Celebrate Spring at These Festivals

After a long, cold winter, the temperature is finally rising and the weather is getting beautiful. It's time to head outdoors and celebrate the season. New York is home to tons of events that welcome spring; between the flower festivals and food and drink festivals, there is plenty going on to keep you busy every weekend.


Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival - Buffalo was hit hard by snow this winter, but they're ready for a "springtime blizzard" of cherry blossoms and flowers at the Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival. The event takes place from May 2 - 9 in the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park; the focal point is the bright pink cherry trees and admission is free! Events during the week-long celebration include a tea ceremony, a tree planting, traditional Japanese performances and more. Buffalo-Exchange Street Station is 5 miles from Delaware Park.

Hudson Valley Garden Fair - The Hudson Valley Garden Fair is a great event for those with a green thumb- and even those without one! Guests can listen to a lecture on gardening, tour historic gardens, and shop the many plant and garden vendors in attendance on May 2 at Montgomery Place in Red Hook. The garden fair is 7.5 miles from the Rhinecliff-Kingston Amtrak Station.

Photo from Flickr by Liz Lawley

Rochester Lilac Festival - The history of the Rochester Lilac Festival dates back to 1890, but the tradition has remained in place and has continued to grow. From May 8 - 17, go to Highland Park to enjoy 10 days of beautiful spring blooms and live music, as well as art shows and shopping for lilac products and souvenirs. Admission to the festival is free, though a few events, like the wine and chocolate tasting, require guests to purchase tickets. The Lilac Festival is 2.5 miles from Rochester Amtrak Station.

The Albany Tulip Festival - Stroll through Washington Park and admire over 100,000 tulip bulbs in full bloom at The Albany Tulip Festival. The festival takes place on May 9 & 10, and ends with a Mother of the Year Award on Sunday, Mother's Day. Other events include the Tulip Queen Coronation and the Royal Tulip Ball. The festival is free to the public, though the Royal Tulip Ball and the Tulip Queen and Court Luncheon require guests to purchase tickets. The Tulip Festival is 2.5 miles from the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station.

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival - The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is the oldest and largest food festival in New York City. On May 16 - 17, visit the vendors that line Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets, offering samples of food from all over the world. In addition, there are tons of merchants selling jewelry and crafts, as well as international entertainment. The festival is about 1 mile from New York-Penn Station.

Photo from Flickr by Benjamin Golub

Hudson-Berkshire Wine and Food Festival - Head to the Columbia County Fairgrounds on May 23 - 24 for the 3rd Annual Hudson-Berkshire Wine and Food Festival. The $25 admission fee covers your souvenir tasting glass, as well as all of the beer, wine and spirits samples you care to try. For food, there will be meats, cheeses and baked goods for sampling and sale. The festival is 13.2 miles from the Hudson Amtrak Station.


New York is coming alive after a long winter. Head outdoors to one of these great festivals located throughout the state. Take an Amtrak train to these destinations for a fun weekend away, and get there using a discount. For more information about these destinations and other getaway ideas, check out New York By Rail.

6 Places to Celebrate St. Patrick'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:

Wee little Irish step dancers march down 5th Avenue.
Photo credit: Diana Robinson

New York City (1 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. Patty's Day Parade in NYC took place in 1762- over 250 years ago! Participants march down 5th Avenue between 44th and 79th streets, led by this year's Grand Marshal, Cardinal Timothy Dolan. More than 2 million people are expected to attend this year's parade, so wear green and stake out a spot early!

 Buffalo (.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 75th installment of this fun event will take place on Sunday, March 15 on Delaware Avenue. The celebration isn't limited to one day, though. There will be live music, dancers and entertainment all weekend. On the actual holiday, which falls on a Tuesday, there is a traditional Irish breakfast.

Photo credit: Diana Robinson

Syracuse (2.3 miles from Syracuse Station Amtrak Station) - The theme of the the 33rd annual Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade is "March Into Spring." The city hopes to put the harsh winter weather behind them 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 (.6 miles from Rochester Amtrak Station) - Rochester's annual St. Patrick's Day parade usually draws about 50,000 people to the event that takes place on East and Main Streets. Those wishing to start the 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+.

Yonkers (2.8 miles from Yonkers Amtrak Station) - Last year, 2 historic parades merged to form one, giant parade taking place on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. This year's 60th Annual Yonkers St. Patrick's Day Parade takes place on Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m. The festivities have been growing each year and you can expect that this one will be bigger and greener than ever.

Photo credit: Diana Robinson

Utica (.5 miles from Utica Amtrak Station) - Utica's St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 14 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 is 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 a weekend? Amtrak is running tons of 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.

Yes, We Have Wi-fi!

The next time you travel on an Amtrak train in New York, stay productive with AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi services. Now, traveling a long distance does not have to mean disconnecting! Let the time pass quickly by keeping up with work, sending a few e-mails, or even just relaxing while you browse the Internet. Wi-Fi on Amtrak reaches 85 percent of all passengers and is available on every shorter distance route across the United States. And the best part of all - it’s free!


How to Connect to Amtrak Wi-Fi  

Follow this procedure if your device does not instantly connect you to the service:

1. Locate “Amtrak Connect” in your offered wireless networks. If you are sitting on the train, it states “AmtrakConnect,” and if you are still at the station it will state “AmtrakConnectStation.”
2. Now join the Wi-Fi network by tapping or clicking the name.
3. Either open or refresh an Internet browser, and wait for the Amtrak welcome screen to appear.
4. When the Amtrak welcome screen is opened, select “I Agree. Get Connected.” The Internet should automatically connect.


Where is Wi-Fi Supported?

Wi-Fi is fully available on the Empire Service trains, including the Adirondack, Ethan Allen Express, and Maple Leaf lines. It is not available in Canada on the Adirondack and Maple Leaf trains, however.

Just look for the “hot spot” stickers on the windows that indicate there is Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi is also available in the Amtrak gate areas in New York City’s Penn Station.

It is important to keep in mind that many others riding the train may be using the service at the same time, so the amount of bandwidth available is dispersed evenly to all Wi-Fi users. Therefore, in order to keep everything running smoothly, Amtrak can only allow up to 10 MB of downloadable data per person, and all video streaming content is blocked due to the greater file sizes.

Our advice? Download  those larger files to your laptop, tablet, or smartphone in advance, so you can enjoy that movie or e-book and avoid any technical issues.

If you need any last minute travel suggestions, remember to go to New York By Rail!

Take Amtrak to These Presidential Homes

Many United States presidents have called New York home. Luckily, those homes (and one tomb) have been preserved, allowing us to visit them and get a peek into the lives of the nation's past leaders. In celebration of the upcoming President's Week, here are a few of the presidential homes you can visit in New York. All of them are easily accessed by Amtrak, allowing you to travel comfortably to some great destinations.

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site - This National Historic Site hosts the FDR's home, the Presidential Library and Museum. The property sits on the Hudson River and is nestled in historic Hyde Park, New York. A day spent at the home of FDR will allow you to explore the home where FDR gave some of his famous "fireside chats" in the 1930s and 1940s. President Roosevelt specifically had the home preserved after his death and turned into a National Historic Site. You can roam around the grounds for free, but you'll need a tour guide to enter the home. The site is about 5 miles from Poughkeepsie Train Station, reachable by taxi or "Roosevelt Ride" shuttle service (seasonal).

Photo by John Williams on Flickr

Val-Kill National Historic Site - Val-Kill is the only National Historic Site dedicated to a first lady; this home is about 2 miles from the FDR home and was the cottage that Eleanor escaped to for relaxation and where she and a few friends started Val-Kill Industries. Just a short drive from the main home, Val-Kill is secluded, small and surrounded by natural beauty, which Mrs. Roosevelt felt comfortable in. Val-Kill is 6.5 miles from Poughkeepsie Train Station.

Teddy Roosevelt National Birthplace - Visit the reconstructed childhood home of the only president born and raised in New York City. President Roosevelt grew up in a town home in the Gramercy Park area, making it an easy destination from New York City's Penn Station. When visiting, you can view 5 restored rooms as well as artifacts and personal items; one fun exhibit includes a collection of political cartoons. The home is open Tuesday through Saturday and admission is free.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site - Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay on Long Island, was the home of President Teddy Roosevelt until his death in 1916. Unfortunately, the home is undergoing some restoration and will not be open until July 2015. Visitors can still tour the grounds, the Museum and Visitor Center. Sagamore Hill is 3.2 miles from Oyster Bay Train Station on the Long Island Rail Road. Visitors can easily connect to the LIRR from Amtrak at Penn Station.

Photo by Mike Steele on Flickr

General Grant National Memorial - While not a presidential home, Grant's Tomb is a memorial to the Union's commanding general who brought the Civil War to a close, and became a very successful American president. Upon their deaths, he and his wife were buried in the largest mausoleum on the continent, located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The mausoleum also contains exhibits about the president and a Visitor's Center, where you can frequently hear talks about the man on the $50 bill. The tomb is easily accessed by Subway from New York City's Penn Station. 

This President's Week, visit some of America's richest history right in New York. These homes and Grant's Tomb are an interactive and exciting way to learn about history and get a peek into the lives of some of the United States' greatest leaders. If you're looking for another reason to go, Amtrak is offering 15% off select service routes in New York with 5-day advance booking. While traveling on a comfortable Amtrak train, you can sit back, relax and spend some time reading up on the president whose home you'll be visiting. For more information on destinations and travel ideas, visit New York By Rail. 

6 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in New York City

Hey lovebirds! It's almost Valentine's Day- do you have plans yet? If you want to make this year extra special, hop on an Amtrak train and take the scenic ride into New York City's Penn Station for a day trip or the weekend. The Big Apple will definitely provide a Valentine's Day to remember. Not sure how to spend your day? Here are a few suggestions for February 14.

Times Square - If you're the kind of couple that wants the world to know all about your love, head straight for Times Square, where couples will be getting married, renewing their vows and proposing to one another at the Love in Times Square event. While all wedding ceremony slots are filled, there's no stopping you from looking on and joining in festivities as thousands celebrate love!

View from the Top of the Rock by Andres Moreira on Flickr

Cruise - A romantic dinner is a staple of most Valentine's Day celebrations, but there are far more options than you may realize, and there's no reason to limit your options to the land. Any short cruises take passengers to the East and Hudson Rivers. Some provide cocktails and appetizers while others are full, sit-down dinners. All offer incredible views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty and tours generally leave from Chelsea Piers. Book tickets ahead of time, as these boat cruises are popular!

Top of the Rock - You may have walked the streets of New York, but if you've never been to the top of New York City, specifically to the top of Rockefeller Center, you should absolutely get tickets for this Valentine's Day. Musicians Lincoln Cleary and Joelle Lurie will be performing from 7-9:00 p.m. as part of the Starlight Music Series. You and your partner can purchase champagne or wine as you enjoy 360 degrees of Manhattan skyline.

Tours - Tours are becoming huge in New York City, and I'm not talking about the kind that bring you around on an open top, red bus. Food and drink walking tours are a fun way to see some of the best places in the city. The possibilities are endless; you can find tours for chocolate, cupcakes, Italian food, wine, dessert, beer and cheese, among many others. Pick a food item that you and your loved one enjoy and spend the day indulging in the best that New York City offers!

One of Leger's works currently on display.

Central Park -  We've all seen them, but how many of us have taken a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park? It's typical New York romance, with you and your lover able to snuggle under a cozy blanket while being led around to see the sights of New York. A relatively inexpensive outing, a horse-drawn carriage ride can be a quick date activity that will be romantic and memorable.

The Met - The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most popular museums, and for good reason. The museum holds an extensive collection of permanent paintings, sculptures and artifacts. The Met also constantly hosts incredible limited-time exhibits, like Cubism, which is closing on February 16. This exhibits features works by Picasso, Gris, Leger and Braque. Valentine's Day weekend is a great opportunity to see this exhibit before it leaves New York.


A day or weekend in New York City is great for lovebirds this Valentine's Day. All of these date ideas are either close to Amtrak's Penn Station or are accessible by New York City's Subway. Still not convinced to head into Manhattan? Amtrak offers a 15% discount for any train trip within New York State. Valentine's Day should be a wonderful day for couples; let Amtrak bring you to New York City while you sit back and relax on a comfortable train with your partner. For more information about travel destinations, see New York By Rail.

Saratoga Springs: A Weekend Getaway Reachable by Train

If you're looking for a last-minute getaway, less than 4 hours from New York City by train, Saratoga Springs may be your answer. Embrace the chilly weather at the annual Winterfest, taking place from January 30 - February 8, 2015. There are plenty of activities for families and couples who want a weekend away from New York City. One of the most convenient ways to get to Saratoga is taking an Amtrak train from Penn Station.

Amtrak is running a promotion that allows customers to purchase a $90 round-trip ticket that they can use between any two Adirondack line stations, including Saratoga Springs. For details about the offer, go to Amtrak.com. With this great promotion, there's no better time to escape the city. 

If you only stay in beautiful Saratoga Springs for a weekend, Winterfest offers a wide array of activities to keep people of all ages entertained. The weekend kicks off with the Beer and Wine Tasting on January 30. The next day, eat your way through Saratoga at Chowderfest. At $1 a cup, you are free to eat as many bowls as you can and vote for your favorite. Other Winterfest opening weekend activities include the CANdlelight Ski & Snowshoe, Winterfest 5K Race, Limoncello's Taste of Italy and Winterfest at Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness. 

Photo courtesy of Saratoga Convention  and Tourism Bureau

Hockey fans can participate in or cheer at the Saratoga Frozen Springs Classic Pond Hockey Tournament on February 6-8. Whether you want to join in the excitement or sit back and sip cocoa from the sidelines, the event is a classic winter activity that draws tons of fans every year. On this final weekend of Winterfest, you can also attend the Bartender's Ball or take the kids to Wilton Wildlife: WinterFest Snowshoe Event at Camp Saratoga. 

Saratoga Springs is the perfect winter destination for New York City residents without a car because Amtrak takes you right to the city. From the Saratoga Springs Amtrak station you can take a cab for generally $10 or less to your choice of downtown hotels. The Pavilion Grand Hotel has a special Amtrak rate and is offering a free room upgrade upon availability for Winterfest visitors. Call the hotel at 518-583-2727 for details. The Pavilion Grand Hotel is a brand new boutique hotel that offers tons of amenities for the traveler looking for a comfy weekend in Saratoga. After a day spent walking around the city and chowing down on chowder, guests can enjoy the spa at The Pavilion Grand Hotel for ultimate relaxation. This hotel is central to most

Photo courtesy of Pavilion Grand Hotel

of the Winterfest activities as well as the clubs and restaurants that bring tourists back to Saratoga time after time. 

In downtown Saratoga, don't miss one of the most renowned and popular music venues, Cafe Lena; Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie are among the many famous musicians who have performed at this coffeehouse. You'll also find plenty of dancing, pubs and every kind of cuisine or restaurant you can imagine downtown. The Pavilion Grand Hotel's restaurant, Mingle on the Avenue, offers an eclectic menu featuring Korean-fusion and American comfort food. The restaurant uses local food and produce, guaranteeing fresh and delicious cuisine. 

By choosing to spend a weekend in Saratoga this winter, you'll be able to celebrate the season with locals and tourists. With Amtrak's $90 round-trip promotion, you can sit back and relax before arriving for a fun weekend in Saratoga, which will surely have you wanting to return. For more details about the promotion and other destinations accessible by train, see NewYorkByRail.com.