Leisure and Travel Blog

Welcome to winter! Even though it feels like the last time you saw the sun was six months ago, it’s time to pick yourself up, get over the cold-weather blues and embrace some of the wonderful things that the winter season has to offer. From rich, hot cocoa to house made soups to smiling snowmen, there’s a lot to love during this cold-weather season so put on your favorite cozy winter sweater and

Most Americans will finish their holiday shopping before December even arrives, and this year even fewer will wait that long according to the most recent annual survey by BestBlackFriday.com. With this in mind, I thought now is the time to share a list of some of my favorite Finger Lakes gift ideas so you can get a jump on your holiday shopping and find those unique gifts created locally with our

This time of year, the grapes are hanging heavy on their vines in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, and harvest time is here. Vineyard owners are working 18-hour days picking, destemming and crushing grapes, then siphoning the juice into holding tanks and fermenters. All in all, it’s a pretty hectic time.

The Finger Lakes grape harvest typically lasts about a month, so a harvest started

To be honest to go leaf-peeping in the Finger Lakes, you do not really need to go anywhere- virtually everywhere you turn during the first two weeks of October, you’ll be surrounded by lush landscapes of red, yellow and bright orange. But for particularly magnificent views, check out these favorite spots.

Fillmore Glen State Park, located in southern Cayuga County, is known for its spectacular

There is nothing more American than hitting the open road with the windows down, the music up and a cooler full of snacks in the backseat for a road trip adventure with family or friends. You may not need a map anymore with the advent of GPS, but you still need some direction when figuring out where to go. Look no further. New York’s Finger Lakes Region is arguably one of the best road trips in

The Finger Lakes stretch like narrow north–south slashes across western central New York. Their names evoke the tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy that dominated this area for more than two centuries. From east to west, the lakes are Otisco, Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Honeoye, Canadice, Hemlock, and Conesus.

Iroquois legend has it that the Finger Lakes were formed

For casual and serious birders alike, The Finger Lakes are a treasure trove for birding, especially in the spring. From Sterling Nature Center on Lake Ontario to Howland Island Wildlife Management Area in Port Byron to Bear Swamp State Forest in Moravia, Cayuga County has plenty to keep bird watching enthusiasts interested. You may see Blue Jays, Great Blue Heron or even a Tundra Swan. Before you

I think this would be a good time for a beer “ Franklin D. Roosevelt

National Beer Day is celebrated in the United States every year on April 7, marking the day that the Cullen–Harrison Act was enacted after having been signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 22, 1933. Upon signing the legislation, Roosevelt made his famous remark, "I think this would be a good time for a

Luckily, some smart person dreamed up the idea of a holiday that reminds us to let loose and break out of our workaholic patterns – NATIONAL GOOF OFF DAY, celebrated each year on March 22.

Here are 5 goofy off ideas to help you get in the spirit and take time to ‘stop and smell the roses.’

If you need more ideas on how to best enjoy your day and goof off, visit our events calendar for the latest

Sponsored by the NYS Maple Producers Association, March 17-18 & March 24-25, 2018 Maple Weekend is when maple farms across New York State invite visitors to their “sugar houses” to experience first-hand how pure, mouthwatering maple syrup and maple products are made. It’s a family -friendly event with tours, samples, activities and of course fresh maple syrup and maple products to enjoy. In