Jeff Mills Coastal Vacations Club Blog

Today we’ll begin our Seaway Trail adventure in Niagara Falls, NY and drive east to Rochester.  Our trip will cover 107 miles and take about 3 1/4 hours of actual driving time.  That will leave you plenty of time to see the scenery and enjoy a great picnic lunch.  I’d strongly recommend that you take this trip during the warm months as icy roads make the drive dangerous during the winter.

Hundreds of people have written thousands of volumes about the beauty and splendor of Niagara Falls so I won’t even try and describe them in one or two paragraphs.  I do, however, want to mention my favorite way to see the Falls.  The Niagara Falls Observation Tower in Niagara Falls State Park offers two amazing and contrasting views of the falls.  First walk out to the end of the observation deck and look to your left for an unbelievable view of the the American and Horseshoe Falls.  Next take the glass elevator down to the base of the observation tower and take the stairs up to “The Crows Nest”.  You’ll truly feel like you’re part of the Falls.  I warn you that there’s no way to stay dry as you walk up to “The Crows Nest”.  Admission to the Observation Tower is $1.00 and it is open from Spring to Fall.

From Niagara Falls we’ll head north to Old Fort Niagara.  Old Fort Niagara has stood at the mouth of the Niagara River, 15 miles north of the Falls since 1726.  As a gateway to Lake Ontario, it was a key French stronghold until overrun by British forces during the French and Indian War.  Britain held Old Fort Niagara until after the end of the American Revolution.  You’ll have the opportunity to check out some of the best remaining examples of 18th and 19th century military architecture. The French Castle, built in 1726, is the oldest remaining building between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.  There are also lots of artifacts and documents depicting the history of Old Fort Niagara for you to view.

Next we’ll head east to Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse and Golden Hill State Park.  The park, located on the shore of beautiful Lake Ontario has been in the New York State Park system since 1962.  It has excellent picnic spots, biking and hiking trails, fishing, hunting and boat launches.  The camping area has is open from mid-April to mid-October and has tent and RV sites.  While at the park, make sure you check out Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse.  The lighthouse opened in 1876 and was working until 1952.  It’s maintained by the Friends of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse and has a cottage that’s available for rent.  The lighthouse provides a fantastic view of Lake Ontario.

From Golden Hill State Park we’ll continue our trip east to one of my favorite childhood places.  Back when Lake Ontario’s beaches were polluted and closed, Hamlin Beach was the closest open beach to home.  My family would pack our picnic basket and spend many weekends at Hamlin Beach. Today, since the water is clean and safe, it remains a gathering spot for sunbathers and swimmers from all around Western New York.  It also features many picnic areas, biking and hiking trails that become skiing and snowmobile trails in the winter, playgrounds, fishing and 264 tent and RV campsites that are open from spring to fall.

From Hamlin Beach, it’s just a short drive up the Lake Ontario Parkway to my hometown of Rochester, NY.  For culture I believe that Rochester is one of the world’s most underrated cities.  There are several great museums including the George Eastman House (home to the founder of Eastman Kodak and one of the pioneers of photography), the Susan B. Anthony House, the world renowned Strong National Museum of Play, the Rochester Museum and Science Center and the University of Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery.  Rochester is also home to the Red Wings, AAA farm team of the Minnesota Twins, the Amerks hockey team, the Nighthawks indoor lacrosse team, the Rhinos soccer team and several other pro and college sports teams.  Rochester is also close to the Finger Lakes wine trails so grab your wine carrier and take a road trip to one of the many wineries in the area. Finally, Rochester is an educational center with as many as nine colleges having campuses within the immediate area.  For you campers, pitch your family camping tent in Rochester because there are several campgrounds in the area.  If you have the time, spend a day or two in Rochester.  You’ll be glad you did.

 

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Filed under: Backcountry Adventure Travel