Friday, April 29, 2016

Take Amtrak to New York State Parks

With the beautiful weather approaching fast, parks across the state are preparing a number of spring and summer activities for their visitors. What better way to start off these lively seasons than scheduling a relaxing retreat to one of New York's picturesque park grounds.

And don't forget I Love My Park Day! Take part in this exciting statewide event to commemorate and enhance New York's park and historic site system.

Here are a handful of sites we recommend visiting via Amtrak! For more, click here!

Photo from Roadtrippers
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
(10.5 Miles from Croton-Harmon Amtrak Station) — About 40 miles north of New York City, the scenic Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park offers a day of fun and relaxation. The grounds contain a spacious picnic area with rentable pavilions, a mammoth-sized 3,500 person pool—double the size of an Olympic-sized pool, picture-perfect fishing and boating on Lake Mohansic and Crom-Pond, a newly renovated playground with climbing walls, two-NCAA regulation courts and a disco-gold course. Bike or hike, rent a boat and go fishing, or just take in the beauty of this 960-acre park.

Photo from Moreau Lake State Park
Moreau Lake State Park (8.6 Miles from Fort Edwards Amtrak Station) — Among the hardwood forests, pine stands and rocky ridges of the capital region, this state park offers a beautiful sandy beach that surrounds Moreau Lake, complete with beachside lounges, umbrellas and fishing gear available for rent. Shady groves of trees shelter picnic grounds and two 120-person capacity pavilions overlooking the lake. Cabins, cottages, tent sites and camper and trailer sites are available throughout the year. Hiking, boating and fishing, and biking are all popular at this site—all within proximity of the Saratoga Springs and Lake George areas too!

Photo from New York State Parks
Cumberland Bay State Park (3.8 Miles from Plattsburgh Amtrak Station) — Located on the western shore of Lake Champlain, Cumberland Bay State Park is popular with campers and day-users because of its naturally large sandy beach and picnic grounds, complete with tables and grills. The grounds contain a playground and playing field perfect for kids and family gatherings. So get ready to fire up the grill, and pack your towels and sunscreen for a fun weekend at Cumberland Bay.

Photo by Ducio1234
Delta Lake State Park (6.3 Miles from Rome Amtrak Station) — Found on a peninsula extending into the Delta Reservoir, the wooded and generally flat terrain of Delta Lake State Park allows year-round visitors to enjoy the day in one of its many picnic areas, or on one its many hiking and nature trails. There is also a boat launch and shoreline fishing for trout, pike, bass and more. Looking for a weekend away? Campers can enjoy 101 tent, trailer or RV camping sites and a sandy beach for swimming.


Photo from Trip Advisor

Devil's Hole State Park (2.1 Miles from Niagara Falls Amtrak Station) — Overlooking the Devil's Hole Rapids, Devil's Hole State Park has picnic areas, scenic overlooks and hiking trails, and a popular spot for fishing. Take the park's stone staircase down to the base of the forge and the Devil's Hole Trail, both with spectacular views of the rapids and gorge rock layers.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Take Amtrak to Celebrate Memorial Day!

Summer is fast approaching, and what better way to kick it off than by celebrating Memorial Day? Enjoy the long weekend while honoring America’s military at these five events throughout New York State.


Photo by Fleet Week New York
Fleet Week New York (Throughout NYC, accessible from Penn Station) -- Now in its 28th year, Fleet Week New York is scheduled to take place May 25 - May 31. Come join the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services for an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet nearly 4,500 participating Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, and witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services.There will be a parade of ships, a BBQ, tours, concerts and more!

Photo by Darryl Bautista/Poughkeepsie Journal


Hyde Park Memorial Day Parade (6.1 Miles from Poughkeepsie Amtrak Station) -- Enjoy the Memorial Day Parade, May 30, marching from Roosevelt Theater to Town Hall, and commemorate the people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Enjoy entertainment, marching bands, local organizations and much more!




Photo by Fort Ticonderoga
Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Ticonderoga (1.0 Miles from Ticonderoga Amtrak Station) -- Salute the services of the armed forces of the United States on the grounds where so many soldiers fought and sacrificed. From May 28 - 30, visit Fort Ticonderoga to watch the Fife and Drum Corps, and step back in time to look at the soldiers of the American Revolution. Tour the grounds and historic gardens, experience a musket firing demonstration, and take part in the Witness to History tour at Mount Defiance.


Photo by Fulton's Memorial Day Salute

Fulton’s 35th Annual Memorial Day Salute (28.2 miles from Syracuse Amtrak Station) -- Visit one of the premier parades in Central New York on May 28; this annual tradition will honor our veterans. The annual parade begins May 28 at 10 am; there will be entertainment, food, rides and games throughout the day. And don’t miss the 9:30 pm fireworks over scenic Lake Neatahwanta.




Photo by Susan Marie
Star-Spangled Pops (3.4 miles from Buffalo BFX Amtrak Station) -- Watch and listen to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on May 27 - 28, as they’re joined by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus for a patriotic tradition honoring those who have served our country; a family-friendly event to pay tribute to the American spirit.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Six Special Spring Festivals

Spring has sprung, and festivals across New York are celebrating! Need another reason to get away for a weekend? Here are a few fun events that you can get to on Amtrak:

Photo by Tony Hisgett
Museum Mile Festival (3.3 Miles from Penn Station) - Now in it's 38th year, the Museum Mile Festival allows visitors free access to an incredible collection of New York's artistic riches. On June 14, walk the officially designated "Museum Mile" on Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 105th streets and experience up to nine museums, live music and the best of the city's cultural happenings!





Photo by Ryan Somma
Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival (6.6 Miles from Penn Station) - A weekend celebration of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture is now entering its 35th year! Sakura Matsuri, Brooklyn Botanic Garden's annual cherry blossom festival, will take place on April 30 through May 1. Considered New York City's rite of spring, and the largest annual event in a U.S. public garden, experience over 60 dynamic music and dance performances, art and horticulture demonstrations, and take part in Hanami, the Japanese tradition of enjoying each moment of the cherry blossom season.

Photo from Historic Hudson Valley
Lightscapes: A Springtime Fantasy Garden Festival (0.8 Miles from Croton-on-Hudson Amtrak Station) - Watch Van Cortlandt Manor spring into life during this wonderful nighttime display. This walk-through land-art experience immerses its visitors in a "dreamland of curiosities," spread throughout the historic Van Cortlandt Manor landscape. This year attendees can "shadow dance " in front of an interactive silhouette wall and experience the brand new Bubble Tunnel. The Lightscapes event takes place over 20 spring evenings from April 29 to May 30, and is perfect for all ages.

Photo from Hudson-Berkshire
Beverage Trail

Hudson-Berkshire Wine and Food Festival (13.4 Miles from Hudson Amtrak Station) - Enjoy Hudson Valley regional wineries, distilleries and cideries, specialty foods and more. At the 4th annual Hudson-Berkshire Wine and Food Festival, held on May 28 through 29, you'll taste gourmet cheese and creameries, baked goods, grass fed meats and more, all for sale at the festival. Meet special guest makers and authors, and attend seminars of wine and food pairings, home brewing and cheese making by some of the region's foremost experts.





Photo from Shutterstock
68th Annual Tulip Festival (3.0 Miles from Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station) - An annual spring traditions, the Albany Tulip Festival showcases over 150 different kinds of tulips, fine art exhibits and more in a celebration of Albany's heritages as the oldest Dutch settlement in America. Witness over 100,000 tulip bulbs blossom into a sea of colors with live music and entertainment from nationally acclaimed artists. The festival includes activities for kids, and historic events such as the Scrubbing of State St. and the Tulip Queen Coronation.


Photo from
Rochester Lilac Festival


Rochester Lilac Festival (2.5 Miles from Rochester Amtrak Station) - The Rochester Lilac Festival offers 10 incredible days of non-stop festivities. The largest free festival of its kind in North America, the festival showcases the magnificent gardens, while also presenting live music, vendors and special events such as the Wine Tasting and Farmer's Market, the Lilac Brewfest, the Lilac Parade and more. Each day of the event brings something new to the 155-acre Highland Park.