I Love NY Vacation

You can travel the world....or stay within the state of NY for amazing adventures: beautiful beaches, mountains, nature, excellent university campuses, athletic experiences, and so much more! We traveled the state with our family of 5: age 2 and twin 5 year olds. While our itinerary had a child focus, each area would satisfy all ages. We broke the trip into three parts: two long weekends and a full week. It would be easiest to have done it all in one swoop, but our schedules couldn't allow it. Many people asked for our itinerary. Here it is:

TRIP ONE

August 11
9:00am – Watkins Glen State Park. Park ($8) at upper entrance, do the 1.3 mile gorge trail.  Take the shuttle ($5) back to the car.
11:30– Drive the Glen racetrack. Call in advance to ensure they are open.
1:00 – lunch at Maria’s Tavern
2:30 - Robert H Treman State Park (waterfall pool area. $8 parking waived with receipt of parking same day at another state park)
4:30 - Cornell University - Triphammer Falls, Wilder Brain Collection, Botanical Gardens & AD White Library
6:00 – Dinner at Bickering Twins
7:30 – ice cream at Scooby Steve’s (suggest being here at sunset with relaxing farm setting overlooking sunset)

August 12
10:00 – Ithaca’s Farmer Market – amazing, unique lunch selections.
12:00 – Sciencenter (buffalo Science museum membership has reciprocity)

3:00 - Ports of NY winery
4:00 – Ithaca’s Children Garden (free)
5:30 – Dinner at Ithaca Beer Company – 122 Ithaca Beer Dr 1485

7:30 - Taughannock Falls - tallest falls of the east

9:00 - 15 below rolled ice cream (in Ithaca Commons...downtown shopping area)

August 13
10 – National Soaring Museum ($15) – call to reserve plane ride for $100 (607) 734-0641
12:00 – lunch at Poppleton cafe
1:00 – Corning Museum of Glass 
2:00 – sandblasting glass class for three kids (prepaid)
6:00 – Aunt Cookies in Geneseo for dinner
Home

TRIP TWO

August 18

7:30 – leave home
10:30 – Wegmans Landing in Liverpool, NY .Rent bike along water or free trolley on weekday morning

11:30 - Heid's hot dog stand. 100+ years old
12:30 – Old McDonald’s Farm in Sackets Harbor, NY
4:00 – Venditti Winery in Theresa, NY
5:00 – Home Again Alpaca Farm - call ahead and they open upon appt.
6:00 – Dinner at The Sports Page
7:30 – check in campsite – 1000 Islands Campsite 42099 State Route 12 Alexandria Bay, NY 13607

August 19

10:00 - mass in Clayton, NY
11:30 – One Hour Tour from Uncle Sam’s Boat Tours.  Dogs allowed! But, not allowed at Boldt Castle

1:00 - lunch in village. Patios are dog friendly.
2:00 - Pirate Parade (pirate week is in August)
4:00 - Come back to campground and relax
8:00 - Bay Drive In Theater - $13 admission plus dinner  – cash only

August 20
10am - Antique Boat Museum
12 - Lunch at McDermotts MidTown deli in Adams, NY
4:00 - Swallow Hallow nature trail in Alabama, NY

6:00 - dinner in Clarence

TRIP THREE

August 25
3:30 – Herkimer Diamond Mines (save some money and go to Ace Diamonds down the street)
6:00 – Dinner at Beardslee Castle Dungeon– call ahead to make res: 315-823-3000
9:00 - air bnb in Hudson NY

August 26
9:00 – Breakfast at Tanzy’s on Warren Street
10:30 – Olana self guided landscape tour
12:00 –Saugerties Lighthouse tour (give donation). Arrive 20 minutes early because it's a 15 minute walk from parking.
2:00 – 5:00 – Old Rhinebeck Aerodome show and museum
6:00 – Dinner at Baba Louie’s on Warren Street


August 27
9:00 – breakfast at Joe Beez 
10:00 – Hannaford SuperMarket to buy lunch food for picnic – 100 plaza rd Kingston, NY
11:00 - Forsyth Nature Center (free...bring lettuce or carrots to feed the animals)
12:00 – Trolley Museum (bring picnic lunch)
Walkway of the Hudson (1.3 one way walk)
6:30 – Dinner at Coney Island
9:30 – check in at AirBnb in Long Island

August 28
9:30 – pony ride at Deep Hollow Ranch – country’s oldest cattle ranch
10:30 – Montauk Lighthouse – oldest in NY
11:30 – Hither Hills Beach
1:00 – lunch at Bostwick’s Chowder House (awesome!!)
2:00 – Grey Gardens House
4:00 - Gold Coast Mansions...call.ahead for reservations to enter any of them.
6:30 – Dinner on West Point campus. 3 restaurants at hotel on campus.
9:30 – Arrive at Stillwater BnB

August 29
10:00 – Saratoga Automobile Museum
12:00 – Roma importing Company for lunch to go
12:30 – Saratoga Horse Races
3:30 – Congress Park
5:30 - dinner at Salt Water Cowboy in Lake George

6:30 - Lake George mystery spot by visitor center.
7:30 – watch sunset at Lake George Million Dollar Beach
10:00 – check in to Cobble Mountain Lodge – 2983 Wilimington Rd Lake Placid NY 12946

August 30
Summer bobsled (pre-reserve $75/person)
lunch at Wyatt’s in Mirror Lake village
1:00 - cloudspitter gondola ride to little whiteface mountain
3:00 – North Pole (prepaid – ask elves for next day reentry ticket)

5:00 - pick up a birthday cake from Cake Placid
5:30 – dinner at Lisa Gs (one of my fave restaurants on our vacation)

August 31
9am – Breakfast with Santa at the North Pole

11:00 - drive up Whiteface Mountain and climb to top for amazing views. 

1:30 – lunch at Camp Fire in Saranac Lake,  NY
3:30 – Wild Center
6:30 – Dinner at Spokes Craft Beer in Watertown, NY

5 Things I Didn't Expect When Moving to the City

1.) Pride
There is a genuine feeling of pride by people that live in the city.  Going to high school in South Buffalo - I noticed it there.  I assumed it was a South Buffalo Irish thing.  Now, I live in North Buffalo and feel it too.  People are very proud to be from the city.

2.) Neighbors that Become Family
Figuratively and Literally!  I have developed amazing friendships with my neighbors.  City of Good Neighbors doesn't come close enough.....city of extraordinary neighbors is more like it. I say literally, because my father and step mother also moved into the neighborhood after a year of us being here.  My sister moved in with us two years later.  Now, the rest of our family talks about wanting to move here too.  They see how special it is!  And quite a few of our neighbors have their immediate family within walking distance.  Just ask the O'Sullivan compound in Parkside ;)

3.) Bats
OK, I wish I could only state positive facts about living in the city.  But, this took me by surprise.  There are friggin bats all over the city.  Living in Parkside, we have had 8 live bats over the past 5 years and 2 dead ones (possibly 9 as my husband is on the hunt for one right now after my dog started shaking).  The first one actually tested positive for rabies.  I have an exterminator scheduled, which will likely end up costing a couple grand.  Many of my other neighbors experience this, as well as friends in Elmwood Village and South Buffalo. So, have your tennis rackets, brooms, and coffee cans ready. Who would have thought?

4.) You Become a Preservationist
A preservationist by definition is: a supporter or advocate of the preservation of something, especially of historic buildings and artifacts.  In order to live in, and appreciate, a city home - you pretty much become a preservationist by default.  Odds are, you aren't living in a newer home.  In fact, it seems as if the older your home is - the more coveted it is.  And if you have original woodwork that's not painted...you are considered the "lucky ones."

5.) People Literally Pay and Line Up to See Inside Your House
The general public are infatuated with the history and architecture of older city homes.  All throughout the city, there are Home Tours: Parkside, Linwood, Delaware, Elmwood.  I had my home on the Parkside Tour this past May. Over 650 people walked through!

What Buffalo Neighborhood Do You Belong In?

Parkside

Love the hustle and bustle of a big city, but prefer to not be smack in the middle of everything? This is a perfect family friendly location. You are in the city, but surrounded by greenery. Delaware Park & The Zoo are in the neighborhood, allowing you to enjoy nature while living in the city. This national landmark neighborhood showcases their homes each year on a home tour. There is so much history and character to this setting - including two Frank Lloyd Wright homes. The neighbors are known for hospitality and during summer months, you can find them gathering at different homes for their Wine on Wednesdays!

Allentown/Westside

If you like a liberal, all-embracing neighborhood with diversity & art....this area is for you!

Allentown - You will find a lot of small, unique, eclectic shops. This artsy, laid back neighborhood is also a great place to bar hop at night. Whether you want a dive bar setting at a place like Nietzsche's or rooftop cocktails at The Mansion. The charming architecture includes all styles from rowhouses, to Renaissance style, Queen Anne, Neo-Classical, and more. Take a walk down Franklin and you will feel the European influence. This hopping neighborhood also has many live performance venues: open mics at the bars, street performers, or a full orchestra at Kleinhan's Music Hall. 

Want to be part of what is up and coming? The Westside area was on a downward spiral with crime until eager people moved and demanded change. Homes are being renovated, restaurants are moving in, the art scene is flourishing. Beautiful traffic circles with big old houses and an active castle armory. 

Downtown

There are numerous pockets within Downtown - the Cobblestone District, The waterfront, Theater District, Chippewa (clubs/bars), and Niagara Square, for example. Live in one of the loft style apartments converted from historic buildings. Live in a high rise and enjoy a view of the Lake. Walk to restaurants, bars, sporting events, and the theater. Ride the subway from one end to the other. Appreciate the commercial architecture: City Hall, Guaranty Building, Market Arcade, M&T Dome, Electric Tower, and more. Be in the midst of the city's events - Taste of Buffalo, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Canalside, First Night New Year's Eve Ball Drop, and many other fun events. If you need to be in the center of the action and enjoy being surrounded by charming high rise buildings, downtown is for you.

Elmwood Village

Boutiques, unique eateries, a large farmer's market, coffee shops, bars, summer concert series - this strip has so much to offer. Like Allentown, they have an annual Art Festival. With Buffalo State College present, this is a large college aged crowd area. (But, it is not a rowdy bunch). This neighborhood is home to the Albright Knox Museum and Historical society. Much culture and diversity.

Hertel/North Buffalo

Home to the Italian festival, but quickly becoming a much more diverse area than just "Little Italy." Numerous antique shops fill the area as well as boutiques, salons, restaurants, and bars. Close knit community. On the last Friday of the month, Shop, Rock, and Stroll through Hertel Ave, when shops stay open late and musicians line the street.

Black Rock

Black Rock is yet another up and coming section of Buffalo. The Amherst and Grant neighborhood is filling up with artists and restaurants. Further North, a community is under development with high end apartments and commercial space. This area, along with Riverside, are Buffalo's only true waterfront neighborhoods. Unfortunately, crime is still high in this area. But, investors are starting to recognize the ability this neighborhood has to sustain as a thriving and beautiful area. If you want to be part of a change for the better and willing to put up with some crime (for now), you may be making a great investment.

South Buffalo

This area has always been (and I guess, always will be) known for the Irish heritage. A running joke that a bar and a church could be seen on every corner. Reasonable pricing on homes, the large Cazenovia Park, and a laid back neighborly atmosphere.

The Buffalo Subway...."system"?

The definition of a system is: a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole.  I question if we are truly a subway "system" as we run one straight line.  We aren't connecting much of the city at all....just providing a commute option to downtown (if you already live within city limits and are near Main Street).  

But....hey its a start!  Although, it has been 30 years and we haven't seen it expand beyond the 6 mile stretch.  This was not how the subway was intended.  It was originally implemented with plans of expansion to over 45 miles (see here).  But, that has not happened.

Buffalo is growing, people are flocking to the city, tourism is rising, campuses are expanding.  We really need to see the subway expand with the city.  If we want to be a big city, we need to keep up with the rest.  Public transportation is a key factor to city living.

I live about a half mile away from a subway stop.  I have used it a total of two times.  The convenience isn't there.  It closes at midnight, therefore, not providing a solution for late night rides.  And to be honest, I don't feel safe using it.  Both times I have used it, it has an eerie feeling of emptiness and dirtiness.  Too often, I have driven by the stop and saw policy activity.  Taking the subway isn't "the norm" in Buffalo because it hasn't been worthwhile.  That needs to change.

I would LOVE if it had a direct line to the Buffalo airport.  I would use it every time I flew out to avoid the cost for parking.  I heard rumors of connecting the UB campuses by subway - which would be helpful to many students that are from out of town without cars.  I say, connect to Niagara Falls....to the Galleria Mall....closer to Elmwood....closer to Delaware Park....to anywhere!  Let's make the subway useful!

Buffalo: Born & Brewed

Buffalo has always had a reputation of enjoying their alcohol.  Heck, our bars are open til 4am. But, Buffalo is maturing in this scene.  We are beyond just the drinkers....we are the makers!

Breweries (Beer)
My favorite beer, Rusty Chain, is made by Flying Bison on Ontario Street in Buffalo.  I rarely drank much beer, but upon sampling this at a Parkside beer tasting event...I was hooked!

Stop by to fill up your growler at Community Beer Works on Lafayette.  Or try one of the newest Buffalo beers, which just hit the market: New Buffalo Brewing.  Dare to try some Buffalove flavors: loganberry wit, Sponge Candy Stout....visit the Resurgence Brewery on Niagara Street. It seems as though breweries in Buffalo are popping up everywhere.

Breweries (Ciders)
Our region has a lot of apple trees. So let's put them to good use - hard cider!  There are actually over 20 cider breweries in the area (and growing).  So far, I have only tried two: Blackbird ciders & McKenzie's.

Wineries
New York state has the second largest wine production in the US, next to California.  In Buffalo, we have the Niagara Wine Trail to the north and Lake Erie Wine Country to the south.  Cross over the Canadian border and you have Niagara on the Lake's wine trail.  Travel a couple more hours east for the finger lake wine region.  Fairly unique to our general region is the ice wine, a sweet dessert wine made from frozen grapes.  We are also known for catawba grapes. What was once mainly sweet wines, we are seeing  a growth in drier wines too.

Distilleries
I was one of those that stood in line and luckily obtained two bottles of Lockhouse Distillery's vodka the weeks before Christmas 2013.  This was the first distillery to open in Buffalo since prohibition!  They used the concord grapes from our wine region, as opposed to the typical grains.

On 4th of July, BFLO Distilling Company released there first batch of The One Foot Cock Bourbon Whiskey.




Based on all this info, I think Buffalo is becoming self-sufficient in regards to sustaining our habits!

Tops Vs Wegmans

Ask most people in Buffalo what their favorite grocery store is and they likely respond: Wegmans. No surprise as Wegmans has repeatedly been rated the number one grocery chain in the country.  I agree with all the reasons people love Wegmans: the deli, the family packs, dinner meal options, the bakery, the organic foods, the service, etc.  But, in all honesty, I prefer Tops.  Shocking, I know.  But let me explain why.

#1.) I am a sucker for their Monopoly game.  Rightfully so - this year I won $5,000!

#2.) For every $100 I spend, I get 10 cents off gas.  I don't know about you - but 40 cents off each gallon is very appreciative.

#3.) Manager's Specials - There are always manager special barrels.  For example, I stocked up on 69 cent bags of frozen organic fruits, vegetables, and grains (regularly $3 a bag or more).

#4.) SALES.....they have so many weekly sales.  Yes, I know Wegmans, in general, has lower prices.  But I don't get that feeling of satisfaction when you stock up on a good sale price.

#5.) Taste of Buffalo is my favorite summer event....it's the country's largest 2 day food festival.  You know who is the largest sponsor?  Tops!

I, in no way, am anti-Wegmans.  I appreciate all they offer and their ability to secure a strong following. But, price is often my bottom line.  I am thrifty and frugal.  Tops always wins on that as I only purchase items if they are on sale.

And by the way....I also love Price Rite!  But, that's not as common a chain to compare.  But, if  you haven't shopped here - check them out.  Incredible pricing!

I present to you....the Queen City

I grew up hearing people refer to Buffalo as "The Queen City." Various stores and shops have used the term as well:  Queen City Wine & Liquor, Queen City Bookstore, Queen City Taxi, Queen City Farm, and so on.  Not until last week did I ever stop to wonder what "The Queen City" means.

What it truly means is a city that is the second largest city in the state (or region).  Buffalo is far from the only city to have had this title. Just Google"Queen City" and you will find numerous cities claiming Queen City title-ship.

Not only is Buffalo referred to as Queen City for being second largest to NYC, but we were called the Queen City of the Great Lakes for being second largest to Chicago (which is on Lake Michigan).

The first recorded usage of this term in reference to Buffalo was in the 1840s.  NYC had over 300,000 people.  Buffalo was the Queen with rapid growth occurring.  In 1845, it was almost 30,000 people and just ten years later...nearly 75,000 people.  Today, NYC is over 8 million and Buffalo remains the Queen city with approximately 260,000 people (1 million when counting the suburbs).  We are proud  of our nickname and with our continued upward growth....intend to hold on to it for quite some time.