HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Family Weekend Getaway to Saratoga Springs recap: Chowderfest, mineral bath & incredible crepes!

 

A clam shooter. I had 3 of these!

Chowder samples from Prestwick Chase

 

Lining up for chowder

More chowder lovers

 

Lining up outside Circus Cafe

 

It snowed on Saturday, which didn't stop chowder lovers!

We decided on the spur of the moment to get away to Saratoga Springs this weekend. I love Woodstock, but we all needed a change of scenery. When I found out that the annual Chowderfest was on Saturday, I get even more excited. I have never been to a chowderfest, but I had visions of the family eating vats of chowder in our hotel room. I thought it would the kind of set up where vendors would all be in one location, and I would be able to buy as much chowder as I wished.

When I got there I soon realized that it wasn't going to be that easy. There was one vendor near the Visitors Center, the information hub of the Chowderfest, but all the participating restaurants were serving  soup to chowder lovers at their own restaurants. Hence the lines all down Broadway, Saratoga Springs main drag. It is well organized, but not very kid friendly.

l knew my kids would not want to wait online for chowder since they don't like seafood or long lines so I just took 30 minutes to myself to have 3 servings of the vendor at the tourist site, and walked a bit down Broadway to take photos for HVGoodStuff.com, and take in the festive atmosphere. The town was crowded with people happily waiting the lines for tasty chowder. Now that I know the set-up, I will have a strategy next time. (Read: babysitter!)  Later that day we enjoyed Take-Out crepes at Ravenous, which I highly reccommend. (Blog post coming soon).

Anyway, we still had a great time in Saratoga Springs. We enjoyed our stay at the Hilton Garden Inn. The hotel has a small pool and a jacuzzi. The pool was kind of cold, but of course, the kids don't care.  My husband and I each took turns soaking in a mineral baths at Roosevelt Spas & Bath like we always do when we visit Saratoga Springs. Saratoga Springs is an easy 90 minute drive from Woodstock. There is also a cool Children's Museum in Saratoga Springs. We didn't go there this time around, but it is worth a stop.  On the way home we didn't even require a bathroom stop. Amazing! What is your favorite thing to do when visiting Saratoga Springs?

The pool at the Hilton Garden Inn in Saratoga Springs, NY 

Dining area at the Hilton Garden Inn

 

The Gideon Putman resort: Fancier hotel for couples, singles, or honeymooners

 

 

Phoenicia Diner: Hearty skillet breakfasts, pancakes, meatloaf & friendly service!

My family and I had a very hearty late day breakfast at the new Phoenicia Diner today. After this crazy week, my family needed to find a good spot for a hearty Sunday breakfast. The Phoenicia Diner was crowded, but we didn't have to wait long for a booth.  The owners definitely have pride of ownership here, and it shows. 

I really had a craving for eggs so I ordered the breakfast skillet (2 sunny side up eggs, bacon, cheese, roasted potatos, and whole grain toast). My farmer's skillet was delicious, but they really do give a large amount of potatos, which are very good, but I couldn't finish them. Tom ordered the meatloaf which was very good, and not overly heavy or bready like a lot meatloaf is.  "It's just like my Aunt Angela's meatloaf, except it's not burned!" he said. That is a compliment, by the way. I also tried the soup of the day, which was a butternut squash pear soup. Very good!

(Not pictured is the kids grilled cheese which was devoured too quickly so I didn't get the chance to capture it on film).  The sandwich was very yummy, and the fries were real potato fries. No fake rectangular frozen diner fries here!

The service was quick and friendly. Our waitress kept on warming up our coffee, which was also good. I'm looking forward to coming back to the Phoenicia Diner when I'm in the mood for a big hearty breakfast, and trying out other dishes. (I don't eat like this every day!) Phoenicia Diner, Route 28, Phoenicia, NY. (845) 688-9957

Fraleigh's Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook: Big apples, friendly staff & lots of apple pickers!

 

Picking directions

Big and juicy golden delicious apples!

 

 

Pumpkin Picking too

 

We ended up apple picking at Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook for the first time last weekend. It felt like it was going to rain any second so I felt a bit rushed, but I was able to pick huge golden delicious apples from their trees using one of those apple picking catchers. These apples were huge, and eating one is really like eating two of them! I paid $18 for this bag because I was a few apples short of a $19.99 bag.

The staff are very friendly, and take their time making small talk with all the customers. I heard someone say that there were empire apples further down the way, but I didn't have time or energy to find them. If you go be sure to check their website or call them to make sure they have the fruit that you want to pick. Anything can happen with this crazy weather!  

I'm very happy witht the apples I picked at Rose Hill Farm. The place I usually go to for apple picking is Cedar Heights in Rhinebeck, and they are already closed for the season.  (FYI, Cedar Heights is less crowded and is better for photo opportunities because the trees are more spaced out and the landscape is breath taking). Fraleigh's Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY 12571 (845) 758-4215