6 Easy Eco Escapes From New York City

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Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

With it’s world class markets and five star local restaurants, New York City is every foodie’s delight, but for those who want to get in touch with where your food comes from, a visit to the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is a must. Located just 25 miles north of New York City, the Stone Barns Center is an 80-acre non-profit farm and education center that’s dedicated to creating a more sustainable and healthy food system. The farm raises livestock and grows dozens of fruits and vegetables, all with earth-friendly methods. On your visit, you can play with the sheep and feed bottles to the lambs or you could stroll through the vegetable patches and get tips for growing your own garden. Open year round, Stone Barns also offers cooking classes, performances, and a wide range of family and kid activities. Be sure to enjoy the farm’s bounty at the in-house restaurant, Blue Hill, where the chefs create tasty dishes based on the day’s harvest. (Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture; 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY; take Metro North to Tarrytown and taxi to the farm)

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Fire Island

New York City has plenty of beaches just a subway ride away, but sometimes its nice to be a bit further from the chaos. Fire Island, just a ferry ride from the LIRR Montauk line, is the perfect idyllic seaside escape. Booking a hotel or inn room can get pricey, but a day trip is not out of the question, especially for car-less city dwellers. There are dozens of cute towns on Fire Island and biking (there are several bike rental shops) is the best way to experience more than one, as you can see the sights and still enjoy the fresh salty air and sandy beaches. Whether you want a lazy day laying on the beach in Kismet or the busy scene of Ocean Beach, there is a patch of shoreline on Fire Island for every type. (Fire Island; take the LIRR Montauk line, catch the Fire Island ferry)

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Red Tail Ridge Winery

It’s always nice to relax with a glass of good wine, but it’s even nicer to do that at the vineyard itself. Set on Seneca Lake in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes Region, Red Tail Ridge Winery is a scenic, peaceful escape for vino-lovers — and it is the only winery in the Empire State that has a LEED certified operations building. The facade is designed with fieldstones from Red Tail’s own land, and geothermal power is used to heat the building, where the winery makes its small-batch wines. Run by a husband and wife team, Red Tail grows Teroldego grapes, a red Italian grape variety grown primarily in the northeastern region of Trentino-Alto, and specializes in dry wines. Make a weekend of the trip by booking a room at one of the dozens of hotels and bed and breakfasts around Seneca Lake. (Red Tail Ridge Winery; 846 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY; five hour drive from NYC)