New York State’s Farm and Wine Regions: A Food Lover’s Getaway

Catch a flight into Long Island MacArthur Airport or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), pick up a rental car and head east to explore Long Island. Extending 180 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island is known for its relaxing beaches, quaint communities and local farms and wineries. Martha Clara Vineyards offers tastings and a variety of events at their family farm, while Sang Lee Farms tempts you with its certified organic produce and specialty prepared foods. For an extraordinary photo opportunity, visit Lavender by the Bay, one of the largest lavender farms in the country. Even if you miss the peak bloom months (check the website for English and French lavender blooms), you can still stroll the farm and pick up some lavender honey or an aromatic gift. While you’re on the north fork of Long Island, stop for a bite to eat at North Fork Table & Inn. Savor the local cheeses, ultra-fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients. You can even stay the night in the quaint hotel before continuing on to the beautiful Hudson Valley region.

From Long Island, head north into the fertile Hudson Valley, full of historical sites from the earliest European settlements of the 1600s. Start your epicurean adventure with a tour of the four-season farm at Stone Barns Center and enjoy the locally sourced food at the Blue Hill Restaurant – the recipes are so fresh, there isn’t even a set menu. Travel up the valley for a visit to the legendary Culinary Institute of America (CIA), which has produced countless culinary entrepreneurs and celebrity chefs. Take a CIA cooking class and learn to slice, dice, sauté and bake like a pro. Sample hard cider in the treehouse tasting room at Angry Orchard in Walden, or sip a Baco Noir or Cabernet Franc at Benmarl Winery, the oldest vineyard in America. Save room for dinner at Fish & Game in the town of Hudson. Renowned for its tasting menu, this farm-to-table restaurant housed in a former blacksmith’s shop, boasts a James Beard Award-winning chef and three years on Wine Enthusiast’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants list. Spend the night here at lovely, Art Deco hotel, The Barlow for a cozy but elegant stay.

Traveling out of Hudson Valley will lead you through scenic farmlands and small towns into Central New York, an outdoor lover’s dream destination that has grown into New York’s craft beer capital. Work up a thirst exploring some of the area’s forests, rivers and lakes – whether it’s water recreation, hiking, biking, golfing or snow sports in the winter – then join the locals at Water Street Brewing Co. in Binghamton, a hometown favorite brewery and grill located near the confluence of the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers. Drive the scenic route north to Good Nature Farm Brewery in Hamilton, where unfiltered, unpasteurized beers are made with locally grown ingredients. Pair your ale with a meal from the farm-to-table restaurant or relax in the outdoor beer garden. At Empire Farm Brewery, the surrounding farmland is cultivated to grow ingredients for its handcrafted beers. If you need a break from the road, spend the night in quaint Dutch-colonial style Colgate Inn in downtown Hamilton. Next stop is the thriving city of Syracuse, where eateries pride themselves in both flavor and variety.

Amble through the pastoral landscapes of central New York to the bustling city of Syracuse. A college town with a major research university, Syracuse offers outdoor recreation, sports, history, shopping and, of course, dining. Check out Armory Square in downtown Syracuse, a designated National Historic District where circa-1870s buildings have been renovated to house shops, bars and restaurants. Try the Thai-fusion at Lemon Grass or a juicy steak and creative dessert at Bistro Elephant Steakhouse. (The two restaurants share a kitchen and menu.) Just outside Armory Square, order one of the mouthwatering sandwiches at Darwin on Clinton, and don’t miss the down-home barbecue and sides at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, consistently voted a local and national favorite. For a more pastoral experience, load up on juicy berries at Strawberry Fields U-Pick Hydroponic Farm, a stop on the Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail highlighting locally produced sweets. Save room for a lovely meal at the Pier House Restaurant overlooking Seneca Lake. Spend the night at the Hotel Skyler Syracuse, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, where retro and modern merge. The drive back to JFK is about 4.5 hours, or you can return the rental at the Syracuse Airport (SYR) and take a one-hour flight back to New York City.