Home -  About us -  Contact Us -  Advertise  
*Click here to receive 3 free issues of Oswego County Business Magazine*

Mini Vacations to Take

Many close-to-home places more than worth visiting

When thinking about a vacation, it’s easy to start stressing. There’s the planning, the travel and the terrifying cost. Hotels and flights seem to get more expensive by the minute. You have to worry whether or not your shampoo container is too big and whether or not the hotel lets you have pets or allows smoking.

Once you arrive at your vacation destination, you have to worry about navigating around a strange place.
This year it might be easier on your nerves and wallet to take a vacation closer to home. There are some great places to visit in Upstate New York. Taking a vacation in your own back yard is affordable and fun.

Most of us haven’t explored locally, so here are some ideas for vacations to take without traveling across state lines.

Wine tour: New York is home to some of the best wineries in the nation. Taking a wine tour is a great way to experience them.

You can taste wine at each for just a couple of bucks and many of the wineries have entertainment, eateries and gift shops. Find yourself some transportation and you are on your way to a memorable experience.

Camping at a state park: You don’t need to drive out of state to enjoy camping. State parks are extremely affordable and offer the prospect of a camping adventure. Two nights of camping typically costs around $30, with fees and taxes included. You can’t go wrong with that.

Rent a vacation house with a group: You may not be able to afford a week’s worth of hotel stays, but renting a house for a week can save you a lot of money. This is especially lucrative if you split the house with other people you know. Schedule a family vacation with friends and rent a lakeside home. The vacation is built in. Check out some vacation rental options at www.vrbo.com.

Stay at a bed and breakfast: Don’t want to make the bed, do dishes or cook breakfast on vacation? Then consider a B&B. A lot of B&Bs are located close to attractions or in beautiful areas that are themselves vacation worthy. Visit www.bedandbreakfast.com/new-york.html or www.bbonline.com/ny/.

Visit a hall of fame: To an outsider, New York state may seem like the capital of hall of fames. There are the boxing, women’s, baseball, soccer, and distance running halls of fame.

If you have an interest in any of these, visit them. You know you would include them in the lineup if you were vacationing out-of-state.

Fishing trip: New York is home to some of the best sports fishing in the world. People travel from all over the globe to fish in New York. The state is especially known for its salmon and trout fishing. Plan a good old-fashioned fishing trip in your own back yard.

Go to a fall harvest festival: You would be hard pressed to find a person who doesn’t enjoy a fresh-picked apple. Falls festivals are full of local produce, creations and unique activities. Family activities abound at festivals, as do once-a-year foods and fun.

County/state fair: One deep-fried Twinkie a year never killed anyone. Pop some balloons with a dart. Spray water in the clown’s mouth. Meet the cows that make the milk you drink. Fairs are a timeless festival. Many also have free entertainment and expos. There are enough fairs to keep you going for a few days.

For more New York state vacation ideas, visit the I Love New York website at http://www.iloveny.com.