Tanya's Daily Scoop | Elisa's Daily ScoopW2GW - Out of Town NYCHowdy folks!!! It's Wednesday - didn't it come quickly with this short holiday week? How are you doing today? I have a number of errands to do today - a trip to Costco for some necessities, calling the Veterans Association to do a pick up of clothes and shoes and then my usual after school routine when the girls get home. Last night I met up with my sister, Danielle and our friend Teresa to discuss some social media plans for our blog as well as for my Dad's stuffed toy characters, Sad Sam and Honey. It was a fun evening - we always have so many laughs, as our friendship goes back to childhood. It's also W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday)! Today, I'm going to take you on a little trip to out of town New York. I found an amazing website New York's 20 Coolest Out of Town Spots Here are my Top 8 favorites from the list: 1. Catskill Animal Sanctuary 316 Old Stage Rd, Saugerties, NY 845-336-8447 casanctuary.org This 110-acre property was opened in 2001 where you can meet nearly 300 goats, pigs, chickens, sheep and assorted barnyard beauties that roam freely. The onsite rehabilitation has taken in 2,000 neglected and abused farm animals. (2 hours by car) 2. Yaddo Gardens 312 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 518-584-0746 yaddo.org If you are in the mood to hang out like an artist, visit Yaddo Gardens, a 400 acre artists’ community in Saratoga Springs. There is a lovely Italian-style rose garden, ivy-covered Tudor mansion and idyllic pools. A Ghost tour is available as well. (3 hours by car) 3. The Midnight Ramble Levon Helm Studios 160 Plochmann Ln, Woodstock, NY 845-679-2744 levonhelm.com Levon Helm, of The Band has sadly passed on, but "the gigs" he created—as the Midnight Ramble—continue to this day in Woodstock. Every Friday night, the sets go down at the Barn, which has attracted big names like Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris and Dr. John, as well as more modern acts like Elvis Perkins and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. (2 hours by car) 4. Seneca Lake Wine Trail 2 North Franklin St #320, Watkins Glen, NY 607-535-8080 senecalakewine.com There are 35 wineries at the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and over as many miles dotted around Lake Seneca in the Finger Lakes region. Wine has been produced here since the late 1800s. Today these wineries are winning top prizes at national awards ceremonies and producing varietals such as riesling, pinot gris, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and mead. (4 hours 30 minutes by car) 5. Mohonk Mountain House 1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz, NY 855-883-3798 mohonk.com Only an hour and 45 minutes from New York City by car, Mohonk's Victorian-style buildings are perched on a bluff above a glacial lake. There is a spa and white-tablecloth restaurants. Rates for double-occupancy rooms range from $336–$700. (1 hour 45 minutes by car) 6. The Surf Lodge 183 Edgemere St, Montauk, NY 631-483-5037 thesurflodge.com How about a trip out to Eastern Long Island to Montauk! The Surf Lodge welcomes different bands (Sky Ferreira, Real Estate) to play on its outdoor deck overlooking Fort Pond Bay. The shows are on Saturdays and Sundays from June through August. It's suggested that you book in advance as the gigs get packed. (3hrs by car, 3hrs 30mins by LIRR to Montauk) 7. Howe Caverns Descend 255 Discovery Dr, Howes Cave, NY 518-296-8900 howecaverns.com A car ride or bus to Schenectady takes you to Howe Caverns and 156 feet under the earth’s surface to view strange formations, giant boulders and an underground lake. Lester Howe is the farmer who discovered the cave in 1842, and evening lantern tours are available, which bring you back in time to his era! You can even crawl through tight spaces. (3hrs by car; 3hrs and 45mins bus to Schenectady, plus a 30mins shuttle) 8. Bear Mountain State Park 55 Hessian Dr, Bear Mountain, NY 845-786-2701 nysparks.com With more than 5,000 acres on the west side of the Hudson, Bear Mountain State Park is just an hour from NYC. Climb up to 1,300 feet or hike along the Appalachian Trail. If you are in the mood to relax, picnic in a waterside pasture and behold the river views. (1hr by car) That's a wrap folks for this Wednesday. Tomorrow, it's my turn up at bat for Throwback Thursday! Don't miss my story about our trip to Lancaster many years ago!! Thanks for voting each day!! - E xoxo |