New York State vacation ideas

[wheelcap]

There are five in the family, and all five of us have conflicting schedules for the summer. There won't be enough time (nor is there money) for a long family vacation, so we want to stay somewhere close to home in Buffalo. I thought of the adirondacks, but it's actually a bit further than I want to go. Cedar Point maybe? Peek n Peak? Anybody got any good suggestions? Don't bother saying Niagara Falls - been there, done that, didn't bother getting the shirt.

 

[Swimalie]

Cooperstown! We spent a week there a couple of summers when I was growing up. The lake is gorgeous, the Baseball Hall of Fame, famers museum and the hotel there is incredible. I love it there. My dad grew up with a cabin on the lake, too.

 

[tink576]

There are five in the family, and all five of us have conflicting schedules for the summer. There won't be enough time (nor is there money) for a long family vacation, so we want to stay somewhere close to home in Buffalo. I thought of the adirondacks, but it's actually a bit further than I want to go. Cedar Point maybe? Peek n Peak? Anybody got any good suggestions?

Don't bother saying Niagara Falls - been there, done that, didn't bother getting the shirt.

lol Niagara Falls, when you live close enough to accidentally get lost and opps there's the Falls, they loose their grander (been there done that). I would recommend going up to Corning, they have the glass museum and you can have an experience blowing your own glass if you choose. Their main street is really nice to wander up and down through the shops. I didn't go hiking when I was there but I hear there is a bunch of that over in that area as well. It's probably about 2hrish drive from Buffalo.

You said the Adirondacks was too far but what about Letchworth? That's about an hour away, or Camping at Stonybrook State Park (we stay here a lot). Stonybrook would be fun for a weekend to hike, they have tons of waterfalls. (Stonybrook is about 1.5hrs away, I'm basing all commute times off of my drive from Buffalo to Geneseo to fill in the blank so there might be quicker rotutes)

Good Luck, tell us what you decide because we are always trying to solve that same question.

 

[vicki_c]

I like the Corning idea, combined with visits to the Finger Lakes in general (and the wineries). We really like Ithaca and Skaneateles.

Another idea is to get a Buffalo/WNY guide book, and plan out a trip like you are a tourist. I'm sure there a ton of things to do and see that you have never even considered (I know - I used to live there and there are lots of things that I never did while living there). The great museums, parks & hiking, historical sites, outlying towns with lots of interesting things and architecture (East Aurora, for one example). Then you don't even have to go anywhere - that's a cheap option.

 

[greenmyvalley]

I went on a weekend trip to Ithaca last year and had a great time. It's a cute city with lots of good restaurants, and the gorges make for pretty hikes.

Also, have you been to Naples during the grape festival?

 

[abmitch01]

Finger Lakes region?

 

[DreadpiratK]

Have you considered the 1000 islands? Alexandria Bay is an awesome little resort town and the whole area is just mind blowingly beautiful in the summer. Uncle Sam's boat tours are lots of fun, and the antique boat museum in Clayton is terrific. Bolt Castle on Hart island is worth the trip all by itself. It's one of my favorite places on earth, but not much visited anymore. It's funny, you'll see far more foreign tour groups there than native New Yorkers for some reason.

If you're so inclined, rent a boat and explore the islands on you're own, the Canadian park islands are very cool, we've camped out there a few times, and the kids love it. There's also some of the best fishing in the world there.

If you go to Corning, try the downtown brewery/restaurant it's excellent. Lots of good eats and shopping downtown, I maintain the Fox station in Corning, and love going down to fix things just so I can eat lunch there!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

WNY area also. I really enjoy going to Cleveland. 3hour drive and it really feels like you are on vacation somewhere else.

Rock and Roll hall of fame
Waterfront
Zoo
Science Museum
State Parks
Cedar Point

Or we do Erie, Pa

Splash Lagoon
Presque Isle Park (think beach etc)
Casino
Family First Sports Park
Waldameer Park and Water World
Shopping....

 

[disneymarie]

Cooperstown! We spent a week there a couple of summers when I was growing up. The lake is gorgeous, the Baseball Hall of Fame, famers museum and the hotel there is incredible. I love it there. My dad grew up with a cabin on the lake, too.

I agree, not far away is Howe's Cavern's.....I have not been to the caves in VA. but it certainly out shines the 8 I have been to in PA. Take a jacket it is 55* year roung in there.

Great food in Cooperstown, Glimmerglass Lake is fantastic,

We were just talking about a trip there today.

 

[emma'smom]

What about Canada? Toronto isn't very far and is a great city....also the Niagra on the Lake wine area is just beautiful. It's like being in a little English village!

 

[nboicepardee]

I am from Skaneateles originally and it is a beautiful town, but it can be very expensive to stay there. I live in the Rochester area now and there is so much to do here with kids. Strong Museum, Rochester Science Museum, tons of great parks, Seabreeze, zoo, etc. Quick trip from Buffalo and you could just stay a night or two, but get several days. I love the Fingerlakes as well. Ithaca is great. Have fun! We are staying home this summer and plan on enjoying all Rochester has to offer.

 

[nboicepardee]

Also, how old are your children?

 

[Alexander]

• Howe Caverns and Cooperstown are quite a ways from Buffalo (about a 5-6 hour drive.)
• Alex Bay would be about (4 hours).
• Letchworth is beautiful!
• Darien Lake if you're looking for a theme park.
• Rochester Science Museum is great.
• Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio for a big theme park.
• Corning Museum of Glass
• Watkins Glen (hike up the gorge).

 

[luckyfin]

Strong Museum in Rochester is worth the trip alone, depending on the ages of your kids. I would check out one of the finger lakes, although accomodations are hard to come by if you don't have them already.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Just wondering how old your children are? As another poster pointed out the Strong Museum of Play http://www.museumofplay.org/ is great. Rochester also has a small zoo http://www.senecaparkzoo.org/. Darien Lake http://www.sixflagsdarienlake.us/ is close as is Sea Breeze http://www.seabreeze.com/ and Roseland Water Park http://www.roselandwaterpark.com/. The Erie Canal has some small day trips you can take http://www.roselummis.com/. If you are looking for some smaller trips you can take a ride to Browns Berry Patch http://brownsberrypatch.com/ and pick blueberries, cherries and apples depending on the time of year. Lockport caves and underground boat ride http://www.lockportcave.com/. There are some fun little day trips to take like the Viddlers Five and Dime store http://www.vidlers5and10.com/ and the Fisher Price Toy Store http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=7411&e=toystore. Genesee Country Museum is close http://www.gcv.org/. Another posted pointed out the Corning Glass Museum http://www.cmog.org/. Kids Out and About Rochester has some great ideas http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/. Good luck! Hope you are able to plan a great vacation for your family!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

forgot to subscribe!

 

[Ress76]

Well, I'm from Rochester, so I will chime in as well...Sttong Museum, if you have little ones. Letchworth is great. Darien Lake or Sea Breeze or Roseland would be nice. It really depends on what type of vacation your family is looking for...relaxing dit-on-the-beach kind of thing, or exploring, or learning?

Cedar Point will always have a place in my heart, since I worked there in '97. It could easily be combined with a Cleveland trip.

 

[Halle]

I too am from the Rochester area. The Genesee Country Museum in Mumford, it's southwest of Rochester. There are different activities going on every weekend. Our kids loved it.

 

[marmalade]

What about renting a cottage at Sunset Bay? It's not that far of a drive so if someone has to be somewhere they can go back and forth fairly quickly.

 

[emer95]

I'm in Buffalo too. You've gotten some great ideas which I am going to write down for myself! My vote would be Presque Isle. We go there often. It's only 1.5 hours away and it's so beautiful!