Tour Spotlight: Upstate New York

March 7, 2019

Upstate, not uptown, is the destination on Fantasy’s 24-Day Upstate New York Tour taking place August 14 to September 6, 2019. The glitz and energy of New York City is beyond compare, but Upstate dazzles in a different way. Meet New York au natural. Beauty without the beast. Become part of a living, moving tapestry of hidden valleys, sleepy villages, pristine lakes and cascading waterfalls – all in the ultimate comfort and convenience of your RV.

Cut to the adventure beginning with Fantasy’s Welcome Party and Orientation in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown. Plenty to do in this western NY region, whose bucolic charm and beauty provides the ultimate city break. Two days streak by with a steamboat cruise on the mighty Chautauqua River and a Chautauqua Lake bus tour. We’ll honor the LOL legacy of Lucille herself at Desilu Studios, home of the “I Love Lucy” TV series; the Tropicana Museum, a nostalgic recreation of Ricky Ricardo’s famous nightclub and the Lucy Desi Museum.

We “shuffle off to Buffalo” marveling at the historic landmarks and architecture throughout the region. Dinner at the Anchor Bar, “Home of the Original Chicken Wing,” whose actual recipe remains a closely guarded secret! Next is Niagara Falls with stops at the Niagara Falls Observation Tower and the must-do “Maid of the Mist” boat tour at the base of the falls – all followed by lunch at Top of the Falls Restaurant, with staggering waterfall views from floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Finger Lake Region beckons seductively to Rochester on the southern shores of Lake Ontario. Highlights here include a visit to the George Eastman Museum of Photographic History, a living album of photo history. Lunch at a local restaurant and on to the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House to learn more about this American social reformer and women’s rights activist. Afterwards, we cruise through the peaceful grounds of Highland Park, lovingly designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, “the father of American landscape architecture.” And there’s nothing corny about the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, devoted to the history, science, art and utter beauty of glass. Another campground dinner tonight! Pay homage to the striking stained-glass windows at the Third Presbyterian Church sanctuary, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany – yes, the son of that Tiffany. 

Raise a glass to the fabulous Finger Lakes, home to more than 100 wineries, considered the finest in the northeast. Did someone say serious wine tasting, tour and lunch – oh yes! An interesting stop at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum honors the memory of this pioneer aviator and aircraft builder.

If you don’t already love New York by now, you will once you see Watkins Glen. We’ll take a guided tour of Watkins Glen State Park, reveling in its rugged beauty. Four-wheeled friends in the group will love The International Motor Racing Research Center, dedicated to the history of motorsports. Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, is ours for the cruising. Tour Lakewood Vineyards and taste its award-winning wines. Imagination takes flight at The Cornell University Ornithologist Lab, true north for bird lovers.

The Baseball Hall of Fame hits a home run in Cooperstown with everyone. Relive the charm, grace and fine dining of a bygone era, at the classic Otesaga Inn. Experience rural life at the Farmer’s Museum, on the banks of Lake Otsego. Learn about celebrated American author James Fenimore Cooper at the Fenimore Cooper House.

Hello Poughkeepsie, high on the Hudson River! Three days here includes a guided tour and lunch at the the revered United States Military Academy at West Point. Another guided tour takes us on The Walkway over the Hudson, the world’s longest pedestrian bridge spanning 1.28 miles over the Hudson River. Worth every step for the sweeping views of the Catskills. You won’t believe NYC is only 2 hours away!

A great out-of-doors adventure awaits in the Adirondacks and it starts with another cozy campground cookout. A guided bus tour meanders through the Adirondacks to the Sagamore Great Camp, providing visitors with the wilderness experience craved by Americans since the late 1800s. We’ll visit the Adirondack Museum in Lake George which spins the grand saga of the Adirondacks through nature-themed exhibits, events and workshops. Lunch on the sparkling waters of Raquette Lake is a welcome interlude. Bobsled ride anyone? Discover the magic of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics with a visit to the Whiteface Mountain Olympic Park in nearby Lake Placid.

Day 22 brings us to Alexandria Bay for a boat tour of St. Lawrence River’s 1000 Islands, located on the quiet border between NY state and Ontario, Canada. We’ll tour Boldt Castle and Yacht House, built by millionaire George C. Boldt on Heart Island as a gift to his wife. Sadly, she died before its completion.

A farewell dinner and breakfast is a bittersweet finale to our sweet, slow circle of discovery. Fantasy’s professionally planned Upstate New York itinerary provides 24 days of carefree travel, and a lifetime of memories embraced by the comfort and camaraderie of the RV lifestyle. Still want a bite of the Big Apple? Add on Fantasy’s 8-day NYC Rally, September 8 to 15, 2019!