Love New York and short weekend getaways?
Easy your mind, relax, and discover the wonderful variety to be found in New York State. Sure, you’ve heard of New York City, but what about the Catskills? Finger Lakes? The Strong Museum of Play?
Read on with tripatlas.com/new as we take you to eight different regions in New York – all yours to discover and perfect for fall or autumn getaways. More great articles from tripatlas.com/new? Take a look at these Great Budget Fall Getaway Destinations; find out where Canadians’ Top Travel Destinations for 2009; or 5 Reasons to Visit Virginia Beach for your next family vacation.
8 Great short getaways in New York
Corning & the Finger Lakes, NY. As a 4.5 hour drive from Toronto, Corning and the Finger Lakes are a classic getaway for Canadians. In fact, the Finger Lakes region is the 2nd largest wine region in the U.S. with 117 wineries, not to mention a great natural attractions destination, and was named the top lakeside resort area in the world by Sherman Travel. Corning offers world-class museums like The Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG.org) and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, historical Mark Twain tours, not to mention gorges and waterfalls in nearby Dansville, Watkins Glen and Ithaca. Go to www.CorningFingerLakes.com for more.
Westchester, NY for something outside busy NYC: With two marvelous waterfronts, an abundance of parks and wide open spaces, you can hike, bike, picnic, visit gorgeous gardens and mansions, estates, historic sites and museums. Take the family to Playland, a National Historic Landmark and America’s first planned amusement park; catch a Broadway musical with dinner included; shop, browse antique stores or walk around one of our quaint towns; hear live music, catch a classic film. Go to www.westchestertourism.com for more.
New York Culinary Experience in NYC. The French Culinary Institute, in partnership with New York Magazine, is hosting the New York Culinary Experience October 3 & 4, 2009. The only hands-on event of its kind, the New York Culinary Experience offers guests the chance to cook side-by-side with some of the world’s most renowned chefs. Experience intimate, informative and interactive cooking classes with acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs and industry insiders, including Morimoto, Jacques Pépin, Marcus Samuelsson, Dan Barber and more. Go to nymag.com/nyce for more.
Buffalo, NY offers a laid-back place to relax for the weekend. Here at Niagara Falls State Park, you’ll catch a different view of Niagara Falls, not to mention America’s Oldest State Park. Go to: www.visitbuffaloniagara.com for more.
Rochester, NY is friendly, green, and clean! Just 3.5 hours from Toronto, Rochester was founded by George Eastman, inventor of roll film and founder of Eastman Kodak Company. His passion for the arts is reflected today throughout Rochester’s array of arts, theater, music, photography, history, and more. A must-visit is the Strong National Museum of Play, one of the top museums for families in the U.S, where children can play in interactive exhibits, stroll through Sesame Street, and check out the National Toy Hall of Fame. Go to visitrochester.com for more.
The 1000 Islands, NY are a 4-hour drive from Toronto, and a scenic one, at that. The Thousand Islands are recognized as one of the most beautiful places on Earth – in fact, the native peoples call this region the “Garden of the Great Spirit.” With 12 communities to call home while you’re exploring the islands, we recommend launching off from Alexandria Bay to catch an Uncle Sam Boat Tour to Dark Island to visit the mysterious Singer Castle. It’s not often you see grand European-style castles on this side of the planet! Go to www.visit1000islands.com for more.
Canals of NY are a lesser-known way of exploring New York, but one of the most scenic. Bike, drive, rent a boat, or travel by barge along the Erie Canal, the Champlain Canal, the Oswego Canal, the Cayuga Canal, and the Seneca Canal through most of New York. Get a flavour of big cities, small towns, 19th century towns, and more when you travel via New York’s canals. Go to www.canalnewyork.org for more.
Hudson Valley, NY is nicknamed New York’s American Masterpiece: a destination packed with history, mansions of a bygone era, not to mention country pickings and natural wonders. Upper Valley was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and you’ll find pieces of history throughout. The Middle Valley region brings you through the Shawangunk and Catskills Mountains along with mansions from an era long-gone and the Culinary Institute of America. The Lower Valley is enthralled with tales from the American Revolution and the Headless Horseman. Go to www.travelhudsonvalley.org for more.
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