Page 58 - DreamScapes Magazine | Fall/Winter 2025

SPONSORED CONTENT
UPSTATE NEW YORK
is a Seasonal Travel Tale
Waiting to Be Told
DID YOU KNOW?
New York is the second-largest
apple producing state in the U.S.
Upstate New York unfolds like a
Just beyond the Canadian border,
storybook this time of year—country
roads ablaze with autumn colour, the
crisp scent of apples in the air and early
snow dusting the mountaintops at dawn.
Shared waterways like Lake Ontario connect
both nations, making this region feel
familiar yet full of fresh discoveries.
Harvest season offers an irresistible
chance to taste the state’s agricultural abun-
dance. Wander Wayne County’s orchards,
where heirloom apple varieties still crunch
and farm stands offer cider donuts. In the
Finger Lakes, Ontario and Cayuga counties
host scenic wine trails that meander past
Riesling vines and shimmering lakeshores.
Cities like Rochester and Syracuse trans-
form local grains into small-batch spirits
and creative brews to chase away any chill.
Nearby, the Central New York Cheese Trail
threads through Madison and Oneida coun-
ties, while Watkins Glen and Cooperstown
elevate local bounty into delectable farm-
to-table dishes.
History is Alive in
these Hills and Valleys
Auburn preserves Harriet Tubman’s home-
stead and gravesite, honouring her
unyielding courage. Rochester’s Susan B.
Anthony Museum & House recounts the
fight for women’s voting rights. The
Ganondagan State Historic Site tells of the
enduring culture of the Seneca people.
Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame
salutes the legends, including Canadian
stars, and Oneida’s Mansion House recalls
bold experiments in community and
social reform.
Nature Never Hibernates Here
Catch the final days of the Erie Canal’s bicen-
tennial with a peaceful paddle on its quiet
stretches, or bike the Erie Canalway Trail
along the historic waterway. Keep your eyes
to the sky for glimpses of the diverse wildlife
that soar above Glimmerglass State Park on
Otsego Lake on their migration trek.
Follow the Trails
At Chimney Bluffs State Park, see jagged clay
spires tower over Lake Ontario like nature’s
own cathedral. Once blanketed in snow,
Oneida County transforms into a snowmo-
biler’s paradise with nearly 1,000 kilometres
to enjoy, and Bristol Mountain’s snow-filled
slopes beckon skiers and snowboarders with
sweeping Finger Lakes views. For those more
interested in observing the outdoors, admire
frozen lake views from the comfort of the
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.
The Shifting Seasons
Small-town streets come alive with holiday
bustle. Antique corners and artisan markets
throughout Madison County and Cooper-
stown turn seasonal shopping into treasure
hunts. Syracuse’s Onondaga Lake Park glows
with glimmering lights across holiday dis-
plays, and Roc Village brings holiday magic to
Rochester’s downtown with outdoor ice
skating, family-friendly events, and The
Lodge Bar’s toasty vibe. Lake George doubles
down on seasonal fun with a holiday festival
and winter carnival.
When the time feels right, Upstate New
York will be waiting—its cosy accommoda-
tions aglow, cultural institutions inviting,
and trails ready for fresh footprints. It’s an
open invitation to reconnect with simple
pleasures, shared history, and the quiet thrill
of discovery just across the border.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For trip planning to Upstate New York, visit
explorewatkinsglen.com, madisontourism.com,
oneidacountytourism.com,
thisiscooperstown.com, tourcayuga.com,
visitfingerlakes.com,
visitlakegeorge.com, visitrochester.com,
visitsyracuse.com, and
waynecountytourism.com
58
DREAMSCAPES FALL/WINTER 2025
PHOTOS: OTSEGO COUNTY TOURISM | ONEIDA COUNTY | CAYUGA COUNTY TOURISM