Camping at Rogers Rock in New York

Convenient to Interstate 87 (known locally as the Northway), Rogers Rock Campground sits on the north shore of immensely popular Lake George, at the eastern edge of New York's Adirondack Mountains. Rogers Rock itself, a steeply sloping face rising 700 feet from the water, is named for colonial soldier Richard Rogers, commander of Rogers' Rangers during the French and Indian War, and popularly remembered in Kenneth Roberts' novel "Northwest Passage" and in a film of the same title.

Camping

• Rogers Rock is a large facility of 332 campsites, including 11 on the Waltonian Islands, reachable only by boat. Additionally, the park has two group campgrounds that accommodate between 35 and 60 people. Although no electrical hookups for RVs are available, many other amenities are on hand, including picnic tables and fireplaces, hot showers, a trailer dumping station, a picnic pavilion and a sand beach for use through Labor Day when a lifeguard is on duty. Firewood restrictions apply.

Boating and Fishing

• Lake George is beautiful, busy and popular. Boats large and small ply its waters. Rogers Rock offers a boat launch and offshore mooring buoys. Bring your fishing tackle to go after any of pike, perch, bullhead, lake trout and brown trout, or smallmouth and largemouth bass. A fishing license (not available at the campground) is required. If you'd prefer to stay on dry land, there are many hiking trails nearby.

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The State Fair in Syracuse, New York

The New York State Fair, held in Syracuse in central New York, offers plenty of diverse activities to please fair-goers seeking all sorts of fun and food. Offering live music performed by popular acts, unusual fair dishes and parades, the New York State Fair combines an old-fashioned fair feeling with innovations. You can revisit traditions that endure as part of New York State history, from agriculture and handicrafts, while also exploring what makes the state what it is today.

Activities

• The fair offers plenty of family friendly activities. The butter and cheese sculptures exhibit lets you watch dairy product blocks being carved into art. Kids can also visit the Adventure Zone, which houses a circus, petting zoo and carnival rides of all types. Visitors interested in history can visit the Wool Center, which demonstrates old-fashioned wool working, and an Iroquois Indian village. For animal-lovers, the fair includes a sea lion exhibit, an international horse show and livestock competitions.

Performances

• The festival features two main concert arenas that draw big-name acts. The concert series at Chevy Court includes nearly 20 acts, performed at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. during each festival day, while the grandstand lineup has included comedians as well as musicians. The Chevy Court concert series is free, but you'll have to buy tickets to the Grandstand Concert Series. Grandstand tickets grant you fair admission, as well.

Food

• The New York State Fair offers plenty to appease adventurous culinary lovers. The fair hocks the Big Kahuna Donut Dog, a hot dog wrapped in bacon and stuffed inside a maple doughnut, and the Tikki Turtle's ground hamburger meat topped with deep-fried macaroni and cheese. Fried foods abound, as well, including deep-fried jelly beans, deep-fried brownies and deep-fried peanut butter. Traditional foods like baked potatoes, sausage sandwiches and cheesecake are also available for tamer tastes.

Details

• Running for 12 days in late August and early September, the festival is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, except on Labor Day when it closes at 9 p.m. You can buy single-day tickets or opt to purchase a six-day frequent-fair pass for discounted entry fees and parking. The fair also offers both Amtrak train service directly to the fairgrounds, as well as park-and-rides throughout central New York.

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Restaurants Near Interstate 90 in Syracuse, New York

America's longest highway, Interstate 90, extends across the northern United States, connecting major cities like Seattle, Chicago and Syracuse. Travelers near central New York's metropolis city can ditch the thruway for restaurants in the city's nearby downtown area. Diverse and elegant fare awaits those who dine in Syracuse's trendy downtown restaurant district.

Mission Restaurant

• Mission Restaurant offers pan-American cuisine. Housed in an old Methodist church, the Mission is a former stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, you can enjoy Mission's Mexican and South American interpretations of appetizers like ceviche, empanadas and quesadillas. The dinner menu's entrée selections include pan-seared salmon filet and carne asada, as well as an assortment of burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Yuca fries, guacamole and refried beans are just a few of the sides you can order with dinner. Lunch and children's menus are also available, in addition to wine and beer choices.

  Mission Restaurant

  304 East Onondaga St.

  Syracuse, NY 13202

  315-475-7344

  themissionrestaurant.com

Pastabilities

• Since 1982, Pastabilities has served contemporary Italian cuisine in Syracuse's trendy downtown district. You can begin dinner by choosing an appetizer like fried calamari, Thai chicken wings and warm goat cheese bruschetta. Soup or a salad of the month can also serve as a prelude to Pastabilities' pizza, burger and pasta entrées. Baked spinach and feta manicotti, Southwestern chicken lasagna and homemade artichoke ravioli are only a few of the seasonal pasta entrées the Italian eatery has featured. Pastabilities additionally offers lunchtime menu items and an expansive wine list.

  Pastabilities

  311 South Franklin St.

  Syracuse, NY 13202

  315-474-1153

  pastabilities.com

Strong Hearts Café

• Strong Hearts Café serves vegan cuisine prepared with locally grown, organic ingredients. Founded by animal rights advocates, the Syracuse café makes environmental sustainability a priority by composting all food waste and using biodegradable food packaging. At Strong Hearts, you can enjoy a vegan interpretation of the classic Reuben sandwich in addition to Tofurkey, seitan and grilled "cheese" sandwiches. Salads run the gamut from coleslaw and potato salads to spinach and soba noodle salads. Cupcakes, "cheese"cakes and brownies are some of Strong Hearts' desserts, in addition to an assortment of dairy-free milkshakes. Additionally, the café offers a breakfast menu daily and specialty vegan pizzas on Friday evenings.

  Strong Hearts Café

  719 East Genesee St.

  Syracuse, NY 13210

  315-478-0000

  strongheartscafe.com

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Cruises Departing From New York or New Jersey

Yankees and Southern transplants living in New York and New Jersey looking for a vacation combining gourmet dining, high-caliber entertainment, shopping, socializing, relaxing and touring new cities may find cruising an ideal match. With cruise ports in both the Big Apple and the Garden State, cruise enthusiasts will find many ships setting sail with itineraries for new adventures.

1. Carnival

   • Sail out of New York City and into Canada on a five-day itinerary aboard the Carnival Glory. Enjoy two days at sea and the Canadian cities of Saint John and Halifax, Nova Scotia. While off the ship, try port excursions: ride a horse drawn trolley or the Big Pink Bus, tour with a professional photographer, drive by the Bay of Fundy, kayak, golf the Rockwood Golf & Country Club, explore the Hopewell Rocks Biosphere Reserve and taste Moosehead beer.

     The Carnival offers four room styles: interior (no window), ocean view, balcony and suites. During your days at sea, enjoy ship attractions such as a casino, waterslide, nine-hole mini-golf course, arcade, kids’ areas, salon, fitness center, sauna and karaoke club. Eateries include two gourmet restaurants plus a sushi bar, coffee bar, steakhouse, pizzeria and 24-hour room service.

     Carnival
     888-227-6482
     carnival.com

   Princess Cruises

   • Spend more than two weeks aboard the Princess Cruises’ Ocean Princess ship, leaving out of New York City and sailing for 18 days on the “Fire & Ice Explorer” itinerary. During the trip, you’ll sail into Halifax, Nova Scotia; St. Anthony, Newfoundland; Qaqortoq and Nanortalik, Greenland; Grudarfjordur, Isafjordur and Akureyri, Iceland; the Shetland Islands and Edinburgh, Scotland. The journey ends in London/Dover, England. Excursions include Godafoss Waterfalls, the Laufas Folk Museum, Botanical Gardens, a trip to Edinburgh Castle, and a Viking experience tour at the New World’s first outpost site in Newfoundland.

     Select from five cabin styles on the Ocean Princess: inside, ocean view, ocean view obstructed (you’ll have a cabin with a window at a reduced rate because a lifeboat or other structure may block the view), balcony and suite. Features of the Ocean Princess include a jogging track, golf practice cage, card room, boutiques, pool, fitness area, casino, bars, lounges, wine/caviar bar and art gallery with auction.

     Princess Cruises
     800-774-6237
     princess.com

   Royal Caribbean

   • Board the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas at the Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey and set sail for 12 nights of the Southern Caribbean. The itinerary includes five days at sea, plus stops in Labadee, Haiti; Samana, Dominican Republic; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. John’s, Antigua and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Explore the port cities through trips such as a skyride, panoramic drive, wave jet tour, walking tour, butterfly farm, Dragon’s Tail Coaster and even a floating beach mat in Labadee.

     On board, four cabin options are available: interior, ocean view, balcony and suite. Keep up your energy with the Explorer of the Seas’ rock-climbing wall, inline skating, ice-skating rink, nine-hole golf simulator, fitness center and full-size basketball court. Also on board is the University of Miami Ocean Lab, plus dining choices such as an Italian restaurant, mystery dinner theater, '50s style diner, coffee bar, ice cream bar and three daily buffets.

     Royal Caribbean
     866-562-7625
     royalcaribbean.com

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Pickle Festivals in Rosendale, New York

The International Pickle Festival, which takes place at the Rosendale Community Center, celebrates more than the humble cucumber. Featuring pickled vegetables of all types, other eats and pickle-themed activities, the Pickle Festival draws more than 5,000 visitors each year. Taking place each year in mid-November, the Festival's intention is to introduce guests to international pickled edibles and pickling techniques, as well as letting them have a bit of pickle-related fun in the process.

The Pickles

• Vendors come to Rosendale from all over the United States to be awarded ribbons for the best of different pickle varieties. Pickles with unusual combinations, like wasabi dill, abound, as do other pickled vegetables, including beets, carrots, green beans and okra. Visitors can taste-test their favorite varieties of the preserved vegetables, which are prepared in small slices for sampling. Other fermented specialties include deep-fried pickles, sauerkraut and kimchi.

Other Edibles

• Festival booths offer more than fermented vegetables. Vendors sell Polish sausages, Jamaican curries, various dried vegetables and hot sauce, among other foods. If you need to clear your palate from the pickles' strong flavors, local bakeries bring Bavarian-style soft pretzels, cheesecake or Belgian waffles that you can top with milk chocolate or sprinkles for purchase. Keeping with the international theme of the festival, you can also taste sushi, corned beef and cabbage, maple syrup and sauerbraten.

Activities

• The festival offers up plenty of pickle-related activities, including three pickle contests. Competitive pickle lovers can participate in pickle eating or pickle juice drinking competitions, while the pickle toss competitors win by throwing the most pickles into a partner's mouth. Eccentric pickle lovers can take pictures with a man dressed in a pickle suit, while more conventional festival-goers can listen to live music, including a roaming accordionist, and watch traditional Japanese and German dancers.

Details

• The day-long festival lasts from early morning to mid-afternoon and offers free admission for all of the festivities. Portions of the festival's proceeds benefit local charities, including the Rosendale Youth Center, a food pantry and the local women's club Spring Clean Sweep projects. If you're interested in entering your pickled product into the judging for a ribbon, you'll have to submit an entry form early on the day of the festival.

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The Best Places for Late Night Eating in New York

If you're out late in New York City and you still have a hankering for a pastrami sandwich or some steamed buns, never fear. The city has plenty of late night establishments or 24-hour eateries that cater to your desires. Whether you're hoping to find deli food or heavy pub fare, dim sum or a slice of cheesecake, one of New York's late night eateries will satisfy you, no matter what you're craving.

Wo Hop

• "New York" magazine claims that this Chinatown spot will bring you back to childhood, saying that "this tiny subterranean dinosaur serves all the classics you loved in your youth." Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 a.m. for your Chinese and dim sum cravings, the Cantonese-style restaurant first opened its doors in 1938, and much has stayed the same throughout the years. The underground restaurant still serves huge portions of wonton and egg drop soup, roast pork and chow mein, as well as offering an extensive menu of beef and seafood dishes, Chinese omelets, fried rice, moo goo gai pan and chow fon noodles.

Carnegie Deli

• Open from 6:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. each day, the Carnegie Deli is known for what Frommer's calls its "first-class," mile-high sandwiches and cheesecakes. Established in 1937, the theater district mainstay still tops Frommer's list of great late night bites with its offerings of sandwiches crafted out of in-house cured and smoked meats. Each of its specialty sandwiches, which include pastrami, brisket and corned beef, is stuffed with at least a pound of meat. Cheesecakes come in many different varieties, including truffle torte, chocolate and fresh strawberry. Other specialties include matzoh ball soup, stuffed cabbage and pickles.

Coppelia

• Situated in Chelsea, near the meat packing district, Coppelia is an upscale Latin diner open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Serving an extensive menu of Latin food from the Caribbean and South America, Coppelia nears the top of the list by the "Village Voice" of best late night eats. The dinner menu includes burgers and sandwiches, such as the Frita Cubana, a sirloin patty that prompts the "Village Voice" to ask, "How can you go wrong with a burger topped with pulled pork and fried pork skins?" The diner also serves entrees such as arroz con pollo, enchiladas and chile relleno.

Veselka

• Established in 1954, this Ukrainian eatery that the "Village Voice" called "an East Village standby for late-night dining" stays open 24 hours every day of the week. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers Ukrainian staples, such as borscht and pierogi. The Ukrainian meatball hero, which the Voice calls the "best thing we've ever sampled on the menu," consists of challah bread topped with meatballs, sauerkraut and mushroom gravy, while the Baczynski sandwich includes ham, salami, cheese and a pickled vegetable relish on pumpernickel bread. You can also order typical American diner fare, such as pancakes, waffles and macaroni and cheese.

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Indoor Attractions in Queens, New York

Queens is the second-most populated borough in the city of New York, and its parks and beaches are huge draws in the summer. However, when Mother Nature makes outdoor activities uncomfortable, Queens offers numerous indoor attractions like shopping, ethnic eating, museums and even ice skating.

Museums

• Manhattan has more famous museums like the Guggenheim and Metropolitan, but Queens has its share of highly respected art houses. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has a sister museum in Long Island City, MoMA: PS1, that is hipper and younger than its Midtown sibling. The Museum of the Moving Image, which completed its $67 million expansion in 2011, is a media museum on the campus of Kaufman Astoria Studios, which has been used by such films as "Goodfellas" and "Hair" and by television shows like "Sesame Street." Other notable museums include Queens Museum of Art and the New York Hall of Science.

Shopping Centers

• Most people associate SoHo, Herald Square and Fifth Avenue with New York City shopping, but Queens has several of the city’s largest indoor shopping centers. The Queens Center Mall is the borough’s largest at nearly 1 million square feet, and as of 2009, it was one of the top five most profitable malls in the country. Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret and H&M are among the top retail brands filling the massive complex in the Elmhurst neighborhood. The Queens Place Mall is just a block away with another 440,000 square feet of retail shopping with stores like Best Buy and Target. Opened in late 2010, the new Sky View Mall in Flushing has 30,000 square feet of restaurants and 800,000 square feet of retail shopping, including usual suspects like Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond. Located in Queens' Chinatown, the mall stands out for its many Asian-themed shops and markets.

Restaurants

• Queens is considered the most ethnically diverse borough in the most ethnically diverse city in the U.S. This makes for incredibly authentic and delicious culinary experiences. Astoria is arguably the most popular neighborhood for upscale ethnic cuisine with particularly strong Greek, Cypriot, Italian and Egyptian restaurants, while Jackson Heights is home to Little Colombia and Little India. The 7 subway train, which stretches from Long Island City to Flushing in Queens, is called the "International Express" because it passes through Chinese, Indian, Irish, Turkish, Romanian, Mexican, Italian and other neighborhoods which all provide authentic dining experiences.

Ice Skating

• Central Park and Rockefeller Center are the iconic ice skating parks in Manhattan during the winter, but Queens has indoor skating all year long. The Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a huge complex with a theater, tennis center, botanical garden, zoo, museums and the Citi Field baseball stadium. Its World Ice Arena offers freestyle skating, hockey camps, private lessons, theater on ice and several other activities. Its sister site, the City Ice Pavilion, has similar activities in Long Island City. Both ice rinks are open throughout the year.

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Tourist Attractions in Sullivan County, New York

Sullivan County, New York, boasts a healthy tourist economy thanks to natural attractions, such as the Catskill Mountains, farming and wine producing and the recreational and seasonal draw of the Delaware River. Sullivan County is located in the southeastern portion of New York with proximity to the border communities of New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the metro areas of New York City and Albany. Tourists can find open attractions, recreational activities and entertainment in any season in such towns as Livingston Manor or Monticello or within such areas as Lake Superior State Park or Holiday Mountain Ski area.

Fall Foilage in Autumn

• The tourist who each year enjoys the blanket of fall color as it descends on the natural mountain and river valley features in the communities within Sullivan County, New York, can try taking in the scenery from a "bird's eye" view. Glider, antique biplane or power scenic aircraft rides are available at Wurtsboro Airport that will take viewers up to 3,000 feet above the Catskill mountains to take in the autumnal scenery. As of 2010, a half-hour scenic flight on a fully restored and maintained pilot flown Cessna 172 is available to tour the seasonal colors from the air for $110 per person

  Wurtsboro Airport
  50 Barone Rd.
  Wurtsboro, NY 12790
  845-888-2791
  wurtsboroairport.com

Antique Shopping in Any Season

• Antiquing is a popular tourist draw for those visiting the Sullivan County, New York area. Privately owned shops run by collectors themselves dot the area such as The Country Bum'Kin shop, which is located in the Monguap Valley. Jenny and Jim Vielandi of Bethel, New York, decided in the year 2000 to make a business out of their long time hobby of collecting antiques and now run a shop featuring a collective bunch of collectors themselves. Great variety can be found as each collector features or specializes in different collectibles.

  The Country Bum'Kin
  1040 Rte. 17B
  Bethel, NY 12762
  845-583-7937
  thecountrybumkin.com

Trout Fishing in the Summer

• For the avid angler looking to enjoy some relaxing fly fishing summer weekends at their favorite Sullivan County, New York, fishing spot a good place to check out is Catskill Flies in Roscoe, New York. This fly fishing trip outfitter specializes in experience tested fishing gear for sale, fly casting and fly tying lessons and daily stream condition reporting. Trained guides are familiar with the Sullivan County area and the favorite fishing spots within it such as the Delaware River, Beaverkill, Neversink and Willowemoc.

  Catskill Flies
  Stewart Ave.
  Roscoe, New York 12776
  607-498-6146
  catskillflies.com

Skiing in the Winter

• Winter time in Sullivan County, New York brings cold weather and plenty of snow so travelers who enjoy snow sports should visit Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park. Holiday Mountain is open May through September as a fun park with summer activities, such as go karts and rock wall climbing. But once the snow begins and the temperature drops below 0 degrees then skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing takes over. There are seven trails and slopes, four lifts and two chalets. Nightskiing is offered.

  99 Holiday Mountain Rd.
  Quickway Exit 107
  Monticello, NY 12701
  845-796-3161
  holidaymtn.com

Tour a Cider Mill in Late Spring

• A Sullivan County, New York, tourist attraction that showcases the heritage of New York state is the milling tradition and museum shops now run keeping the history alive. One area milling tradition still today very much alive as an industry is cider mills turning various locally grown New York apple varieties into cider, vinegar and sauces. At Sonoma Falls Cider Mill and Country Market in Livingston Manor, New York, visitors can tour the grounds and the mill area and purchase jams, jellies, maple service products and bottles of cider for gifts.

  Sonoma Falls Cider Mill and Country Market
  140 Old Liberty Rd.
  Livingston Manor, NY 12758
  845-439-4949
  sonomafallsny.com

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How to Find New York Celebrity Hangouts

So you're hoping to spot celebrities in New York City? You're not alone, but the secret is that most New Yorkers and tourists spot famous people purely by accident. But there are ways, including placing yourself at celebrity hangouts, to spot the rich and famous.

Things You'll Need

• New York City street map

Tips For You

1. Take a guided bus tour with Rich and Famous Tours, which explores Manhattan's Upper East and West Sides with a guide who is a "celebrity expert." Although you're not likely to meet celebrities up close, this handy tour takes you past the luxurious homes of the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, movie stars and more, including the buildings that rejected Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor and Barbra Streisand as tenants. You'll also see the homes of Donald Trump, Jerry Seinfeld, Martha Stewart, Tom Hanks, Yoko Ono, Robert De Niro and others. Tickets are $20, as of 2008, and you must reserve in advance. The tour meets at Rockefeller Plaza.
2. Dine at the restaurants celebrities love. In 2008, the hot celeb eating spots include the Waverly Inn and Garden at 16 Bank Street, Koi at 40 West 40th Street, Socialista at 505 West Street, Pastis at 9 Ninth Avenue, and Spice Market at West 13th Street. See Broadway stars at restaurant row eateries like Joe Allen's and Sardi's, but know that they won't show up until after 11 p.m.
3. See Broadway stars simply by hanging out after the shows by the theater stage doors. If you see a show, bring your show playbill to be autographed and a camera. It will take a good 15 to 30 minutes for cast members to exit the stage door. But most Broadway stars, even many big names, will eventually appear and provide autographs, pose for photos and graciously accept your accolades.
4. If you want to see celebrities at the nighttime clubs, the most popular hangout these days is Butter, located at 415 Lafayette Street. Also popular are Bungalow 8, at 515 W 27th Street; the West Chelsea lounge where stars and supermodels love to drink; the Rose Bar at 2 Lexington Avenue, a luxurious lounge that's picky about its clientèle; and Marquee Night Club at 289 10th Avenue.
5. Subscribe to "New York Magazine" and "Time Out New York," or visit their websites (see the Resources section), to check on the whereabouts of popular celebrity hot spots. You can also check these magazines for information about special events, including red-carpet film openings, the Tribeca Film Festival, book signings, special outdoor performances and more. You are bound to see celebrities at these singular events.
6. Check websites like Broadway, Playbill and Live Broadway for information about show openings and to find out when Bryant Park will host its free "Broadway in the Park" series, in which stars of current shows perform. In the past, the series has taken place every Thursday during the summer from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

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Restaurants in the Walden Galleria in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York, also known as "The Queen City", is the second most populated in the state. It offers an assortment of parks, tourist attractions and various shopping destinations such as the Walden Galleria. This mall features more than 200 retail stores and services as well as an extensive assortment of dining destinations including an international food court.

American Cuisine

• Walden Galleria delivers various restaurants that serve American dishes. These options include the Cheesecake Factory, that aside of serving American cuisine, also features an eclectic menu with dishes that are inspired by foreign cuisines but with an American twist. Hyde Park Steakhouse is an ideal dining destination if you are craving steak, pork and seafood inspired dishes in a more formal atmosphere. Jack Astor's Bar & Grill is a casual restaurant where you can enjoy American appetizers and entrees while watching your favorite sporting events and having a cocktail or beer. The Melting Pot is another option if you are looking for American dining. It is known for its cheese fondue and chocolate fondue, and also serves salads and steak, chicken and seafood entrees. In addition, Johnny Rockets serves hamburgers, sandwiches, onion rings, fries, chicken and salads, as well as its original shakes and malts.

Italian Cuisine

• Walden Galleria has several Italian dining destinations you can visit. Bravo Cucina Italiana features a full menu that includes Italian classics such as the marsala marinara, fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, pizza, soups and salads as well as steak and seafood dishes. Bravo Cucina Italiana also provides banquet rooms for large parties.

  For a more casual Italian dining experience, you can visit Sbarro Italian Eatery in the food court. This restaurant is an ideal option if you are in a rush and want to get your Italian food served quickly. Sbarro Italian Eatery serves various specialties, salads, pizzas, entrees and Italian desserts.

Asian Cuisine

• If you are craving Asian fare, this mall has various options to choose from both in the food court and throughout the mall. For sushi and sashimi fans, Japanese restaurants include Bento Zushi, which serves various Japanese items including sushi, rolls, sashimi and teriyaki steak, chicken and salmon. A more casual Japanese option is Oyishi Japan located in the food court. It also serves Japanese cuisine only in a fast pace environment.

  If you are a Chinese food aficionado, P.F. Chang's is a formal option to have a Chinese meal while visiting the mall. Those looking to eat faster can visit Easy Wok in the food court. Both Chinese restaurants feature classics like the beef and broccoli, kung pao chicken, house special chicken, orange chicken as well as an assortment of chow mein and fried rice options.

Fast Food

• Fast food restaurants that sell snacks, food and soft drinks are also available in Walden Galleria. Depending on your craving, you have several options available both in the food court area and around the mall. For instance, places like Pretzel Time and Auntie Anne's sell pretzels and pretzel sticks. A variety of sandwiches and chips are available at Subway. Taco Bell is a good spot for Mexican-inspired fare like burritos, tacos and nachos. If you feel like having an ice cream you can also visit Dairy Queen or Nitro Magic Ice Cream.

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Things to See & Do in Chautauqua County, New York

Chautauqua County, nicknamed the "Western Gateway to New York State," spans 1,065 square miles in the southwestern part of the state, including 27 towns and 15 villages. It was named after the largest of its lakes, Chautauqua Lake, which is roughly 20 miles long. Whether you're in the mood for a boat ride or looking to learn more about the area's rich history, Chautauqua County offers a variety of things to do and see.

Parks

• Take a spin on the vintage carousel at Midway State Park in Bemus Point. The park is home to one of the United States' oldest continually operating amusement parks, featuring carnival-style midway games, bumper boats, a miniature golf course and kiddie rides. If you're looking for hiking trails and cool caves to explore, Panama Rocks Scenic Park is the place to go. The park, which is located in Panama, also has a self-guided, 1-mile hiking trail surrounded by rock formations and the gnarly tree roots of trees that are more than 300 years old. Keep an eye out for wildlife creatures such as bobcats, coyotes, spotted salamanders, gray foxes and porcupines.

Museums

• Chautauqua County is home to a variety of museums, ranging from traditional historical museums to more off-beat options like the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy, located in Jamestown. In addition to housing props and memorabilia, the center also has recreations of sets such as Lucy and Desi's apartment and an interactive "Vitameatavegamin" exhibit. If you're more of a traditional history buff, consider a visit to Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum in Dunkirk, located on the shores of Lake Erie. You can catch a glimpse of the lighthouse’s eerie history on one of its ghost tours, or take in the sweeping views of Lake Erie from the observation deck of the lighthouse, which was built in 1875.

Wineries

• If you're a wine enthusiast, Chautauqua County is an ideal spot to tour wineries -- with more than 30,000 acres of vineyards. Growers in the county are responsible for roughly 65 percent of the grape harvest every year in New York State. Check out Lake Erie Wine Country's wine trail, which spans more than 40 miles and includes over 23 wineries, including 21 Brix in Portland and Merritt Estate in Forestville, both of which offer wine tastings and tours.

Boat Rides

• Chautauqua County's largest lake is Chautauqua Lake, with various boat rides available. Sail on the Summer Wine, a luxurious yacht, or on Chautauqua Belle, a historic open-air steamship offering narrated sightseeing excursions, and cocktail and dinner cruises. Lunch and bar service are also available. For a more upscale boating experience, the Summer Wind offers narrated sightseeing tours every day, as well as specialty cruises such as sunset dinner cruises, weekend breakfast cruises and sailings with live entertainment.

Nature Centers

• Learn more about nature at one of Chautauqua County's nature centers, such as the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History located in Jamestown, where you can view various art and natural history exhibits or attend a workshop or lecture. The Audobon Center and Sanctuary is also in Jamestown. It features miles of trails that wind through 600 acres of preserved wetlands, educational gardens and exhibits with live animals.

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Campgrounds in Upstate New York

More than 54,000 square miles in area, New York -- the largest state in the northeast -- offers a nearly inexhaustible selection of campgrounds. From the North Country to the Catskills, through the center of the state and west to the Niagara Frontier, there is much from which to pick and choose. Load up your camping gear, gas the car and explore the Empire State.

Central New York

• Green Lakes, just east of Syracuse, was established to preserve its two rare meromictic lakes, which are lakes whose surface waters and deep waters never mix. The park has tent and RV camping as well as cabins. Hike along nature trails, picnic under one of several covered pavilions or swim at its sand beach. Flat trails circle both of the park's lakes. Especially popular is Green Lakes' 18-hole golf course, opened in 1935 and one of the first built by renown designer Robert Trent Jones. Note that firewood restrictions apply in all state parks.

Catskills

• North-South Lake is the largest campground in the Catskills, with seven camping loops and 219 sites. This is where to bring your canoe or kayak as no motorized boats are permitted. Once two lakes, an isthmus was removed in the 1980s, creating a single body of water where anglers cast their lines for a variety of fish including bullheads, crappies and bass. Just outside the campground is famous Kaaterskill Falls, one of the highest -- 260 feet in two leaps -- in the east. Campground amenities include a dump station, picnic grills, restrooms and showers.

North Country

• Anglers, boaters and sightseers alike are drawn to Wellesley Island State Park, a forested jewel in the heart of the famous 1000 Islands. Primitive campsites -- accessible only by boat or foot -- dot the St. Lawrence River shoreline. The park's many camp loops accommodate tents and RVs. There is a marina, docking slips and four boat launches. Muskellunge fishing is very popular in the autumn. The park's facilities include a laundry, showers, a museum, visitor's center and 9-hole golf course.

Niagara Frontier

• Just 15 minutes from colossal Niagara Falls, Four Mile Creek State Park has 275 large campsites, half of them with electric hookups. Prime sites with memorable views are along the shore of Lake Ontario; hiking trails thread through the wooded bluffs above the lake. A camp store, laundry and showers, picnic areas and playground are available. Discount tickets for Niagara Falls' two most popular attractions -- Cave of the Winds and the unforgettable Maid of the Mist boat ride -- are for sale at the park.

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