{"id":12250,"date":"2010-06-08T10:00:19","date_gmt":"2010-06-08T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=12250"},"modified":"2020-03-09T22:56:12","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T02:56:12","slug":"upstate-new-york-getaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/12250\/upstate-new-york-getaways\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Upstate New York Getaways"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’ve said it once, we’ll say it again: There is more to life than what’s just on Manhattan. The Empire State is a car-free Mecca, and has much to offer vacationers. So get into a New York state of mind and explore some of its more distant corners.<\/p>\n

Here are five upstate New York getaways to get you started.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Chautauqua County<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"historic

Overlooking Chautauqua Lake, the on-site Athenaeum Hotel\u2014where everyone from Thomas Edison to Bill Clinton has stayed\u2014is the Grand Dame of the town, with its picturesque views, and old-world grandeur<\/a> dating back to 1881. There is no bar at this hotel, only beer and wine served at dinner. Regulars are known to sneak spirits into their rooms, so you can feel like a sly teenager all over again. Room rates<\/a> (from $249\/summer weekend) include three meals per day. Cottages and private rooms are available for weekly rental.<\/p>\n

Cars are not allowed on the premises of this retreat for the mind, body and spirit. Imagine a Victorian lakeside paradise of cottages and old-fashioned hotels, where you bike or walk everywhere. The surrounding fertile farmlands provide the bounty for the daily farmer\u2019s market. Take part in one of Chautauqua Institution<\/a>‘s nine weeklong thematic sessions, where each morning you will be privy to lectures and conversations on a common theme. This summer season\u2019s nine topics include The Pursuit of Happiness, Diplomacy, and Health Care: Reform and Innovation taught by experts in their respective fields.<\/p>\n

During the rest of your day, you may register for one of hundreds of Special Studies classes offered each week. Subjects are diverse and comprehensive and include Wine Tasting, several disciplines of Yoga, applied art, foreign language instruction, and history and literature classes. Nine U.S. Presidents have lectured or vacationed here, so the company is not too shabby. On a warm afternoon, swim, sail, and row in the lake, play tennis, golf and get ready for the evening\u2019s dance, theatre or musical performance in the outdoor amphitheater.<\/p>\n

How to get there:<\/strong> Take\u00a0Megabus<\/a> or Amtrak to Buffalo<\/a>, see Chautauqua\u2019s transportation guide<\/a> for bus service to the Institution. <\/em>Score a cheap fare on JetBlue from NYC to Buffalo and connect with a Buffalo Airport<\/a> Shuttle. <\/em><\/p>\n

2. Jamestown<\/strong>\"Mural