Keep your vacation dollars local, right here in New York!
If you’ve been a long time Macaroni Kid White Plains Scarsdale Rye follower you know that I have been a huge cheerleader for local business and the importance of keeping your shopping dollars local but I’ve never really put much thought into where I am spending my vacation dollars. This July I was invited along with 50 of my Macaroni Kid publisher sisters to be wined, dined and toured around Rochester and the Finger Lakes region of “Upstate” New York. This is a region I’ve never visited before, although have lived in New York my entire life. I have compiled some highlights of the finger lakes and Rochester to share with you my favorite places and the reasons why you should keep your vacation dollars here in New York
National Museum of Play at The Strong
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The Museum of Play is a must see in Rochester. With a reasonable price point of $14.50pp 9 (over the age of 2) the Museum of Play can keep the entire family busy and entertained. From exhibits like the giant LightBrite to sitting on the steps of Sesame Street the Museum of Play has something for everyone. The toys they showcase will bring you back to your own childhood and make you nostalgic for a time before electronic devices.
Seabreeze Amusement Park
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Seabreeze is an amusement park and water park in one convenient package. You can spend all day at Seabreeze and have an amazing time. I loved that Seabreeze offers a “spectator pass” for adults coming into the amusement park but doesn’t want to participate in the rides. I of course wouldn’t take advantage of that because I love rides and Seabreeze has some really great ones. The Time Machine, The Jack Rabbit and Whirlwind were favorites of the group but my personal favorite was the bumper cars. There is something about getting to crash into my friends that just makes me feel like such a kid. I know when I go back with my family (because, yes Rochester and Seabreeze will be in my future vacation plans) my kids will be so excited to hit up the wave pool and the water slides.
Seneca Park Zoo Society
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I love going to the zoo, it is always on my summer to do list and living here in Westchester we are so spoiled with the Bronx Zoo. The Seneca Park Zoo is just beautiful and sure to make any zoo lover happy. Recently updated (and still updating) the zoo is clean, modern and has some beautiful enclosures for their animals. The zookeepers truly love their jobs too and are happy to answer questions. Being a part of the AZA, (association of Zoos and Aquariums) they are strict guidelines they must adhere to, not only for the safety and quality of life for the animals but also for the preservation of the species of animals. For a complete list of AZA zoos click here.
I can’t say this enough, run don’t walk, run to Letchworth State Park you won’t be sorry. Open from Spring to Fall Letchworth has enough to keep you busy for days. Camping, hiking, waterfalls, fishing, play grounds and more there are endless activities. Letchworth is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” and has been ranked by USA Today as the number one state park in the United States.
Genesee Country Village & Museum
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I am a bit of a history nerd. No, I can’t recite dates and facts off the top of my head but I love history and learning from history. Genesee Country Village & Museum is the largest living museum in New York State. With homes that you can actually tour from the nineteenth century you will be taken back to see how life was for these early settlers in the Finger Lakes region and learn how they lived. My favorite part was visiting the barn. I could of spent all day with the farmers and learning about a day in the life of an early farmsteader. While you’re visiting the village be sure to check out the gift shop and grab some American Heritage chocolate.
Rochester Museum & Science Center
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The Rochester Museum & Science Center was packed with things to see and do. The planetarium was amazing and we learned about the upcoming eclipse that will be over South Carolina this month. I think the highlight of the trip was the Electricity Theater.
Some of the highlights of the trip were also visiting the home of Susan B Anthony and learning about how the women’s rights movement made such monumental ground right in the Finger Lakes of New York! Visiting Wegman’s was especially a treat! Who would've thought checking out a grocery store would be on my highlights of a vacation. I am really excited that Wegman’s will be coming to Harrison!
With all happening right here in New York I had to do some homework and reached out to I Love NY to get some information on the impact of tourism right here. There is the Taste NY Trails you can visit to really get a sense of all that New York offers. NY welcomed a record 239 million visitors in 2016. Economic impact of NYS tourism achieved historic $104.8 billion in 2016 (exceeding $100 billion for the 3rd straight year). These figures each represent a nearly 3% increase over 2015. Tourism remains the 4th largest private sector in the state, supporting more than 914,000 jobs.
There are over 940 wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries in NYS. The number of farm wineries in NY has increased by more than 60%, from 195 in 2010 to 316 in 2016. Additionally, the number of microbreweries have grown by 285%, from 40 in 2010 to 154 in 2016, while the number of farm distilleries grew from just 10 in 2010 to 98 in 2016. Farm-based craft beverage producers have grown by 178% since 2011, from 205 to 570 manufacturers (as of 2016).
By keeping your vacation dollars here in New York not only are you getting to see all that our amazing state has to offer, you’re helping boost the local of economy right here in your home state.
