Nice sized pumpkin patch, nicer people, but the prices are crazy for their pumpkins!! I paid $10…read morefor the same sized pumpkin I could have gotten at a grocery store for $3. I'll take this as a loss and say I've paid for the experience, but definitely crazy prices.

Took my sister in law and my 7 year old son to Smithome farms on a late Sunday afternoon. We went…read morethrough the corn maze which was fun and challenging, but not too hard, and then went for cider and donuts. It was close to closing time and the fresh donut maker was almost out of batter. The man in line ahead of us got the last full dozen. But, the amazing man making donuts gave us a little baggie of 6 for free! The woman behind us in line was ungodly rude, but it didn't phase the man behind the counter, he gave her son a baggie of free donuts, too. What a fantastic place and wonderful people!

I try to make it back for the festival every year. Great music, food, crowds over 3 1/2 days. I…read morelike the events on the commons most, but the parade (Thurs night) and the party at Stewart park (Sunday) are pretty sweet too.

The best of Ithaca! Usually held during the first weekend of June, the Ithaca Festival celebrates…read morethe vital role of the arts in the community. Local food, arts and crafts fair featuring over 80 crafters and artists (jewelry, pottery, paintings, furniture, photography, wooden creations, handmade toys), healing arts fair (massage, reiki, acupuncture, herbal medicine), Gorges Green Expo (learn about environmental awareness, energy conservation, and other green initiatives. Also features a Taste of Tompkins, where you can taste locally grown vegetables, local cheeses, locally made desserts, and wine), family fun (face-painting, storytelling, performances, etc), an Ithaca Festival Parade, and a Paint Off (local artists are asked to produce a piece of art on site in just one hour and the best piece is auctioned off). There's a lot of other stuff going on, too, that I'm probably missing. It's a great place to take your family, date, friends, anyone!

Held on the second weekend in July (confirm dates on the website), The Finger Lakes Wine Festival…read moreis a great day out. I went in July 2017 and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. There were four long tents set up with different wineries on each side; over 90 wineries were represented. Included in the $50 one-day ticket (cheaper when purchased before June) was a winery guide book, a tasting glass, and a little tote bag. Each winery table had multiple varietals to sample, usually about 4-6 each table usually with dry, semi dry, and sweet options. Now I am a wine drinking pro in real life, but I am an amateur at The Finger Lakes Wine Festival because I was tipsy after being there for about 30 minutes and I had to call it a day after only visiting two of the four tents. The good news is a two day pass is only $55, so I recommend that option and seriously pacing yourself. I would also recommend camping onsite as that would be the most convenient and safest way to enjoy the festival. There are food vendors and other activities in the festival, literally something for everyone.

I went to the wine festival Saturday with a group of friends and I was the designated driver so my…read moreticket was $25.00 I got a lime green wrist band theirs was $50.00 but they could sample all the wineries I was supposed to get any of the Coke a Cola products free as I was told at the main office and it also says on the F & Q on the web site well I went to get a diet coke and was told I could get water out of the water cooler or a vitamin water! When I tried to tell her that wasn't right she insisted that was it I even tried when a different girl was there but I wasn't going to stand there and argue and make a fool of myself over a diet soda but what gets me is I paid $25.00 for NOTHING just to walk around they didn't even give me a wine glass! I called the Glen this morning and told the person how unhappy I was and it was pretty expensive and get nothing in return not even a diet soda and she said she was sorry and would talk to them!! This doesn't do me any good now so anyone who encountered this problem let them know this is not right I can't believe I was the only designated driver who was refused a soda.

In town, this past Friday October 6, 2023, for the Covered Bridge Arts & Crafts festival. The…read morelayout of crafters, vendors and food places were wonderful, 4 buildings to browse in, sitting areas. Haven't been to the Covered Bridge Festival in over 7 years, and feel this location due to pandemic was perfect for location. They offer free parking and no admission with 300 craft vendors. The weather was mild which made it perfect fall event. Look forward to attending again, or possibly checking out, depending on weather there winter event November 24 and November 25 2023.

It's a traffic nightmare getting in and out of this fair! No police or state constable traffic…read moredirection. They charge $5 to park. It's a gigantic parking lot so at the end of the night, there's 1,000's of cars trying to merge all different ways into only one exit! Very frustrating.

Fun experience but not sure I would go again. Chinese lanterns are some of the most beautiful light…read morefeatures. They did have quite a lot to look at but I had expected everything to be more spread out throughout the property. There was a lot crowded throughout the driving path. It was pretty cool for them to set up a drive through path to accommodate covid times and still have something fun and new to do during these times of limited activities and events. I drove a good distance to see the lights, if you live closer I 100% recommend but if your making a drive, I didnt feel it was as worth it. Especially given that Watkins Glenn is pretty sleepy overall in the winter. There wasn't much else I could find to pair seeing the lights with to make it more of a half day trip. A lot of the restaurants in the area were even closed. The winery did offer tastings and parfaits which we didn't go into the tasting room but that was available. I had heard the theme was dinosaurs. I thought there would be lit dinosaurs, turns out they were anamatronic. Their pretty nifty but they had them all lined up at the end one right after the other which took away from their awe. Otherwise they look decently realistic and some move which is kinda fun. The lanterns were a whole mix of things from flowers to animals, there were lantern balls throughout the lawn and some traditional lights as well. It took us about thirty minutes to drive through the whole exhibit.

A nice little drive through, simulated with music that you can tune into. A nice variety of…read morecharacters and decorations throughout. Wasn't nearly as hectic as PNC but also in a smaller scale. Definitely worth checking out!

For local flavor and a break from the regular weekend routine, the Ellicottville Fall Festival is…read moredifficult to beat. While in Buffalo recently, friends suggested we make the hour trek to Ellicottville to check out the festival. It's located in a small ski village, and -- never one to turn down the chance to check out a new place -- I jumped at the chance. Street parking was relatively easy to find, and we soon were meandering through the downtown at the foothills of the ski resort. With hills all around us and brilliantly color-changing leaves, it was here to beat the beautiful setting. If you know local festivals, you know what to expect -- booths with all sorts of arts, crafts, snacks, and unique local finds lined the middle of the streets, which had been closed off for pedestrian-only traffic. We perused the different booths and stores before stopping a spell for lunch. Happen to be out this way in the fall? Head on over and check it out for a relaxed afternoon in a colorful and cozy setting.

As a San Diego transplant that hasnt experienced fall in a good 10 years, this was a perfect way to…read moreenjoy all the season has to offer. The drive down the (do I need to stop saying "the" in front of highways?) 219 was beautiful, and the weather was just the right amount of chilly to be enjoying my flannel and boots and hot apple cider. The main downside here is the traffic getting into town, but there really is nothing that can be done about it. You just have to be ready and be patient. The church just inside town was graciously offering "donation" parking (as opposed to the $10 parking further into town), and since it was on the edge of town, made it super easy to leave when we were done. The town of Ellicottville is also very charming, and I would love to come back again to enjoy the area on a normal day!

I absolutely love this Festival. I remember coming here when I was younger and enjoying the food…read moreand the events. Fast forward 20+ years, and I introduced it to my wife. It starts off with a nice pleasant drive through some really beautiful country along scenic Canandaigua Lake. We come in from the North, and since we arrive early in the morning parking is plentiful. However, there is a 10-15 minute walk to get to the center of the festival area. Along the way, you can look at the small stores selling their wares (books, records, etc.) and peruse the many garage sales that pop up along main street. When you arrive at the festival, you are hit with a three-fold attack of (1) great carnival food, (2) lots of arts and crafts vendors, and (3) live music and the cacophony of thousands of people in one space. Aside from the typical kettle corn, fried dough, and sausage sandwiches, you can feast on anything and everything that can be made with a grape... pies, cakes, cookies, cotton candy, ice cream, etc. Frankly, it is a bit overwhelming but in a wonderful way. We don't usually buy too many crafts or artwork (and if you do, be warned that you will need to carry it back to your car somehow) but we do enjoy some things that are just necessary on a day like this: Carnival Waffles (which you cannot get outside of Western NY, and asking about them will just lead to blank stares), grape pie, and lots of bottled water. Who has the best grape pie? If you read the signs, that will narrow it done but I try a new place every time and seem to enjoy them all. Grape pie tastes like blueberry + wine... yummy! There are wine vendors too, and a nearby winery offers tasting and I think tours though we have never done it. This festival takes the best things in life and combines them. Carnival food minus the weird looking carnys; beautiful New York fall scenery with lovely, sunny weather; amazing arts and crafts with plenty of useless made in China junk and dozens of yard sales thrown in, and people having fun. Just watch the bikers that try and ride down Main Street every year only to get stuck in traffic. Even then they are having a blast. The local school gets involved too with various fundraisers. Hint: when you buy food from the area next to the school, make sure you get all the ketchup you need before you go and sit down on the grassy knoll. Navigating the crowds to get the small things you forgot with your food is no fun. I cannot wait until September when I can go again!

I have a love/hate relationship with the Naples Grape Festival. On the one hand you have a great…read moreopportunity to get your hand on some of the greatest Grape pies around. On the other, crowds of people, money trap, long waits to get in and out of the village. Here's what's lacking: *Not much (good)entertainment *Everyone is selling anything and everything (junk included) *Crowded sidewalks where people stop directly in the middle without regard to the line of others behind them. *A long drive from the city Here's what I love: *Views of the lake on the drive down *Views of fall foliage *Joseph's Wayside Market *Grape pocket cookies from the church in the center of town *Jeni's Pies are the best *Plenty of (paid) parking at Hazlitt *Wine slushies from Hazlitt YUM! In the past there seemed to be more artisans, but this year it felt like there were vendors just selling anything. It felt overwhelming with so many people crammed in in the sidewalks. I'll admit it's a great walk from one end of town to the other. Make your way to the south end to check out Joseph's. If you've never been, it's worth the trip, just be prepared for people to stop in front of you without warning because they can't text and walk at the same time!