Fishing, no matter whether you like to fish for salmon, trout, bass, panfish, walleye, or northern pike, quality fishing for each of exists in Cayuga County. Lake Ontario is renowned for world class salmon fishing. The combination of outdoor adventure with food and wine will make you want to make an annual pilgrimage to Cayuga County’s waters for the fabulous fishing.  If dry land is more up your alley, Cayuga County offers an impressive variety of places to get in touch with nature and pump fresh air into our lungs while exploring new spots. Spread throughout the county there are trails for every experience level, from tame, groomed walking trails to steeper trails leading to waterfalls. Experience Fillmore Glenn State Park and enjoy an invigorating walk to enjoy finding five waterfalls along the way.

Wander through small towns and beautiful county roads throughout the county. We take the saying ‘take the scenic route’ pretty seriously here in the Finger Lakes, since there often isn’t any other choice! The winding roads through charming small towns and villages are the perfect escape for recharging or reconnecting. The village of Aurora, for example is a village that defines the word quaint; enjoy a leisurely stroll along the main drag for shops like the Village Market and eateries like the 1833 Kitchen & Bar.  And no drive through Aurora is complete without a stop at MacKenzie-Childs. Browse their collections of ceramics, furniture and gifts. Or head north by Lake Ontario to the village of Fair Haven. The Community Arts Center and South Shore Artisans and the Doc Gallery all on Main Street provide an opportunity to shop from local artisans or take part of the action yourself, they have an artistic outlet for anyone working on nearly any medium. The town and landscape are another bonus if you’re an outdoor person! From the Sterling Nature Center to Fair Haven Beach State Park and the very walkable village sidewalks, plus the boat marinas, there is no shortage of adventures to be had outdoors.

Dotted throughout Cayuga County are award-winning culinary experiences and welcoming wineries specializing in hand-crafted wine and stunning views. We’ve got farm-to-table eateries and cooking classes with renowned chefs that give you exclusive access you can’t experience anywhere else. Throw in farm stands and farmer’s markets as far as the eye can see and you have a winning destination. Many of the local establishments boast their farm-to-table menus with the focus on local produce, but by no means think that that makes them all the same. The creative chefs and staff at these eateries are inspired differently by our region’s bounty. The variety and distinctive menus will have you rethinking the term “home-cooking”.  Many great things come from visiting and shopping farmer’s markets and small farm businesses. There are places where you can mingle and meet the locals, get to know the people growing your food and supporting the local economy and the hard-working individuals and families that make their living by cultivating the foods we enjoy.

Exploring Cayuga County through scenic routes, or by water will leave you wanting more. This is a destination with the making of family traditions through the generations, come and explore and know we’ll be waiting to host you again.

The post Explore Cayuga County appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

There aren’t many destinations where you can sip award-winning wines with wine country vineyard views, tour a hopping craft beer trail right in the largest hop producing region in the world, have fun on the farm, take home hand-picked produce and seek outdoor adventure,  from mountain trails and lakes to the desert.

That’s what makes Washington’s Yakima Valley such a special place. It’s the 300 days of sun that shine on the birthplace of Washington State’s wine industry. It’s the aroma of freshly harvested hops. It’s the farm-to-table connection that inspires a thriving dining scene. It’s where you can ride, bike, hike, run, climb, fish, float, paddle, golf and more, all followed by an afternoon sipping craft beverages.

Raise a Glass in The Home of the Hops

With 75% of our nation’s hops grown in the Yakima Valley, it’s where they say, “We grow your beer!” Yakima Valley hop growers keep the U.S beer industry brewing but it’s the Valley’s craft beer scene that’s hopping! Yakima Valley brewers and hop growers rub shoulders in the field and in the taproom, so innovation to produce experimental hops fuels creativity in the breweries. This is why Yakima craft breweries boast accolades and awards. You could spend days touring the breweries and tap houses from one end of the valley to the other.

Travel the Yakima Valley Wine Trail

Yakima Valley wine country is wine country unlike any other. This is where winemakers and vintners alike take their craft seriously but don’t take themselves tooseriously. So, they’re ready to hang out, kick back and share their passion and pride for the exceptional wines that come out of their beautiful corner of the world. The Yakima Valley AVA encompasses five unique sub- AVAs, each with distinct character. From casual gathering places to grand estates, come taste award-winning, handcrafted wines under sunny skies with warm welcomes and vineyard views.

Enjoy the Flavors of the Farm

You won’t find agricultural diversity like this anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. More than 3,000 farms call Yakima County home, including more organic farms than anywhere else in the region.. Choose from hand-picked bounty you take home to your own table or farm-fresh deliciousness gathered from harvest festivals and fruit stands and farmers markets that dot the Valley from one end to the other. Yakima Valley restaurant chefs take inspiration straight from the field. During growing season, what you find on the menu just might have been growing a few miles away that morning. That’s farm-fresh!

Festivals, Events and Celebrations Year-Round

There’s a lot to celebrate here in the Yakima Valley – from wine, beer, food and music festivals to diverse cultural celebrations. Sip and savor at craft beer and food festivals. Tour the valley for annual wine country events. Enjoy a chef’s table experience in the vineyard, hop field or orchard. Take in live music drifting over the vineyards.

Get Outside Under Sunny Skies

The Yakima Valley’s central location means you’ll find outdoor adventure in every direction, from sub-alpine mountain trails, pristine mountain lakes and winding rivers, to the arid shrub-steppe landscape with towering basalt cliffs or nearby desert. Yakima is home to Washington’s only blue ribbon trout stream and the best white water in the state during the month of September. Plan your adventure with several outstanding outfitters who can get you all set up for floating the river or biking through wine country for tasting. You’ll also find exceptional guided fly fishing experiences and clinics and classes in trail running, mountain biking, hiking, snow shoeing, skiing and paddle boarding on rivers or mountain lakes.

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