pattyt104

I live in Niagara Falls and have to say it gets a bad rap. December weather is not bad, sometimes we only get a dusting of snow and because we are accustomed to it, the roads are usually kept clean and are completely safe to drive on. I usually drive from NF to NYC in December and the only bad weather I may encounter is in the Syracuse area which gets more snow than Western New York.

As far as the falls not being pretty this time of year, IF we have snow, it is beautiful. I would highly recommend bringing a passport and crossing over into NF Ontario, much more to do at the falls. However, the surrounding area in Western New York offers a variety of things to do, especially downtown Buffalo. Garyt22 gave good info as far as routes to take and places to stop. Do not be afraid of WNY in December!

DaveS

Agree with Gary and Patty. I’m a sales rep and drive roughly 40,000 miles a year in Upstate New York, probably 15,000 miles of that in winter and rarely encounter serious problems except around Syracuse (especially North of) and Route 90 South of Buffalo. These are in traditional snow belt areas. That being said if you hear the words “lake effect snow” when approaching Buffalo avoid East Aurora as it often gets hammered during these events. Instead stick to Route 390 to Route 90 and continue west toward the Falls. Niagara Falls gets much less snow than the areas south of it.

I love Watkins Glen, but the gorge trail will be closed when you are travelling. Do go to Letchworth though, beautiful in winter. I do like Ithaca and the waterfalls/gorges in town and surrounding area. Driving around Ithaca can be dicey if snowing/icy with the steep hills though. Seneca Falls is actually East of Geneva should you want to visit. Enjoy your trip.

Inakauaidavidababy

What's the difference driving thru Buffalo when it's getting regularly slammed with snowfall, and flying into Buffalo when it's getting regularly slammed with snowfall other then no being a confident driver in the snow?

sf7307

The difference is obvious to me -- IF you can land in Buffalo, then your driving distance to the falls is short. If the entire trip is through a snowstorm, you may never get to Buffalo, you will likely be stressed (or worse) the entire trip. (I went to school in upstate NY, so I know whereof I speak - driving for sightseeing purposes in the middle of the state in snow is not for me).

garyt22

The snow in Buffalo is usually in an eight mile wide band off of Lake Erie called the Snow Belt... The north side is primarily South Buffalo and and it extends to our Ski Areas... This is called Lake Effect Snow.... This band does shift north and south with the wind, but this snow is not daily or even weekly...

The Buffalo Airport is rarely closed and flight delays are from the other cities that serve as hubs...

Inakauaidavidababy

It's snowing at the football game in Buffalo today - not a big snow, a light autumnal snow perhaps.

yy9876

Thank you so much for the advice! I understand the dangers that might be involved if we decide to drive in winter. I was torn between driving and taking the trains/buses as well, because of the hassle and the places we might miss out if we are to take the trains/buses.

The whole road trip starts and ends at NYC, with main stops along the way at Philadelphia, Washington Dc, Niagara Falls, Hudson Valley.

After the advice against driving in winter, I was trying to plan a trip with public transport, but I realized it prevented me from visiting places I wish to. The plan was: Bus from NYC to Philly(1night), bus to Washington DC(2nights), Amtrak to Buffalo(1Night). From there, we will rent a car and drive from buffalo to Niagara Falls, and further down to NYC, stopping at . However, I would have to miss out on Letchworth/Watkins Glen, as well as some of the places along the way to Niagara. I was also undecided as to where to visit in Buffalo. Any suggestions on places to visit near Buffalo? We can spare around 2 days there.

I was still trying to see if it’s possible to drive for this whole trip instead, of course, with safety in mind, we will definitely get ourselves fully equipped. Thanks a lot for the assurance Gary, Dave and Patty. I appreciate all the advice and cautions given, and I considered them all while making this whole plan. Till this point, I’m still researching on the two plans, before deciding on one. So I appreciate all the advice given.

Hey Gary, for the route you mentioned that goes through Harrisburg, Binghamton to Ithaca and Geneva and Letchworth, and finally to Buffalo, how long do you reckon it will take? As we will be going down to NYC from Niagara Falls after that, I’m thinking would it better to stop at Ithaca on our way to NYC, and just make stops at Letchworth and Watkins Glen (if possible) on the way to Niagara?

Hey Dave, from Niagara to NYC, we plan to make stops at Skaneateles, copperstown, howe caverns, catskill. What route would you advise on taking? Are there any stops that you would recommend as well?

Thank you so much!!

nytraveler

In the off season Howe caverns is open only Fri through Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. If you want to see them (IMHO a waste of time but this is based on a childhood visit) be sure you are there on one of those days.

crisscross

My favorite route - I've done this lots of times - is the shortest and most scenic. The roads are cleared well - just don't go in a snow storm and check the weather forecast first. Go northwest from DC to Breezewood on I-270 and then I-70. Go west on I-76 (turnpike) one interchange to I-99 north to PA 350 to Philipsburg. Then US322 west to PA 970 north at Woodland to I-80 west. Then PA 153 north to US 219 north to I-90 east (NY Thruway) then I-290 west to I-190 north to Niagara.

tomfuller

If you want to get to Buffalo/Niagara Falls from Washington DC on Amtrak, you either take the Capitol Limited to Cleveland and the Lake Shore Limited to Buffalo OR take a NE Regional back to NYP and the Maple Leaf from NYP to Niagara Falls (NY or Ontario).
My very first Amtrak trip began at Washington at 3AM (October 2001) to NYP and transferring to the Maple Leaf to Toronto. I was in Toronto about 8PM after a delay at the border to take off a couple of drug smugglers.

tom42

If your plans are flexible, you can drive. Just keep an eye out for the weather forecast. You should have some idea a few days out if any storms are on the way. Lake effect snow is very localized. My bigger concern would be if a general storm is coming - it's already a long drive and if it will be snowing on a good portion of the drive, it will take a very long time. But like I said, you can always stay up to date with the forecast and maybe change plans if you see a storm on the way.

Niagara Falls in December is not the prettiest time of the year. Although tuscanlifeedit mentions the freezing mist on the trees, that won't have occurred yet in December. That happens later in winter and it is very pretty.

garyt22

The total road time from DC to Niagara using the route I suggest is less than 10 hours in good weather... Each leg is 2-3 hours and I assume you will be stopping for the sights... You could stop either way in Ithaca or Corning...

The drive from Niagara to NYC starts easily and quickly and slows as you get closer to Manhattan ... Recently, relatives driving spent two hours on the last 60 miles getting through NY traffic.... So on the return trip, the closer you are to NY, the better...

As far as additional activity in the Buffalo area, we have a ski area south of the city, two major sports teams, an active waterfront with concerts, theater, and events and major architectural treasures including the Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House...

On the Canadian side, there are over 100 wineries in the Niagara Wine Region including Niagara on the Lake... Just an hour away from Niagara is Toronto, the largest city in Canada and the most diverse city in the World...

Plenty to do and see depending on your interests... Have fun

Sassafrass

Since you will be there twice, is there any place in NYC where the students could store stuff - at the hotel you may be returning to, with friends from the area, anything?

I have not been to NF in winter, but have been to Finger Lakes, Ithaca, Syracuse, NYC, Catskills, NW PA, etc. many, many times, all driving. Most of the time, things went fine and it was a snap. However, when things go South, it can deteriorate very quickly. Weather predictions can be off or change quickly and you do need to be prepared.

After about a dozen trips with no issues, one night an hour so so out of Harrisburg, the road iced, several trucks and cars collided, and the road was blocked. We were stuck, basically trapped, in our car for 12 hours. We had lots of food, warm sleeping bags and water, so were OK. Cell phone service was out, but using DH's ham radio, we were able to warn friends who were meeting us, not to leave home until morning.

Also, we learned that greatest luck of all, no one had been seriously injured in the accidents.

Another time, we hit black ice, skidded and blew out all four tires in the skid. DD was returning to Ithaca when the same thing happened. Her car was totaled. Again, lucky, five students in her car and all safe.

Some areas may get only two or three big snows a year, but the snow doesn't melt in between snows, and often those snows come on top of another, so if there is a foot or more on the ground and you get another foot or two, you have a lot on the ground.

DD lived in Ithaca for years. Her house was a little below the road, so when a snow was expected, her DH went shopping for supplies and parked at the edge of the road. The next morning, they couldn't find the car. Finally saw the antenna peeking out of the snow.

This is not meant to scare you off doing it. As you can tell, our family has been doing it for years. The emphasis is on being thoroughly prepared for worst case.

Have lists of hotels along the way in case you need one. If things look bad, don't keep traveling until it is too late and everything is booked.
Every person should have heavy coat, blanket, warm socks. Gloves, etc. You should also have an emergency light or flashlight.
Have enough food, sandwiches, bread, cheese, fruit, etc., not just snacks, for a few hours. One of those little knives with a plastic cover is very handy, also paper towels, and Hand sanitizer. A couple of thermos bottles with hot coffee, tea or soup is good.
Then, plenty of water, plastic cups and yes, ziplock and plastic bags and toilet paper. OK, sounds unpleasant and paranoid, and over planned, and I hope they are just extra stuff you hauled along, but believe me, if you should have that once in a hundred times you need them, you will be very glad you have them.

Now, just IMO, no reason whatsoever to visit Ithaca in winter unless you have someone very dear to you living there.

yy9876

Hey Criss! Thanks for your suggestion on the route! Just what I need! Just a question, is the route feasible in dec ? Also, I’m planning to visit Cherry Springs State park and Letchworth SP. Do you think it’s possible for this route? What places with scenic views do you pass by along this route?

I’m deciding between Gary’s proposed route and Criss’s. I’m not sure which route would be safer, and of course, with scenic views on the way.

Hey Gary, if we are to do an overnight on the way, which place do you recommend for a night stopover?

Thank s a lot for the tips Sassafrass! They are indeed helpful! I will definitely keep myself equipped with the items for the trip! By the way, why is it that Ithaca might not worth a visit?

Thank you!

garyt22

If you plan on stopping along the way for wineries, museums, and ogling at the sites, then Geneva could fall at the end of day one... Depending on your budget and hotel preferences, you can choose anything from a motel chain to an Historic Hotel like Belhurst Castle or Geneva on the Lake... If you Google Geneva, NY... You can review the property choices...

Geneva is also a good choice because you can get on the Rt 20 west early AM and see Letchworth in morning sun... Driving west on Rt20 in good weather can be interesting and fun, but if it gets snowy, you can hop on 90West which runs parallel and is well maintained...

If you choose to go past Geneva on that day, there are some accomodations in Geneseo, NY, just outside of Letchworth... In Letchworth is the Glen Iris Inn, an historic inn and restaurant ...

Sassafrass

Ithaca. To me anyway, it is typical of many small towns across America, a bit shabby and no more interesting. The university campus is nice, but no nicer than many others. There are some beautiful falls and gorges in Ithaca if you have time and wish to hike to them in freezing weather. Unless there is a building of special interest to you or one of the falls seems unique to you, that is it. Maybe stop for a couple of cold hours and look around. Just my opinion.

sf7307

The university campus is nice, but no nicer than many others.

IMHO, the Cornell campus is one of the most beautiful in the US.

Sassafrass

If the OP stops in Ithaca, they can walk across one of the bridges and look down at a gorge, which is beautiful. The library is worth a look too.

Personally just not enough for me to go much out of my way in freezing weather.

It will be nice if the OP comes back after their trip and reports their opinions.

nytraveler

While Cornell does have a charming campus -not sure it's enough for a stop versus all the other things there are to see/do. (And there are at least a couple of dozen of the campuses that are also beatuiful - from Princeton on down.)

sf7307

Personally just not enough for me to go much out of my way in freezing weather.

Ha ha - I went to school up there. I wouldn't do this trip at all in winter!