One-tank trips for him and her
Forever Young
August 2011
He likes the mountains, she likes the beach; he likes fishing and she likes shopping; he likes car shows and she likes craft shows. Men and women have had different ideas of what to do in their leisure time since Adam and Eve. However, people should be willing to compromise. For example, if I accompany my husband to a car show, he will be willing to come to a craft show with me. At the risk of being “politically incorrect,” this article will describe several “guy” and “gal” related one-tank trips. However, I suspect that both will find these trips enjoyable.
He Said- Cars, Boats, Trains, and Planes
Okay guys; admit it, no matter how old you are you still like “toys” like cars, boats, trains, and planes. Here are several day trips that are guaranteed to please
Northeast Classic Car Museum
Since my husband is an antique car buff, I’ve been to a number of car museums in my day. However one of the finest collections of antique automobiles I’ve seen is the Northeast Classic Car Museum in the tiny central New York city of Norwich, about a five-hour drive from Buffalo.
The museum features more than100 pre-WWII vintage cars, including the largest collection of Syracuse-manufactured Franklin automobiles and several Buffalo-made vehicles. Most of the cars in the museum are in running and original condition.
Northeast Classic Car Museum,
24 Rexford St.
(Route 23) Norwich, 607-334-2886, www.classiccarmuseum.org
Welland Canal
There is nothing as fascinating as watching massive freighters “locking through” the Welland Canal. This major shipping route in southern Ontario, about 45 minutes from Buffalo, is a unique engineering marvel. People actually travel from all over the world to see the canal in operation. There are several viewing platforms along the canal’s 26 mile route between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
One of the best places to observe the ships is at the Welland Canals Center, located at Lock 3 in St. Catharines. You can call ahead before you leave home to find out when a ship will be passing through the lock (1-800-305-5134).
Trains
An article I wrote about trains recently appeared in this publication, so I’ll be brief. There are a number of area museums and excursions available, including the Arcade and Attica Railroad (www.arcadeandatticarr.com), Medina Railroad Museum (www.railroadmuseum.net), and the Salamanca Railroad Museum, just to name a few.
Planes
Western New York played a major role in the development of manned flight and there are several museums throughout the region that pay tribute to our aviation history.
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, about 2 hours from Buffalo, houses a collection of early aircraft, motorcycles, bicycles, and more. Glenn Curtiss, who held the title of “Fastest Man on Earth” in 1907 for motorcycle racing, is often considered the “Father of Naval Aviation”
In the Elmira area you’ll find two interesting aviation museums. The Wings of Eagles Discover Center houses a collection of military aircraft and aviation memorabilia, while a few miles away, the National Soaring Museum is home to the largest collection of gliders and sailplanes in the world.
Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, 8419 State Road 54, Hammondsport, 607-569-2160, www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org
Wings of Eagles Discover Center, 17 Aviation Drive (Elmira/Corning Regional Airport) Horseheads, 607-739-8200, www.wingsofeagles.com
National Soaring Museum, 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, 607-734-3128, www.soaringmuseum.org
She Said- Shopping, Spas, and Scenery
Okay ladies, now it’s your turn. Here are some fun and relaxing day trips that even your guy will enjoy.
Shopping
Having written a travel guide about western New York, I consider myself an expert on the best shopping areas in our region, having visited them numerous times; purely for research, of course.
If you like antiques, check out the tiny village of Angelica in Allegany County or Bloomfield, located east of Canandaigua on Routes 5 & 20. There’s also a huge antique mall in Salamanca.
If you prefer shopping along quaint village streets, here’s a few that fit the bill. Corning’s Market Street has numerous shops and restaurants in a four block historic district, while Canandaigua has shops lining the widest Main Street in the country. Piffsford and Fairport, along the Erie Canal east of Rochester, both have upscale boutiques, as does Ellicottville, in Cattaraugus County. Closer to home, check out Lewiston, Niagara-on-the-Lake, or Buffalo’s Elmwood Avenue
Spas
Over 100 years ago folks traveled to the quaint village of Clifton Springs, about 90 minute east of Buffalo, seeking natural water cures. Today the Clifton Spring Hospital devotes an entire wing to “The Springs at Clifton” which offers alternative health services, including massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, as well as traditional spa treatments like facials, manicures, and pedicures.
The spa has several hydrotherapy rooms where one can soak in warm sulphur water piped in from the sulphur spring outside. Afterwards, head into the village and eat at Warfield’s, which is housed in a circa 1870’s building.
Scenery
There are many places to enjoy beautiful scenery in our area. One of my favorites is Ontario Beach Park, along Lake Ontario in Rochester. Stroll along the beach, ride the 1905 Dentzel menagerie carousel, take a walk on the pier, or discover the “secret sidewalk” located a few blocks west of the beach.
Another one of my favorite scenic places is Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, a preserved Victorian-era country estate that has beautiful themed gardens and a restored 1880’s Queen Anne style mansion.
Ontario Beach Park,
Lake Avenue, Rochester
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansions State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, 585-394-4922, www.sonnenberg.org
Forever Young
August 2011
He likes the mountains, she likes the beach; he likes fishing and she likes shopping; he likes car shows and she likes craft shows. Men and women have had different ideas of what to do in their leisure time since Adam and Eve. However, people should be willing to compromise. For example, if I accompany my husband to a car show, he will be willing to come to a craft show with me. At the risk of being “politically incorrect,” this article will describe several “guy” and “gal” related one-tank trips. However, I suspect that both will find these trips enjoyable.
He Said- Cars, Boats, Trains, and Planes
Okay guys; admit it, no matter how old you are you still like “toys” like cars, boats, trains, and planes. Here are several day trips that are guaranteed to please
Northeast Classic Car Museum
Since my husband is an antique car buff, I’ve been to a number of car museums in my day. However one of the finest collections of antique automobiles I’ve seen is the Northeast Classic Car Museum in the tiny central New York city of Norwich, about a five-hour drive from Buffalo.
The museum features more than100 pre-WWII vintage cars, including the largest collection of Syracuse-manufactured Franklin automobiles and several Buffalo-made vehicles. Most of the cars in the museum are in running and original condition.
Northeast Classic Car Museum,
24 Rexford St.
(Route 23) Norwich, 607-334-2886, www.classiccarmuseum.org
Welland Canal
There is nothing as fascinating as watching massive freighters “locking through” the Welland Canal. This major shipping route in southern Ontario, about 45 minutes from Buffalo, is a unique engineering marvel. People actually travel from all over the world to see the canal in operation. There are several viewing platforms along the canal’s 26 mile route between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
One of the best places to observe the ships is at the Welland Canals Center, located at Lock 3 in St. Catharines. You can call ahead before you leave home to find out when a ship will be passing through the lock (1-800-305-5134).
Trains
An article I wrote about trains recently appeared in this publication, so I’ll be brief. There are a number of area museums and excursions available, including the Arcade and Attica Railroad (www.arcadeandatticarr.com), Medina Railroad Museum (www.railroadmuseum.net), and the Salamanca Railroad Museum, just to name a few.
Planes
Western New York played a major role in the development of manned flight and there are several museums throughout the region that pay tribute to our aviation history.
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, about 2 hours from Buffalo, houses a collection of early aircraft, motorcycles, bicycles, and more. Glenn Curtiss, who held the title of “Fastest Man on Earth” in 1907 for motorcycle racing, is often considered the “Father of Naval Aviation”
In the Elmira area you’ll find two interesting aviation museums. The Wings of Eagles Discover Center houses a collection of military aircraft and aviation memorabilia, while a few miles away, the National Soaring Museum is home to the largest collection of gliders and sailplanes in the world.
Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, 8419 State Road 54, Hammondsport, 607-569-2160, www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org
Wings of Eagles Discover Center, 17 Aviation Drive (Elmira/Corning Regional Airport) Horseheads, 607-739-8200, www.wingsofeagles.com
National Soaring Museum, 51 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, 607-734-3128, www.soaringmuseum.org
She Said- Shopping, Spas, and Scenery
Okay ladies, now it’s your turn. Here are some fun and relaxing day trips that even your guy will enjoy.
Shopping
Having written a travel guide about western New York, I consider myself an expert on the best shopping areas in our region, having visited them numerous times; purely for research, of course.
If you like antiques, check out the tiny village of Angelica in Allegany County or Bloomfield, located east of Canandaigua on Routes 5 & 20. There’s also a huge antique mall in Salamanca.
If you prefer shopping along quaint village streets, here’s a few that fit the bill. Corning’s Market Street has numerous shops and restaurants in a four block historic district, while Canandaigua has shops lining the widest Main Street in the country. Piffsford and Fairport, along the Erie Canal east of Rochester, both have upscale boutiques, as does Ellicottville, in Cattaraugus County. Closer to home, check out Lewiston, Niagara-on-the-Lake, or Buffalo’s Elmwood Avenue
Spas
Over 100 years ago folks traveled to the quaint village of Clifton Springs, about 90 minute east of Buffalo, seeking natural water cures. Today the Clifton Spring Hospital devotes an entire wing to “The Springs at Clifton” which offers alternative health services, including massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, as well as traditional spa treatments like facials, manicures, and pedicures.
The spa has several hydrotherapy rooms where one can soak in warm sulphur water piped in from the sulphur spring outside. Afterwards, head into the village and eat at Warfield’s, which is housed in a circa 1870’s building.
Scenery
There are many places to enjoy beautiful scenery in our area. One of my favorites is Ontario Beach Park, along Lake Ontario in Rochester. Stroll along the beach, ride the 1905 Dentzel menagerie carousel, take a walk on the pier, or discover the “secret sidewalk” located a few blocks west of the beach.
Another one of my favorite scenic places is Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, a preserved Victorian-era country estate that has beautiful themed gardens and a restored 1880’s Queen Anne style mansion.
Ontario Beach Park,
Lake Avenue, Rochester
Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansions State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, 585-394-4922, www.sonnenberg.org
