My Suburban Escapes

Well, this may be the longest autumn on record.  I feel like I’ve been Falling for a year.  The changing leaves don’t hold much sway over me anymore as the gorgeous days just keep coming. I have worn myself plumb out on solo trips and done some super fun group trips. I try not to drag friends on adventures of unknown outcome as they can swing either way, but we got lucky this endless autumn. A sure-fire formula for success includes light exercise, drinking, shopping and a chance to visit.  “Lost” and “muddy” are not what most ladies want on the rare day they can sneak away. Once the kids are back to school and obligations fill your weekends, finding a day with friends can be tricky. But it’s imperative. You have to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you can assist others. And they need you.

Here are Five Fall Finds for Friends for your files, one for each direction:

EAST: Long Island Bicycle Tours, Mattituck, North Fork Long Island (60 miles from Rye)

On one of the many glorious Saturdays in October, we had a crew of ten ladies on bicycles exploring the vineyards of the North Fork on a “sip and cycle” tour. We were fabulously pampered, with two guides also on bikes and one “pacer van” ferrying our backpacks and lunches.  They even brought the bikes and helmets. We began at the train station in Mattituck and didn’t have to think a lick or plan a turn – just pedal, chat and follow. We had a private wine tasting at Coffee Pot Cellars in Cutchogue before making alcohol-induced purchases (different from “shopping”) across the street at Antiques and Old Lace. When we realized we had more beer drinkers than wine drinkers in our crew, we altered our trip to take in Greenport Harbor Brewery in Peconic where we indulged in their cinnamon/pumpkin/sugar rimmed glasses of Leaf Pile and basked in the sun to live music. On the ride back, we romped in fields of sunflowers at Oregon Road Organics and rolled in lush fields of sod. The drive home was less exciting as was heavily trafficked by 4:30 but getting goodies at Bayview Farms and Market in Riverhead helped ease the pain.

NORTH: Field & Supply Market, Kingston, NY (67 miles from Rye)

My friend Susan was our guide on one of her favorite seasonal jaunts – Field & Supply in Kingston, NY. Housed in the old Hutton Brickyards, it sprawls along the Hudson River in outdoor and covered stalls with delicious food, drink and music at every turn. It’s chockful of cool people sporting cool clothing and cool attitudes. Check your dorky side at the door and roll with it. When in Rome and all. Its shelf life is short so don’t blink or you’ll miss it. The Fall market runs October 7-9 and Spring market May 27-29,  and there are two newly added holiday pop ups on December 3 and 7 at Amberge Resorts, Gardiner, NY.  Hutton Brickyards is also a spa and hotel, so a sleepover is an excellent option.

WEST:  New York Renaissance Faire, Tuxedo, NY (30 miles from Rye)

Stepping back into the Renaissance may not be your cup of grog, but just trust me on this one. You can see everything you want from the era except the bubonic plaque in an hour, and pop back to the future at any minute. Most attendees are in costume and the dedication to the time-period is astounding, but you won’t feel a bit out of place in a 21^st century wardrobe. The Jousters were the coolest thing we saw, with Combat Chess coming in second. Be sure to wait until the weather cools off as the faire runs end of August (no go!) through Columbus Weekend. Drink beer. Eat turkey legs (or just buy them as a prop).  Stroll the village grounds. Then head over to the Valley Rock Inn in Sloatsburg for a meal in the fabulous outdoor Cantina (make reservations as soon as possible) or for a sleepover in the guest houses. The Inn has purchased and restored several homes along the town’s main street creating a secret oasis for its patrons which is completely walled in from the outside world by a living hedge. Be sure to check out the organic market. 

SOUTH: Untermeyer Gardens, Yonkers (11 miles from Rye)

This is a classic girls’ trip: user friendly, no maximum number and requires little to no effort.

The gardens are nearby and have parking, rest rooms and information kiosks onsite. Untermeyer is a perfect rendition of a Persian walled garden hidden in plain sight in the bowels of Yonkers. Its views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades are unparalleled, especially in Fall when bathed in vibrant hues of gold, red and orange. Pack a picnic and pair a tour of the Walled Garden with a walk on the Old Croton Aqueduct (straight out the back gate). Walk a mile North and up the steps on the bluff through the gates of Lenoir Preserve to check out the fading beauty of the Wightman Mansion. See the butterfly garden in season and luxuriate on the sprawling lawn high above the Hudson while your friends feed you grapes and ply you with champagne to thank you for your great guide skills. If time allows drive the seven miles downriver to visit Wave Hill, a 28-acre urban oasis in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. They serve a lovely lunch and have a wonderful gift shop in addition to the stunning gardens and grounds.

And finally, PLAYLAND – THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME:

No, seriously, this is the MOST FUN with a group of friends and beer. You pass all height requirements and don’t have to worry about losing your kids. Go on a weeknight at the end of the season when the lines are short and the weather cool. Wear your running shoes and quick drying clothes and don’t bring a purse. The Dragon Coaster, Derby Racer and Superflight are yours, all yours. You rule the skies. Cool off with the High Seas Log Flume or the Plunge (you will get SOAKED) then dry off on the Sea to Sky Big Swing. (Tip: the hand dryer in the ladies room by the Plunge makes a great hair dryer.) A couple hours is all you really need, then scoot down to Charley’s or Barley House for dinner. It’ll get even better every year during the five-year reconstruction plan.