Ithaca, N.Y. - Ithacans, Mystics and Visitors - grab your fantastical garb and get ready for Ithaca’s Fourth Annual Wizarding Weekend on October 26-28. This unique festival of science and fantasy connects the community of one of New York’s most beautiful cities with the worldwide magical community through interactive exhibits, themed activities, exclusive events, special guests and more!

Wand dueling, human chess, slime potion making, Feed the Dragons and Wheel of Magic games, living portraits, and Quidditch practices and matches are among the returning favorites. This year there’ll be musical performances by Tonks and the Aurors, Time Crash, Ashley Trix and the WZRDS, The Blibbering Humdingers, Fall Creek Brass Band, Hawthorn, and Holly, as well as themed performances by Moreland the Magician, Christopher Strange Witch Doctor, Zajal the Sugar Plum Fairy and Friends, LilySilly Puppets, and BubbleMania as well as interactive exhibits by the Cornell Raptor Program, Ithaca Physics Bus, and Cayuga Nature Center.

Color Changes Also Reported in Catskills, Thousand Islands-Seaway, Capital-Saratoga, Finger Lakes and Greater Niagara Regions

 Albany, NY – This is the second 2018 Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Fall Foliage Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon. 

Picturesque fall colors will continue to make their first appearances across New York State this weekend, with some areas of the Adirondacks approaching midpoint of change, according to observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

In the Adirondacks, Franklin County spotters in Tupper Lake expect foliage heading toward midpoint of change this weekend, with 35-40 percent color change and fall colors of muted canary, goldenrod, maize, pumpkin, russet, cranberry and cerise. Spotters in Saranac Lake also expect conditions approaching midpoint with 40 percent color change. There is still a lot of green, but vibrant shades of red are emerging from the red maples, and sugar maples are showing various hues of yellow and orange.

Adirondack-themed Gateway Supports Regional Tourism and Products

NEW YORK – September 20, 2018 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art Adirondacks Welcome Center rest area in Queensbury, Warren County. The Welcome Center will serve as a comfortable, modern gateway to the Adirondacks region, promoting local attractions and providing a family-friendly respite for travelers heading into New York's six-million-acre Adirondack Park, the largest publicly protected park in the contiguous United States.

"Tourism is a key economic driver for New York, and the new Adirondacks Welcome Center will attract even more new and returning visitors to enjoy the unparalleled views and countless outdoor activities offered in this region," Governor Cuomo said. "This new gateway will provide millions of Northway travelers a warm welcome as they arrive to the beautiful Adirondack Park, driving tourism and promoting economic growth across our great state."…

Fall Foliage Reports Available Every Wednesday on iloveny.com

"Foliage Fridays" Social Media Campaign Returns

NEW YORK – September 19, 2018 – Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the start of New York State's 2018 fall foliage season, which includes the popular I LOVE NY weekly fall foliage reports. Additionally, the #NYLovesFall social media campaign returns this year to further promote and encourage visitation to New York’s picturesque autumn locations and attractions.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "New York State’s fall foliage season is both colorful and crucial to our state's tourism industry, drawing visitors from around the world to our communities and supporting our regional economies and local businesses."…

Award Winning Harvest Trail celebrates its "legal" birthday

Wayne County, N.Y. - The annual Wayne County Apple Tour celebrates its 21st birthday this fall. Since 1997, apple lovers throughout western and central New York have explored Wayne County to pick fresh apples, enjoy the fall colors, and enjoy a day of family fun. The Apple Tour tradition has grown through the years, and so has its offerings for adults. Now home to three wineries, three cideries and one distillery, there's plenty for friends, couples, and even Mom and Dad to enjoy.

Upscale Destination Hotel Will Attract Visitors and Revenue to the Region

A Photo of the Hotel on the Harbor is Available Here     

NEW YORK – September 7, 2018 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the grand opening of the $38 million Chautauqua Harbor Hotel on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in Western New York. The hotel is located on a nine-acre parcel that was once home to the Celoron Amusement Park, which closed in 1962. The design of the hotel pays homage to the history of the Village of Celron, including the amusement park and comedy great Lucille Ball, who was born in the community.

New York City’s Hottest Fall Tradition, with Fiery Live Music, Spicy Treats, and More!
Saturday, September 29, 2018 | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s (BBG) annual Chile Pepper Festival returns for its 26th year on Saturday, September 29, 2018. With scorching global bands and tastings by fiery food artisans from around the city and beyond, the festival sets the Garden ablaze with tastes, sounds, and activities for visitors to enjoy. This year’s festival offers 40 artisanal food vendors, live music performances, fire breathers, chile-inspired art, and more.

Best Public Relations Campaign from U.S. Travel Association  

Pittsford, N.Y. - Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council (FLRTC), the official 14-county tourism promotion agency as recognized by I Love NY, was awarded a Destiny Award by U.S. Travel Association for its 2017 national public relations campaign, which produced over 2.1 billion impressions and nearly 500 media placements. 

U.S. Travel Association's mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. They recognize excellence and creative accomplishments in destination marketing and promotion through their Destiny Awards, which are presented at their annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO), this year held in Phoenix, Arizona, August 11-14, 2018.

The museum will also host a free discussion at noon as part of Museum Day,

Looking for Frederick Douglass: Resources in Libraries, Museums, and Archives

Rochester, N.Y., September 4, 2018—The George Eastman Museum will be open to the public for FREE on Saturday, September 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the spirit of Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day, the Eastman Museum is opening its doors to all visitors for the day to encourage the Rochester community to experience the photography exhibitions David Levinthal: War, Myth, Desire and Gail Albert Halaban: Out My Window, and the History of Photography Gallery, as well as hands-on activities for all ages in the Discovery Room.

Tops List of Ten Best Wine Regions in the United States

Pittsford, N.Y. - After four weeks of voting by the public, the Finger Lakes Region has been named the best wine region in the United States in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award contest. The Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council (FLRTC), the official 14-county tourism promotion agency as recognized by I Love NY, was thrilled to receive notice of this honor.