Anniversary Roadtrip + Exhausted Parents’ Guide to Upstate NY Junior Rangers
My parents honeymooned at Niagara Falls. It was a thing back then. Now it's Disney. To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, they wanted to go back with us. Thoughtful of them to share.
But of course, if we were going to go all the way up there, we were going to make it worth our while. So we started in Albany and worked our way across to Buffalo.
Want the facts in a spreadsheet? Go here.
National Park Visits
Martin Van Buren House
Sweet staff. Quite a walk from the parking lot to the house. It was closed while we were there, but the ranger was helpful and told us stories. Lovely walk around in good weather. Simple downloadable booklet.
It's in all the history books. And like the rest of the sites, this one has a reason to think it was the turning point of the war. They do a pretty good job of selling it here. It was the first time Britain lost! To anybody apparently! Print here.
The fort itself was closed when we were there. You can get information for the booklets from the info panels around the sidewalk from the visitor center to the fort. We thought the videos were a little graphic for our youngest. And completing the booklets was definitely work for all. Download here.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site
This one requires reservations and has a charge because it's not all planned but the NPS. Super nice people. Relatively short (4 pages) booklet. Done only on site. Because it's guided, people might get bored. Print here.
Niagara Falls
This one is sketchy. Some say there's a booklet. Some say there is no longer a badge. Can't hurt to ask. The website tells you to stop at the state park. This only gets you a fascinating story and sticker about a cow that walked across. Don't think you can get the booklet at the other recommended sites. You have to go to the Niagara Falls USA Official Visitor's Center for your best chance.
We ran out of time at this site. I know that's not a shock with us. But keep it in mind. Download booklet.
Closed sometimes because of lack of funding. Booklet and badge might be available at NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center and Auburn NY Visitor Center. Look around (Free). It's some interesting. Get a photo with the statue. And if you need gifts, this was one of the best sites we found.
Non-National Parks
If you're going to cross Upstate New York, there are truly so many things you shouldn't miss. Like a good view of the Finger Lakes. Of course, much of the drive was fantastically beautiful. But there are special things we really felt like we needed to share and that really makes the trip spectacular.
National Baseball Hall of Fame
You know you've always wanted to go. And you probably think you need a good excuse. It's an excuse to just go! Why Cooperstown? That's where baseball was invented. We bought a great book that made the old Abbott and Costello gag make sense for children (and some adults).
It was emotional for me. The highly recommended video opened with Lou Gehrig’s retirement speech. My dad and I bonded over baseball in my childhood. Lou Gehrig was considered the bravest white player. He met his disease with an incredible attitude. And now watching my dad be that brave, too, cuts to the heart.
It's a very well done museum with great artifacts and even baseball-themed artwork. It took all morning and it wasn't busy at all.
The million dollar staircase. Can you find the sculpture of the face of the architect's little granddaughter? Real art on the walls of the. . . Third floor?
We ran out of time here. Free and absolutely fascinating. I think the favorite part was the comparison and additional understanding about the difference between Tesla and Edison’s beliefs about electricity. I will say a few of the activities didn't appear to work.
Behind the NYS Equal Rights museum in Auburn (you’re already going there) is the house of William Seward. You can see how they used it as a stop on the Underground Railroad. You can see alleged tea leaves from the Boston Tea Party. You can see flowers from Lincoln's grave. And you learn a lot about the Alaska purchase. It was so very cool.
Hubs went to grad school here. The kids loved seeing it. I loved seeing how the engineering department is designing the hospital of the future. You might need a guide.
Some really cool things on display. We didn't truly love the glass ornaments we made. But the staff was great. The ornaments were shipped really well and arrived unbroken.
Hippie and historic. Now sources more local. Must reserve. Must buy the chocolate cake for dessert. It's just classic. And if there's space in the suitcase, get some cookbooks.
Met a friend from grad school here. Small and kinda crowded on a dreary day, but well done. The resident turtles wandering around are hysterical, and in the spring there are baby quails.
See Grandma Moses art. In Albany, you're an hour from here. It opened for the season the DAY we were there, but when we researched, it just looked closed. So we didn't put it on the schedule. So disappointed.
This trip was very special to us. We hope you have an equally marvelous time!
