New York By Rail: March 2016

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Take Amtrak to Celebrate Maple Weekend!

On Maple Weekend, which actually takes place on two weekends, almost 160 maple producers, farms, and sites across New York State host this event to show people how maple syrup is made from the tree and brought to the table. Whether it’s pancake breakfasts, horse and wagon rides, tours of the facilities or sap collecting, there is an event for everyone. And let’s not forget the chance to sample sweet maple syrup! While this event is celebrated across the state, these are just a few sites (which are also open outside of this event) that we recommend taking an Amtrak train to.

Photo by White Oak Farm

White Oak Farm

(9 Miles from Croton-Harmon Amtrak Station) -- Visit White Oak Farm’s Maple Weekend on March 19-20 and April 2-3 if you love maple syrup! This Maple Weekend event will include a tour, where you learn how maple syrup is made from the tree and put on the table. White Oak Farm also has a sugar-house to explore, a sawmill to tour and on the weekends, a farmers market.

Photo by Tibbitts Maple

Tibbitts Maple

(8.1 Miles from Utica Amtrak Station) -- On March 19-20 and April 2-3, see how pure maple syrup is made. Tibbitts Maple will show you not only how to make syrup, but also how to can it! Let their family tradition become yours. Tibbitts Maple will also be offering maple syrup, maple cream and maple shapes to snack on.

Maple Brook Farm

(10.8 Miles from Westport Amtrak Station) -- Maple Brook Farm will be participating in New York State’s Maple Weekend this year! On March 19-20 and April 2-3, in cooperation with two neighboring farms, Maple Brook will have samples of maple cream, syrup, candy and yogurt! They will also be hosting pancake breakfasts each of the four days. In addition, there will also be horse-drawn wagon rides, tours of the farm and shows telling the history of maple production.

Cedarvale Maple Syrup Co.

(10.1 miles from Syracuse Amtrak Station) -- If you have a sweet tooth, Maple Weekend is an event for you. On March 19-20 and April 2-3, Cedarvale Maple Syrup Co. will be participating with a free tour and free samples-- this is not an event to miss. They will be making maple cotton candy and other maple recipes as well. You can take a nice spring walk in their sugar bush, and visit the sugar-house as well!

Photo by Helmer Nature Center

Helmer Nature Center

(5.2 Miles from Rochester Amtrak Station) -- Helmer Nature Center will be celebrating the maple sugaring season with a pancake breakfast on March 20! Helmer Nature Center is participating in Maple Weekend, which is happening all across New York State. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help collect sap, and stop by the evaporator to watch it cook into maple syrup! There will be crafts, treats and refreshments.

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village

(18 Miles from Niagara Falls Station) -- Go back in time to the 19th century, and see how trees are tapped for sap! Then watch it cook, and see how it turns into sweet maple syrup. Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village is participating in New York State’s Maple Weekend this year on April 2-3! Learn how to identify Sugar Maple trees, how to use the tools necessary to tap the trees and get a chance to meet the blacksmith of the tools! Hot cocoa and maple cookies will be served. A pancake breakfast is also included if you make reservations.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Six Places to Celebrate St. Patick's Day in New York

Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day! On March 17, and the days leading up to it, everyone is invited to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland and have a bit of craic (fun), as the Emerald Isle does. Parades and celebrations are being held all over the state, but these are just a few that we recommend taking an Amtrak train to:

Photo from Marine Corps Public Affairs NYC

New York City (1.0 mile from Penn Station) - The St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City is one of the most iconic events in the city and the largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the world, taking place annually on March 17. The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC took place in 1762—over 250 years ago! Participants will march down 5th Avenue between 44th and 79th Street, led by this year's Grand Marshal, Senator George Mitchell. More than 2 million people are expected to attend this year's parade, so wear green and stake out a spot early!

Photo from St. Patrick's Day Parade Buffalo

Buffalo (0.7 miles from Buffalo-Exchange Street Amtrak Station) - Buffalo's United Irish American Association has been hosting the St. Patrick's Day Parade since 1940. The 76th installment of this fun event will take place on Sunday, March 20 on Delaware Avenue. The celebration isn't limited to one day though. There will be live music, dancers and entertainment all weekend, including a traditional Irish Seisiun at Shannon's Pub held on First Thursdays, March 3.

Photo from Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade

Syracuse (2.3 miles from Syracuse Station Amtrak Station) - On March 12, celebrate the 34th annual Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade—the largest parade in the state outside of New York City. Syracuse puts the winter weather behind it beginning with this celebration, which has been named one of the biggest parades in the United States. The parade goes through Downtown Syracuse at Clinton Square.

Rochester (0.6 miles from Rochester Amtrak Station) - Rochester's annual Tops: St. Patrick's Day Parade usually draws about 50,000 people to the event that takes place on East and Main Street. Those wishing to start their Irish weekend early can attend the Rochester American's Irish Night and hockey game, which will include Irish step dancers, bagpipers, children's programs and happy hour with Irish drafts for those 21+.

Photo from Tops: Rochester St. Patrick's Day Parade

Photo from Yonkers St. Patrick's Day Parade on McLean Avenue

Yonkers (2.8 miles from Yonkers Amtrak Station) - In 2014, two historic parades merged to form one giant celebration taking place on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. The 61st Annual Yonkers St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. The festivities have been growing each year, so you can expect that this one will be bigger and green than ever.

Photo from Polly/WFRG/TSM

Utica (0.5 miles from Utica Amtrak Station) - Utica's St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m. The event has been held since 1978, and in 2008 The Great American Irish Festival took over organizational duties of the parade. Over 2000 people march, and thousands more watch from the sidewalks of Genesee Street. If you attend, don't forget your non-perishables for the parade food drive.

Each of these parades are located close to an Amtrak station, making your travel plans for St. Patrick's Day easy and comfortable. Need another reason to get away for the weekend? Amtrak is running promotions to get you to your St. Patty's Day destination with a discount. If you're looking for more ways to enjoy a weekend in these cities, check out New York By Rail.