Full Speed Ahead to a Winter Weekend in Saratoga Springs!

While New York State is known for its extravagant holiday blowouts, there is one place in particular which has built its reputation on creating our annual favorites --  Winterfest, Chowderfest, Frozen Springs Classic and the Dance Flurry. If you're looking for a memorable weekend escape, let Amtrak take you to Saratoga Springs for these events and activities.

Winterfest

Image Courtesy of Saratoga Springs Winterfest

(1.5 miles from the Saratoga
 Springs Amtrak station)

Providing you with this years best winter "Thing-to-do" in Saratoga Springs, the Spa City presents its highly-anticipated annual Winterfest. Revel in the spirit of winter with live music, wine tastings, special events, entertainment and of course, Chowderfest. Each year the event draws crowds of people from all across New York State eager to explore local crafts, dabble in beer samplings, and taste a variety of Chowders. Running the week of February 5th through the 14th, the Spa City invites you for a week of endless entertainment.

Chowderfest

(1.5 miles from the Saratoga

 Springs Amtrak station)

Image Courtesy of Saratoga Springs Chowderfest

There is no better way to start off your stay in Spa City than with a cup of chowder at just $1 a cup. Saratoga’s Annual Chowderfest is one of the area’s most highly anticipated events of the year. Featuring more than 90 vendors, including Saratoga County’s best restaurants and caterers, who open their doors to the public and serve hot bowls of chowder to event goers. The event takes place on February 6th, at 11:00 am, where you may pick up a ballot form, taste different soups and chowders (3 oz serving) and vote for your favorite. The winner will be announced at 6:30 pm that day. Visitors are encouraged to bring their dogs, as some establishments offer doggy chowder -- sorry cats.

The Dance Flurry

Image Courtesy of the Dance Flurry

(1.6 miles from the Saratoga Springs Amtrak station)

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a great weekend of dancing, dipping and whirling with thousands of other spirited dancers! In its 28th year, the Flurry Festival in Spa City has engaged thousands in dance and music from all over the world. The weekend long festival draws dancers of all ages, all abilities and all styles of dance. Dancers may participate in a variety of workshops and programs designed for all levels of experience. From waltzes to tango and swing to contra, the Flurry Festival features many styles of dance and draws a yearly attendance of over 5,000 participants. The festival also includes an array of performances, singing, workshops, concerts, jamming, crafts and more.

Image Courtesy of Saratoga Beer Week

Saratoga Beer Week

(1.6 miles from the Saratoga Springs Amtrak station)

Join fellow beer enthusiasts for a five-day city-wide beer celebration. From February 16-20th locals and visitors alike will enjoy quality tastings of local, regional and national brews. Experience the dozens of beer-centered events scheduled and venture around town to the local restaurants, shops, and hotels. Attend the fifth anniversary and see the best of what Saratoga has to offer.

Image Courtesy of the Saratoga Frozen Springs Classic

Frozen Springs Classic

(2.6 miles from the Saratoga 

Springs Amtrak Station)

Take the ice from February 12-14th at the Saratoga Frozen Springs Classic Pond Hockey Tournament. Join other hockey lovers in a weekend of friendly competition and good old-fashioned pond hockey. Come as a team, or be a free agent. The schedule of events and full list of band performances and tournament rules will be posted closer to the date.

Sip, Savor, Sniff, and Swirl Through New York State's Finest Beverage Trails!

Whether you enjoy beer, wine or any other libation, you can enjoy it in New York State. These trails offer a wide array of unique activities for you to enjoy while tasting your way through the different regions. Each of these locations is easily accessible by the local Amtrak stations.

Image Courtesy of Millbrook Winery

Dutchess Wine Trail

(14.4 miles or 21.6 miles from Rhinecliff-Kingston Amtrak, depending on which winery you choose to visit first)

The Dutchess Wine Trail connects Clinton Vineyards and Millbrook Vineyards and Winery. Nestled in eastern Dutchess County, this trail leads you past bountiful vineyards, orchards and farms. Along the trail you will find thoroughbred horse farms, woodlands, lakes and streams. Clinton Vineyards was awarded the "Best Wine Produced in the Hudson Valley" for their Jubilee champagne in 2011. Located just 15 minutes away is "Hudson Valley's Flagship Winery," Millbrook Vineyards and Winery. Serving guests with world-class wines, Millbrook has earned acclaim as one of the top wineries in New York State. This trail also offers fine restaurants, country inns, bed and breakfasts and antique shops nearby.

                                                                  Hudson Berkshires

(15.5 miles from Rhinecliff Amtrak station)

Image Courtesy of Furnace Brook Winery

One of the premiere beverage trails in New York State, this trail features handcrafted and award-winning wines, beers, and spirits. The trail, which extends from Southeast of Albany down to Hudson, NY, includes five venues: Brookview Station Winery; Harvest Spirits; Hudson-Chatham Winery; Furnace Brook Winery; and Hudson Valley Distillers. Enjoy “Second Saturdays” on the trail where a $15 Special Trail Passport will allow you entry to all five. The last day of the season for this special event is 

                                                                                   December 12th.

Image Courtesy of Cazenovia Beverage Trail

Cazenovia Beverage Trail

(26.8 miles from Syracuse Amtrak station)

Visit one of the most beautiful regions in New York State for a unique experience in the countryside at Cazenovia Lake. The Cazenovia Beverage Trail is a collaboration of three craft beverage producers including the Harvest Moon Cidery at Crite Farms, Owera Vineyards, and the Henneberg Brewing Company. These producers promote delicious farm-based, handcrafted beverages, such as wine, hard cider, and beer.  

Image Courtesy of Shawangunk Wine Trail

Shawangunk Wine Trail

(11.3 miles from Poughkeepsie Amtrak)

Home to 14 diverse wineries, this eighty-mile-long trail is nestled between the Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson River in Ulster and Orange Counties. Here you’ll enjoy an experience rich in history and culture with museums, attractions, local shops, live music and cuisine from locally-sourced ingredients. Start your holiday season on the trail with “Wreath Fineries at the Wineries” where you can enjoy special tastings and receive a free souvenir glass, grapevine wreath, and ornament from each winery.

Image Courtesy of Niagara Landing Wine Cellars

Niagara Wine Trail (17.5 miles from Niagara Falls Amtrak): Spreading across the Niagara, Rochester and Buffalo areas, this wine trail is strategically located near Lake Ontario in a moderate climate, ideal for growing a wide variety of fruit. Along the trail are interesting towns with great restaurants, historic sites and antique shops – all just a short drive to Niagara Falls.

Image Courtesy of Victory View Vineyard

Upper Hudson Valley Wine Trail

(21.4 miles from Fort Edward-Glens Falls Amtrak)

Along this trail, you’ll savor the unique tastes from Washington County, visit “horse racing country” in Saratoga County, and the “Queen of American Lakes” in Warren County. You can try wines from new northern grape vines as well as the old-world classics. Each winery on the trail has its own seasonal hours. With the new Upper Hudson Valley Wine Trail Passport Deal, you may buy one wine tasting at regular price and get a second tasting at

                                                                                      any winery on the trail for free.

Image Courtesy of Finger Lakes Wine Center

Canandaigua Wine Trail

(29.2 miles from Rochester Amtrak)

This wine trail offers a full Finger Lakes experience. In addition to the six world-class wineries and up-and-coming breweries, the trail is surrounded by local attractions, restaurants, hotels, B & B's attractions, shopping, and more. For an afternoon of wine tasting, you can buy the Canandaigua Wine Trail Passport for only $10 from any of the six wineries, each offering its own special discounts for their wines.

                                                                   Adirondack Coast Wine Trail

                                                                           (2.8 miles from Plattsburgh Amtrak)

Image Courtesy of Adirondack Coast Wine Trail

This newly-created wine trail has received rave reviews from guests who have experienced the combination of stunning views and delicious flavors of the Adirondack Coast. This December, the trail will host a Holiday Open House when visitors can enjoy great deals on wines, hard cider and gifts while visiting all the wineries along the trail.

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.

Hudson Valley Event Round-Up

Hudson Valley has got it all! From inspirational landscapes and historical sites to wine tasting and zip-lining, there is always something new to discover. Make sure to check out these upcoming Hudson Valley events, listed chronologically below, and all reachable by Amtrak:

Dragon Boat Race & Festival (0.9 miles from the Poughkeepsie train station): Head over to the Hudson River on Saturday, July 25 for a day of fun in the sun. Whilst boat races transpire on the water, the Asian Culture Festival will occur on the shore. Games, food and drink, souvenirs, and dancing will be available for attendees.

Caramoor International Music Festival (18.5 miles from the Croton-Harmon Amtrak station): Held now through August 2 at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, this international music festival offers an abundance of cultural experiences. Featuring string quartets, soloists, jazz, pop, chamber music, and everything between, the musical diversity is sure to intrigue. Performances such as Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgiaand Verdi’s Rigoletto closely correlate with the cultural history presented by the festival’s venue.

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (14.1 miles from the Hudson Amtrak station): From July 31 – August 2, Dodd’s Farm will host this 3-day festival at which there will be dancing, a craft village, an international food court, workshops, comedy and spoken word performances, the Activities 4 Kids Tent, on-site camping, and of course—folk music! The campgrounds will open for guests on Wednesday, followed by Pre-Fest Tastings Day and a Farm Market on Thursday. Experience the Berkshires while enjoying live music with fellow fans of folk. 

Photo Credit: Aldon Hynes, Flickr

Basilica Soundscape (0.2 miles from Hudson Amtrak station): Located in a reclaimed factory from the 1880s, this 3-day festival, occurring September 11 – 13 this year, has gained recognition for its dedication to music and the arts, as well as for its unique venue. Noise specialists, metal bands, and experimental folk groups are some of many types of performers featured. Reviewers and past attendees of the event have voiced a desire for more events to follow Basilica’s footsteps in creating a genuine artistic experience.

Photo Credit: Leonard Nevarez, Flickr

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest/Hudson Valley Craft Beer Fest (3.1 miles from Rhinecliff-Kingston Amtrak station): From September 12 – 13, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds will host the 13^th annual Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest and the inaugural Hudson Valley Craft Beer Fest. Numerous vendors will attend the simultaneous events, including over 150 wineries; distilleries; gourmet specialty food vendors; market vendors; breweries; hard cider; restaurants; food trucks; and food concessions. Cooking demonstrations, beer and wine education seminars, live music, shopping, and a wine pick-up service are available for attendees as well.

The Hudson Valley hosts events for all ages and interests. Take a trip to this renowned region of beauty and admire the landscape through the window of an Amtrak train in transit to any of these exciting events. For more information on other New York events reachable by Amtrak and a 15% discount for Amtrak travel within New York State, visit NewYorkbyRail.com.

For more ideas regarding what to do in the Hudson Valley region, visit New York by Rail’s “Connections” section on pages 77 – 80 by clicking here or by checking out the print edition of our magazine.

Have Some Fun at 2015’s Food and Drink Festivals

Have Some Fun at 2015’s Food and Drink Festivals

Whether you’re a food, beer or wine lover, there are some great offerings out there in the coming months. Food and drink festivals are being held all across New York state, and here are seven that we recommend you to check out! All are accessible via Amtrak’s fine, scenic routes: 

Montreal Beer Fest 

22nd Annual Montreal Beer Fest (takes place at Montreal Convention Center, 0.5 miles from Montreal Amtrak): Beer lovers and professional brewers will commence from June 10-14 this year at the Montreal Beer Festival. Not only will there be beer tastings, but workshops will be held where attendees can learn the art of beer brewing. Founded in 1994, this event is a hallmark of the brewing industry in Quebec and its success has led to similar showcases in Rio de Janeiro and Europe. Admission to the event itself is free, but the samplings of beer go at a rate of one dollar per ounce. 

NYC Bourbon Bash (takes place in multiple locations in NYC, you can get to all of them via Penn Station Amtrak): On June 13, at eight different bars, you can enjoy the best bourbon the Big Apple has to offer hopefully without blacking out! For $65, you can also indulge in great food and rock out to great music. A portion of all the proceeds go to various non-profit and charitable organizations. Tickets are to be ordered online and you must check in from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm sharp. The event goes on until 10:00 pm.

Saratoga Brewfest 

Saratoga Brewfest (located at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds, 6.6 miles from the Saratoga Springs Amtrak): Also on June 13, the Saratoga Brewfest will showcase some of the best local, regional and national craft beers along with great live music. More than 75 breweries are expected to participate with over 250 brews available to taste in samples. The event will also feature speakers from the craft brew industry. The festivities go on from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm, but VIPs can enjoy from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm. General admission tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door, while VIPs get in for $60. 

Empire Brew Fest

World of Beer Empire Brew Fest 2015 (takes place in the Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds, 4.1 miles from the Syracuse Amtrak): For its 2015 outing, going from June 26th to 27th this year, this annual festival returns to Syracuse with more brewers and craft beers to go around. There will also be a Cornhole Tournament and interactive games which will test your knowledge of craft beer in addition to Giant Jenga and Giant Scrabble games for groups of friends to enjoy together! For those who are not big beer connoisseurs, there is a wine festival this year as well attached to the annual festivities. Admission breaks down like this: all day samplings are $35, the pay as you go rate is $10, and the designated driver rate is $5.

Little Falls Cheese Festival (takes place in the historic West End of Little Falls, NY, 21.6 miles from Utica Amtrak): On July 11, the scenic town of Little Falls, NY will host its annual festival showcasing delicious cheeses of all kinds. Plenty of other related products will be on hand as well, including yogurt, artisanal breads, jams and handcrafted cutting boards. Local restaurants will also be participating in a competition for the best pizza, which is the town specialty. Live music will be there, and just added is a one-act mystery play entitled “Where’s the Cheese?” performed by the town’s theater company. Admission is free, and you can call Utica Enterprise for pickup from the station to the event at (315) 736-0002.

Bounty of the Hudson Wine and Food Festival (takes place at Benmarl Winery, 11.2 miles outside the Poughkeepsie Amtrak): From July 25-26, you can sample some of the Hudson Valley Region’s finest wines and produce from local restaurants. All fourteen wineries located in the Shawangunk Wine Trail are participating this year. Along with the wines, visitors can sample local cheese, honey and baked goods while listening to some great live music. Admission is $28 and your ticket will cover the samplings from each of the wineries, the live music, and a souvenir Shawangunk Wine Trail glass. There are bus and taxi services at the station. 

Buffalo Wing Festival 

The National Buffalo Wing Festival (takes place at the Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, .2 miles from the Buffalo-Exchange Street Amtrak Station): This festival is known as the Super Bowl for the chicken wing industry, with total attendance of over 865,000 people and 4.5 million wings served since it began in 2002. This year it will take place from September 5-6. Participating restaurants showcase their wing sauces in a competition for best sauce known as the National Sauce-Off. Other competitions include the United States Buffalo Wing Eating Championship, the Baby Wing Contest, the Amateur Wing Sauce Competition, the XXXHot Wing Eating Contest, and bobbing for wings in a bowl of blue cheese. All weekend there will also be live music and trivia contests. Admission is $5 per day, but children under 8 get in for free. Tickets are available for purchase at the gate.

There’s food and fun for everyone this year! So come on down and dive into some of the best in food and drink that each of these locations has to offer. You can get to each one of them through Amtrak , and as always, you can look into our discounts for additional savings, including our 15% discount courtesy of ILOVENY. For any other inquiries, visit the New York By Rail website.