Staycation Destination - Family Life News

Water park and amusement park, Seabreeze is located in Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, NY. Park President Rob Norris says the name fits since visitors often experience a breeze off Lake Ontario. Four roller coasters, including the Jack Rabbit, will also cause a stir!

Visitors to the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad can hop aboard historic Pullman rail cars made between 1920 and 1940, then watch the scenery while transcending into the “valley that changed the world.” General Manager Cheri Porter says that’s the same hollow where Col. Edwin Drake drilled the first oil well.

Lauren Maloney Ford with Buffalo Waterfront tells Family Life about the makeover of an ice rink into the state’s largest roller rink. The attraction opens August 20th to guests and provides skate rentals. The new roller rink is another draw to Buffalo’s Canalside.

Glenn Curtiss is considered the father of U.S. naval aviation. Curator Rick Leisenring fills us in on the man and his progression of innovation. The Glenn Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation and regional history, including bikes, motorcycles, and planes.

Put the butter on the popcorn! Films from more than 20 countries have been submitted for this year’s Great Lakes Christian Film Festival in East Aurora, New York. Executive Director Shawn Greene says attendees will get to watch films ranging from shorts to full-length movies, including Roe V. Wade. The three-day event is slated for … Read More Read More

Ringing Rocks Park–  Wear sturdy shoes and bring a hammer and camera! Kevin Spencer and Angela Nagle with Bucks County highlight a “musical,” geological wonder in the woods of Pennsylvania. Ringing Rocks Park, about 15 miles east of Allentown, boasts a bevy of boulders that you can climb across and hit with your hammer for … Read More Read More

Deposit Lumberjack Festival-July 16 & 17, 2021–  Lumberjack competitions, fireworks, food, a parade, a craft fair, a 5K, music, and carnival rides, are some of the features of the annual Deposit Lumberjack Festival. Luke Tucker fills us in on this year’s two-day event in Deposit, NY.

Historic Crystal Cave—  Bring a light jacket to explore the layers of this underground cave, near Kutztown, Pa., since the temperature inside is 54 degrees.  President Jim DeLong tells us about the cave’s history, along with the numerous other attractions, including miniature golf, and a hiking trail.

The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake allows you to take a trip to the “wilderness” in Upstate New York. Walk a trail, canoe in the lake, or learn about boating, logging, or the region’s history.  Adirondack Experience Executive Director David Kahn says “hands-on” activities also make it a great place for kids.

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train—  Kathy Lattis says visitors will learn about types of mining and the Centralia mine fire. The Ashland, Pa. destinations offers guests a ride straight into a mountain in an open coal car and the chance to sit on a train pulled by an old-fashioned steam locomotive.

National Soaring Museum–  Planes that glide through the air without a motor. That’s what the National Soaring Museum in Elmira, New York is all about. Director Trafford Doherty gives us a glimpse into the history of gliding and what you’ll get to see at the museum. He also explains what’s so special about the topography near … Read More Read More

Billye Chabot, executive director of the Seward House in Auburn, NY, shares how guests can “step back in time.”  Known best as the man to negotiate the purchase of Alaska, William Henry Seward served as a New York State Senator, Governor of New York, a U.S. Senator, and as Secretary of State in the Lincoln … Read More Read More

The Erie Canal. Shane Mahar with the New York State Canal Corporation shares a bit of history on the famous, man made waterway, as well as some of the ways you can now enjoy the sights, activities, and welcoming small towns between Buffalo to Rochester.

Chris Barrett with the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau tells about Jim Thorpe’s mining history, the link to athlete Jim Thorpe, two “Packer” mansions and the Old Jail Museum. Visitors to this Victorian town, located between Allentown and Wilkes-Barre, get to “step back in time” in several ways, including a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic … Read More Read More

Elijah Kruger serves as Letchworth State Park’s environmental educator. He helps us explore the park’s history, along with activities and wildlife visitors could experience or “spot” in western New York.  

Baking competitions are just one part of the Blueberry to Go Market event in eastern Pennsylvania through July 26th. Carly Cheponis with Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites tells us about the Moravian roots of Burnside Plantation and the numerous blueberry foods and themed happenings this year.

What’s new for visitors to the “free entrance” park in the woods of central Pennsylvania?  Public Relations Director Stacy Ososkee tells us how Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA has made COVID-19 modifications so families can still visit and make vacation memories.

Curator of History Robert Searing rewinds time to explore the “Underground Railroad” in central New York. He discusses “Freedom Bound,” one of the permanent exhibits at the Onondaga Historical Museum in downtown Syracuse.

The Tioga-Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes Area serves up a range of outdoor activities for day visitors and overnight campers.  Park Ranger Brandon Dubble says guests are welcome to go picnicking, hiking, biking, or boating. The recreation “region” in Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier is easily accessed from US Route 15.

The Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York lets visitors get up close for hands-on interactions with an array of 300 domestic and exotic creatures from alligators to zebras.  The park is nearly 15-minutes away from Binghamton. Amid COVID-19 restrictions, the Drive Thru Zoo will be held Thursday mornings from 9 a.m.–10 a.m. during June.  … Read More Read More