood. Choosing an unassuming, gritty industrial warehouse near the Hudson River in Albany (and just under the shadow of a 32-ft. high towering rose that his artist father had painted 20 years earlier on the neighboring building’s brick wall) Alejandro del Peral established Nine Pin Ciderworks -- New York’s FIRST Farm Cidery in Albany’s revitalizing Warehouse District, just north of Downtown. A licensed "farm cidery" must manufacture more than 50 gallons and less than 250k gallons of hard cider or less per year, can do tastings within the state and must exclusively sell hard cider produced from New York State-sourced apples wholesale. Today, there are over 40 in the state and the New York Cider Association holds "cider weeks" across the state. If you're looking to tap into Alejandro's sensory memories of crisp apples and cool autumn days, you'll not only want to go apple picking in the Hudson Valley, New York State's #1 agritourism activity, but also take a tour of his 17,000 sq. ft. facility in Albany where Nine Pin Ciderworks crafts all of its hard ciders. His cidery tasting room offers experimental ciders and beer and cocktails made with New York farm-based beers and spirits, as well as gourmet light fare in a relaxed atmosphere. Nine Pin Ciderworks also offers an interesting array of events and activities. At any
No one could have predicted the explosion in hard cider production and cideries in New York State over the last few years! That is except for a few visionaries that took a gamble with a dollar and a dream. In 2013, an inspired young man from Columbia County had a dream to support New York agriculture by crafting quality hard ciders using apples grown in Hudson Valley orchards — those that he explored, harvested and
Dear EscapeMakers -- Who doesn’t love fall - the crisp air, warm cider donuts, cozy sweaters, and leaves crunching beneath your boots? Fall is best enjoyed in Ithaca, the heart of the Finger Lakes: hundreds of gorges, scenic views, winding trails, hidden spots and moments to take your breath away. An enjoyable scenic 4-hour ride from NYC, Ithaca is most well-known for Cornell University, being named America’s Best Wine Region (for the second year in a row), and its fall foliage. Whether you are alumni returning after a few years, families looking for an engaging experience, couples exploring a new city, or someone looking for a joyful getaway, Ithaca has a community for you. Ithaca’s waterfalls and gorges are the must-see attraction in the region. Taughannock Falls is the tallest, single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains and in the entire state of New York. Yes, it’s even taller than Niagara Falls! However, Taughannock isn’t the only impressive waterfall, visit Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls, or one of the 150 in the region. Between the lake, gorges and streams, there's plenty of outdoor recreation on the water. Witness the history of glacial migration and appreciate the presence of trickling water by hiking the trails along the gorges. Ranging from a flat casual stroll to an exercise-forward hike, there are varying levels of hikes available. In between outdoor excursions visit one of the many farm-based culinary or craft beverage producers. Meet goats and taste their cheese, eat a hyper-local lunch while sipping a flight of cider, pick your own produce and play amongst the nature. Camp outdoors by a cozy fire or stay at one of their nature-based accommodations. Ithaca’s farm-to-fork scene is always available and constantly growing. Just one month away, Finger Lakes Cider Week is 12 days of agriculinary filled
Dear EscapeMakers — Who doesn’t love fall – the crisp air, warm cider donuts, cozy sweaters, and leaves crunching beneath your boots? Fall is best enjoyed in Ithaca, the heart of the Finger Lakes: hundreds of gorges, scenic views, winding trails, hidden spots and moments to take your breath away. An enjoyable scenic 4-hour ride from NYC, Ithaca is most well-known for Cornell University, being named America’s Best Wine Region (for the second year in
Fall may be known for apple picking, but there's nothing like a warm cider donut and cold pint of hard cider in the dead of winter! All of these cider-makers (and so many more) have fabulous farms and cozy tasting rooms that you can visit for a day trip or weekend getaway all year long. Check out a few of our favorite New York Ciders that you can visit in person below. Brooklyn Cider House (New Paltz, NY): At Twin Star Orchards in New Paltz, NY, they have free cider tastings, delicious wood-fired pizza and burgers, and they sell fresh baked goods and seasonal produce from their garden. They also have a great selection of New York cider, wine, and spirits and pick-your-own “ugly apples” in the fall. Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider (Rhinebeck & New Paltz, NY): They produce a line of exceptional farm-based ciders with style and character. Drawing on classic European cider making techniques, these highly drinkable ciders have a robust new world flavor profile. The cidery is based at two beloved Hudson Valley farms, Breezy Hill Orchard near Rhinebeck and Stone Ridge Orchard near New Paltz. The farms are known for their commitment to ecological growing and the production of highly flavored fruit. The orchards produce over 100 varieties of apples and have just planted a dedicated hard cider orchard with a number of traditional cider apples including Dabinett, Bedan, Binet Rouge, Kingston Black, Chisel Jersey, Ashmeads Kernel, and others. Doc's Draft Hard Cider (Warwick, NY): The apples in their handcrafted cider come straigt from their orchard in the foothills of the Hudson Valley. They grow more than 60 different apple varieties in the orchard, each selected for maximum flavor and unique taste. Visit the pick-your-own farm in the fall and experience what it truly means
Fall may be known for apple picking, but there’s nothing like a warm cider donut and cold pint of hard cider in the dead of winter! All of these cider-makers (and so many more) have fabulous farms and cozy tasting rooms that you can visit for a day trip or weekend getaway all year long. Check out a few of our favorite New York Ciders that you can visit in person below. Brooklyn Cider
APPLE SPOTLIGHT: The EMPIRE APPLE! Dear EscapeMakers -- We're smack dab in the middle of the tastiest week all Fall! Find out about events all around the city during Cider Week NYC - November 2-11, 2018! Fall foliage is at its peak in the city but it's not too late to head north through New York State to pick remaining apples off the trees, or buy apples from farm stores, or visit a cidery or craft beverage trail. Visit Apples from New York for more locations, recipes and variety info and here are some great ideas for cider trail getaways!
APPLE SPOTLIGHT: The EMPIRE APPLE! Dear EscapeMakers — We’re smack dab in the middle of the tastiest week all Fall! Find out about events all around the city during Cider Week NYC – November 2-11, 2018! Fall foliage is at its peak in the city but it’s not too late to head north through New York State to pick remaining apples off the trees, or buy apples from farm stores, or visit a cidery
Dear EscapeMakers -- Mmmmmm! Apple season is upon us and New York State apple farmers have been busy growing the best tasting apples. In fact, did you know New York is the 2nd largest apple-producing state in the U.S.? That's a lot of flavor right there! It's almost time to pick, drink, crunch and bake as many apples as you can get your hands on! What's your favorite apple? Download a variety guide, nutrition info and recipes below! And of course, you can always visit farmers markets in New York State and at Greenmarkets across NYC to stock up on your favorite variety of apples! Also, September 7th, make sure you attend our Farms & Foliage Showcase at Fulton Stall Market at the South Street Seaport and our Applepalooza on September 15th at the Union Square Greenmarket - both FREE tasting showcases sponsored by New York Apple Association! Get info on local vacations and pick-your-own orchards in New York State! From the Greater Niagara Region to the Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley to Long Island, apple picking and apple festivals make a great family day trip or romantic weekend getaway!
Dear EscapeMakers — Mmmmmm! Apple season is upon us and New York State apple farmers have been busy growing the best tasting apples. In fact, did you know New York is the 2nd largest apple-producing state in the U.S.? That’s a lot of flavor right there! It’s almost time to pick, drink, crunch and bake as many apples as you can get your hands on! What’s your favorite apple? Download a variety guide, nutrition info