This summer, to date, we have been enjoying several travel spots in New York and Pennsylvania. If you like water, hiking and nature, you might enjoy these spots.

Taughannock Falls State Park - Ithaca, NY (4 hours from Niagra border) - during fairly dry spell, the cascade is gentle enough to allow a slow moving water bed. You can wade through ankle to thigh deep water for almost 1.5 km all the way to the falls.

Buttermilk Falls State Park - Ithaca, NY - this one has a beautiful trail parallel to the cascade gorge and the trail climbs the mountain about 1.7 miles. For a hefty walking exercise, this would do. My 5 year old did the entire trek with no problem. There are few level areas along the mountain with gentle cascades and pool formation, you can climb down the rocks and enjoy the cool water and the cascades. The only sucky point - urban growth has sprawled right to the entrance of the park that you have a beautiful view of Home Depot from a certain section of the trail

Howe's Caverns - 30 minutes east of Oneanta, NY - The caverns provide a guided tour of the rock formations. It is fairly cold underground, so need to be dressed both for the cold and the hot outside. Extra entertainment is the rope obstacle course and the zip line for all ages upwards of 5.

Letchworth State Park - about 2 hours from Buffalo. No safe access to water, but the trail is pretty good. However, we found a little spot with a small cascade and a pool and ended up climbing down the rocks and spend time under the trees in the pool. The temp was several degrees cooler there and felt awesome. There are three falls - upper, middle and lower. There is a railroad trestle bridge about 200 feet above the upper falls.

Grand Island - right off Buffalo within 20 minutes. Went to the Beaver Island State Park and enjoyed time at the beach.

Steamtown, Scranton, PA - 6 hours from Buffalo. They have vintage engines on display and weekend train excursions to neighboring towns. We took the 4 hour 52 mile roundtrip excursion to a town called Tobyhanna, east of Scranton. The cars are 1920 vintage - nice way to say there is no AC and min heat (in winter). The glass windows have a mind of their own and hence we were sweating until we got couple of windows opened and let the scanty breeze flow in.

All the above trips, we backpacked drinks, food and swimmers for my son plus the camera to make sure no one was hungry during and after the trek.

With my 5 yr old off school, I have been maintaining a strict 8 hour work schedule to spend times in the evening at local parks where most of them have access to water (pools, river access, lake access, etc).

Enjoying the beautiful country !!

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Dimple2001

Hi Dimple,
Thanks for the update, this shall definetely be helpfull to many as it was for me.
What time do you start in the day , and when do you return?

Or do you stay overnight there?

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mor

Whenever you experience joy, peace, security, equanimity or purity, it is only because you are aligned with ALMIGHTY.

Where I currently live for work, most places I mentioned except Grand Island is within 2 hours. Grand Island is about 4 hours. We have been doing day trips, leave as early as 7.30 am so as to enjoy the cooler times of the day. Plus, there is less crowd during the morning hours as opposed to the afternoon hours. For day trips, we stay until we get tired or my 5 year old has had enough fun.

We did stay 2 nights at Lockport, NY Holiday Inn (DO NOT STAY THERE - POORLY MAINTAINED HOTEL LOCATION) when visiting Letchworth Park and Grand Island.

In regards to the above hotel location - stay away from that Holiday Inn - It is dirty everywhere and beer bottles and smashed glasses in the hallway and parking lot - pretty crass.

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Dimple2001

Most likely our last trip for the summer before school starts -

Just came back from Watkins Glen State Park off Horseheads, NY. Several trails with the Gorge Trail being the prominent one. A lot of manmade diversions of water and trail resulting in couple of opportunities to walk behind the falls. Although, it's a beautiful trail and park, there are too many people as this is one of the more popular same day destination. Because of the crowd, we seem to have had to pay more attention not getting bumped along the narrow trail parallel to the gorge than fully enjoying the park.

I wouldn't go here during any long weekends or holiday period.

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Dimple2001

Thanks Dimple for sharing.

We have also visited few places, some of them are quite common and known to all...NY, Washington, Penns Caves, Atlantic city.

Lot of us go to Pittsburgh temple, but visited its down town first time and is beautiful view. Also went to Frankenmuth in michigan, wanted to go to mackinaw island in michigan and to put in bay ...seems like will save for next summer...

but thanks for your info, will visit them sometime for sure...

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Originally posted by Aashu

Thanks Dimple for sharing.

We have also visited few places, some of them are quite common and known to all...NY, Washington, Penns Caves, Atlantic city.

Lot of us go to Pittsburgh temple, but visited its down town first time and is beautiful view. Also went to Frankenmuth in michigan, wanted to go to mackinaw island in michigan and to put in bay ...seems like will save for next summer...

but thanks for your info, will visit them sometime for sure...

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Dimple2001

thanks dimple, which other attractions further north ?