Above photo: Eve's Cidery 2020 has sure been a wild ride. The holiday season is looking a little different this year, as we all know. But long after Small Business Saturday has passed, as we close out the new year and embark upon a new 2021 chapter, we encourage you to continue supporting the small local businesses, farmers, producers, and craft beverage makers who have kept you fed, happy, and well all year long. They need your support! Perfect for last minute gift ideas, holiday meal planning, new year indulging and simply treating yourself, check out some special ways you can support the folks surrounding NYC as we say goodbye to 2020. Catskill Brewery: Support this Sullivan Catskills gem when you snag the seasonal Spiced Winter Ale from Catskill Brewery! This beer is a winter warmer brewed with English malts, co-fermented with a Kviek yeast and house Freak Tractor yeast, and spiced with allspice, clove, star anise, vanilla, and orange peel. Stop by the Brewery before it is gone! Finger Lakes Cider: Pour yourself a glass of the Finger Lakes in person or at home! With 10 craft cideries within a 30 miles radio (the highest density of craft ciderines in NY state), visit Ithaca for the cider goods! All 10 cideries have their products online - check them out here. Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern: Ring in 2021 with a 3-night weekend stay in quaint Saugerties at Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern. Indulge in a festive all-inclusive package including 3 nights in a King Deluxe rooms, dinner for two on New Years Eve with champagne toast, Brunch on New Years Day & a special 3 Course dinner on New Years Day all for just $975! Dogwood Farms: This farm (new location in Liberty Corner) in Central New Jersey, has
Above photo: Eve’s Cidery 2020 has sure been a wild ride. The holiday season is looking a little different this year, as we all know. But long after Small Business Saturday has passed, as we close out the new year and embark upon a new 2021 chapter, we encourage you to continue supporting the small local businesses, farmers, producers, and craft beverage makers who have kept you fed, happy, and well all year long. They
Fall Fun for Everyone! Dear EscapeMakers — Happy Fall Y’all! The days are getting shorter, the air a bit cooler, and very soon their Insta-worthy Fall foliage will emerge. From festivals to pumpkin parties, here are 12 ways to experience Fall in the Sullivan Catskills. Grab your calendar, reserve a room & escape for the weekend! They’re waiting for you! EXPLORE THE SULLIVAN CATSKILLS Follow at: 1. Sullivan Catskills Farm to Table Week September 20-29 2.
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
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
DID YOU KNOW over half of the country’s maple syrup comes from Vermont and New York State? Celebrate the maple sugaring season this March at a Maple Weekend, Open House or festival near you via Amtrak, Metro-North, Zipcar or bus! Hudson Valley, New York: Crown Maple at Madava Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.crownmaple.com White Oak Farm + Hilltop Hanover Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.whiteoakfarm1.com Soukup Farms Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.soukupfarms.com Finger Lakes, New York: Wellspring Forest Farm & School Maple Weekend: 3/18-3/19 www.wellspringforestfarm.com Catskills, New York: Roxbury Mountain Maple Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.roxburymountainmaple.com Vermont: Smugglers’ Notch Resort MapleFest: 3/18 – 4/2 www.smuggs.com/maple Woodstock Village Green Maple Madness: 3/25 – 3/26 www.woodstockvt.com/upcoming-events St. Albans, VT Vermont Maple Festival: 4/28-4/30 www.vtmaplefestival.org Town of Poultney MapleFest Craft Fair: 3/25-3/26 www.poultneyvt.com Sugarhouses Statewide Maple Open House: 3/25-3/26 www.vermontmaple.org/openhouse
DID YOU KNOW over half of the country’s maple syrup comes from Vermont and New York State? Celebrate the maple sugaring season this March at a Maple Weekend, Open House or festival near you via Amtrak, Metro-North, Zipcar or bus! Hudson Valley, New York: Crown Maple at Madava Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.crownmaple.com White Oak Farm + Hilltop Hanover Farm Maple Weekends: 3/18-3/19 & 3/25-3/26 www.whiteoakfarm1.com Soukup Farms Maple Weekends:
It's the sweetest time of the year, EscapeMakers! Every spring for a few short weeks, maple sugarmakers across the Northeast open the doors of their sugarhouses for maple weekends, inviting visitors to discover the sweet flavors and traditions involved in making maple syrup. Between Vermont and New York State, more than half of the country's maple syrup production takes place just a train ride away from NYC via Metro North Railroad or Amtrak! And with the days getting warmer, now is the time to start planning for your escapes to the long list of sugarhouses within reach. Vermont is the nation’s leading producer of maple syrup. Producing over 1.3 million gallons of syrup, Vermont generates 42% of the country’s maple syrup from more than 1,500 sugar houses statewide. In 2014, Vermont produced 1,230,000 gallons of the sweet, sticky goodness. Vermont Maple Open House Weekend takes place this year on March 25-26. The sites and activities at the many sugarhouses in the region range from tours to pancake breakfasts to maple tapping demonstrations to samples of maple syrup, candy, creams and more. Check out some hot spots like Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm, Corse Maple Farm, or Green Mountain Sugar House...or get the full list of all participating Vermont sugarhouses here and plan your maple weekend escape! New York is second leader in maple production in the USA, following Vermont. In 2014, New York produced 546,000 gallons of maple syrup, which makes up over 17% of the entire country's supply. With locations at approximately 160 farms and museums, Maple Weekend across New York State takes place March 18-19 and March 25-26. Visitors will find sugarhouse tours, free samples, activities and so much more! Check out Roxbury Mountain Maple in the Catskills (Sullivan County), or the Hudson Valley's White Oak Farm (Westchester County),
It’s the sweetest time of the year, EscapeMakers! Every spring for a few short weeks, maple sugarmakers across the Northeast open the doors of their sugarhouses for maple weekends, inviting visitors to discover the sweet flavors and traditions involved in making maple syrup. Between Vermont and New York State, more than half of the country’s maple syrup production takes place just a train ride away from NYC via Metro North Railroad or Amtrak! And with
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
Hanna Bail is proprietor of Threshold Farm, a small, diverse biodynamic farm, which is protected by the Columbia Land Conservancy. The farm specializes in tree fruit; vegetables; and grass-fed beef and pork, fed with strictly organic and soy free grain and the farm’s fruit and vegetables. Farm records dating from the 1700’s to present show that Threshold farm has never been treated with pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilizers. The farm’s own cowherd fertilizes the fields and its nearly 100% orchard hygiene lends to the growth of organic/biodynamic peaches, pears and apples with exceptional flavor. The farm is off the grid, with a beautiful rammed earth room, where most of the materials have come from within a few hundred feet! VISIT: Call at least one day in advance to visit the farm. PUBLIC TRANSIT: AMTRAK to Hudson, NY (2 hours from NYC) + Cab (18 minutes).
Hanna Bail is proprietor of Threshold Farm, a small, diverse biodynamic farm, which is protected by the Columbia Land Conservancy. The farm specializes in tree fruit; vegetables; and grass-fed beef and pork, fed with strictly organic and soy free grain and the farm’s fruit and vegetables. Farm records dating from the 1700’s to present show that Threshold farm has never been treated with pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilizers. The farm’s own cowherd fertilizes the fields
Looking for a fun day trip or weekend activity with family or friends? Celebrate quintessential summer days at a local county or state fair near you! From now through October, there are ferris wheels to be ridden, giant stuffed animals to be won, and outrageous fried food to be eaten. Check out some of the top fairs near NYC below and plan your trip today! Ulster County Fair, NY 8/2 – 8/7 ulstercountyfair.com New Jersey State Fair, NJ 8/5 – 8/13 njstatefair.org The Vermont State Fair, VT 8/16 – 8/20 vermontstatefair.org Steuben County Fair, NY 8/16 – 8/21 steubencountyfair.org Dutchess County Fair, NY 8/23 – 8/28 dutchessfair.com The Great NY State Fair, NY 8/25 – 9/5 nysfair.ny.gov Little World’s Fair, NY 8/19 – 8/21 grahamsvillefair.com Durham Fair, CT 9/22 – 25 durhamfair.com Long Island Fair, NY 9/24, 25, 30 & 10/1, 2 lifair.org Bloomsburg Fair, PA 9/24 – 10/1 bloomsburgfair.com The Big E, MA 9/16 – 10/2 thebige.com
Looking for a fun day trip or weekend activity with family or friends? Celebrate quintessential summer days at a local county or state fair near you! From now through October, there are ferris wheels to be ridden, giant stuffed animals to be won, and outrageous fried food to be eaten. Check out some of the top fairs near NYC below and plan your trip today! Ulster County Fair, NY 8/2 – 8/7 ulstercountyfair.com
