New York to the Rocky Mountains: The Ultimate Weeklong Escape from NYC

The Summer time is the best time of the year to plan an extended escape from city life. Here at Road Trip NY, our favorite vacation involves hitting the pavement in your preferred automobile and letting the road take you on a good old-fashioned American road trip adventure. In previous posts on the blog, I have highlighted shorter day-trips, suggested stops for food and hiking and some of my favorite things to remember when planning your trip.

I hope for this post to be the most detailed itinerary yet, with suggestions for a one-way road trip from New York City to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the tremendous ripple of earth that separates the East and the sprawling Great Plains from the vast expanse of the West. The following post features suggestions for such a trip, including cities and towns to stop in, places to eat, things to do and places to stay, usually unique AirBnb's along the way.

Pack your bags, your snacks and get your playlists ready for Road Trip NY's biggest trip yet!

New York to the Rocky Mountains: The Ultimate Escape from NYC

Day One: New York, NY to Pittsburgh, PA

1. Driving across the country can be exhausting, so before you begin prepare yourself for long periods of time on the road. In one of my opening posts, I cover some of the important things to consider and remember when you embark on a long term road trip. While the first day of travel may be familiar to those from the northeast, you're sure to find some places to explore between home and your first stop. 
2. What better way to kick off your great American road trip adventure than a stop at an amusement park. Hershey Park is a great half way stop to rest your legs, let some energy out and stock up on chocolate for the road. Plus the sweet smell will linger in your nose all day!
3. Once you get to Pittsburgh theres a good chance you'll be starving after your long drive, so head over to Primanti Bros for a taste of an authentic Pittsburgh style sandwich. Served between two fresh slices of Italian bread each sandwich features a pile of coleslaw, a stack of french fries, tomatoes, provolone and a choice of meat. What better way to cap off your first day?

Suggested Lodging: Try this carriage house on the north side of town.

Day Two: Pittsburgh, PA to Cincinatti, OH

1. Split up your day of driving by stopping halfway from Cincinatti, your destination for the day, in Columbus, where you'll find food and shops to enjoy. One of the coolest spots in the city is the German Village Historic District. In German Village, stop at The Book Loft, a home turned bookstore that is home to thousands and thousands of books, as well as literary themed swag like t-shirts and other knick knacks. 
2. Before you leave German Village, head to Katzinger's for lunch. You won't feel far from NYC here, as they're known for their corned beef sandwiches, bagels and pickles. Be sure to wash it down with a black cherry soda and get back to your ride for the rest of your trip to Cincinatti.
3. As you roll into Cincinatti, stop by Mount Echo Park to stretch your legs on one of many hiking trails, or to just sit back and enjoy the view. Mt. Echo Park offers some of the most incredible views of Downtown Cincinatti, Northern Kentucky and the Ohio River that the city has to offer.

view from Mount Echo Park

Suggested Lodging: Try this stunning loft condo with a view of the historic Music Hall. 

Day Three: Cincinatti, OH to St. Louis, MO

1. Leave yourself plenty of time for your drive to St. Louis as you'll want to stop first in Louisville for an authentic taste of some Kentucky bourbon. While there are a number of great distilleries in the area, I suggest a stop at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company. With roots back to 1889, Kentucky Peerless offers tours that detail the rich history of making bourbon in the state, along with a light sampling that will give you a taste of what the city has to offer. 
2. As you head towards St. Louis, the first thing that you'll be able to spot on the skyline is the famous Gateway Arch. While it is time consuming and often difficult to get on a tour that goes all the way to the top, it isn't necessary to appreciate the immense structure. Take a walk underneath the Arch along the Missouri River for some fantastic photos. 
3. As your day wraps up in St. Louis, get ready to finish it off with some flavor. One of my favorite things to do food-wise throughout the midwest is to sample the different styles of barbecue. Try Pappy's for a typical homestyle plate of rich and delicious St. Louis BBQ. Try their famous ribs and make sure to sample the slew of sauces!

view of the Gateway Arch from the park underneath

Suggested Lodging: Try this super affordable artist retreat in Benton Park. 

Day Four: St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO

1. Head out of St. Louis towards Kansas City as you get ready to enjoy a day with a little less driving. Your first stop of the day will be at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area, a nature preserve with an assortment of trails and a boat launch that provides great views of the nearby Missouri River. Have your morning coffee, go for a run or just take a walk along the river. The park is a great place to reflect as you move through your road trip journey. 
2. As you'll arrive in Kansas City earlier than previous cities, grab some lunch before you prepare for your final stop of the day. One of the most legendary sandwiches in Kansas City is from Arthur Bryant's BBQ. It isn't just the exceptional depth of rich smoky flavor that makes Arthur Bryant's special, their sandwiches are larger than the average human head. Eat as much as you can and then make sure to take a box to preserve the rest of your eventual late night snack.
3. As a relaxing, laid back way to end the day, score some Kansas City Royals tickets and catch one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball at Kaufmann Stadium, one of baseballs premier venues. Kick back with a beer and ballpark hot dog as you take in some baseball that isn't in the Bronx. (or Queens)

overlooking the Missouri River from Weldon Spring

Suggested Lodging: Try the Hyatt Place Kansas City/Overland Park as you may want the amenities of a hotel before your next night where you'll be camping out. 

Day Five: Kansas City, MO to Great Bend, KS

1. Take in the vastness of the Great Plains by taking state route 56 out of Kansas City towards Great Bend. Be sure to stop in Midway for a picture of their sign that claims to be equal distance from San Francisco as it is from New York City: approximately 2,200 miles. There are some funny towns out there including Ottowa and Russia, yes, Russia, KS, be sure to get out and have a look around and you'll be sure to feel quite far from home. 
2. Outside of Great Bend, KS is the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, the largest wetland and waterfowl refuge in the Great Plains. There is a primitive camping area on the unnamed road that leads to Cheyenne Bottoms and I highly suggest spending the night there. It is free, quiet, safe and as long as you have basic camping gear, it is just about the best place to stay out there in the middle of nowhere. 
3. Head into Great Bend and stop by Dillon's Grocery Store for ingredients to make dinner around the campfire. Don't forget the s'mores! 

camping at Cheyenne Bottoms

Suggested Lodging: Try the camping area at Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Day Six: Great Bend, KS to Taos, NM

1. Day six includes the longest drive yet, so unzip your tent at the crack of dawn, break down your campsite and hit the road. The drive is well worth it, as we finally convene with the Rocky Mountains in Taos, NM. Make your way to Dodge City, KS, where you can grab breakfast and prepare for the long ride to Taos.
2. After you fly down the highway and into New Mexico, stop in Red River, one of New Mexico's popular ski towns and your first stop in the Rocky Mountains. Technically, you will find yourself in the Sangre de Cristo range, the southernmost stretch of the Rockies. Red River has a cool downtown styled after the wild west. Stop at the supermarket for some grub to take to your AirBnb for the night, a goji berry farm on the outskirts of Taos. 
3. As the drive took up most of the day, most businesses in Taos will be closing by the time you get there (lots of art galleries) but take a drive through town and up to Taos Pueblo to feel as though you've stepped back in time. Taos Pueblo features adobe buildings that have been standing for over 1,000 years. 

sunrise at the goji farm

Suggested Lodging: Try the writers cabin at this goji farm on the outskirts of Taos. 

Day Seven: Taos, NM to Denver, CO

1. As with many great road trips such as those of the beat generation, this adventure terminates in Denver. But before we finish, there are a couple more sights in store. Leave the farm and head north towards the Colorado border, passing through San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado. Follow the Sangre de Cristos to where they meet the Colorado Rockies, just north of your first stop, the Great Sand Dunes National Park. 
2. Stop at the Great Sand Dunes to take in one of the most interesting natural wonders in the nation. Enjoy the dunes by sand sledding, hiking or dipping in Medano Creek. The park isn't just sand dunes. There are forests, alpine lakes, peaks and much more. Spend as much time as you want to take in the final National Park of your trip, then hit the road towards Denver. 
3. Bop into Denver on the final ride of your weeklong journey. What better way to finish off the trip than by toasting to your adventure and travels at Wynkoop Brewing Company, one of Denver's premier breweries. Located right across from Denver's Union Station, Wynkoop offers a variety of beers as well as a delicious dinner menu. When your beer is finished, so is the trip. 

Great Sand Dunes NP

Suggested Lodging: Try this affordable home near downtown. 

Although we've traveled from New York to Denver with a full itinerary of food to try and sights to see, it is important to stay spontaneous on the road, stopping occasionally to see certain things, trying things you may not otherwise try and so on. While one could follow my own adventure exactly and have a great time, I encourage all road travelers to stay in touch with their own wishes and interests on the road. Sometimes long road trips can be overwhelming, so be sure to spend extra time in any cities that you particularly like, or maybe add a couple of stops or even a detour or two along the way, thats what makes it a real road trip. But remember, the best type of vacation always involves hitting the road! 

See you on the road!

Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY THREE

As we wrap up our weekend excursion in upstate New York, we'll be making the most of our final day by spending it primarily in the great outdoor expanse of the Adirondacks. If you followed along with the suggestions for the first two days of the trip, you'll be waking up to a serene scene of birds chirping and bugs buzzing at your lakeside campsite this morning, where you'll be preparing yourself for a fantastic final day.

Day Three:

1. Get ready for a full day of hiking with a campsite breakfast using the food you stocked up on in Lake Placid. One of my favorite easy recipes for the campsite is this breakfast skillet with potatoes, as its easy to cook over the campfire in a single pan, feeds quite a few people and will fill you up for the day ahead. You can add different cheese, peppers and onions or hot sauce to your liking. 
2. The pinnacle of your final day relies on a long hike from your campsite to one of the hundreds of scenic vistas and viewpoints located on one of the many high points and peaks in the area. While it is hard to make a specific suggestion since the location of your campsite will vary, there are a few different ways to go about finding the perfect hike from where you are. The best way to find a good hike is to ask your pilot or guide when the float plane drops you at your campsite as they will know what is in the immediate area they are dropping you in. Alternatively, you may download a brochure from VisitAdirondacks that is full of suggestions for hiking both the legendary 46 high peaks and more "gentle" shorter options. 
3. Arrive back at your campsite to be picked up at your scheduled time by Helms Aero, and head back to your rental car in Long Lake. Get started on your long, five hour ride back and head back south towards Albany. Your final stop is just north of Albany, in Saratoga Springs. While you have officially left the Adirondacks, Saratoga is a great place to pit stop for lunch/ dinner on your way back and recap what will have been quite an eventful trip. One of Saratoga's most historic and well known establishments is the Olde Bryan Inn, where I suggest making the final stop on your journey for a well deserved hot meal, back in the comforts of civilization after your night in the wild of the Adirondacks. 

As you drive back down I-87S towards New York City, reflect on not only the valuable time spent outside in nature, but the time spent outside of New York City. Over the Summer the confines of the five boroughs can feel hot and cramped, and my favorite way to escape the city is always driving out into nature. Whether it is for a few hours or a few days, a brief respite from city life can re-energize anyone looking to escape for a few days. With the Adirondacks so close, theres no excuses when it comes to planning a great trip upstate!

Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY TWO

In my last post, we started our weekend journey from New York City up into the Adirondacks, setting up for a reinvigorating three day escape from city life. With day one stops at The Wild Center, Whiteface Mountain and finally Lake Placid, day two includes not only more fun and adventure, but an even deeper dive into the seclusion and serenity in the vastness of Adirondack Park.

Day Two: 

1. As you wake up in Lake Placid, get ready for a big day ahead, starting with a trip to the world famous Lake Placid Olympic Center. No trip to Lake Placid, or the Adirondacks, would be complete without visiting the Olympic Center. It was here that the US mens hockey team won Olympic gold in 1980, beating the Soviet Union in what is affectionately known as "the miracle on ice." Make your way around the center or hop in a guided tour to hear more about the 7,700-seat Herb Brooks Arena, annual national and international figure skating competitions, USA Hockey events, Stars on Ice, ECAC Hockey Championships, and more. In the summer, the Center hosts Saturday Night Ice Shows where top new skaters perform.
2. Now that you've experienced a taste of what the area has to offer, prepare to venture deeper into the Adirondacks. Day two revolves around the final step/suggestion for the day, where you'll be taking a float plane to a remote camping spot of your choosing, or one suggested by your guide. But before we get there, you'll want to stock up on supplies while you are still among civilization. While you are in Lake Placid, check out Eastern Mountain Sports for any camping gear you may need and fill your cooler with some groceries for the campsite at Hannaford Market. 
3. Weather permitting, call up Helms Aero Service in Long Lake, NY, and ask for a quote to take your crew camping. This will be the highlight of your trip. Float plane charters can range from $80-100 per person round trip, but the additional expense is well worth it, as the family owned "airstrip" located on Long Lake offers short flights to any dozens of secluded campsites in the Adirondacks. While a float plane may sound scary to some, it is perfectly safe and is by far the best way to get deep in the Adirondacks for a night of camping. Park the car in Long Lake, gather your friends and gear and ask your pilot to suggest a campsite. Take plenty of pictures in the air and when you touch down, get ready to set up camp for a night of food, games and fun by the fire. 

Whether you wind down with a whiskey by the water or spend all night playing cards with friends, day two and three in the Adirondacks promise to be something special. There is nothing like sleeping out in the wild and waking up to the sunrise at your lakeside campsite, and it's sure to set you up for a fantastic final day full of hiking and panoramic views. Check back tomorrow for the conclusion of our trip and enjoy being out of the city for a bit!

A Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY ONE

Working or living in New York City over the Summer can feel like you're trapped in a hot stew of cars, bodies and noise. Thankfully, upstate New York is home to some of the coolest spots for a laid back, private and secluded weekend away from the city. New York's Adirondack Park, situated within the greater Adirondack Mountains, is home to 6.1 million acres of space as well as more than 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams and a wide variety of habitats, making it bigger than some of the largest national parks and the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

My next three posts on Road Trip NY will highlight the ideal long weekend road trip (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and getaway to the Adirondacks with a special emphasis on some of the must see hikes and activities. 

Day One:

1. After getting up bright an early for the five hour drive, use Waze to escape from New York City via I-87N, heading to The Wild Center and Wild Walk in Tupper Lake, NY as your first stop. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and tunes packed along for the ride. The 115-acre Wild Center is an all-day indoor and outdoor experience, from playing with live river otters to walking an elevated trail over the treetops, The Wild Center allows visitors of all ages to get closer to nature. There are trails, guided canoe trips on the river that runs by the Center and a staff ready to show you around and talk about the wild world of the Adirondacks, making it the ideal first stop to ask questions and familiarize yourself with the area. 
2. After exploring The Wild Center, continue on to Whiteface Mountain's Cloudsplitter Gondola for a more laid back adventure, as you ride the gondola fifteen minutes to the top of Whiteface Mountain, from Main Base Lodge to the top of Little Whiteface. During the ride, you’ll get an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the mountains, ski trails, streams, rock faces, and forests, that you will spend the weekend exploring. As well as a spectacular view of Lake Placid itself and your next stop: the village that bears its name. 

3. To finish up your first day, head into Lake Placid for food and somewhere to stay. If you're drinking age, I suggest the Great Adirondack Brewing Company to finish your day with a flight of craft beer and snacks. If alcohol isn't your preference or if you're looking for a larger meal, head over to Smoke Signals for live music and BBQ. As for places to stay, there are a wide variety of choices from hotels to bed and breakfasts to various types of AirBnb. As the next two days of the trip are focused around camping in the seclusion of the Adirondack wilderness, you may prefer a warm shower and bed for your first night, so check TripAdvisor or AirBnb for a place to spend the night that meets your budget and criteria. 

Check back tomorrow for the next day of our weekend getaway! Make sure to bring your sunscreen, bug spray and swim suit as we'll be venturing even further into the expansive outdoor offerings of the Adirondacks!

Follow Up: Panoramic Views in the Palisades

Earlier in the Summer, I hinted at an upcoming trip to The Palisades in a post about planning the perfect day trip. A short hop from both Manhattan and Fordham's campus in the Bronx, The Palisades are a collection of steep cliffs that run parallel to the Hudson River on the New Jersey side. There the average explorer will find their fair share of hikes, trails and scenic overlooks, providing not only a great workout but some of the coolest views of New York City, from one of the closest natural landmarks in the area. Once you finish your hike, there are plenty of nearby choices for a good meal.

The Palisades are directly on the opposite side of the George Washington Bridge from New York City and continue north for miles. The ready road traveler can head over the bridge and follow signs for Palisades Interstate Parkway, where there are plenty of scenic overlooks and trailheads. While there are over thirty miles of trails in The Palisades, the level of difficulty varies greatly. You can learn more about the different trails and figure out which level best suits your activity and interest level, here. 

                                               

After you soak up some views and some sun on your hike, hop back in the car and head for some food. For this trip, I suggest driving down to Rutt's Hut in Clifton, NJ, known for their iconic deep fried hot dogs called "rippers." Their menu and setup is super easy, with classics like chili, cheese fries and laid back counter-top eating. Make sure you lather your dogs in their special relish, and don't forget cash as they don't accept cards. You can find out more about the delicious and historic Rutt's Hut here. 

My favorite part about this particular trip is it's accessibility from the New York City area. With a natural landmark such as The Palisades so close, it couldn't be easier to plan your day around hiking and hot dogs. 

Hiking and Pizza in Northern NJ: The Perfect Saturday Day Trip

It's easy to escape New York City for a quick road trip if you know where you're going. Some of the best trips can be some of the easiest, within just a couple hours of the city, making it easy to drive out and back in the same day. My favorite trips usually include a walk or hike, passing local points of interest and stopping for a delicious meal to cap it off. What better way to escape the city than heading out into nature and finishing your day with a home cooked meal. The following plans are for a quick trip to Passaic and Morris counties in NJ and if you are based in New York City you WILL NEED A CAR for this trip! 

Suggested steps for this mini road trip:

1. Go for a hike at Norvin Green State Forest in Wanaque, NJ
2. Stop for a full Italian dinner at Frank's Pizza in Lincoln Park, NJ
3. Take a walk down the eccentric Main Street in Boonton, home to various Sopranos lore and Scoop House's homemade ice cream

First off, you will want to get to the trailhead for Norvin Green State Forest in Wanaque, NJ. Throw "The Weis Center Wanaque" or "Highlands Natural Pool Wanaque" into the Waze app, (mentioned in my last post!) which will lead you directly to the parking lot at the base of the trail. Then head up the trail to Wyanokie High Point for some of the coolest views in the area. You can find trail directions for Wyanokie High Point and the rest of Norvin Green here. 

Next, since you are probably starving now, you'll want to head to Frank's Pizza in Lincoln Park, NJ. Throw it into Waze and make your way there, where you'll find massive slices of all sorts of pizza as well as some of the most generous portions in the area for their dinner options. For Fordham students, think Pugsley's with portions easily three times as large. You can't go wrong with anything from their menu, just make sure you have room in your fridge for some leftovers. You can find information on Frank's Pizza, including their telephone number, here.

Finally, before you head home, continue down route 287 south to Boonton for some ice cream, (if you still have room) to see where they shot multiple scenes from The Sopranos or just to people watch. Boonton is home to a lot of interesting and eccentric folk, so most New Yorkers won't feel too out of place. If you have any remaining space in your stomach, try Scoop House Boonton for a couple scoops of ice cream or cool down with a shake. If you have seen The Sopranos, which you should have, then go ahead and explore Dartford, their fictional name for Boonton. The Boonton based filming locations are available here, and there are quite a few in the immediate area. 

Now you should have all the elements of a quick, easy yet exciting escape from the fast pace of city life. Stick around as we venture further and further from New York City and stay tuned for more day trips in the New York, New Jersey area! See you on the road!

Tourne Park: Hiking and Biking an Hour from NYC

Situated just thirty five miles outside New York City, Tourne Park, also known as the Tourne, offers some of the areas best hiking, running, biking and equestrian trails. Located in areas of Mountain Lakes, Boonton Township and Denville, the Tourne provides the curious outdoor lover with over 500 acres of woods, streams, mountains and meadows to explore.

If you are a road tripper in the Bronx or other areas of NYC, the easiest way to access the Tourne is by driving over the George Washington Bridge and following Route 80 to the Cherry Hill Road exit in Parsippany, about an hours drive depending on traffic, and proceeding into Mountain Lakes to the Birchwood Lake park entrance. If you are on campus and without a car, there are a couple different ways to reach the park. If you'd like to explore the Tourne on foot, take the subway into Manhattan and take the bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to the Mountain Lakes Boulevard stop. From there, you can walk to the entrance of the Tourne located on North Pocono Road. If you'd prefer to explore the park via bike, take the subway to Penn Station  -  you are allowed to bring your bike on both the subway and NJ Transit  -  take the train to the Denville stop and ride your bike over to the Tourne. 

Once you are there, there are trails that suit every level of explorer: short and flat 1.5  -  2 mile loops, moderate 3-4 mile loops through varying terrain and the most popular trip in the park, the top of the Tourne hike. The top of the Tourne hike begins in the parking lot where you will find basic amenities such as a port a potty, covered picnic area, outdoor grills and finally, separate trails for hikers and bikers. Follow the signs for your preferred method of exploring and begin up the hill. On your way you will find different flora and fauna, rocky outcroppings and wildlife. However, the real prize is at the top of the hill, where you will find a 9/11 memorial, including a full view of Manhattan off the eastern side of the hill. It's always rewarding to see where you started your journey as you take a moment to relax and appreciate your trip. 

Overall, the Tourne provides the perfect quiet, wooded escape within an hours drive of the city and is sure to have something for every type of outdoor explorer. Enjoy!