From restaurants to parks to breweries, our hidden gems include the best of the new & the unknown in Upstate New York.

Hidden Gems: The Ausable Chasm in the Adirondacks
This summer a group of us moms and our teens took a weekend trip to the Ausable Chasm in the ...
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Fairies find a new home in Mendon Ponds Park
Countless hearts broke earlier this year when dozens of fairies were evicted from their homes in Henrietta’s Tinker Nature Park ...
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11 Places to Picnic in Upstate NY
Summer is a short season in upstate NY. That's why it's the perfect time to exchange your usual lunch out ...
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A Sweet Family Activity: NY Maple Weekends are Here!
It's just about time for my favorite family activity. As we anticipate our annual tradition of visiting a local maple farm, ...
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Hidden Gems: Sonnenberg Gardens
(Photos courtesy of Sonnenberg Gardens) My aunt and uncle recently visited from out of state, and I was deputized family ...
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Hidden Gems: Upstate N.Y. Spray Parks
Baby, it’s hot outside. This summer, we’ve had so many heat waves that kids can barely play outdoors before they ...
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Hidden Gems: Salem Art Works
If you are in the Albany-Lake George area and have a taste for outdoor sculpture, then Salem Art Works in ...
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Hidden Gems: Sterling Renaissance Festival
No summer is complete for my family without a trip to 16th century Warwick, England; or the closest we can ...
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Hidden Gems: Unique Coffee Shops in Syracuse, NY
Ask any coffee drinker, and they’ll tell you: coffee has worthwhile benefits beyond the pleasant aroma and morning pick-me-up. Indulging ...
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Hidden Gems: Wall Therapy in Rochester
I recently went on a slow bicycle ride through the streets of Rochester, stopping at notable city spots, such as ...
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Hidden Gem: Whole in the Wall Restaurant
Binghamton locals refer to the Whole in the Wall restaurant as the best kept secret on the Southside of Binghamton. ...
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Hidden Gem: The Westminster Staircase
Referred to by some as the “Stairway to Heaven,” the Westminster Staircase in Syracuse holds special meaning for those of ...
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Hidden Gems: LaMora Farms Garden Gazebo
Have you ever stopped at a fresh produce stand and found the perfect healthy recipe to feed your very picky ...
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Hidden Gem: Kershaw Park Beach
As a born and bred New Englander, I’m definitely an “ocean beach” snob. Give me waves and salty air over, ...
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Hidden Gems: Downtown Rochester
I’m a Buffalo native. As far back as I can remember, the “City that Smells like Cheerios” was the most ...
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Hidden Gems: Cornell Botanic Gardens
The rhododendrons and azaleas were in full bloom, from magenta to pale pinks and creamy whites, when my work colleague, ...
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Hidden Gems: Washington Grove
What’s the secret? A “forest in the city,” Washington Grove is a unique, oak-hickory forest. It's located on the eastern ...
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Hidden Gems: Letchworth’s 1,000 Steps
Letchworth State Park lends its beauty to the Rochester area, and if you’ve ever been there you know just how ...
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Hidden Gems: Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary
Have you ever wondered whether the owls in Harry Potter could actually carry a Nimbus 2000? Or maybe you just ...
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Hidden Gems: Lamberton Conservatory
As a born and raised Western New Yorker, I fully understand that snow and wintry weather can live anywhere from ...
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Hidden Gems: Turmeric
It all started with this stew. Scanning the ingredient list, I saw a spice I’d never cooked with before: turmeric ...
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Hidden Gems: Corbett’s Glen Nature Park
What’s the Secret? You can find me at Cobb’s Hill Park in Rochester, N.Y., on the regular, so it was ...
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Hidden Gems: Stone Quarry Hill Art Park
What’s The Secret? We “discovered” the park during one of our impulsive drives along Route 20, just south of Syracuse, ...
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Hidden Gems: Take a Stroll Along Rochester’s Secret Walk
There is no sign. You just have to know it’s there. What's the secret? A few blocks up from Ontario Beach ...
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Hidden Gems: CoreLife Eatery Review
What’s the secret? I was intrigued by the idea of a fast food place that served healthier food. That’s why ...
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