What should we try to fit in (a few days in the area) (Rochester: how much)

[slalemand]

Right now it's looking like the Binghamton, NY area, but this might / could change.

Going to be driving thru the area on our way to Chicago. We may stay a day or 2 in Erie, PA, so not sure how much time we'll have, but it looks like the area would be a nice to stop. We are considering stoping for a few days on the way to Chicago or on the return trip back to Maine.

Route as of now.

- Amsterdam, NY area
- Binghamton, NY area
- Erie, PA area
- Chicago Area
- Greenbay WI area,
- Sturgin Bay Area
- UP MI area,
- Macinaw Island, Area
- Lansing, MI area
- Toledo, Cleveland Area
- Rochester, NY area
- Watertown NY area
- Derby VT area

So we will be in each of these areas for a few days (except Chicago, which maybe 3, 4 days, in September, and we are wondering about a few things.

- Little Italy or other ethnic areas (Polish, Germany…) Good Deli / Grocery Shops
- Water Front Hotels
- Yarn Shops
- Candy / Chocolate Shops
- Bakeries
- Any walking paths
- Country Fairs
- Botanical gardens
- Museums
- Points of Interest


Skip

[ckhthankgod]

I would have this moved to the general portion of the NY Forum, but are you actually going to stop in Syracuse? It would be on the way, but it depends on the route you would be taking.
If so, we do have the Tipperary Hill neighborhood(a historically Irish area) on the city’s West Side; a Polish community in the Park Ave area of the West Side(as well as a nearby Ukrainian community); while not as Italian as it once was, what’s left of Little Italy on the North Side(still quite a few Italian based businesses); a few German institutions are on the North Side as well; some Asian based stores/restaurants on the North and East Sides; African Americans are largely on the South Side(but are all over, with an African immigrant population on the North Side and a substantial middle class population on the East Side(easily 2nd blackest side of town); large Hispanic population on the West Side(mainly Puerto Rican); decent Jewish, Arab(some on the West Side too)and Greek populations(into DeWitt); Native Americans in the Valley neighborhood and West Side; etc. So, you have your share of ethnic places to check out.

There is the Aloft Hotel in the Inner Harbor/Franklin Square area: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...b3ZlcnJpZGU%3D

For candy stores, there’s Speach Candy on the North Side and Hercules Candy in East Syracuse(a village).

Bakeries that come to mind are Harrison on West Genesee Street, Lyncourt Bakery on Teall Ave, Sweet Praxis in Hanover Square, Biscotti’s on North Salina Street and Geddes Bakery in North Syracuse, among others.

There’s the Creekwalk and the Erie Canal trails, for a couple of walking/biking trail options.

You can check out the E.M. Mills Rose Garden in Thornden Park near Syracuse University.

There’s the Everson Museum, the Erie Canal Museum, the Onondaga Historical Society and the Museum of Science and Technology(the MOST) for some museums.

For a deli, Taste of Broadway in East Syracuse and the Brooklyn Pickle(a few locations). You could check out Thanos in the Hawley-Green neighborhood or perhaps Lombardi’s at Lodi and Butternut on the North Side. Park Groceries on the West Side has Polish fare like sausage and Perogies.

It is home to the NY State Fair from late August into very early September.

Knitty Gritty Yard on West Fayette Street and Yarn Cupboard in Jamesville are are couple of locally owned yarn stores.

There’s also Destiny USA(largest shopping center in the state/8th biggest in the country), Crouse-Marshall and Westcott are a couple of business districts near the university. Armory Square and Hanover Square are a couple of popular Downtown districts.

This is just in case you change your mind or for others interested.

[slalemand]

Not real likely to do Syracuse. We would likely go from Amsterdam, NY, to Binghamton, NY, then Erie along 86. We'd likely hit Rochester, NY, then Watertown NY and the return trip

[ckhthankgod]

^In that case, I would ask to get this moved to the general portion of the forum then, for more responses.

I would say for Watertown, they did have the oldest or one of the oldest continuously running County Fairs in the Jefferson County Fair. The area around Breen Street not too far from the fairgrounds is known for its long time Italian population. It does have a zoo and the Paddock Arcade, which is one of the oldest enclosed shopping centers in the US. The Thousand Islands to the north and Sackets Harbor/Westcott Beach and Southwick Beach in Henderson to the west/SW are minutes away. There are Amish stands in that area around Adams as well.

[jpdivola]

Originally Posted by slalemand

Not real likely to do Syracuse. We would likely go from Amsterdam, NY, to Binghamton, NY, then Erie along 86. We'd likely hit Rochester, NY, then Watertown NY and the return trip

If you are around Amsterdam and Binghamton, you might want to consider a side trip to Cooperstown, NY. Even if you are not a baseball fan, its a pretty town set on a scenic lake surrounded by rolling hills. Oneonta, NY is a little larger collegetown city set in the foothills of the Catskills.

Near Watertown, I would recommend seeing the Thousand Islands/Lake Ontario. Sackett's Harbor, Clayton or Alexandria Bay are all scenic little villages to check out. There are also number waterfront state parks, lighthouses, museums (Antique Boat Museum), gilded age mansions (Bolt Castle) to tour.

Heading west on 86 from Binghamton, I would recommend seeing the various waterfalls/state parks in Watkins Glen/Ithaca. Corning and its glass museum are worth checking out. It's a major world class museum in a small, fairly isolated city. If you are in to hiking or just being in nature, Allegheny State Park is beautiful place to spend some time. The Chautauqua Institute on Chautauqua Lake is a unique little resort community if you are looking for an intellectual experience.

Near Rochester, I would recommend seeing the George Eastman House. Letchworth SP, a giant gorge with numerous waterfalls is a great place, Chimney Bluffs along Lake Ontario is another great place to hike for the day. Canandaigua has a lively lakefront community with a beautify pier and waterfront park. You aren't so far from Niagara Falls, you might also want to consider taking a sidetrip there.


Upstate NY is a fairly large area. You have a pretty ambitious agenda. If you only have a couple day's you might want to narrow your destination list a little.

[slalemand]

Thank you, some great options to add to our travel plans.

Weird request, do you know of any Springs along the road side where folks stop to fill up bottles of water? We have several in Maine and many more in NH and VT, if you know where they are

[ckhthankgod]

^I believe there are some, but the one that comes to mind is on private property within city limits.