I Love New York Blog

Miles Wine Cellars, Credit: @Amityphotos.com

The Finger Lakes are a treasure trove of secrets and stories. Did you know that at one time, Native Americans told the story that the Finger Lakes themselves were created when a spirit put his hands on the earth, leaving indentations at each of his fingers? Or that there are 11 Finger Lakes and not 10, as one might suspect from their name? Or that the ice cream sundae was invented at an ice cream fountain in Ithaca in 1892? (By the way, we recommend Purity Ice Cream if you’ve got a craving.) The secrets don’t end there. But here are some you can visit today:…

Sure it’s sad to say goodbye to summer, but delightfully refreshing Autumn is just around the corner! That’s part of what makes September so great. There’s still time to fit in a few last summer-y activities, but we’re also getting a head start on cool fall fun. Read on to see how to send summer off in style with festivals, events, and unmissable happenings all over New York State.

Syracuse is an incredibly kid-friendly city where you’ll find a great zoo, fun ways to learn, plenty of physical activities, and gorgeous nature to discover. Read on to see where the kids will have a blast exploring, eating, and playing.

You may be surprised at how easy it is to get to the nearby regions of the Hudson Valley and Long Island from New York City, even if you don’t have access to a car. We’ve got some easy day trips (or weekend getaways) on the train to show you a whole new New York than you may be used to, from beautiful beaches to marvelous mountains. With gorgeous scenery outside the window and no worries about driving or parking, everyone in the family can enjoy the journey as well as the destination. New York Getaway packages from the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North make it even easier to have two vacations in one or an escape from your daily routine!…

The National Comedy Center opened its doors on August 1st in Jamestown, NY (aka the birthplace of one Lucille Ball), and we’ve got your insider guide to the top things to do at New York’s funniest attraction. With more than 50 interactive exhibits, it’s seriously some of the best fun you’ll ever have—no jokes about it!…

What’s better than a comfortable hotel with scenic views, fancy shampoos, and a perfect perch for exploring the surrounding region? A stay that doesn’t skimp on the most important meal of the day: breakfast. While these hotel breakfasts are by no means a full list of the best in the state, they’re a good start, and you’ll have a perfect start yourself with any one of them.

Even if you’re with the family, you can still enjoy some of New York’s award-winning wines, beers, and ciders. Many of the state’s wineries, breweries, and cider mills welcome children—and sometimes even well-behaved pets. It’s no wonder they’ve become popular destinations for families. Added amenities and activities for kids, caregivers, and designated drivers make it easy for everyone to have fun together.

Instead of dwelling on the fact that summer’s end is in sight, rejoice that there is still a full month left to savor! The weather isn’t the only thing heating up. From boats and balloons to beverages, New York spends all of August finding reasons to celebrate. See below for some of the best festivals and events that you should take advantage of before it’s time to go back to school!…

The nation’s first and longest-running state fair is back, bigger, and better than ever! And we mean that literally; it’s physically grown thanks to the addition of a brand new exposition center. Thankfully, the fair staples are not going anywhere, so you’ll still find incredible free live music performances across six venues, arts and crafts, fireworks, old cars, live animals, every kind of competition imaginable, and so. much. food. But making it even better is the fact that every year the organizers add new events and attractions. So read on for our roundup of the new stuff coming to this year’s fair.

Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes is a wonderful example of a small town in upstate New York with a big story (other good examples are Seneca Falls and Cooperstown). While there may be fewer than 2,000 year-round residents, Watkins Glen is also home to world-class attractions like gorge-ous Watkins Glen State Park and Watkins Glen International, the only place to watch NASCAR in the state. Don’t worry about the planning, we’ve done it all for you:…