When Memorial Day comes around each May, the excitement is palpable. Summer is here and our lists of plans and dreams for the warm months ahead bounce from pool parties to vacations to summer Fridays to sandy beaches and BBQs with friends. But the true meaning of the holiday is sometimes buried by the summer season kick-off. This Memorial Day, take some extra time to remember those who have selflessly served their nation, those whose lives have been lost. New York State is rich with the history of soldiers fighting for their country, soldiers fallen, battles won and lost. The monuments, memorials and especially cemeteries tell amazing stories of strength and bravery. While you're spending long summer weekends eating, drinking, relaxing and playing in the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, the Finger Lakes, etc., spend a warm afternoon walking through one of the many cemeteries or memorials open to the public, inviting nature lovers, history buffs and deep thinkers to wander in and explore the past. Check out the list below: Youngs Memorial Cemetery in Long Island, a steep, lush, grassy hill, was the final resting place of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt. At certain times of year, when the grand maples have lost their leaves, you can look out at the glistening waves of Oyster Bay while standing beside T.R.'s grave. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, NY (Hudson Valley Region) was established in 1847 by Washington Irving. In addition to Irving, many other notable figures are buried across the 100 acres in Westchester County, such as William Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Walter Chrysler, and many more. Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, NY (Capital-Saratoga Region) is a place to honor loved ones, contemplate nature, explore art and architecture, and discover the rich history of Upstate New York. Founded in 1848, Oakwood is one
When Memorial Day comes around each May, the excitement is palpable. Summer is here and our lists of plans and dreams for the warm months ahead bounce from pool parties to vacations to summer Fridays to sandy beaches and BBQs with friends. But the true meaning of the holiday is sometimes buried by the summer season kick-off. This Memorial Day, take some extra time to remember those who have selflessly served their nation, those whose
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
Headed home for the holidays and not sure how to bring your pets along with you in a safe and stress-free way? WE HAVE GREAT NEWS! For just $25, Amtrak now allows small dogs and cats aboard the Adirondack, Empire Service, Maple Leaf and Ethan Allen Express trains! Check out the rules and guidelines here.
Headed home for the holidays and not sure how to bring your pets along with you in a safe and stress-free way? WE HAVE GREAT NEWS! For just $25, Amtrak now allows small dogs and cats aboard the Adirondack, Empire Service, Maple Leaf and Ethan Allen Express trains! Check out the rules and guidelines here.
Dear EscapeMakers – Amtrak’s Dome Car arrives Sept. 29th! Just in time for the leaf peepers, the vintage dome car returns to the Adirondack® service for the fall season through November 1st! An upper level with windows on all sides, as well as overhead, will provide superb panoramic views all the way from Albany, along Lake Champlain and across the border into Montreal! The dome will be available on the northbound Adirondack® on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays; and on the southbound Adirondack on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The dome does not travel on Wednesdays. All passengers traveling between Albany and Montreal are welcome to enter the dome car to enjoy the scenery. Seats in the dome are not reserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore upstate New York during the fall! (Terms and Conditions apply). BOOK YOUR AMTRAK ESCAPE!
Dear EscapeMakers – Amtrak’s Dome Car arrives Sept. 29th! Just in time for the leaf peepers, the vintage dome car returns to the Adirondack® service for the fall season through November 1st! An upper level with windows on all sides, as well as overhead, will provide superb panoramic views all the way from Albany, along Lake Champlain and across the border into Montreal! The dome will be available on the northbound Adirondack® on Thursdays,
By Amy Cariol Featured on Halogen TV Being eco-friendly is relatively easy at home, but when we travel, maintaining these practices becomes a bit trickier. Caylin Sanders, founder of EscapeMaker.com, offers her green travel expertise with eight easy ways to keep environmentally sound practices in tact, no matter where your trips may take you. 1.Take advantage of lodgings that offer bike rentals or will pick you up from the local train or bus station if you use public transportation. This sends a message that you're willing to give your business to hotels and B&Bs that support mass transit. 2.When planning activities for your trip, check out websites for natural and scenic parks first. Many offer free and low-carbon events and festivals around which you can structure your entire vacation, if you'd like. 3.If traveling by car, download a free GPS app from sites like MapQuest or Google Maps to guide you along the way. You'll use less gas by not getting lost, and you'll reduce your paper use by not printing out directions. 4.Opt for restaurants that offer locally grown or organic food. When planning your meals, ask your innkeepers for recommendations when you check in, or research online ahead of time so you have more options. Better yet, plot out farms along your route so that you can bring some freshly picked produce back with you. 5.Some hotels leave a preference card out for you to choose whether or not you want your sheets and towels changed. But if they don't offer the option, make sure to leave your "do not disturb" sign outside your door. You'll use less water and get bonus points with the cleaning staff. 6.As tempting as it is to pick flowers in a park or collect shells at the beach, leave the natural environment
By Amy Cariol Featured on Halogen TV Being eco-friendly is relatively easy at home, but when we travel, maintaining these practices becomes a bit trickier. Caylin Sanders, founder of EscapeMaker.com, offers her green travel expertise with eight easy ways to keep environmentally sound practices in tact, no matter where your trips may take you. 1.Take advantage of lodgings that offer bike rentals or will pick you up from the local train or bus station if
ENTER TO WIN 6 GETAWAY PRIZES! OUR PAVILION PARTNERS INCLUDE: Lehigh Valley Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, PA Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau, PA Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, PA Woodlands Inn & Resort, PA Morris County Visitors Center, NJ Hudson Valley – Dutchess County Tourism, NY Greene County Tourism, NY Holiday Inn – Saratoga Springs, NY …and More! FOR DISCOUNT TICKETS & MORE INFO ABOUT THE SHOW CLICK HERE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
ENTER TO WIN 6 GETAWAY PRIZES! OUR PAVILION PARTNERS INCLUDE: Lehigh Valley Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, PA Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau, PA Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, PA Woodlands Inn & Resort, PA Morris County Visitors Center, NJ Hudson Valley – Dutchess County Tourism, NY Greene County Tourism, NY Holiday Inn – Saratoga Springs, NY …and More! FOR DISCOUNT TICKETS & MORE INFO ABOUT THE SHOW CLICK HERE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff Sometimes, you just want to get away. Many hotels, inns, and B&Bs recognize this, and often put together discounted packages that make it easy to book a weekend escape. The following sites are 10 of the best for planning an unforgettable getaway weekend without having to arrange every detail yourself. BedandBreakfast.com: Thorough and comprehensive, BedandBreakfast.com offers listings for B&Bs around the world. Somewhat buried within the many property descriptions are package listings, easily organized by topic (romance, culinary, and more) or geographic location. To start your getaway package search, visit the website’s special offers page. Click on the arrow in the drop-down box to see specialty package areas and locations. The site will then redirect you to a page listing available getaway options. Best feature: Specialty areas and locales are easy to search. Needs improvement: Currently, you can’t search by both topic and destination, or by more than one topic within a specialty area (e.g. Spa packages in Oregon, wine and romance weekends, etc.) Kimpton Hotels: Kimpton, a boutique hotel chain, regularly puts together special packages at its properties across the United States. Possibilities include health and wellness getaways in San Francisco, romance weekends in Chicago, and Sex and the City escapes in New York City. The brand has 40 hotels in more than 15 cities; all offer getaway packages and special rates. Once you visit the Kimpton website and choose your preferred property, you’ll be taken to a new website listing the latest getaway offerings. Best feature: Lots of packages to choose from. Needs improvement: The same package themes are offered at many properties, with few actually taking advantage of local resources. ILoveInns.com: Another directory-based site, ILoveInns.com focuses on B&Bs in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff Sometimes, you just want to get away. Many hotels, inns, and B&Bs recognize this, and often put together discounted packages that make it easy to book a weekend escape. The following sites are 10 of the best for planning an unforgettable getaway weekend without having to arrange every detail yourself. BedandBreakfast.com: Thorough and comprehensive, BedandBreakfast.com offers listings for B&Bs around the world. Somewhat buried within the many property descriptions are
