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Community Corner

Budget-Friendly Day Trips in the New York Area

See the sights without breaking the bank.

Written by Jamie Beckman

Uncovering hidden local treasures doesn’t have to cost a king’s ransom. These wallet-friendly locales will give you a feeling of discovery on the cheap. The best part? These destinations are only a tank of gas (or less) away.

 

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Fire Island

(631) 321-7028

Why Go? This 155-year-old lighthouse gleamed for the very first time in 1858 and still functions as a navigation aid year round. “It’s a maritime icon that you can climb to the top and get a 360-degree panoramic view, including New York City,” said Dave Griese, administrator of the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. “You can see the Freedom Tower, the Empire State Building, Stony Brook University...You also get a view of the ocean.”

Insider Tip: The off season (right now!) is the best time to visit the lighthouse—and there’s hot chocolate, too.

Must Do: Climb your way to the top, of course, but also keep an eye out for the lighthouse’s historical First Order Fresnel Lens, which originally beamed the tower’s illuminated warning. Its 300 prisms once reflected the glow from a giant four-wick lamp fueled by whale oil, lard oil, mineral oil, or kerosene, depending on the year. Now, electricity generates the beams, which span more than 21 miles.

The Fine Print: Tickets for adults are $7; children and seniors, $4. During the off-season, November to April, parking is free. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. through March. Weekday tours can be arranged; the tower closes at 3 p.m.

 

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

630 Bedford Rd.

Pocantico Hills

(914) 366-6200

Why Go? Witness the inner workings of a functioning organic farm that’s home to such animals as sheep and honeybees and to crops like tomatoes and cabbage. “All year round, the center’s farmers grow a broad diversity of vegetables and raise seven types of animals—including many new trial varieties and rare heritage breeds,” program director Jennifer Rothman said. A bit of trivia: The innovative Blue Hill Stone Barns fine dining restaurant is on the property—most of its fare comes directly from the farm.

Insider Tip: Download the center’s free iPhone app for suggested walking routes, seasonal recipes and the latest updates from Stone Barns’ farmers about what’s growing.

Must Do: Take the self-guided Farm to Frittata tour for a look at how the veggies are grown and the Livestock tour to view the animals and discover who’s living in the covered barn—it could be ewes or hens, depending on the season.

The Fine Print: Roaming the property on your own is free—just grab a map at the visitor’s center. If you prefer a guided tour, you can buy tickets online to a 45-minute Family Farm Tour for $10 per person (kids’ tickets are also $10).  The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

 

Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery

114 Little York Rd.

Warwick

(845) 258-4858

Why Go? Raising a glass has a reasonable price tag at this Hudson Valley winery, which was originally an orchard. “We offer red and white wines, from dry to sweet, and our award-winning Doc’s Draft Hard Apple Cider, plus artisanal spirits and dessert liqueurs,” said Jeremy Kidd, co-owner of Warwick Valley Winery. To soak up the booze, visit the Pane Café for some locally sourced food, including truffle fries made with Parmesan, parsley and white truffle oil.

Insider Tip: The crowds thin out after the winery’s busiest months of September and October, making the winter season an ideal time to visit.

Must Do: Partaking in the $5 wine tasting in the winery’s rustic tasting room is an absolute must. For a cool Lincoln, you get to sample six libations: reds, whites, hard cider, and a dessert beverage—and score a free souvenir glass to take home.

The Fine Print: Parking is free. If you like what you taste, you can get discounts on cases of wine, from 5 percent off for six bottles to 20 percent off for more than five cases. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; the café is open Friday, noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

 

Rockefeller State Park Preserve 

125 Phelps Way

Pleasantville

(914) 631-1470

Why Go? Touring the Rockefeller Mansion is pricey, but soaking up the beauty of the Rockefeller preserve is affordable even for non-billionaires. The Rockefeller family bequeathed the 1,400-acre outdoor space to New York State. Now the public can jog, snowshoe, paint, fish, ski, picnic and even bring their horses into the park—plus enjoy vistas of the Hudson River that are so idyllic they almost don’t look real.

Insider Tip: The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, mentioned above, is within walking distance of the preserve, so you can do both in one day.

Must Do: John D. Rockefeller Jr. built some 55 miles of carriage trails to compliment the landscape. Walk part of them to see wetlands, meadows, fields, streams and more, crossing over wood and stone bridges along the way. The best views are from Rockwood Hall, once the 220-room home of William Rockefeller.

The Fine Print: Admission is $6 per vehicle; hours are sunrise to sunset. If you want to have a romantic picnic, leave the wine at home: No alcohol is allowed in the park.

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