Canal Road Trips

History in your Backyard Series: A behind the scenes look at the Revolutionary War

16 August 2017
Categories: Canal Road Trips, Champlain Canal, History

History in Your Backyard Series: A behind the scenes look at the Revolutionary War

 

We make history fun and exciting!

Have you ever wanted to get an insider’s look into history?  Would you like to see recently uncovered artifacts that provide insight into the region’s long history, explore a historic home that served as a Revolutionary War field hospital, or interact with a “real” soldiers at a military encampment?  You can do all of this plus enjoy wine tasting, take a boat ride, and enjoy an incredible local farm to table lunch just by signing up at www.akibatravel.com. This inaugural guided tour will take you to of some of the region’s hidden gems for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Mohawk Maiden Cruises

Learn archaeologist’s techniques and view recently discovered artifacts from the Revolutionary War era; experience harsh camp life of Revolutionary War soldiers at Saratoga Battlefield’s Annual Encampment; take a boat cruise on the historic Champlain Canal; and, discover the unmarked destinations and under-told stories that provide a new look into our region’s past. We will even visit a historic home that was once a Revolutionary War field hospital and view remnants of blood stained floors, a 1777 cannon ball lodged in a beam, and the basement where the Baroness Riedesel, wife of the General Riedesel hid with her three children during the siege.

This day-long trip will begin at 8:30AM at 12 Spring St. Schuylerville, NY, and return by 5:00PM.  Farm-to-table lunch is included in the price with an add-on option for a dinner reception after the tour. Cost is $75 per person. Price includes: transportation, boat ride, guides, lunch, access to all attractions and more.

Call: 518-322-2067 or visit www.akibatravel.com for more information.

This program is presented by Akiba Travel LLC.

Historic Palmyra Announces Events Throughout June

1 June 2017
Categories: Canal Road Trips, Western Erie Canal

As you make your way across the Erie Canal Corridor this June don’t miss a stop at Historic Palmyra.  Through the month of June the museum has a series of events

 

Historic Palmyra

16 April 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Canal Road Trips, History, Western Erie Canal

Located in the village of Palmyra located at mile marker 253 on the Erie Canal, Historic Palmyra is a must see on any trip within the Erie Canal Corridor. With 5 museums within easy walking distance from Palmyra’s Marina, Palmyra has been a vital community throughout the history of the Erie Canal, and is as important today as it was 200 years ago.

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The Erie Canal Museum

21 March 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Canal Road Trips, Eastern Erie Canal, History

As we begin on our path through the bi-centennial celebration you don’t want to miss out on a visit to the Erie Canal Museum. The museum is located at 318 Erie Blvd. East in Syracuse, collects and preserves Canal material, and provides engaging educational experiences that champion an appreciation and understanding of the Erie Canal’s transforming effects on the past, present and future.

The museum sits within the only remaining weigh lock building in the United States. When the Erie Canal Museum opened its doors on October 25th, 1962 it celebrated and preserved the life of this building

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The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum

5 March 2017
Categories: Canal Road Trips, History

The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum

Listed on the NYS and National Register of Historic Places, the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum is an important part of the history of the Erie Canal. The site sits at the intersection of the historic enlarged Erie Canal and the remnants of the circa 1822 Chittenango Canal.

Originally constructed in 1855, the interpreted site preserved and rebuilt a 3-bay dry dock. Craftsman used the site’s three large, independently functioning bays to build and repair canal boats, maintaining and expanding this vital economic artery until the opening of the Barge Canal in 1918. The site includes the original drydocks and sluiceway, a canal side store, a sawmill, boat shop, blacksmith shop, mule stable, a walk on canal boat exhibit, sunken canal boat remains, a nature trail to a full width aqueduct, picnic areas, access to the Erie Canalway trail and a modern visitor center.

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Brewery Tour of Central New York

23 February 2017
Categories: Canal Road Trips, Eastern Erie Canal

                Welcome to central New York! We’ve got lots of great activities planned for you, so let’s hit the ground running.

Day One: Your first stop is the No Excuses Tour of downtown Syracuse. This tour will deliver an engaging, fun experience. You will explore the history, architecture and food of downtown Syracuse. Your second stop is the Empire Brewing Company to enjoy some light fare and a beer tasting. The Empire Brewing Company doesn’t just make great tasting beers and ales – they also believe in the idea of “Eat Where You Live” and really go the extra mile towards sustainability via composting, using green products, and recycling. Next, you’ll visit Clark Reservation State Park. Formed during the last ice age, the park features almost every geological feature you can think of- cliffs, meadows, woodlands, and a glacial plunge basin lake. All that hiking works up an appetite! A trip to the Syracuse Suds Factory will help take the edge off with some dinner and local craft beer. After dinner, you’ll visit The Funny Bone to take in a comedy show to end your first day with a laugh. You’ll be staying at the Jefferson Clinton Hotel, another locally owned eco-friendly business.

                A good night’s sleep leaves you ready for day 2 at a local hotel, B&B, Inn or air B&B of your choice. After a morning of time on your own, you’ll be ready for lunch at Modern Malt, a unique spin on the classic American diner. You’ll need some fortification before your afternoon activity – hiking with llamas! The llamas will carry some snacks and drinks to enjoy at the end of the trail. Llamas notwithstanding, hiking is thirsty work. A stop at the Beak and Skiff, a local cider distillery, will quench your thirst with some fresh cider. You might want to try a fresh apple cider donut – one of the tastiest treats in the world.

                Now you’re off to Utica! First, you’ll visit the Chittenango Landing Dry Dock Complex for some bike riding along the Old Erie Canalway. All that fresh air and pedaling will get you ready for dinner at The Tailor and The Cook, Utica’s premier farm-to-table restaurant (you’ll want to try the Jones Family Farm Cheesecake!). You’ll be staying at the Rosemont Inn, an immaculately restored Italianate B&B in the heart of Utica. After a delicious home-made breakfast, it’s time to hit the trail at the local arboretum, the Hamilton College Root Glen Arboretum. Started by the distinguished local Root family, this garden has grown since 1850 into the masterpiece you see today, owned by Hamilton College and featuring 65 species of trees, shrubs and flowers. Lunch will be served at the Nail Creek Pub & Brewery, serving craft beer since 2008.

                Speaking of beer, you’ll be visiting the FX Matt Brewing Company in the afternoon. Family owned since 1888, it’s the fourth oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. After a tour of the brewery and a pint in the 1888 Tavern, it’s a quick walk across the street to ADK Distilling for a tour and a tasting of ADK Vodka – an international award winner! Next you’ll visit Woodland Beer, a hop farm and craft brewery in Marcy, NY. Enjoy some pints or flights and visit the on-location food trucks for a fun end to a busy day. We know you’ll remember this as a vacation of a lifetime in Central New York!

For more information on this tour or many more like it contact:

Lori Solomon

Van Tourism Specialists

(518) 322-2067

2596 Edgewood Ave. Schenectady NY 12306

 

 

               

A Drive Through Wayne County NY

21 February 2017
Categories: Canal Road Trips, Western Erie Canal

A Drive Through Wayne County NY

New York’s Great Lake and Canal Getaway

 

Day 1 – Palmyra, Macedon

                Visit some of the amazing Palmyra Museum’s

                Alling Coverlet Museum, Largest collection of hand-woven coverlets in America

                Erie Canal Depot, Experience an old passenger and commercial depot

                William Phelps General Store Museum ,A 19th century original general store with original items

                And home.

                Grandin Building. Historic site of publication of Book of Mormon, Restored building includes

                Authentic 1830’s bookstore, bindery and print shop.

                Have lunch at Muddy Waters Cafe at the Palmyra Marina

                Check in to Palmyra Inn, Liberty House Bed & Breakfast or Canal Town Bed & Breakfast.

                Stroll through the Village of Palmyra and visit some of the great antique and specialty shops.

                Try some wine at J D Wine Cellars located in Macedon

                Dinner at Flaherty’s in Macedon which offers first hand Old Irish charm and hospitality

                Return to your overnight accommodations

 

Day 2 – Palmyra – Newark

                Take a walk on Palmyra Wetland Nature Trail, Located on Maple Avenue, ¼ mile north of the

                “four church” corner in the center of the Village of Palmyra. This one mike hike is rich in both

                Natural and historical interest with easy access to Aqueduct Park, Aldrich Change Bridge and

                Lock 29. Wetlands were formed in the excavations of the original Erie Canal.

                Follow the Erie Canal to Newark

                Take a tour of the Hoffman Clock Museum, which houses the largest collection of New York

                State Clocks in the country.

                Have lunch at the Corner Tavern

                Check into the Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast or the Quality Inn located in Newark or the

                Peppermint Cottage Bed & Breakfast in Lyons.

                Follow Mural Mania’s mural trail along the Erie Canal into Lyons

                Don’t miss visiting the Wayne County Old Jail Museum Built in 1856, the former Wayne County

                Jail and Sheriff’s residence was housed here and used until 1961. Tour the 24 cell blocks still

                Attached and learn the stories of the inmates.

                Have dinner in Lyons at Bone Appetit BBQ or Growler’s Pub & Grill.

                Return to your overnight accommodations.

 

Day 3 – Clyde – Savannah

                Drive east to Clyde and have lunch at The Brick Oven of Clyde

                Follow Route 31 into Savannah

                Visit the Montezuma Audubon Center, located on its 198 acre are five types of habitat, two

                Restored freshwater marshes, two-miles and trails, and an all-access observation platform.

 

Contact Christine Worth, Director of Tourism. [email protected]   Wayne County Tourism 9 Pearl St. Suite 3 Lyons NY 14489

www.waynecountytourism.com   (800) 527-6510