Remember when you were a kid and your parents would pile the whole family into the old station wagon and take an impromptu day trip to Upstate New York? If you were really lucky, your father might have turned it into a two-or-three-day event, complete with an overnight stay at a Howard Johnson hotel. Mom would pack a picnic lunch of sandwiches and a Thermos of coffee or hot chocolate. A blanket was spread on the ground for this picnic lunch after everyone climbed out of the cramped car to stretch their legs and give Dad a respite from the driving.
Go to Upstate New York
If that road trip was a special memory you hold in your heart, why not recreate the experience for your own family? You don’t even need to make such a trip in your subcompact, fuel-efficient vehicle, because renting a van right will give you the opportunity to cruise down the road in style with plenty of room to spare, and, who knows… you could even invite your kids’ friends to join along in the adventure. Sound like a plan? Save the wear and tear on your own vehicle and see the sights from a luxurious state-of-the art van. All you need to do is see your NJ van rental headquarters soon.
Your Fall getaway
When you think about taking a trip to Upstate New York, did you know that it is actually a very large area which encompasses nine different regions? Those regions include:
- Adirondack
- Capital/Saratoga
- Catskill
- Central Leatherstocking
- Chautauqua/Allegheny
- Finger Lakes
- Greater Niagara
- Hudson Valley
- Thousand Island/Seaway
In the Fall, most people associate those Upstate New York regions with Mother Nature’s bounty of beautiful colors, but, there are many other attractions besides the leaves, including a side trip to one of the wineries and vineyards, camping, hiking, antiquing and a chance to stay in a bed and breakfast, cabin or cottage.
A ton of things to see
Just like the New England states’ visitors who flock to view that famous Fall foliage, the majority of tourists traveling to Upstate New York are also “leaf peepers”. In a four-season state, the arrival of Fall sadly signifies that Winter and its brutal cold and snow cannot be far off. Rather than be discouraged that Summer has left, why not embrace Autumn and enjoy the crisp days and crisp apples so prevalent in the months of September and October.
Leaf peepin’
There is approximately one month of peak viewing time of the beautiful Fall foliage in Upstate New York and that is beginning in mid-September and ending in mid-October. The coloring of the leaves varies each year depending on factors like the weather which may cause photosynthesis to occur earlier or later, so don’t rely on the same time frame for the leaves to turn colors, then drop off. To ensure you visit Upstate New York during the primo leaf-viewing time.
Ye Olde Pumpkin Patch
Capture the sights of harvest time by visiting a pumpkin patch and perusing pumpkins to find the best specimen for your front porch. The time to go is now because the pumpkin harvest is significantly down this year due to the rain, so prize pumpkins for decorating, and, even those lumpy-looking ones you buy for pies, will be at a premium this year. Where there’s a pumpkin patch, corn mazes and hay rides, also synonymous with pure Fall fun, are not far off. Why not plan to factor some additional fun into your trip? The kids will love it and you will to.
Apple picking
While you’re perusing the pumpkin patch site, be sure to jot down the names of a few apple orchards as well, because nothing defines Fall more than apples and what better way to enjoy the total apple experience than visiting an apple orchard or cider mill? Some orchards let you pick your own apples, but if you’re pressed for time, or not that adventurous, you can always buy a peck or two, or three, to take home for applesauce, pies, dumplings or some other sinful dessert. The annual jaunt to the cider mill is a treat that can’t be beat, especially when you wash down some warm donuts with that freshly pressed cider.
These are just a few of the fun and fabulous ways to spend Fall. So, free fall into the season, and escape for a few days to Upstate New York.
