New York State of Mind
New York has long been on my “no-fly” list of destinations. When someone mentions New York, it instantly brings visions of the city to mind—crowds of people, city lights, and horrible noise pollution. Luckily, a recent invitation to my girlfriend’s sister's wedding brought me to a region of upstate New York, which allowed me to remove my ignorance and experience the beauty of New York State.
A week spent galavanting through upstate New York unveiled an immersive tapestry of local charm, tantalizing culinary experiences, and intriguing attractions in the heart of the Empire State.
The Finger Lakes Area
Our home for the week was an AirBnB room in the charming village of Pittsford, NY. Our cozy accommodation was part of a larger family residence - a slightly less private yet more budget-friendly option. The surrounding community had a small-town allure, nestled amidst rolling farmland yet within easy reach of nearby towns like Victor, NY. This area presented us with an authentic flavor of Americana.
Strolling around, the villages in this region of New York had an irresistible charm. Upscale yet unpretentious houses, well-tended neighborhoods vibrant with life, and friendly locals gave the villages an intimate community feel, unlike the suburbs of the South.
The active lifestyle promoted by this region was particularly appealing. Miles of trails, scenic waterfront walkways, and bike-friendly towns promoted healthy outdoor adventures.
Nearby Attractions
The iconic Erie Canal, winding its way through the landscape, added to the picturesque charm of the small towns. The canal paths offered fantastic opportunities for walking, biking, and dining in quaint towns like Pittsford, Fairpoint, and Mendon. Camping along the waterway could be an excellent choice for those looking to fully immerse themselves in the canal experience.
Operated by the New York State Thruway Authority, the canal also offers fascinating insights into the lock system – a hydraulic marvel enabling boats to navigate between varying water levels. Think about it as stairs for watercraft. I highly recommend anyone looking for recreational opportunities take a walk or ride along the walkways along the canal. It is a perfect opportunity to view the lock system in action.
If you are in the area, you mine as well see one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
That is what we did when we visited the world-renowned Niagara Falls. Although the journey from Pittsford took around two hours, mainly due to our decision to avoid toll roads, the falls made it a worthwhile excursion. While the US side offers decent views, the panoramic vistas from the Canadian side are breathtaking, especially when the evening lights illuminate the cascading waters. You’ll need a passport to view the Falls from Canada, but it is worthwhile, especially if you want a tamed experience of visiting another country.
Both sides of Niagara Falls also offer activities like hikes and boat rides where you can get a close-up view of the Falls. We didn’t have enough time to take up either, but they did appear to be interesting options. It is also worth noting that the US side of the Falls is accessible via the New York Niagara Falls State Park, which will include many educational resources about the history and geology of the area.
Speaking of state parks, we also ventured to Watkins Glen and Taughannock Falls State Parks, each offering unique natural wonders. Watkins Glen presented captivating hikes leading into a deep gorge, with stone steps lining the path beside a series of waterfalls. Taughannock Falls, on the other hand, offered a towering waterfall viewable from a scenic overlook and accessible via a one-mile hike from the base.
Local Eats
Despite its small-town feel, we stumbled upon culinary gems. The Busy Bean Cafe had a wide assortment of coffee beverages. Nothing too special but they did have all the basic drinks you would expect from a local coffee shop. We also visited the New York Beer Project, a more upscale gastropub. We enjoyed NYBP because it offered a nice assortment of meal options that went well beyond my typical expectations of brewery food.
The Village Bakery & Cafe in Pittsford served excellent coffee and surprisingly high-quality meals. However, not all experiences hit the high note, with the Six50 Black Oven Cooking restaurant delivering a somewhat underwhelming dining experience due to the lack of staff. The quality of the food was also underwhelming.
Local Insights
If you plan on visiting New York, here are some things you want to know. New York State has an extensive unmanned toll road system. With it being unmanned, you cannot use cash or a card to pay the toll. This could be irksome for out-of-state visitors not set up for electronic payment. This would not be a huge problem if there weren’t so many tolls, but on the bright side, it does provide well-maintained rest stops. The rest stops in New York are next level, offering restaurants like Chick-Fil-A and Shake Shack and gas stations.
Another oddity we noticed was the lack of public trash cans, making waste disposal challenging. You should also be prepared for additional taxes and fees, such as the "bottling deposit fees" on bottled and canned drinks. Most stores do not provide plastic bags, so you will have to settle for paper (also annoying if you use plastic bags to collect car trash). However, we were able to snag a plastic bag from Cheshire Farms Creamery in Canandaigua.
New York was once a place I had little interest in exploring. However, after immersing myself in the region's natural beauty and charming local communities, I must admit I was wrong. While some aspects were annoying, the overall experience in the idyllic villages of upstate New York was pretty positive. The natural attractions undoubtedly stole the show, but the man-made gems were a pleasant surprise. Despite this newfound appreciation, don't expect to see me here during the Winter months.
That, I refuse to do.
