Upstate New York

It has been over a decade since I was last in the Fingerlakes region. I have always wanted to come through the area on a vacation rather than for work. With no international trips planned for 2021, I opted to explore this part of the States. Hopped on a multi stop itinerary (stops in San Francisco International airport and Dulles Airport) on United Airlines to land into Syracuse International Airport.

Airports do seem livelier these days but still low volume of people. I was glad to see at SFO that there were a few food options still open in the evening time. Normally, I would run into the United Lounge but the entire airport felt like a lounge given the low number of people to open eateries ratio. Dulles was much more packed probably because I landed in the morning and people are trying to fly to Europe. 

At Syracuse, I didn't find a better rental car rate than Enterprise via Priceline when I booked the flight months ago. I had hoped the rental car shortage would have improved but not so much. I was able to get out of the minivan (original vehicle booked) and into a full size Nissan Altima. 

Checked into the Homewood Suites. The last time I was in Ithaca, there was only a Hilton Garden Inn in downtown. The growth in Ithaca has expanded to more chain hotels in the area and the Homewood Suites is near the Ithaca Mall. In looking at downtown, I prefer the Homewood Suites location because I like the park and go access compared to the paying for parking in a structure and hunting for parking. I was able to book connected rooms which allowed my friends and I to share our space. It was almost like having a two bedroom suite. Because the rooms are apartment like, the full kitchen helped me keep my Costco goodies and prepare breakfast. Due to the pandemic, the hotel was not offering hot food but only packaged food. I did find that I enjoy the Smuckers Crustable pbj sandwiches. The hotel is also pet friendly which allowed my friends to have their cats with them.

Activities

Visited Niagara Falls State Park. It's about a three hour car ride from Ithaca. I made a pit stop in Geneseo to be able to say I stopped (family relations about a few generations grew up in this town). The last time I saw Niagara was when I drove from Buffalo to Toronto. The few times I did so, it was a brief stop to look from the car. This time around, I took my time and walked most of the park.

On the way back from Niagara, I decided to stop in Rochester to check out the Costco (hoping to see some local ciders). At Dinosaur, I did like the 1910 cider and saw a black cherry in stock at the Costco. I also picked up some Vermont cheeses. It appears that northern New York doesn't have many Costco's - only Rochester and Syracuse. I assume because the Toronto Costco is so close to the border that the folks in Buffalo cross. This must suck with the border closure in pandemic times. There are more Sam's Clubs though.....

While in Ithaca, I visited the Cornell Botanical Gardens and walked along the gardens and viewed all the gorges/waterfalls. There are about six falls within the garden and it was an easy to moderate walk to view all the falls.

Outside of Ithaca, Taughannock Falls State Park has a very large waterfall gorge within a 20 minute walk of the entrance. The park itself covers both the interior where the waterfall is as well as parts of the lake. It’s a great green space for those interested in camping or hiking.

On our way to Two Goats Brewing, made a pit stop at Hector Falls right off the highway. There is a little motel, Finger Lakes Waterfall Resort, that seems to have a very good view of the falls. Since we were on the highway, the top is accessible if you’re willing to scamper over the freeway divider. The best view of the entire fall is from the lake, you’d have to get a boat tour to see it.

I have always been familiar with Pyrex and Corning but didn’t realize that there was a Corning Museum of Glass. I didn’t know what to expect but I ended up enjoying the visit. The gift store also had some great deals on Pyrex and dishware. There is also an outlet store in downtown Corning but I didn’t have the luggage space to really go shopping. I was very tempted though.

On a side note, I learned at the museum that JellO originated near Rochester and I totally missed being able to go to the museum. Mental note for next time.

Dining

Dinosaur BBQ - I visited the original location when I landed in Syracuse. The location was busy and I was able to snag a seat at the bar and was given quick service. I enjoyed my brisket meat plate and a glass of 1910 cider. I did like that there were local ciders on draft at the bar.

Cricket's Coffee Company - In my stop at Geneseo, I opted to have coffee because I didn’t have any other plans that early in the morning. I wanted to share that I was in the area and give an update. It seemed like a nice town and the coffee shop has a s’mores latte that intrigued me. I did enjoy the latte and it seems popular with the local college kids.

Pho Golden - located on 2930 Pine Avenue, Niagara, NY 14301 has tasty Vietnamese food. The portions are not large but the food was good. I was curious given the Canadian border being nearby if the Asian food (particularly Vietnamese) would be good. The lemongrass pork chop was well marinated if not a little thin.

Monks on the Common - friends took me to dinner at this Marriott lobby restaurant in Ithaca. All the other open restaurants had a 30 minute wait and they were open to taking walk ins right away. Lovely space and the food was good. I enjoyed my appetizer plate of lamb chops and brats in a blanket. I also tried a local brewery's version of ginger beer (Ithaca Beer).

Cayuga Lake Creamery - besides cideries, I wanted to also get to as many creameries for frozen custard. I didn’t opt for frozen custard at this location but the regular ice cream flavors.

Super Cream Dairy Bar - located on 75 N West Street, Homer, NY 13077 also has dole whip seasonally. I was not lucky enough to get some as the machine was on the fritz so I enjoyed a cherry vanilla scoop. The location was off the main highway and I wanted a break driving from Syracuse to Ithaca. I didn’t eat but there is also a fast casual restaurant attached.

Ithaca Mango Mango Dessert - a NY based Hong Kong style dessert chain, my friends wanted to have some Asian desserts. The mango desserts were good, a bit too sweet for me. If you have a craving for fruity desserts, this is your place. Pricey but not bad.

Dairy Bar - After visiting the botanical gardens, I made a pit stop at the Dairy Bar to get some cheeses and ice cream. I grabbed a pint of strawberry ice cream and alumni swirl.

Boatyard Grill - I ordered fish and shared the sizzling cookie plate. Not bad for dinner, the service was nice.

Hand + Foot - After visiting the Corning Museum, grabbed a late lunch at this pub. Cute downtown and the food was spot on. It is a little hipster (suprising to me) but it worked. I enjoyed my salmon melt. The local ciders available was good as well.

Wineries/Cideries

Belwether Hard Cider - nice farm with two hyper pitties. The proprietor was pleasant and I enjoyed some of the cider particularly the ‘scudamore’ cider.

Finger Lakes Cider House - this cidery is very large and I was first introduced to ‘ice cider.’ I grabbed a couple of bottles to go after enjoying a flight of ciders. There was also a strawberry patch where you can pick your own strawberries. I ended up getting a small basket to eat with the cider and the cheese snacks (bought at Costco).

Bet The Farm Winery - smaller farm than the earlier two, I enjoyed a small glass of cider while sitting outside enjoying the sunset. Apparently the farm relocated to this current location. Folks can’t go outside if they order a flight of ciders but you can if you only have a glass. The owners seemed concerned about the Adirondack chairs being moved, so word to the wise, don’t move them.

Treleaven Wines - this farm is a great venue for weddings or large parties. The ciders were fine, I didn’t feel compelled to buy any bottles to go but I did enjoy hanging out in their outdoor seating. There is also some large outdoor games like connect four if you enjoy that sort of thing.

Two Goats Brewery - cute brewery with fantastic views of the lake. I also discovered Hazlitt Cider (the cidery is nearby but I didn’t have enough time to visit and it is a true local business because they only sell in person). I did buy some merch from Two Goats because I just like the picture of two goats drinking beer. 

Robert H. Treman State Park - Before leaving Ithaca, made one last hike in the morning. In this park, there is a swimming hole but it wasn’t open. It was a pleasant walk along the creek if you are open to elevation.