Veraisons at Glenora Wine Cellars

Veraisons at Glenora Winery, on Seneca Lake, is one of the most popular wineries during the day, but at night, the dining room was relatively empty.

We went on a Friday in the spring when the restaurant offers a fish fry, so of course we had to order it! We also ordered a carbonara asparagus risotto.

The fish fry was served with rice and the fish had this wonderful, semi-sweet flavor on the breading, which almost tasted like a funnel cake wrapped around a moist, flaky piece of fish.

The risotto was creamy, and once you broke the poached egg into the risotto, it became a decadent delight.

We also ordered a wine flight. I chose a red wine flight, where I was brought four glasses of Glenora wine as a tasting. This was a very nice way to try a few different wines at dinner.

The Ginny Lee at Wagner Vineyards

French Onion Soup

Hot Turkey Club

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

While touring wineries around Seneca Lake, we stopped at The Ginny Lee at Wagner Vineyards. The dining room was bright and airy, and additionally had a patio for warmer afternoons for lunch (The Ginny Lee only serves lunch).

We ordered the Hot Turkey Club, which is served "open-faced," and the crispy chicken sandwich, as well as french onion soup. The sandwiches were both good, perfect for a day of wine tasting, and the french onion soup was very good, and heavy on the onions.

Heading around Seneca Lake, Ginny Lee was also a perfect mid-way stop for lunch, so definitely add this to your day's itinerary.

Stonecutters at Belhurst Castle

We headed out to Stonecutter's at Belhurst Castle because the castle was beautiful. Stonecutter's, one of two restaurants at Belhurst, had a nice, casual menu and live music; we were sold.

However, we were a little disappointed by the restaurant and service. The hotel was the site of a wedding that evening we were there and the wait staff seemed to be helping out with the reception as well as taking care of the bar and the tables at Stonecutter's.

We ordered a grilled chicken Caesar salad and the cheeseburger soup in a bread bowl. The waiter put in the wrong soup, and, because the wait staff was incredibly busy, it took our waiter a little while to come back to our table to check on us and for me to send the soup back. By the time the correct soup made it to our table, I was no longer hungry and mostly tired.

The grilled chicken salad was good, served with grilled pita breads. The cheeseburger soup was all right, thick and topped with fresh cut lettuce, which made for a strange texture of the soup.

Kilpatricks

Sometimes all you want is good tavern food. We stopped into Kilpatricks on Seneca Street in Ithaca and were very pleased.

We went at an off hour for dining and the restaurant was mostly empty, with a few diners sitting in booths. However, we chose a table near the windows so we could people watch while we dined.

We ordered the Golden Claddagh, a pulled pork sandwich, and the Ambler Batter Haddock Sandwich. We both upgraded our sides, so we also received the black and tan onion rings and the Irish Chips.

The pulled pork was very good. Tender, juicy, with just the right amount of sauce that had a perfect smoky barbecue flavor without over powering the meat. The fish sandwich was good - a nice crispy, crunchy breading and the fish was nicely cooked inside.

However, the stars of the meal were the sides. The black and tan onion rings were delicious. They had a lovely onion taste while the flavors of stout and lager beers still seeped through on the breading. They were served with a dipping sauce so smoky, tangy and delicious that I found myself dipping my fish and chips into it as well.

The Irish chips are house fried and then topped with garlic, pecorino cheese and green onions and served with a ranch dipping sauce. These were also fantastic. The combination of fresh garlic and pecorino on top of the thick cut chips was wonderful and addicting. Add the ranch dipping sauce and I couldn't stop myself from eating the whole basket. (YUM!)

Corks and More

After a day of touring wineries around Seneca Lake, there was nothing more we wanted to do than to sit down and enjoy a few dishes at the local wine bar. We stopped into Corks and More, a bit hidden and right on the water in Ithaca, for a light dinner and a few glasses of wine.

The concept was a lot of fun. Diners purchase a reloadable card and use that card to pay for their wine in the machines. Wine is dispensed in a 1 oz., 3 oz. or 5 oz. option, a good way to try a variety of wines without over drinking. Wines varied from sweet to dry and local to South American and Australian.

They also have a full service kitchen with full meals, soups, and tapas. We decided to try a few of the crostinis, which are perfect two-bite creations. We tried the Pan fried prosciutto with mozzarella and basil, brie with apples and onions, Pesto Chicken with Fontina Cheese, and the Sausage and Pumpkin Butter with Sharp Cheddar Cheese. The brie with apples and the sausage and pumpkin butter were, by far, our favorites.

The pre-loaded card for the wine dispensers was also able to be used for food, making it a very convenient way to pay for out of towners.

There is also a full service bar, as well.

Stompin' Good Times - Wine Tour

We arranged a privately chauffeured wine tour with Stompin' Good Times through the Bed & Breakfast we were staying at in Dundee.  The driver arrived promptly at the agreed upon time in a Ford Flex, which was comfortable. Our driver was quiet for the majority of our trip and didn't really engage us in conversation, but this also allowed us to converse with each other as a couple.

There were snacks and bottled water provided as well.  The driver was willing to take use to anywhere on Seneca Lake within our 5 hour period and it allowed us to greatly enjoy tasting at 8 different wineries, plus lunch, during this time without needing to worry about getting behind the wheel of our car while inebriated.

Despite being a bit pricey, we definitely recommend using a service such as this when exploring the Finger Lakes

Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca

We only spent one night at the Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca, but it was a comfortable stay.  The front desk staff was very friendly, and helpful in giving us some information about Ithaca.  For parking, you need to park across the street in a garage and get your ticket validated by the front desk, but it is free for guests.  The wi-fi speeds are adequate and the room was very clean upon arrival.  You'll also get 2 free bottles of water at their pantry and use of a Keurig coffee machine in your room.  There is also coffee and tea available in the lobby 24/7.  The hotel is also just a 1 minute walk from the Ithaca Commons area, although we found this pedestrian area disappointing as many shops were out of business when we visited.  When staying in Ithaca, we'd recommend this hotel.

Buttermilk Falls

Located within the town limits of Ithaca, Buttermilk Falls has plenty of parking and is only a 1 minute walk from the parking lot. The falls themselves look like they are running down a flight of stairs and are a nice sight to see.  There are also some walking trails around the falls area.

Montour Falls

Just outside of Watkins Glen, on the south side of Seneca Lake, is Montour Falls.  While there is a town named after the falls, the falls themselves are the reason to come to town.  The falls are located just 2 blocks from the center area of town.  Once in town, there are plenty of signs to direct you right to the falls.  If you're in the Watkins Glen area, this is definitely a good spot to make a quick stop to take some photos.

Taughannock Falls

The Taughannock Falls, about a 25 minute ride from the center of Ithaca, are definitely worth the trip. The falls are located right next to Cayuga Lake, and it is a quick 2 minute walk, mostly stairs, to the viewing area from the parking lot.  They viewing area was perfectly built to allow for excellent photos and is definitely worth the few minutes spent here.

Sunrise Landing Bed & Breakfast

Located on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, the Sunrise Landing Bed & Breakfast is an ideal location for couples looking to get away for a few days.  The B&B is located off of the main road that runs parallel to the west side of the lake, Route 14, down a dirt road to get you right onto the lake.  There is a sense of serenity and peace at the property.  The owners are delightful, friendly and look to accommodate all of their guests.

We were able to easily book an all day privately chauffeured wine tour through them and they were able to set up all the logistics for us, including providing free tastings at many of the wineries in the area.

Each morning, a delicious breakfast was freshly prepared for us, and the owners were more than willing to adjust the menu for anyone's special dietary needs.  Not enough can be said about the amazing peach stuffed french toast that was made our second morning, or the orange cranberry scones, and the chocolate chip muffins, and roasted potatoes (really, everything served for breakfast was delicious!).  You just need to taste it to understand.

We chose the Rose Suite for our stay, which is the smallest of the rooms (and thus the cheapest) and it worked perfectly for our needs.  It's a very comfortable bedroom that allows for views of various birds in the morning at the bird feeders.  In addition, you get a private sitting room with a television and a refrigerator stocked with drinks and snacks.

The Sunrise Landing B&B also provides an amazing view of Seneca Lake, and direct access to the lake. We would highly recommend this B&B to anyone looking to visit the Finger Lakes!

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, overlooking the Hudson River, and across the street from the Best Western Plus Albany Franklin Square Inn Troy/Albany hotel, is a great place for travelers and locals. We stopped in for dinner on a Monday night and the restaurant was crowded.

However, even though all the tables were full, our waiter was still very professional, quick, efficient, and helpful.

We ordered wings, with the Wango Tango sauce, which was a great combination of spicy and sweet. The wings are also smoked, then grilled, to give them this beautiful, smokey flavor while keeping a nice crispy crunch on the outside.

We also ordered the Tres Hombres combination plate to split, and believe me, there was plenty of food to go around! The plate included ribs, BBQ pulled pork, and sliced brisket. It also came with two sides and corn bread. Phew!

In addition, we had the Caramel Cheesecake, which was absolutely delectable!

Everything was delicious! The meat on the ribs was fall of the bone good, and the bar-be-que sauce was fantastic, and added flavor without overpowering the taste of the smoked meats.

Maid Of The Mist

If there is one attraction that everyone knows of in Niagara Falls, it's the Maid of the Mist.  For over 100 years they have been taking daring travelers as close to falls as is safely allowed.  While long lines form to board the boat, the boat holds hundreds of people, so the line moves fast.  Be sure before you board that you secure your camera in some type of waterproofing as you will get soaked!

Once on board, try to get to the starboard (or right) side of the boat to get the closest and best view of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.  Most people intuitively try to avoid this side as you start off with the opposite side facing the American Falls, so it should be easy to secure a spot.

Not much else can be said about this boat ride in words, but from the pictures below, you'll see why it's well worth taking your time to do.

If you're considering doing this attraction as well as the other popular ones in the area, I'd highly recommend getting the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass to save a few bucks.  It combines the price of this attraction, the Journey Behind The Falls, the White Water Walk and Niagara's Fury all into one.

Old Fort Niagara

At the very tip of New York State on Lake Ontario overlooking Niagara-On-The-Lake is Old Fort Niagara.  This fort has changed hands from the French to the British to the Americans over its history and it has all 3 of the countries' flags raised in the center to commemorate this.  The fort has a self-guided walking tour to allow visitors to learn about the history of the fort.  In addition, there are people dressed from the time periods of when the fort was active and give history lessons and musket demonstrations.

The fort is pretty impressive with the buildings on the land, as well as how the land was sculpted.  When you compare it to the fort across the border, Fort George, it comes across as even more impressive.  Our day here was quite foggy, but on a clear day we were told you can see the CN Tower all the way in Toronto from the edge of the fort.

One little surprise we also found is that in the French Castle on the premises a cat is roaming about...see if you can find the little kitty when you visit!

Review of Acela Express Service from Philadelphia to New York

Why drive when there are so many other options available to travelers today? Amtrak’s Acela Express between Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station and New York’s Penn Station takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and, parking at 30th Street Station is much less expensive than parking in Manhattan.

There is plenty of seating at 30th Street Station and the attendants and customer service representatives are very helpful. The station boards are very easy to read and updated often.

Once you board the train, there are overhead compartments for luggage, plenty of legroom and very comfortable seats. The trains also have a café car that offers drinks - both alcoholic and non - sandwiches and snacks, a first class car, and immediately in front of the first class car a quiet car that does not allow phone calls or loud talking (perfect for sleeping, napping, working, or relaxing on the trip). The trains also offer free wi-fi to all passengers and outlets at every seat, making it perfect for business travelers (or bloggers).

At Penn Station, the Acela Express passengers have a special waiting area with benches and wifi, however, it is further away from the station board; so if your arriving close to the time of your train, you may not get a chance to enjoy this service.

Acela Express travels between Boston and Washington, DC, making stops in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

There is also an Amtrak Guest Rewards program, where you can earn 500 points for each round trip ticket bought on Acela Express, and free travel on the guest rewards program begins at 1,000 Guest Rewards programs.

Fort Ticonderoga

While our trip was to Vermont, we did make a slight detour at one point to New York.  There are various ferries that go across Lake Champlain between Vermont and New York, but the one we took was the Fort Ti Ferry, located at Larrabees Point in Shoreham, Vermont.  You can walk on here for only $1/person each way.  However, once you cross over, there really is no transportation for you.  Therefore, it's best to take your car across, which is $8 each way.  During the drive across, you get a nice view as well of Lake Champlain.

After crossing the lake, the main destination for most people is Fort Ticonderoga.  Here was the first victory during the Revolutionary War for America, so it holds quite a significance in our country's history.  Throughout the day, various tours are given and are included in your admission that discuss the history of the Fort.  There's even a ghost tour that is given once a day.  Be sure to check the schedule for the day before arriving if you want to be present for a specific tour.

In addition to the history of the Fort, it also offers absolutely beautiful views of Lake Champlain.  These alone are worth the admission price and the Ferry trip over.