Day 1 Arrive in New York and drive to the Hudson Valley,
approx. 90 miles.
Farms and estates occupied by the same families for
centuries span the banks of the Hudson River and the area boasts some great
local produce in addition to its wines, spirits and artisanal beer. Don’t miss
a visit to Hyde Park to tour the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites.
The Springwood estate is the family home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt,
together with the FDR Presidential Library & Museum. Nearby is America’s
premier culinary college, The Culinary Institute of America, where you can take
a student guided tour and enjoy a meal in one of their four restaurants. A must
see destination is Walkway Over the Hudson, the world’s longest elevated
pedestrian bridge standing 212 feet high, stretching 1.28 miles across the
Hudson River and connected to 20 miles of rail trail. And for the real outdoor
enthusiasts, take a biplane ride above it all and enjoy vintage aircraft
airshow at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Take a day and travel the Shawangunk
Wine Trail and visit some of the eleven wineries.
Stay two nights in the Hudson Valley.
Day 3 Travel the Hudson Valley to Rochester, approx. 300
miles.
Continue up the Hudson Valley to Albany and follow the route
of the Erie Canal to Rochester. This city is a great blend of the old and new.
Don’t miss the International Museum of Photography and Film at the George
Eastman House, the live music venues in the downtown area or the many historic
sites dedicated to women’s rights. There are plenty of things to see and do
along the Erie Canal, with hiking and biking trails, boat trips or kayaking.
Stay one night in Rochester.
Day 4 Rochester to Niagara Falls, approx. 80 miles.
Drive along the Seaway Trail to the splendid Niagara Falls.
Enjoy the thrills of the Falls either from land or water, and don’t miss the
illuminations at night.The Niagara Falls area is dotted with wineries and you
can follow the Wine Trail which combines award-wining wineries with sleepy back
road driving.Alternatively visit Buffalo and the Albright Knox Art Gallery,
which has a magnificent collection of modern art including works by Leger and
Picasso to name but a few. Spend some time at Canalside to see the original
Erie Canal or visit the Frank Lloyd Wright Darwin Martin House which is a must
see, as is the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site.
Stay two nights at Niagara Falls.
Day 6 Niagara Falls to the Finger Lakes, approx. 125
miles.
Drive to the Finger Lakes regions. The lakes offer stunning scenery and
state parks, Letchworth State Park and Watkins Glen State Park, as well as
great wine trails such as the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and the Canandaigua Wine
Trail.Sample some more great wines at one of the many wineries or enjoy a boat
trip on one of the lakes. There is unique local shopping as well as great
restaurants combining the best local ingredients with some of the area’s favourite
wines. Make sure you visit the New York Wine and Culinary Center in
Canandaigua. From here you could also take a drive to the Corning Museum of
Glass where you can explore glass from all perspectives and even make your own.
Stay two nights in Geneva.
Day 8 Finger Lakes to New York City, approx. 280 miles.
Take
a scenic drive back to New York and drop off your car, before your flight back
to the UK, or spend some nights in New York City.
Posted by: America As You Like It
Posted on: 09/09/2026