preferred routes from Niagara Falls to Manhattan
 

As the title says, I'm driving from the US side of Niagara Falls to Manhattan, in a couple of days. Any suggestions on what would be a scenic/ interesting route. Need to do the trip in a day, so no time for overnight along the way, but I would hate to miss something or someplace interesting we could stop for lunch and or stretch our legs for. Thanks in advance.

Umm, I've walked most of it :rolleyes: It was a while ago now but when I hitch hiked I had the good fortune to have drivers who pointed out the origonal IBM factory, Con Edission's factory, Government buildings and surounding bars in Albany. REAL historic America. A lot happened in upstate NY :)


Edit: Niagara Falls - Buffalo - Syracuse - Albany - Rome - Beacon. And all the bits in between.

On a motorcycle, I once took Hwy 20 from Buffalo to Albany. It was almost like riding old Rte 66...None of the tolls and rat race of I-90......For you, maybe head south on Hwy 81 at Syracuse???

If you are going to make the trip in a day you'll probably have to take I-90 most of the way. Find somethng that interests you here:
Attractions & Things to Do Along Route 20, New York
and hop off the thruway for a visit a a break from the rat race.

the southern tier rte 17 is really nice ..its the old truck route to buffalo, goes thru corning, elmira, binghampton. i went to grad school up in buffalo and spent many a twisted ride on 17 on way from buffalo to connecticut.

I have driven Rte 17 from Binghampton to 87 a couple of times. Watch for deer if you are driving at either end of the day.

Ian

219 south out of Buffalo to Ellicottsville to 86 east is a nice ride or I90 to 390 to 17 is a more direct route and very scenic.

Or you could go along the Niagara Escarpment, staying close to Lake Ontario then head to route 20 west of Rochester.

Go north of Toronto through algonquin park, to Ottawa, south along the Rideau river east side to the 416, cross over at ogdensburg, head to Tupper lake. Eventually come out the other side of the mountains and follow the hudson river south...unless you don't like twisty roads and scenery

I have not driven these roads in over a decade, so...

The electronics on the aircraft I flew were installed in Owego, NY. The plant was formerly owner by IBM but is now LMCO.

We would fly into either Rochester or Binghampton depending on the airlines flight schedules, which were pathetic.

The drive from Rochester was down Route 14 to route 86/17 into Owego. Watkins Glen is along the way and the drive along the Susquehanna is nice.

After that I would hop on 81 south to make time.

A good place for lunch would be Tony's in Owego. I have eaten there a million times. The food is fine but the riverside view is terrific.

As always, time of day getting in NYC is key. Also, if you are in a rental make sure you get EZ Pass. There will be tolls and EZ Pass can save lots of time.

Edit: Tony's is still open! http://www.yelp.com/biz/tonys-restaurant-owego

As already mentioned, you could take 219 south out of Buffalo, but if you continued further south into PA to I-80, you could make some good time (it would take you all the way to the GW Bridge - used that route when I worked on Long Island-took me about 6 hours-add at least one more from Niagara Falls). Also, Route 153 in PA (just south of Challenge on 219) is a nice shortcut (and has some nice twistys!) http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/grin.gif

If you're going to through Albany then hit the Taconic Pkwy instead of the NY State Thruway. Much nicer ride.