We know him and we love him as the Getaway Guy on TV, Spectrum News’ Mike O’Brian.
We’re often jealous of where he’s been or is going, because we all crave a little vacation in our daily lives.
Beyond the screen, O’Brian has written two The Getaway Guy books to help guide those of us who want to take staycations or daycations, highlighting the towns and attractions he has featured on TV.
The first book, subtitled “Road Trip Getaways with Mike O’Brian,” has the following dedication: “To my Mom and Dad who instilled in me as a kid the thrill of travel and road-trip vacations.”
And in our beautiful Rochester and Finger Lakes region, it doesn’t have to be a long road trip to take a fabulous vacation.
“I always get asked by parents of little ones, is there anything we can do?,” said O’Brian, who is enjoying ‘getting away’ with his two-year-old grandson, Mason. “What families with small children are lacking is time and money.”
With this in mind, O’Brian has curated for us a list of 10 upstate places to enjoy with kids … many of which are off the beaten path.
1. Taughannock Park
1740 Taughannock Blvd. (Route 89), Trumansburg
parks.ny.gov/parks/62/details.aspx
While you can stand at the base of these falls, which are higher than Niagara Falls, to enjoy their splendor, O’Brian recommended stopping en route for a different view.
Turn off Route 89 for the Falls View rest stop, where you might see artists painting the postcard-perfect scene. “Ramble along the shady trail until you find the payoff — a spectacular approach to the falls that rise up to meet you,” he said.
2. Letchworth State Park
1 Letchworth State Park, Castile
The Grand Canyon of the East is home to three waterfalls and breathtaking views of gorges, some standing 600-feet high. It was voted Best Park in the Nation in 2015 by a USA Today readers’ poll.
“It’s crazy beautiful,” O’Brian said. “We are so lucky to have a park of this magnitude in our backyard.”
Travel tips: Enter at the Portageville entrance. You can park and walk to the Upper, Lower, and Middle Falls. Bring a picnic and enjoy the old picnic tables made of stone, and the old barbeque grills, for the feeling of an old-time getaway. Admission is state park fee ($6 per car).
3. Olcott Beach Amusement Park
5979 E Main St., Olcott
This vintage amusement park includes a 1928 carousel and five vintage kiddie rides. With free admission and a cost of only 25 cents per ride, Olcott Beach Amusement Park is a fun, affordable, clean, and safe place to bring your family this summer.
“You go to a ticket book and there’s a person in the booth who sells you a 25-cent ticket for a furbished vintage kiddie ride, including an old Herschel Carousel,” O’Brian said. “It’s magical.”
On your ride to Olcott Beach from Rochester, O’Brian recommends stopping at the Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse, located in Golden Hill Start Park. Admission the park is $6 per car and lighthouse admission is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.
“You can make a day of it,” he said. “The drive by itself is a getaway.”
Speaking of kiddie rides, O’Brian also gave a shout-out to Seabreeze:
“My dad used to take me to Seabreeze when I was young. Thank you, Seabreeze, for the memories, and also for keeping your beautiful character.”
4. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
115 South Water St., Lewiston
You can beat the summer heat with a high-speed thrill ride that guarantees a wet and and wild experience. The jet boats, operated by professionals, venture as close as humanly possible to the Niagara Whirlpool. And along the Niagara River the boats swirl and swoosh on the Class 5 rapids until you’re crying “Uncle!”
“This one is a thrill a minute and most people don’t even know it’s there,” O’Brian said. “It’s such a refreshing, exhilarating summer adventure.”
Travel tip: Kids ages six and over can take the boat ride with their accompanying adults. Bring a change of dry clothes and enjoy a relaxing lunch in quaint Lewiston after the boat ride.
5. Watkins Glen Start Park
1009 N Franklin St., Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen is the most famous of the Finger Lakes state parks, located at the south end of Seneca Lake.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” O’Brian said. “The walk along 800 stone steps includes views of 17 waterfalls, plus caves, tunnels, and whirlpools. Take this walk during fall foliage and you get a double bonus on the views.”
Tip: Park at the bottom and take the shuttle to the top. You definitely want to walk down the gorge vs. up. And warning, it can be slippery in spots.
6. Corning Museum of Glass
1 Museum Way, Corning
“Explore 3,500 years of glassmaking in the endless maze of galleries,” O’Brian said.
This summer Corning Museum of Glass offers a new contemporary wing of glass art, which he recommended checking out.
Travel tips: Reserve three to four hours for this museum, including the extensive shopping on site. A walk across a pedestrian bridge will bring you to Corning’s Market Street for restaurants and more shopping.
7. Goat Island
Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls
The oldest state park in the country is literally surrounded by the Bridal Veil falls on the American side and the Horseshoe on the Canadian side – resulting in mist in your face and spectacular views.
“This may be the best place to see Niagara Falls,” O’Brian said. “You can get so close to the falls it’s unnerving.”
Travel tips: Although fabulous to go in the summer, if you want to avoid the crowds, wait until after Labor Day. “It’s not so much fun when you can’t see anything.” Also, for a few bucks take the NiagaraScenic Trolley, which also brings you to Three Sister Rapids just above the falls.
8. Herkimer Diamond Mines
4601 State Route 28, Herkimer
Be a prospector for the day during this family getaway. “You grab goggles and a crack hammer and away you go,” O’Brian said. “You’re looking for quartz crystals and you take home with you what you mine.”
Travel tips: Wear a hat and sunscreen. You are out in the open and the sun can get intense. While it’s a little more than a two-hour drive from Rochester, you can still do this trip in a day … or, there’s a KOA campground across the street.
9. Rock City Park
505 NY-16, Olean
Open to visitors since 1890, Rock City Park is, according to O’Brian, “a fascinating natural wonder that will take you back in time millions of years.”
In his book he wrote, “You won’t believe what I found in the Enchanted Woods of Cattaraugus County! Rocks! Big rocks!”
He told Roc Parent magazine that the Rock City Park is “so old and wonderful” with “amazing rock formations of giant boulders.”
“You walk down the stairs and it unfolds in front of you.”
Travel tips: This trip is kind of like a hiking adventure but doable. Bring good walking shoes and a bottle of water. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids
10. Hidden Valley Animal Adventure
2887 Royce Road, Varysburg
“How about spending the day in an animal kingdom?” O’Brian asked, noting you do not have to travel to Florida for this getaway.
Hidden Valley Animal Adventure is 63 acres of farmland that is home to more than 300 animals and 30 species, which you can see and feed via a guided wagon ride.
“These animals aren’t what you’d expect to find roaming around Western York,” he said. “Zebra camel, elk, ostrich, and more. That’s what makes this getaway so unique.”
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