The Magnificent Outdoors in Upstate New York
Panoramic view of Keuka Lake on a cycling trip. Image by Bonnie Gustin Photography.
A Destination Made for Two-Wheel Exploration
Sun breaks over Mount Washington spilling soft morning light into Pleasant Valley, as Hammondsport (the tiny village at the southern end of Keuka Lake) awakens. You can hear young Glenn Curtiss before you see him, tires chewing gravel, his teenaged-legs churning hard as he flies up the road into town, Tank Waters giving chase, no doubt, the rest of the Hammondsport Boys somewhere behind them tasting dust. It's 1897, and Curtiss is nineteen with an itch for going fast so he begins racing and winning, all while working for the small bike shop on the square. Soon, he owns the bike shop, then another in nearby Bath.
You could say Glenn Curtiss and Steuben County were both made for cycling. All these years later, in Steuben, you still hear tires shredding gravel. You still see people of all ages and abilities spinning their wheels along scenic backroads through the countryside, past vineyards and farmland, rolling up and down hillsides, at times quietly meandering below a canopy of trees as they weave their way through forests and past wilderness hiking trails. The views are breathtaking, the rides cathartic (grueling if you want, tranquil if you don’t).
You’ll find some pedaling past Amish farms on rural highways while others attack mountain bike trails at public areas like Erwin Wildlife Management, or cruise around small town streets for a true and intimate look into local life.
Mossy Bank Bike Trail. Image by Evan Williams.
Local cyclists continue the tradition of selling bikes to others (in shops like Wheels Unlimited) and of blazing trails through grassroots efforts like those at Mossy Bank Park, a small wooded beauty hidden atop a hill some 500 feet above the Cohocton River as it ambles east carrying water that will eventually find its way to the coast. A club of devoted riders who love the challenges and the rewards of riding in such a beautiful place gather regularly at nearby Steuben Brewing for two-wheel fellowship and great brews. Through the efforts of a few, the Keuka Gravel Classic has elevated the quality of the gravel riding experience, offering a competitive 50-mile jaunt that draws top amateurs and professionals, like Curtiss White, 2022 US Men's Elite Cyclocross National Champion, while those more interested in simply getting out and taking in the incredible scenery can enjoy the non-competitive 25-mile short course ride.
Unless you’ve felt it yourself, it’s difficult to describe that insatiable need for speed, for getting outdoors and zooming as fast as your legs will carry you. If you have felt it, however, you know the deep down feeling you get after riding whether it’s competitively at breakneck speeds or serenely taking the stunning scenery from two wheels.
Explore Cycling in Steuben and experience the difference. Learn more at www.corningfingerlakes.com/things-to-do/outdoor-enthusiasts/bike.
Go Explore New York’s Sullivan Catskills
New York’s Sullivan Catskills— just 90 minutes from NYC— enjoys a reputation for hospitality and exudes a low-key vibe throughout all its small towns. But it is the great outdoors that really shines here.
Hike or go birdwatching at the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area near Wurtsboro along the historic D&H Canal towpath. Nearby in Hurleyville, walk or bike “The Milk Train Trail,” much of which is ADA-compliant. The little river town of Barryville that developed around the D&H is experiencing a resurgence. Take the historic walking tour.
The Tusten Mountain Trail near Narrowsburg is a moderately challenging 2.9-mile loop perfect for you and your leashed pup. Water sports on the Delaware River are wildly popular. Regional liveries cater to individuals and groups with rafting, kayaking, tubing, canoeing, and camping. Fly-fishing enthusiasts are lured to these waters— the birthplace of American dry fly-fishing. Lake bait fishing opportunities are many, too.
Nestled among scenic surroundings, families love the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark, Villa Roma Resort, and Conference Center, with many outdoor pools and water features. Take a tour of the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail, a collection of 60 hand-painted dove sculptures perched over nearly 1,000 square miles that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, at the site of the Woodstock festival, sits on an 800-acre campus that features an outdoor music pavilion with seating and a lawn capacity of 16,000. The Museum at Bethel Woods is dedicated to the ‘60s and Woodstock.
The food and beverage scene here is Catskill-icious. Foster Supply Hospitality group— recently announced as a 2023 James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards Semi-Finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur— is among the many talented chefs passionate about food and drink. Sample the goodness at Catskill Cuisine, a two-day food festival on May 12 and 13 at Bethel Woods showcasing local and celebrity chefs. The Good Taste Craft Beverage Trail offers award-winning wine, beer, spirits, and ciders in locations that allow you to take in the beauty of the landscape while you sip and savor.
If you’re spending the weekend, book a room at Chatwal Lodge, an elevated escape with 11 exclusive suites in a rustic, refined setting. Indulge in a wellness stay at YO1 Health Resort. Or visit Resorts World Catskills, where you can play slots, table games, and a round of golf at the newly renovated Monster Golf Course. There’s also a spa and celebrity chef Scott Conant’s Cellaio restaurant. Other noteworthy accommodations with restaurants include The Bradstan Country Hotel at The Eldred Preserve, Callicoon Hills, Kenoza Hall, and The Yarra.
Full-service resorts, boutique inns, small hotels, B&Bs, glamping, and vacation rentals are plentiful. And there’s a great selection of campgrounds, perfect for large and small rigs.
Visit SullivanCatskills.com to book your experience.
Bannerman Castle, Beacon. Image by @meagyrae09.
Let Dutchess County be your gateway to the great outdoors in New York’s Hudson Valley!
Board the Estuary Steward ferry on the Hudson River and ride out to Bannerman Castle. Tour the ruins of a Scottish-style castle surrounded by water and mountains. Plus, enjoy live music, theater and movie screenings under the stars on Pollepel Island.
Walk the grounds of Gilded Age mansions like Staatsburgh State Historic Site, the country estate of Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth Livingston Mills. Explore dozens of hiking and biking trails across the 192-acre property—many of which run through Mills-Norrie State Park, where visitors can kayak the Hudson.
Looking to see Hudson Valley views from the skies? Visit the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook to soar over historic lighthouses and estates like the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt in a 1920s open-cockpit biplane.
Trek portions of the famous Appalachian Trail through the Great Swamp in Pawling. Climb to the top of fire towers at Ferncliff Forest in Rhinebeck or Stissing Mountain in Pine Plains for panoramic vistas. Don’t miss a visit to the cathedral-shaped Dover Stone Church cave.
For more outdoor experiences, download the free Zen Finder mobile passport at dutchesstourism.com/zen-finder.
Carpenter Falls, Moravia, New York. Image by Reel Inspired.
Do the Unexpected in the Finger Lakes!
Cayuga County is a destination to go beyond your comfort zone and try something new and exciting. A visit to Cayuga County can help you check off a line on your bucket list, in an approachable and cultivated way. With an area steeped in natural beauty, adventure is just steps away. Take a more traditional outdoor experience and make it your own here in the Finger Lakes. Did you know that we have some exceptional scuba diving—we do! Or perhaps you are a novice hiker looking for atypical landscapes (check out our sunning bluffs overlooking Great Lake Ontario), an experienced fisherman who wants to try their hand at bowfishing (in a county with the most freshwater coastline in NYS), or an adrenaline seeker looking to skydive (discover that and more in Weedsport). We invite you to discover all the ways you can test your limits in our destination. We believe the outdoors belongs to everyone and everyone should have access to the experiences it can provide. Cayuga County has multiple accessible options across many different activities. Come to the heart of the Finger Lakes and do the unexpected.