New York's Beautiful Fall Celebration of Craft Beer and Harvest Festivals!

Just because Oktoberfest celebrations are now coming to a close, doesn't mean that the fall fun has to end! New York State has a lot of great experiences in store for you this season. Craft beer trails and harvest festivals provide the perfect blend of guided beer tours and tastings, and family fun with a variety of outdoor activities. Choose among a wide array of unique activities; take an extremely creative day tour along the Hudson Valley, visit the Finger Lakes to taste the 2014 "New York State Brewery of the Year" and stay in the area to enjoy over 35 breweries and ciders at the Finger Lakes Beer Festival, attend the 3rd annual Craft Brewers Festival in the historic Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, pick your own apples and pumpkins in Central New York, explore a four story tree house and launch pumpkins, enter a spooky flashlight maze, and spend a day at the "True treasure of the Capital Region." Grab your friends and families and get ready to create some of your most cherished memories this fall season!

                                                                                    Hudson Valley Beer Trail 

(2.1 miles from the Poughkeepsie Amtrak station)

Image Courtesy of The Little Beer Bus

Named one of the "Top 7 beer trails to tour in America," the Hudson Valley Beer Trail has become one of the most highly requested tours among visitors and beer enthusiasts. Take a tour and visit a brewery, find a place for lunch, and even visit a hops farm. If you'd rather someone else do the driving, guided tours of breweries and distilleries are available. The tour features "Westchesters only craft brewery," Captain Lawrence Brewing Co., Blue Collar Brewery conveniently located by the Poughkeepsie Amtrak Station, and Hyde Park Brewing Company where you may enjoy their restaurant, live music, and tap room during your visit, among many others. Experience the trail with themed tours including but not limited to the signature "Take Me to the Brewski" tour, "Brewski Lunch and Learn With the Brewmaster" tour, or get adventurous and create your own themed party! For more information, call (917) 414-7947 or email directly: hvbeertrail@gmail.com.

Finger Lakes Beer Trail
(66.2 miles from Rochester Amtrak station)

Image Courtesy of Finger Lakes Beer Company

Award winning microbreweries and brewpubs in Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes have quickly become a hot post for locals and travelers alike. With remarkable views and impeccable quality, it's no surprise that this trail has become a fan favorite. The trail makes its way through New York States "Best Craft Brewery" at Keuka Brewing Co., stopping at Market Street Brewing Co., just in time for you to experience all around great tastes in the heart of Corning's Historic District, and leaves you gazing at breathtaking views overlooking the Keuka Lake as you enjoy excellent brews at Steuben Brewing Company. For your chance to experience these wonderful breweries and view the full beer trail list, visit Corningfingerlakes.com.

                Finger Lakes Beer Festival

                                      (80.4 miles from the Rochester Amtrak station)

Image Courtesy of Finger Lakes Beer Trail

Extend your stay in the Finger Lakes area to experience one of the biggest events in the region. For one day only, on October 24th, enjoy over 35 New York State breweries and ciders as they join under one roof, accompanied by great food and live music. Receive a complimentary commemorative sampling glass for free tasting at the brewery booths, enjoy delicious regional cuisine, purchase brewery and event merchandise, or a selection of craft beers which will be for sale, and partake in a variety of fun activities including a 32 team corn-hole tournaments, and a stein holding competition. Get your tickets before their gone at Fingerlakesbeertrail.com. 

Craft New York Brewers Festival
(2.5 miles from the Syracuse Amtrak station)

Image Courtesy of New York State Brewers Association

Taking place on November 7th, the historic Landmark Theatre in Syracuse is hosting the 3rd annual Craft Beer Festival. Bringing together over 50 New York breweries from every region of the state, this festival features up to 130 award winning beers. Pairing great brews with food sampling from local Syracuse restaurants and food vendors, this event is the first of its kind that offers you the opportunity to meet the brewers that make the beer and the owners of the food scene that play such an important role in community. The purchase of a ticket comes equipped with a 5-ounce souvenir tasting glass with which you can enjoy unlimited samples of the various beer present at the event. VIP tickets are available to those who wish to enter earlier and have access to the limited quantity of specialty beers not available to the general public. To purchase your tickets today, visit Thinknydrinkny.com.

                                 Critz Farms Fall Harvest Celebration

                                 (25.5 miles from Syracuse Amtrak station)

Image Courtesy of Critz Farm

If you're looking for a place to enjoy the wonderful autumn season in Central New York, look no further than Critz Farms. With ongoing activities, special events, and  festival entertainment taking place every weekend, this event is sure to provide great fun for all ages. View cider pressing demonstrations, explore the farm on wagon rides, get lost in corn mazes, and dine in Critz Cafe where you can indulge in a hot apple fritter. Adults may drop their kids off at the Slide Mountain playground and visit the farm winery and hard cider tasting room. For a complete list of special events including the annual "Gigantic Corn Maze" and the "Giant Hay Bale Climbing Tower," and other activities available on the farm, visit Critzfarms.com.

Image Courtesy of Pumpkin Patch Farm

Pick-a-Pumpkin Patch
(21.3 miles from the Amsterdam Amtrak station)

Each year the farm introduces new events and activities while bringing back old family favorites. Open Monday through Saturday, this farm offers a full day packed with a broad range of activities for the whole family to enjoy. This year at the Pumpkin Patch you can take a hayride to the pick your own farms, race rubber ducks, climb a four story tree house, see farm animals, enjoy delicious cider donuts, watch pumpkins get launched out of a pumpkin cannon, and much more. Don't miss your chance at a fun-filled memorable experience at the Pumpkin Patch. For more information, contact (518) 868-4893.

Fink's Country Farm Festival
(69.5 miles from New York Penn station)

Image Courtesy of Fink's Country Farm

Family owned and operated for over 50 years, Fink's Country Farm is best known for its traditional charm. Join their festival full of hayrides, a 7-acre corn maze, U-pick pumpkins, kiddy train rides, pig races, pumpkin slingshot and much more. The farm, and its activities are entirely handicapped accessible. Explore the Long Island farm stand, filled with fresh local vegetables, fruits, potatoes, corn stalks, holiday decorations, and more. Special events include the "Flashlight Maze," and the "Spookie Flashlight Maze," both only taking place at night time. Open daily Monday through Sunday, a $15 ticket will get you access to a full day of family fun.


Liberty Ridge Fall Festival
(17.6 miles from Saratoga Springs Amtrak station)
Named a "True treasure of the Capital 
Region," Liberty Ridge Farm offers you 

Image Courtesy of Liberty Ridge Farm

lots of family fun in Schaghticoke, nestled in Rensselaer County. Dive in all of the amazing activities on the farm including the pumpkin patch, cornfield maze, entertaining shows, and feeding the farm animals at "Brad's Barnyard Adventure." Venture through the 12-acre labyrinth of 13 foot high cornstalks, and take a scenic trolley ride along the banks of the Hoosic River. The theme for this years 2015 corn maize is "Fall this year just makes Cents." This fall season, running through the month of October, Liberty Ridge presents their highly requested "Fall FestEVIL." Get lost in the field of horror where the land is heavy with decay, and evil oozes up from the earth. Admission to the attraction includes the farms five haunted attractions, Haunted corn mazes and hayrides, the Psychic Sideshow, and Barnyard activities. A Non-Haunt ticket is available for those under age 10 who wish to enter the Psychic Sideshow and Barnyard. With these many events and attractions, this farm is surely one that's not to be missed. For more information on special events and operating hours, call (518) 664-1515.

New York State houses relaxing getaways for all ages and interest. Take a trip to any of the breweries or farms and start your fall relaxation with a leisurely Amtrak train ride to get you there. For more information on other New York destinations reachable by Amtrak, details on Enterprise locations that offer station pick-up, and a 15% discount for Amtrak travel within New York State, visit NewYorkbyRail.com.