Wine Water and Wonders of Upstate New York: New York City, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Niagara Falls, NY & More
- Duration
- 4 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ 946
MODERATE | SELF DRIVE: A great drive to explore parts of upstate New York on a short break. The Catskill Mountains, Watkin Glen’s State Park and Niagara Falls provide delightful scenery while the Corning Museum of Glass and the Strong Museum of Play offer magic and entertainment. The pretty Seneca Wine Trail, vibrant Rochester and Niagara Shopping Outlets complete a fabulous trip.
This 4-day tour whisks you on a getaway through Upstate New York, where you’ll follow the wine trails and waterways of the Empire State from New York to Corning, Syracuse, Rochester, and right over the chute of the Niagara Falls.
Hop in your private car in New York and hit the road for Corning, heading straight through the mystical Catskills Mountains. Its verdant tree cover and 98 mountain peaks are the inspiration for many artists, most notably the 19th-century Hudson River School paintings, and have seen many films shot in its forests and resorts. Soak up some culture at the Corning Museum of Glass, where you’ll browse the world’s best collection of art and historical glass with a delicate eye. Watch master glassmakers balance molten glass on the end of a pipe and carefully craft them into bowls, vases, or sculptures, keeping the classic art form alive.
Seneca Lake is the largest of Upstate New York’s glacial Finger Lakes, where you’ll discover what leaves its visitors in awe at its vast surface. It’s also home to the historic village of Watkins Glen, making for a good lunch spot in combination with calming sailing excursions. At Watkins Glen State Park, wind through woodland to a natural rock gorge where 19 calming waterfalls trickle overhead. You’ll continue along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, where verdant vineyards stretch in fields across the horizon with their stellar grapes, renowned as some of the best cool-climate wines in the world.
Spend the night in Rochester, whose music culture and nightlife rivals that of New York. Home to several prestigious arts festivals, you’ll have no shortage of entertainment awaiting you on the shores of Lake Ontario. By day, explore The Strong National Museum of Play, an interactive one-of-a-kind museum that invites visitors of all ages to frolic their way through the history of play. Rochester is also home to the George Eastman Museum, the oldest photography museum in the world and resting place for its rare cinematic archives. Process all Rochester’s culture with a stroll along the historic Erie Canal, paying a visit to some of its villages and their cozy cafes, shops, and eateries on the way.
Come face to face with one of the most beautiful forces of nature at Niagara Falls. 28 million litres of water pour over the falls every second, straddling the border between Canada and the United States. Experience the roar of this natural wonder of the world aboard the Maid of the Mist, cutting straight through the powerful waters below as you stay dry under your rain poncho. Adventure is yours as you travel to the heart of the waterfall on the Cave of the Winds tour and learn about local myths at the Niagara Legends of Adventure Theatre, giving you stories that you’ll never forget.
Your trip finishes at the Buffalo Airport, where you’ll leave your car and be free to explore what makes Buffalo the “City of Good Neighbors” as you admire the shimmering waters of Lake Erie.
- Duration
- 4 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ 946
Itinerary View Trip Map
New York - Corning
After arrival in New York City, make your way along Route 17/I-86 through the Catskill Mountains to Corning, the Southern gateway to the Finger Lakes region. Corning is home to one of the region's most popular attractions, the Corning Museum of Glass (admission included). Dedicated to telling the story of a single material - glass – the museum cares for and displays the world's best collection of art and historical glass. You can see more than 3,500 years of history displayed in the Glass Collection Galleries and watch a live Hot Glass demonstration during which a master glassmaker takes glowing gobs of molten glass on the end of a pipe and skillfully shapes them into vases, bowls, or sculptures. Within a short walk of the museum is a vibrant and interesting collection of shops and restaurants in downtown Corning. If time permits, other worthwhile attractions can be found downtown.
Overnight Corning
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Corning - Seneca Lake Wine Trail - Syracuse - Rochester
This morning, it's a short drive north to Watkins Glen located at the south end of picturesque Seneca Lake. The historic village of Watkins Glen boasts features great dining establishments along with unforgettable sailing excursions. Just off Main Street, Watkins Glen State Park - the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks - has a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The Gorge Trail winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade while rim trails overlook the gorge. Continue north along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail that surrounds the sapphire waters of the lake to Geneva. Located at the north end of Seneca Lake, Geneva has a charming old town square and a ‘main street’ brimming with local flavor. Continue to Syracuse, home to Destiny USA, the 6th largest shopping and entertainment complex in the US. From here it's on to the third largest city in New York State, Rochester. Located at the southern edge of Lake Ontario, where the Finger Lakes meet the Great Lakes, Rochester is an iconic American city with interesting architecture, rich cultural gems, and a vibrant nightlife.
Overnight Rochester
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Rochester - Niagara Falls, NY
In the morning you can play at upstate New York's ultimate destination for all ages, The Strong National Museum of Play (admission included). The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. More than 150,000 square feet of extraordinary exhibits invite you to play your way through the entire history of video games and lots more. The museum is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame and the world's most comprehensive collection of toys, dolls, games, and other play-related artifacts. Another not-to-miss Rochester attraction is the George Eastman Museum. Located on the estate of George Eastman, founder of KODAK and the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film, this is the world's oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives that holds unparalleled collections in the fields of photography, cinema and photographically illustrated books. Prior to ending your day in Niagara Falls, New York, enjoy Rochester's culinary scene, music and cultural attractions, or explore the interesting villages that line the historic Erie Canal.
Overnight Niagara Falls
| Duration | 1 night |
|---|
Day 4 - Niagara Falls, NY - Buffalo
Get ready to be captivated by the sheer beauty and power of Niagara Falls and its multitude of exciting attractions. See this legendary force of nature from every angle imaginable at Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest State Park in the United States. Witness the intensity of the falls from inches away at the Cave of the Winds tour, meet the legends and marvel at the myths at the Niagara Legends of Adventure Theater, cruise the powerful churning waters near the base during a Maid of the Mist boat ride, or photograph both the American and Horseshoe Falls from the 230-foot Observation Tower. The choice is yours. While taking in the sights and sounds of Niagara USA, enjoy lunch adjacent to the falls at the famous music-themed restaurant, Hard Rock Cafe. Perfectly timed to be your last stop before departing Niagara Falls, the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls feature an outstanding selection of outlet retailers offering great savings on designer merchandise. After a day of thrills, make your way to Buffalo Niagara International Airport for your flight home, unless you plan to stay in the area or drive back to New York City.
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily departures: April 1 - October 31, 2024
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 4 days Intermediate Car Rental with unlimited mileage (Mazda 3 or similar)
- Detailed day by day itinerary
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Corning
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Rochester
- 1 night moderate accommodations in Niagara Falls, NY
- Admission to Corning Museum of Glass
- Admission to the Strong National Museum of Play
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Car rental insurance
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Entrances fees to sites not explicitly listed as included
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Road tolls
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visit the Corning Glass Museum
- Wine tasting on Seneca Lake (optional)
- Visit the Strong National Museum of Play
- See the majesty of Niagara Falls
- Historic port city of St. John’s
- Visit Buffalo
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request. Additional terms and conditions apply for car rental - please inquire.
1 Oct 2024
