Halsey House Bed & Breakfast

Our Favorite Finger Lakes Restaurants

January 28th, 2012 by Gail

Letting someone else cook for you is one of the best parts of any vacation, so this blog features some of our favorite Finger Lakes restaurants. “Non-foodies” who stay at our New York Bed and Breakfast are simply thrilled to get out of the kitchen. “Foodies” love to expand their palates at regional restaurants.

The foodies are in luck. There are many excellent restaurants near the Halsey House.

In the mood for amazing Italian food while staying at the Halsey House? Try ZaZa's Cucina.

Our Favorite Finger Lakes Restaurants (in no particular order):

1. Suzanne Fine Regional Cuisine. It’s romantic. It’s delicious. The service is fantastic. Suzanne’s made Frommer’s “Best Dining Bets in New York State” list. As they say in their write-up, with its “swoon-worthy views of Seneca Lake,” it is “the place for a special dinner.”

2. Madeline’s. Among locals, Madeline’s has been voted the “Best place to have a Brandy,” the “Best Martini,” and the “Best Continental Restaurant.” All true. We go there for the ambiance and the great food; but when we’re almost too tired to go anywhere, what gets us out the door is Madeline’s desserts. They fill an enormous display case, and are, quite simply, to die for.

3. Hazelnut Kitchen. The menu changes monthly at this intimate bistro, which features fresh, local ingredients. Foodies will enjoy watching the chef at work in the open-to-view kitchen. The aroma of cooking food is intoxicating; the taste of the food even better.

4.Maxie’s Supper Club. If you were hoping to visit New Orleans but could only make it as far as the Finger Lakes Region of New York, eat at Maxie’s. Fun and noisy, this New Orleans style club serves Southern comfort food with flare. Try the slow-smoked barbecue or the oyster bar. There’s a late night kitchen and live music Sunday and Tuesday evenings.

5. ZaZa’s Cucina. The mother and daughter team behind ZaZa’s were born and raised in Northern Italy. In a country known for it’s cuisine, Northern Italy is known for its superlative cuisine. The ambiance is upscale, yet also warm and inviting. The food is fresh and flavorful; and the wine is list long.

We’re foodies, and it’s important to us that guests of our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast enjoy a good meal when they want it. The above listed restaurants are some of our favorites. Please see our Local Dining page for a list of other good restaurants near our inn. And rest assured that you will begin each morning with a gourmet breakfast at the Halsey House.

Tags: Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast, Frommer's Best Dining Bets in New York State, Hazelnut Kitchen, Ithaca NY restaurants, local dining, Madeline's, Maxie's Supper Club, Suzanne Fine Regional Cuisine, Trumansburg restaurants, ZaZa's Cucina
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Romantic Getaway in the Finger Lakes

January 6th, 2012 by Gail

Although 2012 has just begun, February will be here before we know it. We spend January recovering from the holidays and getting back into the swing of things at work. By the time February is upon us, most of us are ready for a little R & R: Relaxation and Romance.

Romance in the bath; Margaret's Retreat.

In fact, February is an ideal month for romantic retreats, especially here in northern climes. Snow is falling as I write, covering the countryside in a soft blanket of white. The crisp air draws lovers together for warmth: we walk hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder; we sit close to one another on the sofa; we curl up together in front of the fireplace. February inspires intimacy.

Give yourself over to intimacy. Treat yourself and your lover to a Romantic Retreat at Halsey House, an elegant Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast.

St. Valentine’s Day is smack in the middle of the month, on a Tuesday; so we propose turning February into a Month of Love. Come when you can get away for a few days, no matter when that is. Our Romantic Nights Package will add romance to any night.

Curl up by fire in Elegance.

The Romantic Nights Package includes a bottle of local Finger Lakes wine (your preference, red or white), dessert for two, served in your room, and a fun, romantic board game (discretely placed in your room). Romance will flourish, whether you’ve been together for two month or 20 years.

Two rooms in our NY Bed and Breakfast have gas fireplaces to help spark a romantic mood: Indulgence and Elegance. Two rooms have two-person Jacuzzi tubs: Indulgence and Margaret’s Retreat. All rooms boast luxurious, Egyptian cotton bedding and feather pillows.

Our Finger Lakes Region Bed and Breakfast is home to dozens of award winning wineries, stunning waterfalls, and the cultural attractions of Ithaca and Cornell. On the other hand, you may not want to leave the inn.

The weekend after Valentine’s Day is President’s Day Weekend. Why not treat your sweetie to three nights of romance at our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast?

Tags: Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast, Finger Lakes Region, Finger Lakes wine, romance package, romantic retreat, Valentine's Day
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Resolve to Play More

December 30th, 2011 by Gail

The close of a year encourages reflection. We consider the events of the past year with a critical eye: what was good, what not so good? What was successful, what not so successful? Are we where we thought we’d be? If so, how did we get here? If not, what got us off track?

Picture yourself here in 2012.

It’s good to ask these questions from time to time. If nothing else, such an exercise helps us crystalize the amorphous issues that clamor for our attention. New Year’s Resolutions help us prioritize.

Resolve to play more.

Everyone needs to come up with their own New Year’s Resolutions. For some, losing weight sits at the top of the list. For others, #1 is spending more time with family, or finding a different job, or giving up caffeine.

We can’t say what’s important for other people, but we firmly believe that somewhere on the list should be this simple statement: play more.

The Finger Lakes Region is a wonderful playground for adults. It is dappled with deep gorges, roaring waterfalls, and clear lakes. It has miles of wooded trails to explore, and is home to the only national forest in New York State. There are more wineries here than you can count on your fingers and toes.

Cultural activities abound in the Finger Lakes Region, as well. Nearby Ithaca is home to excellent restaurants, shops, and theaters. Cornell University and Ithaca College bring world class dance, music, and film to the area, as well as fascinating scholars. Art inspires art, and there are outstanding fine art galleries and museums in the area as well.

Resolve to play more in 2012. Travel to the Finger Lakes Region with good friends or family, because more people sometimes means more fun. Our Finger Lakes Vacation Rental, Clarks Cottage on Hidden Pond, comfortably sleeps up to ten people. It is spacious, elegant, and peacefully situated on more than 6 acres.

Close to the cultural activities of Ithaca and Cornell, our Finger Lakes Vacation Home is also close to parks, Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, and dozens of Finger Lakes Wineries. Everything that you need for a fun vacation is here.

Make 2012 the year you put “vacation” on the top of your New Year’s Resolutions, and start planing a getaway to our Finger Lakes Vacation Rental.

Happy New Year.

Tags: Cornell, Finger Lakes Vacation, Finger Lakes Vacation Rental, Finger Lakes Wineries, Ithaca, Theatre
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Spend the Holidays at our Fingers Lakes Bed and Breakfast

December 20th, 2011 by Gail

There are times to stay home for the holidays, there are times to stay with family, and there are times to try something new. If you feel like you need something different this holiday season, consider spending a few days at our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast near Ithaca, New York.

Enjoy a cozy Christmas at our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast.

Couples spending their first Christmas or New Year together may want to forego familial obligations and busy parties with dozens of friends. If all you want to do is gaze into each others’ eyes, cuddle by the fire, and enjoy lazy mornings, there is no place better for you than Halsey House.

Empty nesters may also find it refreshing to spend the holidays away from home. If your twenty somethings are busy exploring the world and unable to come home next week, hop in the car and head to our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast. Rediscover each other. In future years, your holidays will undoubtedly be filled with grandchildren; this year, make the season all about you.

There is much to do in the Finger Lakes Region, if you can pull yourself away from the warmth of Halsey House.

Nearby Cayuga Lake.

Wine tasting is one of our favorite activities, especially during holidays. What better way to find gifts than to hand pick wines for the oenophiles in your life? The Finger Lakes Region is lauded as one of the best producers of Rieslings in the country; indeed, the Rieslings produced here rival some of the finest Rieslings in the world. This is particularly noteworthy at this time of year, as Rieslings are perfect for holiday toasts.

Several local wineries are hosting special events in the coming weeks. Red Newt Cellars invites Wine Lovers to attend Winelovers’ Night at their Bistro on Thursday, December 22, 2011. Try new wines or your old favorite wines; Red Newt Cellars offers an extensive list of wines by the glass, their own and others. Glenora Wine Cellars and Veraisons Restaurant are offering dinner and dancing on New Year’s Eve. Dozens of other wineries are open daily for wine tasting and tours throughout the holiday season.

Join us at Halsey House, a Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast, this holiday season. Try something new and different. You may find yourself wanting to come here year after year.

Tags: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfasts, Finger Lakes Wineries, romantic Christmas, romantic New Years, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, wine tasting
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Don’t Stay Home for the Holidays

November 29th, 2011 by Gail

The holidays are approaching, and across the nation people are making plans. They’re contacting family and friends and discussing options. Some people will travel to see family in distant places. Others will welcome family from distant places into their homes. And still others need a different option.

Treat yourself to Christmas or New Year's at our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast.

Our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast is a great “meet in the middle” spot for folks coming from points north, south, east and west. In the past, families and friends from Canada, New York State, and Pennsylvania have met here. No one is the host – everyone just relaxes and enjoys the good company.

Still, sometimes it’s just not possible to see family during the holidays. Much as we may wish to spend Christmas with parents, children, and grandchildren in distant locales, schedules and wallets sometimes trump that desire. Yet still, we want the holidays to be special. We want them to stand out from our daily lives.

Spend the holidays at our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast.

Guests are invited to make themselves at home at Halsey House, both in their rooms and in the inn’s common areas. Curl up with a new book by the fireplace in the Parlor, or play an engrossing game of chess with your partner. Enjoy a game on the leather-topped table in the library – the perfect spot for cards and puzzles. Luxuriate in your own room, lounging in bed, watching the HDTV, or soaking in the two-person whirlpool tub. If you’re interested in birds, ask us (Mitch and KC) about our aviary. We love to introduce guests to our flock.

Numerous activities await beyond the inn’s walls. Walk down the street to Taughannock State Park and gaze in wonder at Taughannock Falls, one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains. Nearby Finger Lakes National Forest has more than 30 miles of trails that lead to lovely gorges, woods, and pasture. If there is snow on the ground, bring your cross-country skis. Or explore the shops, art galleries, museums, and eateries of nearby Ithaca.

Then, of course, there are the wineries. The Finger Lakes Region is known for its wine, and wine tasting is a fantastic holiday treat. Our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast, located between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, is the perfect home base for folks interested in tasting wines along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail and Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Travel them on your own, or ask us about a Wine Tasting Tour.

Our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast is twenty minutes from both Cornell University and Ithaca College. We’re two hours from Scranton, Pennsylvania, an hour and a half from Rochester, New York, and an hour and ten minutes from Syracuse, New York. Our inn is nestled in an idyllic region replete with impressive waterfalls, deep gorges, and wonderful wineries. If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate the holidays this year – either Christmas or New Year’s Eve – spend them at Halsey House.

Tags: Cayuga Wine Trail, Christmas, Cornell, Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast, Finger Lakes National Forest, Ithaca, New Year's Eve, Seneca Wine Trail, Taughannock Falls, wine tasting
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Follow the Cheese to the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail

November 9th, 2011 by Gail

One of the great truths of life is that if you bring a group of people together, they’ll want to eat. No matter the occasion, no matter the location, people enjoy breaking bread together. Sharing a meal breaks the ice and creates a bond.

As the holidays approach, many of us are seeking new flavors for our tables. With holiday gatherings filling our calendars, we want simple dishes that will wow our guests. We want appetizers that will impress without taking hours to prepare.

Visit the artisan cheese makers of the Finger Lakes Region on November 19, 2011.

It’s hard to go wrong with cheese.

A day spent traveling the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail is sure to unveil gustatory delights. Opportunities to visit artisan cheese makers in the Finger Lakes Region are few, but these craftspeople are opening their doors to the public on Saturday, November 19, 2011. It’s a perfect time to spend the weekend at our Finger Lakes Region Bed and Breakfast.

The Finger Lakes Cheese Trail is comprised of thirteen cheese makers. Folks who follow the cheese are invited to tour the facilities and sample the cheese. Participants include:

Cowlick Farm, a Finger Lakes Micro-creamery producing pure Creamline Jersey cow milk.

4 Tin Fish Farm, a micro goat dairy producing farmstead cheese from Alpine dairy goats.

Shtayburne Farm, a farm with fat happy cows and fifteen hand crafted cheeses.

Sunset View Creamery, a dairy run by the 4th and 5th generations of Hoffmans and a Farmstead / Artisan Creamery.

Following the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail is a wonderful way to explore the farming communities of the Finger Lakes Region. It is also a fabulous way to find new flavors for your table. Imagine serving “Across the Pond” from Keeley’s Cheese Company, a semi-soft rind cheese made from raw milk and aged in an underground cellar that you’ve visited. You’ll be able to entertain your guests with stories of your Cheese Trail travels as you all enjoy the cheeses you brought back with you.

Why not make a weekend of it, using our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast as a base? Visit creameries on Saturday and Finger Lakes wineries on Sunday. Wine is the perfect accompaniment to cheese, after all.

Local cheese should be a part of any stay at Halsey House. Many wineries in the region serve local cheeses to wine tasters. Finger Lakes cheese is also available at a number of local farmers markets and shops, such as the Ithaca Bakery, the Ithaca GreenStar Natural Market, Red Jacket Orchards, and the Trumansburg ShurSave (close to our Finger Lakes B&B). In addition, some creameries are open to the public on a regular basis.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the Cheese Trail on the 19th; you can still enjoy Finger Lakes cheese. Please visit our Reservations page to reserve a room at our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast.

A complete list of Finger Lakes Region creameries and dairies is available at the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail.

Tags: artisan creameries, farm-to-table, farmstead cheese, Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast, Finger Lakes Cheese Trail, Finger Lakes Wineries
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The Gift That Makes Memories

October 25th, 2011 by Gail

With the holidays on the horizon, many of us are beginning to ponder gift options for our friends and family.

A weekend at our Finger Lake Bed and Breakfast will leave parents refreshed and happy..

We want to give the people we love something special. We want them to have something that will be appreciated and remembered, and something that won’t eventually end up in a landfill. It’s a tall order, but we have an idea.

Give a night or two at our Finger Lakes Region Bed and Breakfast.

This is a gift anyone will appreciate, no matter their age or situation. Yet we have found it to be particularly cherished by parents of young children. For these couples, a weekend at our Finger Lakes Region Bed and Breakfast without their children is a slice of heaven. They just need someone to think of it for them – and someone to watch their kids.

For parents of young children, a romantic weekend is a rare event. Let’s face it, a date is a rare event; 24 – 48 hours away from the kids is unthinkable. Yet a night or two away can do wonders for the self and for the relationship.

Children are a gift. They are delightful and cuddly and funny and fascinating and sweet. Parents enjoy being with their children, and in truth, many parents never think of leaving their kids for any stretch of time.

Yet children are also demanding, as they should be. Young children need constant vigil, constant supervision, constant interaction. Add work and housework, and it’s easy to see why so many parents suffer from exhaustion. An evening out may be fun, but it often seems more trouble than it’s worth. A weekend away holds the promise of long, deep sleep, uninterrupted conversations, the chance to read a book…

A weekend away is also a wonderful opportunity for grandparents, aunts and uncles, and close friends to bond with children. There is nothing like an early morning snuggle, a long afternoon building castles out of boxes, or a bedtime story. The children will remember this special time, and they will cherish it.

Our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast offers a Romantic Nights Package, a Celebration Package, and Wine Tasting Tours; any of these would be delightful additions to a weekend without the children. Yet even without add-ons, a night or two away with one’s spouse – and without the kids – is a gift that will be appreciated and remembered for years to come.

Tags: Bed and Breakfast specials, Finger Lakes Region Bed and Breakfasts, gift ideas, parents weekend getaway
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Fall Hikes in the Finger Lakes Region

October 9th, 2011 by Gail

Fall is being a bit elusive this year. Leaves have started to change, but only just. Normally trees have exchanged their green for lovely shades of red, orange and yellow by this time of year. The good news is that if you’ve been too busy to schedule a getaway to our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast until now, you’ll be able to enjoy the upcoming fall colors.

Taughannock Falls

Autumn is an ideal time to hike in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Summer heat has abated, winter snows have not yet arrived, and the air is generally crisp and cool. This year temperatures have been a bit warmer than usual, but not so warm as to be uncomfortable. It will simply feel good to splash cool water on your face during a hike to nearby waterfalls.

Taughannock Falls State Park is just 2 miles from our Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes Region. Intrepid hikers may want to start their hike here, at the inn, for the Gorge Trail at Taughannock Falls is less than one mile long and is wide and flat. It ends near the falls – a perfect picnic spot if you don’t mind getting a bit damp from the mist. More challenging is the Rim Trail, but it also boasts more stunning views. As fall colors arrive in the coming weeks, the Rim Trail is sure to be popular.

Enfield Gorge at Robert Treman State Park, Ithaca NY 2574

Enfield Gorge at Roert Treman State Park.

Stunning Robert H. Treman State Park, just 15 minutes from Halsey House, is a hiker’s dream. It boasts nearly 10 miles of hiking trails. Follow Enfield Creek along the Gorge Trail, enjoy expansive views from the Rim Trail, and explore the entire length of the park on the Finger Lakes/North Country Trail. Admire 115 – foot tall Lucifer Falls (and 11 other waterfalls), and pause at the overlooks off the Cliff Staircase. In warmer weather, the stream-fed pool at the base of a wide waterfall is deliciously cooling.

Watkins Glen State Park

Guests who don’t mind driving a bit farther for good hiking will enjoy exploring Watkins Glen State Park, which is approximately 30 minutes from our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast. It is absolutely worth the drive.

Watkins Glen is considered the most spellbinding of the Finger Lakes State Parks, and it is certainly the most famous. Visitors stand in awe in face of the nearly 20 waterfalls that descend some 400 feet past high, layered cliffs. Trails lead happy hikers under waterfalls, over bridges, and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. A two mile hike will reveal breathtaking scenery. If nothing else, bring a picnic and enjoy it in splendor.

Tags: fall colors, Finger Lakes Region, Finger Lakes Region Bed and Breakfasts, hiking, Robert H. Treman State Park, State Parks, waterfalls, Watkins Glen State Park
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Finger Lakes Wine Tasting Tours along the Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca Lake Wine Trails

June 26th, 2011 by KC Christopher

wine tasting along the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes area in New York state is a world-class wine producing region, attracting many visitors who wish to go wine tasting along the Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca Lake Wine Trails.

A convenient and safe way to do this is by arranging a wine tour with a local transportation company so that you can enjoy a worry-free experience without the need for a designated driver. An added bonus is having your own tour guide along, with a driver who is capable of tailoring your tour to fit your preferences and desires.

The Halsey House’s close proximity to these wine trails brings us many customers eager to experience wine tasting in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere the Finger Lakes wineries are known for. We recommend a few local transportation companies that always treat our customers with great service and knowledgeable winery and restaurant suggestions. Two of our favorites are Guilt Free Touring and Quality Wine Tours. Whether you are looking for an intimate tour for two or you bring friends along to share the fun and the costs, these companies always delight our guests. Pricing begins at around $250 for car and driver for a party of two.

Experience! The Finger Lakes touring van

Another exciting option is to join a tour designed to show you just what is so special in this magical place of ours. Experience! The Finger Lakes offers daily guided tours for up to twelve people. This tour company isn’t just about wine tasting. Mitch and I recently had the opportunity to accompany our fellow innkeepers on the Wine, Cheese & “Moo” tour. We had the pleasure of visiting Keely’s Cheese Co. and Finger Lakes Dexter Creamery, local artisan cheese-makers, and learned about the cheese-making process while sampling their cheese. Then we moved on to King Ferry and Long Point wineries where we had the chance to pair the cheese with local wines. This was a wonderful chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at great local businesses.

Experience! also offers an amazing collection of tours including Culinary & Wine, History of the Area, Gorges and Waterfalls, Hiking or custom tours personalized for you. We highly recommend that you add one of their tours to your itinerary while you are visiting the Finger Lakes.

Tags: Cayuga Wine Trail, Finger Lakes wine, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, wine tasting
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Clarke’s Cottage on Hidden Pond, Our Finger Lakes Vacation Rental

June 6th, 2011 by KC Christopher

view from the north lawn of Clarke's Cottage

In 2010 we proudly added our vacation rental house, Clarke’s Cottage on Hidden Pond, as a sister property to the Halsey House for folks traveling to the Finger Lakes. This five bedroom country home sits on almost seven acres of rolling lawns and fields and features a very large and private swimming pond.

Stunning vistas of the upstate NY countryside can be seen from every window in the house. When we completely gutted and rebuilt the interior of this house, we added large windows to take advantage of these views.

the sun rises over Hidden Pond on a clear day in June

picture window in the kitchen of Clarke's Cottage

The gourmet kitchen offers beautiful professional stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, a picture window with a view of the red barn and a wide open design to accommodate several cooks. The island allows observers to sit and chat with the cooks during meal prep. This kitchen is fully furnished with all the cookware, appliances and serving dishes you will need, and of course wine glasses and corkscrew! You can also take the cooking outside with a gas grill and picnic tables within view of the pond and lawn.

whirlpool bath for two in master bedroom

The plush comfort of the furnishings and high-end amenities such as the master bathroom’s whirlpool tub, luxury pillow-top beds and reclining couches and chairs, have guests wondering if there is any reason to leave the property during their relaxing stay.

Did we mention outdoor fun? We have added a six person hot tub and fire pit, located between the house and the pond.

the hot tub and firepit with view of the pond

Imagine sipping on your first cup of coffee while sitting in the hot tub and watching the sun rise over Hidden Pond, with the breeze cooling you face. And we can think of no better way to spend an evening then enjoying a bottle (or two, or three) of Finger Lakes wine with family or friends, watching a crackling fire and a million sparkling stars in the nighttime sky. Make a meal roasting hot dogs and marshmallows on a stick over the open fire.

Peacefulness, privacy, relaxation. You will be planning your next visit to Clarke’s Cottage before you even leave here.

Tags: Clarke's Cottage, vacation rental
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Halsey House B&B