The best way to find the prime spots is with a free Hudson River Waterfront Map. Beautifully illustrated, the map shows riverfront access, marinas, waterside restaurants, boat cruises, and so much more. To make things even better, it’s waterproof.  To receive your Hudson River Waterfront Map, just call 800-232-4782.

Wineries

Restaurants

Seasons

Summer and fall are the high seasons in the Finger Lakes. Summers are marked by long hot days on the lakes sailing or water-skiing and beach bonfires in the crisp summer evenings. These are also good times to explore the local college town, grab a dozen ears of fresh-picked sweet corn for dinner, and get dinner on a terrace overlooking a vineyard and a lake.  Fall is a perfect time to drive the swooping highways, stop for a basket of apples and local cheese, and hunt antiques along the roadsides. Skiers and snowmobilers take advantage of abundant snow to extend their season into the spring.

There are also dozens of gorgeous state and local parks set along the lakes and back into the deep narrow gorges and misty waterfalls. Rochester and Syracuse bookend lively small cities like Auburn, Ithaca and Geneva, and charming small towns like Skaneateles and Canandaigua - places that gave birth to Women's Rights and Abolition. (By the way, can you name the prominent New York politician expected to win the nomination easily, but who lost it to an unknown from Illinois? That’s right, it was William Seward.)

What not to miss

Watkins Glen and Taughannock State Parks

feature the region’s most gorgeous gorges. Watkins Glen (also site of the Gran Prix race track) has 19 waterfalls dropping more than 200 feet in two miles of Tolkien-esque hiking trails. Taughannock is more direct – one straight shot of 215 feet to the floor of a 400-foot-deep gorge. Either is worth the afternoon.

Top Wineries

Winery terraces perch high above vineyards and lakes with euphoria-inducing views of distant hills and setting suns. And the wine is pretty good too.

Finger Lakes Wines Are Winners in Competition

One of the oldest and largest competitions in the United States, the International Eastern Wine Competition (IEWC) was held in May 2009 with over 2,200 entries, representing 38 states, three provinces of Canada, and 13 countries. New York wineries captured an impressive total of 221 medals—6 Double Gold, 27 Gold, 86 Silver and 102 Bronze, with Finger Lakes wineries leading the charge.

Swedish Hill Winery--

won two Double Golds (2006 Vidal Blanc, 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles) and three Golds (2006 Dry Riesling, 2006 Cayuga White, and Spumante Blush).

Other Double Golds went to

Keuka Spring Vineyards

(2005 Epic), Lakewood Vineyards (Carpe Vinum Cayuga White), and

Torrey Ridge Winery

(2005 Seyval Blanc). Gold medals were awarded to

Anthony Road Wine Company

(2006 Dry Riesling); Chateau Frank Celebre and

Dr. Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars

(2006 Rkatsiteli);

Chateau LaFayette Reneau

(2006 Pinot Noir Blanc, 2006 Dry Riesling, and 2005 Reserve Chardonnay);

Earle Estates Winery & Meadery

(Niagara and Pear Mead);

Glenora Wine Cellars (2001 Brut);

Heron Hill Winery

(2004 Cabernet Franc and 2005 Chardonnay) to list a few!

Also, at the recent 27th Annual Riverside International Wine Competition,

Chateau LaFayette Reneau’s

2006 Dry Riesling won a unanimous gold, as did wines from

Fox Run Vineyards and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards & Winery.

Top wineries include Dr. Frank’s on Keuka Lake, Herrmann Weiner and Chateau Lafayette Reneau on Seneca Lake, and Sheldrake Point and Treleaven on Cayuga Lake.

The Lux end

Geneva-on-the-Lake

was modeled after Villa Lancellotti in Frascati, Italy; its interior includes Italian marble fireplaces, wall tapestries, Ionic columns and wood-coffered ceilings. The villa later became a monastery, and then, in 1981, an elegant small resort. “The stunning four-diamond Geneva on the Lake, has a garden reminiscent of Versailles.” – Wall Street Journal

“The Glen"

is a road racing showplace. Former home of the US Grand Prix, the fast, smooth and challenging 11-turn course covers 3.45 miles, including some exciting elevation changes. Among others, the Skip Barber Racing School holds high-performance and formula one race driving classes here.

MacKenzie-Childs’ home

just outside of Aurora is a terrific place for people seeking to spend a lot on original, artisanal, handmade, hand-painted ceramic and enamel dinnerware, handpainted furniture, home furnishings, and garden designs.

Salmon and Trout Fishing.

The deep, dark Finger Lakes hold trophy land-locked salmon, lake trout, brown and rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass, and Lake Ontario even more so. But it takes more than a lure in the water. Experienced guides lead veteran or brand-new anglers to secret locations over the 200-foot underwater drop-offs in fully-equipped fishing boats to bring home stringers-full for dinner. And, the streams tumbling down the hills and feeding the lakes make the area one of America’s best fly-fishing locations, according to Fish and Fly Magazine.

GLEN COVE

Glen Cove Mansion Hotel Announces “Family Summer Camp” Package

The spacious and beautiful 55-acre Long Island property is located just 45 minutes from Manhattan and close to Long Island Sound. Glen Cove Mansion’s Summer Camp for families includes full use of the Mansion’s large outdoor pool and sun decks, complete health & fitness amenities including an indoor pool, 4 tennis courts (racquets and balls provided), basketball, and acres of lawns available for a game of football or baseball. 

Also included are bikes for exploring groomed trails throughout the century-old estate’s acreage, access to the nearby beaches of Long Island Sound, and even croquet and lawn bowling for those families looking for a more relaxed way to spend the afternoon together. Additionally, the Family Summer Camp package provides a pay-per-view movie in their guestroom, featuring a variety of current selections… at no additional cost!

If they need more, the Mansion’s service team can schedule visits to Sagamore Hill National Historic Museum (President Theodore Roosevelt’s estate), to the nearby historic Gold Coast Mansion Museums open to the public, or offer suggestions for shopping and site-seeing in charming and historic Glen Cove and Oyster Bay. When evening rolls in, there’s Happy Hour at the outdoor pool or in the Mansion’s top floor restaurant and billiard rooms, Pub 1910, with Kids Cocktails for the children and more adult-oriented beverages for mom & dad.

Glen Cove Mansions’ Family Summer Camp is $249 per night for a family of four and extends through Labor Day weekend. Included is:

- Two adjoining luxury guestrooms
- Full breakfast for 4 persons
- Access to outdoor & indoor pools and sundecks, Fitness Center
- Tennis (racquets & balls provided)
- Basketball, football, baseball (balls provided)
- Biking / walking trails through the 55 acre estate (bikes provided)
- Access to Long Island Sound’s beaches nearby
- Croquet
- Lawn bowling
- Pay-per-view movie in guestroom
- Happy hour at the outdoor pool or in Pub 1910 in the Mansion (Kids & Adult Cocktails)

For more information on Glen Cove Mansion’s Family Summer Camp Package or for reservations, please call 516-671-6400 or visit www.glencovemansion.com.

About Glen Cove Mansion

The award-winning Glen Cove Mansion Hotel is situated on 55 secluded and landscaped acres on Long Island's historic Gold Coast, 30 minutes from New York City by car and rail (Long Island Railroad, Oyster Bay line, Glen Cove Station), and close to JFK International and LaGuardia Airports. The spacious Georgian-style mansion features stunning vistas of Long Island Sound and was once part of a prestigious collection of gracious country estates, later becoming one of the nation's first dedicated conference center hotels. Today the elegant property features 187 richly appointed guestrooms, including four suites, the Garden Room Restaurant with magnificent views of the terraces, a large and comfortable Pub 1910, private dining rooms ideal for social and corporate occasions, as well as vast outdoor reception areas overlooking the mansion's Gilded Age gardens. The property offers 29,000 square feet of event and meeting space, with 27 dedicated conference rooms accommodating from 10 to 280 guests, advanced meeting technology, an executive business center and conference concierge services. Wireless Internet access is available throughout. Also provided are complete fitness and recreational facilities, including a sauna, steam and massage rooms, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, garden swimming pool, racquetball courts, lighted tennis courts, jogging trail and a sports field. Golf is available nearby. Ideal for executive retreats, corporate meetings and social gathering, the Glen Cove Mansion is masterfully designed to integrate gracious accommodations, superb cuisine and attentive service with contemporary comforts and the latest technology. For more information on the Glen Cove Mansion Hotel, visit www.glencovemansion.com. 

HUDSON VALLEY

Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. is the 10-county region designated by I LOVE NEW YORK to promote tourism for the area. Counties include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester. Regional information can be obtained from any of the county tourism offices, the Hudson Valley Tourism website, www.travelhudsonvalley.com, or by calling 845-615-3860.

ITHACA

a quirky college town set on the southern end of Cayuga Lake. Cornell’s Nobel Prize winners mingle with locals in pick-up trucks to make this progressive small city the very definition of eclectic. Cornell’s ivied halls, 150 waterfalls, more restaurants per person than New York City, and stunning natural beauty make Ithaca the archetypical Finger Lakes town. Climb Cornell’s iconic bell tower to be rewarded with a spectacular view.

When to go:

Summer and fall are the top seasons, although East Coast families might want to check out the area’s low-priced, family-friendly ski resorts.

Finger Lakes adds new birding area: State sets aside 890 acres on south end of Seneca Lake

Websites to visit…

WINE COUNTY LODGING BARGAINS

Events

Rockwell Museum of Western Art, Corning

In 1938, photographer Ansel Adams took a journey with his close friends, including Georgia O’Keeffe through Yosemite’s backcountry. The album displays their trip through the stunning scenic landscapes of Yosemite as well as intimate candid portraits of the artists. This rare album is on loan, and is accompanied by rarely seen photographs of O’Keefe in her New Mexico home photographed by Todd Webb. Exhibit Info and Tickets; (607) 937-5386; www.rockwellmuseum.org

   Outdoor Adventures

Spend 3 days in nature, no phones, no office just you, fresh air and some good friends. Choose from kayaking, hiking, biking or fly fishing with your local outdoor guide. Each day brings a new adventure, so enjoy! Included in this package are picnic lunches each day and a camp fire dinner with s'mores and hot cocoa on your last night.

Price: $700.00 per person, based on double occupancy, plus applicable taxes.

Make it a weekend getaway to the Black Sheep Inn

HUDSON VALLEY

Summer Getaways to Beaches and Islands Make for a Great Escape in the Hudson Valley

Bali Hai may call you, but the easiest way to connect with a tropical summer is to stay local in the Hudson Valley. Breezy islands and sandy beaches offer fun in the sun that feels like you’ve been transported to faraway places.

River and rapids provide spectacular views at Peebles Island, where the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers come together. Bring a picnic and a fishing pole, or stroll through miles of scenic paths. Nearby is the Schaick Mansion on its own island, a beautifully preserved historic home. Sail away to Constitution Island, where the Warner Family built their home in 1836. Revolutionary War fortifications precede the founding of West Point, and offer a spectacular view of the United States Military Academy and the Hudson Highlands.

Just up the river, discover the mystery of Bannerman Island, the baronial Scottish castle in the Hudson Highland, seen from Cold Spring and West Point. A short boat ride takes you to the foot of the island where guides share the historic castle’s secrets as you wend your way along the paths of the ghostly structures and manicured gardens.

Discover island living of a different sort at the Saugerties Lighthouse. This charming faded brick 1838 lighthouse still guides ships through a narrow stretch of the Hudson, and also operates year-round as a bed and breakfast. Day visitors can tour the lighthouse and museum and relax on the large wooden deck that reaches into the river.

A rare opportunity to see the Hudson Athens Lighthouse occurs the second Saturday of August, September, and October. Tours offer visitors a peek into the life of the last family to live at the lighthouse, and a walk around the grounds provides a 360-degree view of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.

Some prefer lake swimming to ocean waves, and two beaches at Greenwood Lake offer an idyllic way to spend a summer afternoon lolling in the sun. Both beaches have lifeguards, picnic areas, and play areas for a fun family escape. South Beach at North/South Lake State Park at Haines Falls is another easy way to kick back and relax. Swim in the gentle waters, take a leisurely hike, or rent a rowboat to see more of the shore.  

And you thought we just had a river!  Come visit the special Hudson Valley islands and beaches. It’s a short trip to a getaway that feels like a vacation. For more information, contact:

Peebles Island, Waterford. (518) 237-7000 ext. 220, http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=120

Constitution Island, West Point and Cold Spring. 845-446-8676, www.ConstitutionIsland.org

Bannerman Island, Newburgh and Beacon. 845-220-2120, www.prideofthehudson.com   

Saugerties Lighthouse, Saugerties. 845-247-0656, www.saugertieslighthouse.com         

Hudson Athens Lighthouse, Hudson and Athens. 518-828-5294,
www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org

Schodack Island State Park, Schodack Landing. 518-732-0187, http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=87

Performance Art Flotilla Swimming Cities, Nyack. 845-358-4973
   
Playland Amusement Park, Rye Beach. 914-813-7000, www.ryeplayland.org       

Greenwood Lake Beach, Greenwood Lake. 845-986-1124, www.villageofgreenwoodlake.org/beach.html

North/South Lake State Park, Haines Falls. 518-589-5058, www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24487.html


Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. is the 10-county region designated by I LOVE NEW YORK to promote tourism for the area. Counties include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester. Regional information can be obtained from any of the county tourism offices, the Hudson Valley Tourism website, www.travelhudsonvalley.com, or by calling 845-615-3860.

ITHACA

About Ithaca

Less than a half-day’s drive from most of the metro Northeast, Ithaca is a progressive community known for breathtaking gorge waterfalls, outstanding recreation and liberal thinking. Home to Cornell University and the famous Moosewood Restaurant, the city’s rich culture, fine lodging and great dining make it an ideal base for any Finger Lakes wine country getaway. Travel and lodging information is available at VisitIthaca.com or (800) 284-8422.

KEUKA LAKE

More soon!

LAKE GEORGE AREA-WARREN COUNTY

This isn't just a summer paradise -- for when it snows, the area turns into a wonderland for winter adventures, activities and events. Set in the Adirondacks, you can enjoy a cozy Bed & Breakfast accommodation, visit one of the many museums and galleries, or ski, snowmobile, skate, sled, snowshoe, go ice fishing, or just admire the snowflakes. If you're daring, join others as they plunge into the icy waters of Lake George during the New Year's Day Polar Plunge Swim, part of the annual lake George Winter Carnival. Other carnival events include snow volleyball, hockey, shoot-outs, snow sculpture contests, and outhouse races. Check with the Lake George Recreational Park for cross-country skiing, ice skating and snow tubing all winter long. When it's time to warm up, check out the Lake George Factory outlets with more than 70 name brand stores to choose from.

QUEENSBURY

Just off Interstate 87, this town offers an extensive list of lodging establishments and restaurants, making vacationing in the Southern Adirondacks most enjoyable. At the Gurney Lane Recreational Area, you'll find ice skating, sledding and cross-country skiing. After, relax at a local cafe or restaurant over a cup of tea, coffee or soup. Or, shop at the Aviation Mall.

BRANT LAKE

Here you can opt for a guided snowshoe tour through Up Yonda Farm Environmental Educational Center. Track animal prints in the snow, visit wildlife exhibits inside the museum, and enjoy the day exploring the Adirondack wilderness as well as spectacular views of Lake George.

STONY CREEK

This town boasts a winter ranch resort offering sledding, horseback riding, ice skating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and plenty more. Each March, a Blizzard Blast is held where you can indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet while listening to live entertainment.

THURMAN

Rev up the snowmobile engines and set out on the 118 mile trail system made possible by the Thurman Connection Snowmobile club. Experience the pristine wilderness of Thurman's backcountry, stimulated by the thrill of soaring through the snow.

GLENS FALLS

History buffs will totally enjoy the rich history of this area by visiting the museums and galleries. Make a stop at the Chapman Museum and learn about domestic life in the late 19th century. Or, visit The Hyde Collection, a world-class art museum complex, and gaze at the works of Degas, Picasso, Homer, Rembrandt, and Renoir. After, if you desire lots of thrills and chills, head over to West Mountain where you can ski, snowboard, or tube down lighted trails - just ten minutes away from the city center.

For more information, contact the Warren County Tourism Department, 1340 State Route 9, Municipal Center, Lake George, NY 12845; 1-800-95-VISIT, Ext. 143, or check web site www.visitlakegeorge.com.

LAKE PLACID

The Whiteface Lodge Has Great Summer Specials

The Whiteface Lodge understands that families are looking for memorable, budget-friendly vacations and in response they are offering an unparalleled value-added experience with the "Customize with Credits" and the "Summer Share-cation" programs.

An innovative new summer program aimed to help families and groups of friends share vacation expenses. The "Share-cation" program offers a seven-night weekly rate for its three- and four-bedroom suites, spacious and plush single and two-story guest suites that comfortably accommodate groups from eight to ten. Guests who book this weekly rental program also receive additional value-added gratis activities, services and amenities.
Prices for the weekly rental program begin at $6,950.00 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite for eight guests (1,880 square-feet); $7,450 for a Grand Lodge three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite that can accommodate eight to ten guests in a more spacious setting of 2,065 square-feet; and $7,950 for the four-bedroom, four bathroom Presidential suite, which features an outdoor sleeping porch and is tailored to accommodate up to ten guests. (Prices do not include taxes and other surcharges).

"Customize With Credits": The Whiteface Lodge's Savvy Yearlong Savings Program

Provides guests who book a Superior one-bedroom suite for one night with a $50 credit; a two-night stay garners a $150 credit; and a three-night stay secures a $300 credit.
The program permits guests to apply their credits towards dining, beverages, spa treatments and/or ice cream treats in the property's onsite, old- fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. Guests may use their credits to enjoy water skiing or a motorized boat tour on Lake Placid, which offers breathtaking views of the Adirondack Mountains.
The price for a one-bedroom suite is $375/night from April 1 - June 20, 2010. At various other points during the year, such as fall (September 7 - October 16, 2010) as well as peak winter season (November 24 - November 27), rates for a Superior one bedroom will be $390 / night.

During the summer peak period (June 21 - September 6, 2010), the nightly rate for a Superior one-bedroom suite is $500. Additionally, a two-night minimum stay is required during summer. The package will be available yearlong.

The per night room prices do not include taxes or surcharges. Additionally, the Resort credits cannot be applied towards the final bill. The value-added packages at The Whiteface Lodge craft a family getaway filled with relaxation and excitement for all to enjoy. 

For further information on the package components, please visit www.thewhitefacelodge.com

MONTAUK

Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina Announces Summer & Fall Leisure Travel Packages

Located on the romantic East End of Long Island’s South Fork near the serene hamlet of Montauk is a vacation destination unlike any other. Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina was once a favorite playground of Gilded Age titans, created in the 1920s as an East End vacation paradise to celebrate life’s grand moments of leisure. Whether by car or yacht, Montauk Yacht Club was accessible and welcoming and people flocked there. 

Today, only the memory of the Astors, the Morgans, the Whitneys, Eastmans and the Vanderbilts remain. Zigfield’s Follies may no longer join him at his private residence at the yacht club, but everything they loved remains for 21st Century guests – including their guest accommodations. Montauk Yacht Club welcomes 21st Century guests with style and sophistication reminiscent of those halcyon days – whether they arrive by yacht, automobile, train or the Hamptons Jitney. The yacht club’s private and secure waterfront location provides an exquisite getaway, overlooking Lake Montauk, the harbor and the marina with its fleet of luxury watercrafts and mega yachts. 

The historic yacht club, with its signature lighthouse (now restored), features 107 elegantly appointed and freshly refurbished guestrooms, many with outdoor terraces and sitting areas to take in harbor and lake breezes. Twenty three hideaway villa rooms are also available, which were originally built in the 1920s as the summer residence for famed industrialist Harvey Firestone and later relished by Florenz Ziegfeld and his famed Ziegfeld Follies dancers.  

Award-winning executive chef, Jared Potter, serves exquisite cuisine in the yacht club’s Lighthouse Grill & Patio restaurant and Cohi Bar. The casual Breezes Café is perfect for lite fare between spa treatments, yachting excursions and beach combing. And the yacht club’s 232 marina slips accommodate vessels up to 250 feet!

Montauk Yacht Club’s Summer & Fall Vacation Packages

Montauk Yacht Club has introduced a new series of summer and fall packages combining the best of the Hamptons with the privacy and intimacy of Montauk. They include:

Beach Getaway Package

The Hamptons and Montauk are all about the beach. Guests can either enjoy the yacht club’s private beach on Lake Montauk -- or the ocean beaches for sun, beach combing, and long luxurious walks in the surf. Includes:

·         Deluxe Overnight Accommodations

·         Breakfast for two Adults in Breezes Café

·         Children 12 and under eat for free

·         Complimentary Shuttle and/or Day Parking Passes to Ocean Beaches

From $229 per room/night, based on double occupancy

Family Fun Package

There’s nothing like getting the family together and heading for the sun, the surf, the sea. The Morgans and Vanderbilts did it 80 years ago. 21st Century guests of Montauk Yacht can enjoy it today! Includes:

·         Deluxe Overnight Accommodations in Connecting Rooms – One King (and/or Two Doubles)

·         Participation in the Montauk Kids Program

·         Pails & Shovels for a Family Beach Day

·         Breakfast for two adults in Breezes Café

·         Children 12 and under eat for free

·         Complimentary Shuttle and/or Day Parking Passes to Ocean Beaches

From $239 per room/night (single room), based on double/quad occupancy

From $439 per room/night (two-room connector set), based on double/quad occupancy

Spa MYC Package

There’s nothing like being in the Hamptons and hitting the spa! Montauk Yacht Club’s treatments at its signature Spa MYC will enhance any guest’s well-being and set the stage for a glorious weekend escape on the East End! Includes:

· Deluxe Overnight Accommodations

· Two one-hour Swedish massages at Spa MYC (advanced reservations required)

· Breakfast for two adults in the Breezes Cafe

· Spa Amenity

From $459 per room/night, based on double occupancy

Romance in The Hamptons Package

The sun, the sea, the beaches, the Hamptons, and a Swedish Massage with your partner … does it get any more romantic? Includes:

·         Deluxe Overnight Accommodations for two adults

·         Chilled Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries

·         Two complimentary drinks in Cohi Bar

·         Two 45-minute Swedish “Couples” massages at Spa MYC (advanced reservations required)

·         Welcome basket upon arrival, including Spa amenity, cheese, gourmet crackers, and fruit

From $469 per room/night, based on double occupancy

Lighthouse Cruise Package

One of the glorious sites of Montauk is the famed and historic lighthouse, and one of the fabulous aspects of visiting Montauk Yacht Club is the opportunity to enjoy the lighthouse from the sea. Includes:

·         Deluxe Overnight Accommodations for two adults

·         1 1⁄2 hour Cruise to and from the Montauk Light House

·         Bottle of house wine to enjoy on the cruise

·         Breakfast for two adults in Breezes Cafe

From $469 per room/night, weather permitting, based on double occupancy

Surfing Package

Surfing in the Hamptons? … Yes! Some of the East Coast’s best surfing is here! Who needs the North Shore of Oahu when you have Montauk? Includes:

·         Deluxe Overnight Accommodations for two adults

·         Breakfast for two the next morning in Breeze’s Café

·         MYC shuttle to and from Ocean Beach for Surf Class

·         Surfing Basics Class & surfing – all gear provided by East End Surf

·         Box Lunch and Beverage to take to the Beach from MYC’S Breezes Cafe

Packages from $225 per person based on double occupancy

Family Packages from $175 per family member based on quad occupancy

Advance surfing classes also available – please call the yacht club for details.

Based on double/quad occupancy

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Hamptons Style)

Yes they do! Whether Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, or any other sophisticated woman looking for an excursion out with the girls – Sex And The City-style or not, Montauk Yacht Club may just be the perfect girls getaway on the Atlantic – sun up or sun down!  

Sun Up

Includes:

·         Deluxe Overnight Accommodations for four adults based on quad occupancy

·         Breakfast for four the next morning in Breeze’s Café

·         Four signature Massage Treatments at SPA MYC

·         Four-hour Sun Up Limo Excursion Hosted by Hampton Angel Guide

o       Shopping Trip to the Shops of East Hampton & Bridgehampton

o       Hot Spot Lunch at East Hampton Point or Babettes

·          Wrap Up Cocktail at Cohi Bar at Montauk Yacht Club

o       Yachtini or Hampton Angels Blue Angel Martini

·         Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Take Home Souvenir

Sun Down

Includes:

·         Deluxe Overnight Accommodations for four adults based on quad occupancy

·         Breakfast for four the next morning in Breeze’s Café

·         Four signature Massage Treatments at SPA MYC

·         Kick-Off Cocktail at Cohi Bar at Montauk Yacht Club

o       MYC Signature Yachtini or Hampton Angels Blue Angel Martini

·         Five-hour Sun Down Limo Excursion Hosted by Hampton Angel Guide

o       Hampton’s Lounge Hopping Trip

o       Hot Spot Dinner at Bamboo or “The Lodge”

·         Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Take Home Souvenir

Prices start at $500 per person, based on package & date, and based on double/quad occupancy

For more information on Summer & Fall Leisure Travel Packages at the storied Montauk Yacht Club, or to make reservations, call 631-668-3100 or visit: www.montaukyachtclub.com

ABOUT THE RESORT & MARINA
Founded in 1928 and situated along a 22-acre waterfront, the historic Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina has long been a perennial favorite playground for those who frequent the shores of Long Island's South Fork East End. The Resort actually began as three separate estates. The original club building was built by entrepreneur Carl Fisher, the master builder who turned Miami from a sleepy backwater town into a thriving resort city. Fisher had dreams of replicating his success with the small seaside village of Montauk by creating a playground for the rich and famous. The club's original membership included Vincent Astor, J.P. Morgan, Jr., Nelson Doubleday, Edsel Ford, Harry Payne Whitney, Thomas Eastman, John Wanamaker and Harold S. Vanderbilt. Among the many guests was famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, who often flew his seaplane into the harbor to dock at the Marina.

Today, the Resort offers 107 comfortably-elegant guestrooms with views of Lake Montauk, including 23 Villa accommodations. The Resort features superb dining in the Lighthouse Grill and lighter fare within the casual ambiance of Breeze’s Café. Social and corporate groups are accommodated within flexible event space, including four conference rooms and a newly renovated ballroom, as well as extensive outdoor space. Recreational offerings include a private beach, the Montauk Yacht Club Spa, tennis, outdoor and indoor pools, and golf at the nearby Montauk Downs, however the highlight is the property’s 232-slip marina -- recognized by Yachting magazine as a “Top Ten Marina Destination in North America, Mexico & the Bahamas.” Home to the Brits vs. Yanks, Redbone, and Whitewater Challenger Montauk Yacht Club fishing tournaments, the marina accommodates vessels 250+ feet with a maximum 12+-foot draft, and features comprehensive on-site amenities, as well as signature Island Global Yachting services. For reservations or more information, please call 888-MYC-8668 or visit www.montaukyachtclub.com. Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina is an Island Global Yachting destination (IGY) www.igymarinas.com.

Historic Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina -- Gilded Age Titans

Located on the East End of Long Island’s South Fork near the serene hamlet of Montauk, is an exquisite wedding destination that was once a favorite playground of Gilded Age titans -- the historic Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina. Created as an exclusive resort in the 1920s by entrepreneur Carl Fisher, the master builder who turned Miami from a sleepy backwater town into a thriving resort city, Montauk Yacht Club welcomed Vincent Astor, J.P. Morgan, Jr., and Nelson Doubleday, as well as Harry Payne Whitney, Thomas Eastman and Harold S. Vanderbilt among others who came to lavishly entertain their guests and celebrate grand moments in life.

Today, Montauk Yacht Club welcomes 21st Century guests with style and sophistication reminiscent of those halcyon days. Which is why brides and grooms seek out the elegant resort to exchange their vows and begin their life together.

In many ways, Montauk Yacht Club is the perfect setting for life’s most joyous events. It’s visually arresting – perhaps even more than its neighbors, the Hamptons, directly to the west. The yacht club’s private and secure waterfront location provides an exquisite overlook to the harbor and marina with its fleet of luxury yachts. Across Lake Montauk sand dunes stand sentinel. 

The yacht club’s freshly renovated Waterside Ballroom and elegant private dining rooms are graciously appointed; feature the award-winning cuisine of executive chef Jared Potter complemented by a vast selection of domestic and imported fine wines, champagnes, and premium spirits. Wedding parties from 20 – 200 + guests are comfortably accommodated at Montauk Yacht Club. Larger celebrations up to 1000 + are elegantly ensconced in fabric-draped pavilions on the resort’s expansive Great Lawn. Montauk Yacht Club’s personal wedding planners help ensure every detail is considered and carefully attended to.

The historic yacht club, with its signature lighthouse, features 107 elegantly appointed guestrooms for use by the bridal party and guests, many with outdoor terraces for harbor breezes. Twenty three hideaway villa rooms are also available, which were originally built in the 1920s as the summer residence for famed industrialist Harvey Firestone. The accommodations were later relished by Florenz Ziegfeld, who would host VIP guests and his famed Zeigfeld Follies dancers. The resort’s “Lighthouse Grill & Patio” restaurant and “Cohi Bar” enable 21st Century guests to continue the celebration long after the last piece of wedding cake has been consumed.

Whereas the Astors, Whitneys and Vanderbilts arrived by yacht from New York City, today the transportation choices are many as Montauk Yacht Club is just two hours from Manhattan by limousine or automobile. Montauk is convenient to guests arriving by famed Route 27 through the Hamptons, or by rail, by air, even the Hampton’s Jitney, and, of course, by yacht. The marina’s 232 slips accommodate vessels up to 250 feet.

Montauk Yacht Club introduces Five Gilded Wedding Celebrations

Montauk Yacht Club has just announced five wedding celebration packages evoking the elegant, Glided Age legacy of the resort. The wedding packages are appropriately named The Corsair, reminiscent of the storied yacht of JP Morgan that was a fixture in Long Island Sound; The Portofino, suggesting the glamorous port on the Italian Riviera; the Yacht Haven Grande Wedding, named for the famed resort in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and providing a 21st Century glimpse into the good life; the Island Club, named for the storied gambling Casino that once held court where the Great Lawn of Montauk Yacht Club is today; and Hither Hill, named after one of the most famous and classic beaches in Montauk.

Each package offers the superb cuisine that has helped make Montauk Yacht Club renowned all over Long Island and beyond, along with premium brand beverages and a host of bridal amenities unique the historic club. 

The most luxurious wedding package, the Yacht Haven Grande Wedding, features white glove service by a cadre of handsome tuxedo-attired attendants, Dom Pérignon champagne chilling in the couple’s honeymoon accommodations in the yacht club’s private villas, a bridal party reception in the octagonal Pilot Room on top of Montauk Yacht Club’s signature lighthouse tower, an indulgent couples massage treatment at the Montauk Yacht Club Spa, and so much more. All the packages feature the “last word” in service, cuisine and ambience with vistas unsurpassed in the Hamptons.

Highlights of other wedding packages include the “Portofino,” which offers an extensive range of wedding menu offerings designed for those who want a distinctive celebration experience; The “Corsair,” designed for brides in search of the timeless and traditional Hampton’s wedding experience; the “Island Club,” providing a more 21st Century twist on the classic wedding; and the “Hither Hills,” offering an elegant take on the traditional wedding buffet dinner.

Included with every wedding package at Montauk Yacht Club are:

Customized and Personalized Menus
Overnight luxury Villa Room accommodations on the wedding night
Chilled champagne for the Bride & Groom in Villa Room
Reception Hostess
Personal Bridal Attendant
Welcome Reception for Bridal Party
Butlered Champagne to welcome Wedding Guests
Personal Wedding Planner
Cocktail Hour with exquisite-prepared Butlered Hors d’oeuvres
Champagne Toast in celebration of the Bride & Groom
Four or Five-hour Deluxe or Premium Brand Bar Service
Petit Fours, Truffles and Mini Pastries elegantly presented following dinner
And so much more!

Montauk Yacht Club: Spa, Yachting and More!

Wedding guests often choose to stay the weekend, especially during the high season. Montauk Yacht Club provides a vast range of leisure activities; including a full complement of therapeutic and rejuvenating facial and body care treatments at the Montauk Yacht Club Spa located at the resort. (Bride, grooms and guests often enjoy a pre-wedding massage, facial or even a makeover to ensure they look and feel their very best.) The spa also offers post-wedding couples treatments the following day, including traditional massage therapies and therapeutic treatments. 

For those seafarers, the yacht club offers charter yachts and deep sea fishing excursions, which launch from the club’s private piers. Brides and grooms can enjoy an exclusive sunset cruise or host a small private cocktail party on the waters of Lake Montauk, or experience the romance of cruising around Montauk Point with its famous and historic light house.

Golfers will enjoy Montauk Downs, which is available through special arrangements and located nearly. Shopping in the world-famous Hamptons is minutes away, as is horseback riding, tennis, south fork vineyards and wineries. Bridal parties often host waterfront clambakes for their guests on the yacht club’s Great Lawn, hearkening the romantic spirit of the sea.

For specific details on each of Montauk Yacht Club’s fabulous Gilded Wedding Packages, along with menus and accompanying prices -- or to speak with a Personal Wedding Planner and arrange a personal tour -- contact the Yacht Club’s Sales and Catering Office at 631-668-3100 or visit: www.montaukyachtclub.com

MOUNTAINVILLE

STORM KING ART CENTER

The Storm King Art Center, one of the most distinguished and renowned sculpture parks in the world, is located approximately one hour north of the George Washington Bridge. The permanent collection of sculpture, dating from 1945 to the present, includes works by many of the twentieth century's most influential artists, meticulously integrated into a pristine, 500-acre landscape of superb vistas with rolling hills, fields, and woodlands. Several of these works are specially commissioned, site specific sculptures and are regularly complemented by both temporary installations outdoors and exhibitions in the museum building.

NEW PALTZ

Mohonk Mountain House Offers Spectacular Rock Climbing Experience

“The Shawangunk Ridge is a natural wonder, described as one of the ‘Last Great Places’ in the world by The Nature Conservancy.  We are thrilled to offer our guests a rock climbing program that is accessible to complete beginners, advanced climbers and children ages seven and older,” said spokesperson Nina Smiley, a member of the family that has owned and operated the resort for 138 years. “Climbing the formations and gazing at the dramatic views of the valley below is an exhilarating experience.”

Climbers participating in the program will ascend the most prominent point of the Shawangunk Ridge. "This particular part of the Ridge is home to over 300 documented rock climbs, such as Lakeview, Grey Face, Sound and Fury, and Foops, which are 'classics' that will be sought-out by seasoned climbers" said marty Molitoris, director of Alpine Endeavors. "To maximize the learning experiece for beginners, our ratio of climbers to guide will always be low."

Rock climbing at Mohonk Mountain House will be offered annually through November, seven days a week upon reservation. Climbers may choose from three options: an all day session from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a morning session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; or an afternoon session from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Private group outings are available for up to 20 participants. Guests can choose to hire a guide for a private climb or participate with a group. Advanced climbing courses are available for experienced climbers looking to gain more complex technical skills in areas such as top roping, anchor building, self rescue skills and gear placement.

Session prices start at $142 per person for a half-day climb and $189 per person for a full day climb. Prices are based on group size and inclusive of all charges. Climbing equipment is provided by Alpine Endeavors. All fees are subject to cancellation and inclement weather policies. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Rock climbing is exclusive to overnight guests of Mohonk Mountain House, who must be escorted by an authorized guide from Alpine Endeavors.

For overnight reservations, please call 800.772.6646. For more information on the rock climbing program, please visit www.mohonkmountainguides.com ; for information on the resort, please visit www.mohonk.com.

About Mohonk Mountain House

Mohonk Mountain House is a National Historic Landmark and Historic Hotel of America located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, just 90 miles north of New York City. The new 30,000-square-foot Spa wing at Mohonk Mountain House features 16 treatment rooms, a solarium, and outdoor heated mineral pool, along with an indoor heated swimming pool with an underwater sound system, comprehensive fitness center, and yoga/motion studio. Mohonk’s award-winning Skating Pavilion is host to special activities including skating lessons and corporate teambuilding programs. For invigorating outdoor fun, guests can enjoy 85 miles of trails for seasonal hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Overnight guests can enjoy rock climbing on one of the most acclaimed cliffs in the world. The grounds feature exquisite gardens, a challenging nine-hole golf course, red clay tennis courts, and stables with horseback riding and horse-drawn carriage rides. The half-mile-long, glacial-formed Lake Mohonk is ideal for boating, fishing, and swimming. Over 40 theme programs are presented annually, including culinary classes, gardening workshops, music festivals, nature programs, and more. Overnight rates at Mohonk Mountain House include charming accommodations, breakfast, lunch, dinner, Afternoon Tea and Cookies, and most resort activities. For additional information, please call 800.772.6646 or visit www.mohonk.com.

POMONA

More soon!

SARATOGA

The Saratoga County Arts Council

at The Arts Center has been promoting the arts and cultural diversity for over two decades. The Arts Council offers workshops and classes, an art gallery, showings of independent films and special events. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, go online to www.saratoga-arts.org or call 518-584-4132.

Caffè Lena

has been situated on Phila Street since 1960 in Saratoga Springs and was recently voted Folk music’s Best Small Venue in North America. Known for past performances by Bob Dylan, Don McLean, Ani DiFranco and others, Caffè Lena offers theatrical performances, music concerts, poetry, open mic nights and workshops. Go online to www.caffelena.org or call 518-583-0022, for more information and schedule of events.

The Beekman Street Art District

is located a few blocks off Broadway and encompasses art galleries, exhibits, specialty art stores, as well as eateries. Visitors can find a variety of handmade objects made by regional painters, sculptors and designers, or all the materials to make their own works of art. 

Interested visitors can go online to www.saratoga.org to plan their vacation or can request a free travel guide by calling 1-800-526-8970. 

About Saratoga, New York

Saratoga’s attractions and spectacular scenery have made it a premier Northeast destination for centuries. Located approximately three hours from New York, Montreal and Boston, Saratoga features world-class horse racing, the performing arts, gaming, polo, award-winning golf courses, museums – including three National museums, a National Battlefield, Victorian architecture, great shopping, plentiful outdoor activities and so much more.

Visitor information is available online at www.saratoga.org or by calling 1-800-526-8970. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is the official Tourism Promotion Agency of Saratoga County, New York. 

SENECA LAKE

Tarrytown House Offers “Kykuit/Estate of Mind” Package Featuring Overnight Stay, Breakfast and Rockefeller Estate Tour Starting at Just $159!

The Tarrytown House Estate’s new “Kykuit/Estate of Mind” Package is offering an inexpensive getaway that includes a tour of one of the most opulent estates in the nation. Starting at just $159, guests can enjoy deluxe accommodations, a sumptuous breakfast for two, and a tour of Kykuit, the legendary Rockefeller estate in Tarrytown.

Stroll the grounds of the beautiful Tarrytown House Estate, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, enjoy a full American Breakfast buffet in the majestic Biddle Mansion, then, visit the nearby Rockefeller Estate, Kykuit, the premier Hudson Valley landmark for architecture, remarkable gardens, art, history, and spectacular scenery.

The two-hour tour at this hilltop paradise will also feature the history of the estate that was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil.  Now an historic site of the National Trust, this extraordinary landmark has been meticulously maintained for almost 100 years.

The tour will wind through the main rooms of the six-story stone house, then to the  expansive, terraced gardens featuring Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller's exceptional collection of 20th-century sculpture. Artists represented include Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson, and David Smith, among many others. You’ll also experience the private, underground art galleries with Governor Rockefeller's collection of Picasso tapestries, and the Coach Barn, with its collections of classic automobiles and horse-drawn carriages. Each tour begins at the Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor, where you'll board a shuttle bus for a short ride to the estate.

Located just 25 miles from midtown Manhattan, The Tarrytown House Estate offers a spectacular Lower Hudson Valley getaway that blends historical charm with modern conveniences. Set on 26 acres overlooking the Hudson River Valley, the Tarrytown House features impressive 19th Century mansions, as well as a contemporary atrium-style building that houses conference facilities and guest rooms. Perfect for business and leisure, The Tarrytown House offers extensive leisure and recreational facilities such as a fitness club, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and tennis courts. 

For more information on the “Kykuit/Estate of Mind” Package, please call the Tarrytown House Estate at (914) 591-8200 or visit their Website at www.tarrytownhouseestate.com.

The Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers by Destination Hotels & Resorts, the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country.