Please visit New York State
 

Because of September 11 tragedy New York State is especially affected. To help our economy please visit Saratoga, Finger Lakes, Lake Placid, Lake George and other areas which are suffering because there are thousands cancelations already. We need your help so we can help our economy and those who are directly affected by this national tragedy. Please come and visit those peaceful places.

We will consult this board when we plan our New York State vacation next summer. Wish we could travel earlier. :) <BR>Best, <BR>k

Hi George. I am thinking of planning an anniversary trip for my husband and I in November (maybe a long weekend). I was considering Lake George because I have been there once as a child. I remember that I liked it a lot. Can you give me any info about what the other places are like? I will also look into on the web, but I wanted to respond. Also, do you know what the weather is generally like there in November?

We're listening. We're coming in April. Here's my specific questions, for now:<BR>1. Want to train it into NYC from upstate NY, perhaps somewhere south of Lake Placid? Advice? Were thinking of hopping on somewhere around Saratoga Springs?<BR>2. NYC: train comes into which station? How far is station from midtown? Can we walk everywhere? (Sorry for our ignorance -- we live in the wide open west!)<BR>2. Flying into Buffalo. Do we need to stay on Canadian side? Actually would prefer to stay in US, drive into CA and then back to US. Recommendations for Buffalo area hotels?<BR>3. Buffalo to Syracuse area? Time? Places to stay near Syracuse?<BR>4. Thanks for your help. Looking forward to the visit.

Hi, George, we live in NYC, we went to Lake George in October.Stayed at the Sagamore, boy- was that a treat! We stayed in one of the lodge suites,they came in right after we checked in, built a fire for us, left a basket full of wood,it was great.Dinner was supposed to be at the restaurant on their golf course,but we were so cozy that we ordered room service and ate by the fire,took a walk along the lake in the dark.Boy, is it dark there at night, we saw every star in the sky and they were all much closer than at home:) I recommend a trip like this to everyone, there are plenty of places to stay, so much to do, and the natural beauty of the area is hard to describe...C

The recommended hotels in downtown Buffalo are the Hyatt, Adams Mark and there is also a new Hampton Inn that's located right on a strip of bars and restaurants know as "Chippewa Street". Not sure of your age of if you're travelling with kids but the Hampton might be a fun place to stay if you're on the younger side. It's a easy drive from Buffalo into Niagara Falls Canada and I would also suggest that you visit Niagara on the Lake while in Canada. Syracuse if about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Buffalo. E-mail me if you want ideas of what to do in Buffalo. We have great restaurants here.

Vicki -- I'll try to help answer some of your train questions. Many upstate towns have Amtrak stations and you can train into NYC. If you want to hop on somewhere south of Lake Placid, you could get on at Saratoga Springs, but you might as well drive to Albany and get on there since many trains switch or layover there anyway.<BR><BR>The trip from Albany to NYC is beautiful since it follows the Hudson River all the way down. As you're heading south, be sure to sit on the right side of the train since that will be the river side.<BR><BR>The Amtrak station in NY is Penn Station at 34th and 7th Avenue. From there, you can catch a subway north to Times Square or midtown to see whatever sights you want. Or you can head south to the Village, Chelsea, Tribeca.<BR><BR>Enjoy your visit!

Hi e-<BR><BR>I have to agree with all of the above posters. Sagamore in Lake George is a real treat.<BR><BR>Saratoga Springs beautiful - There is really nothing to do in Albany. Saratoga is the place to stay. The train will be Amtrak.<BR><BR>Lake Placid if you ski.<BR><BR>Have fun.<BR><BR>Niagra on the lake - Quaint and beautiful.<BR><BR>The only thing I WOULD stay on the Canadian side. The exhange last week was 64% - When in doubt remember the <BR>American dollor is worth so much more in Canada. There are plenty of places to stay in Niagra Falls. They even have a Casino (Canadian Side), Hard Rock Cafe. The festival of lights are a must see

Thanks for all the replies to this, and to my NYC info post too. I've considered staying on the CA side at Niagara Falls but we lived near the border in WA State, and our border crossing has been horrendous, so I was trying to avoid that problem. Comments? Anyone going back and forth between the Niagara Falls crossing lately?

Vicki-you can take a train from buffalo (actually Cheektowaga) or niagara Falls, NY to NYC. I live near Buffalo and we usually drive to Albany to catch the train to NYC. We prefer Albany to the other, smaller towns because Albany has a huge well lit parking lot. Once you get past Albany, parking becomes a problem. As for hotels, there are plenty on both sides of the border. The US dollar goes a long way in Canada, so you might get more bang for your buck in Canada. Hyatt, Adams Mark, and Hampton are great choices. If you prefer to be out of the city limits (Buffalo sort of dies after 5 pm, except for Chippewa Street and the theatres), there are many hotels in Amherst (near the University of Buffalo)-Hampton, Marriott, Motel 6 and Motel 8. There is a Radisson across the street from the airport which has a fabulous, but pricy restatuant, also a homewood suites, and either comfort inn suites or best western suite style hotel near the airport. I can't recomend anyplace in Syracuse. I went to college near there and the only reason to visit Syracuse is to visit friends or family, or something at Syracuse University. Be sure to visit the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, its a great Art Musuem. If you like theatre there is a surprising number of theatres in Buffalo. Enjoy

Vicki - You can get a train from Saratoga Springs. It will be a very pleasant and for many stretches a scenic ride - probably about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. be sure to get a seat on the west side of the train (on your right as you're heading down the tracks or down the car towards the front). This will ensure a good view of the Hudson. Syracuse is far from a tourist attraction (I lived there for the bulk of my 45 years and am in a good position to judge). It does have a few things of appeal depending on your interests. It was the focal point of the Arts & Crafts movement and Gustav Stickley's workshop was in nearby eastwood (which is now a part of the city). Dalton's Arts & Crafts is an antique shop on James Street that has a remarkable collection worth taking a gander at (very pricey but fun to look at). The local art museum, the everson, is the very first art museum designed by IM Pei. It's not my style )very modern - big blocks and skylights) but it is interesting for architecture fans. The permanent collection does little for me but if you're into ceramic they have the best collection of American ceramics in the US, including "Scarab Vase" by Adelaide Alsop Robineau. It's a legendary work and the reasons become obvious when it is seen (BTW, she was also a Syracuse based artist). Email me directly or repost here with specifics about your lodginS needs (e.g. really nice or just a basic but acceptable place to sleep for a night). I know the options in that area quite well. If you don't mind the extra driving time to Saratoga the following day you might skip Syracuse and go to Rochester instead. Visit Letchworth Park in the morning (it's known as "the grand canyon of the east and is truly spectacular) and Rochester int he afternoon. The Strong Museum is a truly unique and unusual museum experience (see details at www.strongmuseum.org ). Rochester is also home to Eastman House, recently restored home of Kodak's founder George Eastman. Adjacent to the home is the International Museum of Photography, also worth a visit.

No idea re: border crossings at Niagra but into Quebec province/Champlain NY, it took us about 10 minutes going in and 5 minutes returning to the US..the guards are polite and quick.Easy!

Hi - Owen you are so right about Rochester. I have lived here 10 years more than you lived in Syracuse. People really sell us short. Suggestion, if you do come to Rochester, a trip to the High Falls area is a must. A beautiful view of the Genesse River and after dark. Every hour on the hour they have the most awesome lazer light show/music. You can have a nice dinner at Empire Brewing Co. or just a nice cup of coffee at the new coffee shop that just opened in the same building where Empire Brewing is. This building was once a button factory and now has resturants, night clubs, coffee shop etc. Plenty of History there. The High Falls area is a small cab ride from the train station, Eastman House etc.<BR><BR>In answer to your question about the boarder. Yes, I have gone across probably about eight times since Sept 11. Toranto is just four hours away and yes, you get a bang for your buck. We have NEVER had any problems with the boarder patrol. Be yourself, don't be nervous and be truthful with your answers. I would say, the longest wait was 15 minutes. Enjoy, we have plenty to offer in upstate NY.<BR>

Vicki - Buffalo vs. Canadian side. It depends on what you want to do. Are you flying into Buffalo only to see Niagara Falls and nothing else? If so, book yourself a hotel in the Falls on the Canadian side. You can cross over right from Buffalo on the Peace Bridge or you can cross over from Niagara Falls, NY to the Canadian side. If you want to stay in Buffalo and check it out, stay downtown - probably the Hyatt is your best bet or the new Hampton Inn. Adam's Mark is nice, and although downtown, slightly out of the way. As a previous poster said, we have many theaters and the Chippewa Street area has all kinds of clubs for nightlife. During the day, walk around Allentown and check out the shops and restaurants along Elmwood Avenue or the beautiful 19th century mansions along Delaware Ave. Take a cab to the Anchor Bar and have some real Buffalo chicken wings - the Anchor Bar "invented" them. Another fun thing to do would be to take in a Sabres game. The HSBC arena is fabulous and right downtown. <BR><BR>April is an "iffy" time of year. Could be 80 degrees. Could be 40 degrees. I don't think the Maid of the Mist and other tours in Niagara Falls open until May, so that would narrow down your time there. Technically, if you were only to view Niagara Falls without doing any of the touristy things, you can see it in a day. Don't make the mistake of viewing it from the Canadian side only. You should see it from both sides. From the Canadian side, you see all the falls from a distance. On the American side, you get a whole different picture. You can stand right at the railing where the water goes over the falls. It's very up close and personal. Also, you can walk along the upper rapids. If you have time, take a ride to Old Ford Niagara (on the American side and only a 15 minute ride from the falls). It is a beautiful and amazing piece of American history. It's in pristine condition and dates from the French and Indian War. Buffalo and Niagara Falls need your money too. The whole state is suffering financially since the 9/11 attacks. Have fun.

I have a friend who lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario and works in Buffalo. She has had no trouble crossing the border. In April you probably won't be spending much more than a day in Niagara Falls, so I'd recommend staying in Buffalo and in addition to the Falls, seeing the Buffalo sights. I forgot to mention earlier, regarding the hotels, if you'd like something a little more posh, a new place recently just opened called "The Mansion" It's an old building that was restored and I've heard it's quite the place.

George honey, I have been reading all of these posts and I would suggest that you stay in Canada. Bang for your Buck someone said. You bet, 67% today was the exchange. Buffalo is a blue collar place and boring. Stay at the Casino Niagra.

You can come back to Syracuse in a few years. They are giong to build DestiNY USA here. It will be the largest mall in the country when complete. It is to include a large NY tourist center with an Erie Canal park running through it and much more.

Crossing the border at Niagra has been fine-my family members have been back and forth about a half dozen times since 9-11 with no problems or delays.

<BR>I love NYC!<BR><BR>But when you are ready for quieter times, Lake George is excellent. The folklore of the lake being clear enough to see the beer cans on the bottom is true! Very clear and beautiful.<BR><BR>Sagamore is nice, although if you are looking to get away from crowds there are quieter places to stay.<BR><BR>There are many towns on the lake, Bolton's Landing, where the Sagamore is located, but there are also some very nice smaller places. There.<BR><BR>One end of the lake is very urban, the other is totally sparse, Bolton's is in the middle.<BR><BR>Fort Ticonderoga at the top is a must visit for history buffs - best fort I have ever seen.<BR>

We are coming in April. Have found some great deals. One in particular isn't in NY State, however. Wondering if anyone has experience with Radisson Fallsview in Niagara Falls (Canadian side)? Found a deal where you book a room for two nights at $189 (CAD), get a $40 dinner voucher, breakfast both mornings (worth about $20 per morning I would think), entrance for two to Journey Under the Falls, and entrance for two to the Minolta Tower, and finally a Radisson go Gift Pack (whatever that is) on check-in. We booked two rooms, and we end up spending about $100 total(US) for a two night package/two rooms and all those extras. We think it's a pretty good deal. I keep running the numbers and trying to see if I am missing something!