August 2026 Vacation in Massachusetts and New York

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We ended our last "Travel" blog post about our Great Britain adventure and Stuart's two backpacking trips with the promise to do this follow-up post with information about our August 16-23, 2026, vacation, as we traveled home from Vermont:

We are writing this in September 2026 to first share a bit about Stuart's two summer backpacking trips . . . Susquehannock Trail System (STS) 11-Day Circuit Hike and his month along the Appalachian Trail. . . . [After his backpacking trip in Vermont,] Julie picked up Stuart from the Wicked Waystation Hostel on August 16, 2026. Please watch for our future blog post that we plan to write about our vacation after leaving Vermont.

Since Stuart was on the trail, Julie planned all the details for our vacation -- seeing the fun places we visited confirms the excellent job she did! We want to share with you some of the highlights of our vacation in Massachusetts and New York at the following locations:

• Monday, August 17, 2026 - Norman Rockwell Museum

• Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail and Town of Watkins Glen

• Thursday, August 20, 2026 - The Solar Powered Buffalo Heritage Carousel

• Thursday - Saturday, August 20 - 22, 2026 - Niagara Falls USA and Canada

• Saturday, August 22, 2026 - Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

• Sunday, August 23, 2026 - Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center

There are even more venues we visited during our trip that we did not include in this blog post, but that Stuart shared in photos in his Bluesky posts during our journey. We are sharing the following to encourage you to visit these interesting spots.

 

 

Monday, August 17, 2026 - Norman Rockwell Museum

The Norman Rockwell Museum illuminates the power of American illustration art to reflect and shape society, and advances the enduring values of kindness, respect, and social equity portrayed by Norman Rockwell.
. . .
Founded in 1969 with the help of Norman and Molly Rockwell, Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to the enjoyment and study of Rockwell’s work and his contributions to society, popular culture, and social commentary. The Museum, which is accredited by the American Association of Museums, is the most popular year-round cultural attraction in the Berkshires.

The Museum houses the world’s largest and most significant collection of Rockwell’s work, including 998 original paintings and drawings.
. . .
Having spent its first 24 years at the Old Corner House on Stockbridge’s Main Street, the Museum moved to its present location, a 36-acre site overlooking the Housatonic River Valley, in 1993.

We had a great time touring the Norman Rockwell Museum, which is always a fascinating place to visit. While at the museum, we did the extra tour of Norman Rockwell's studio, which was moved from near the center of Stockbridge to the current museum grounds. We then stopped at Norman Rockwell’s gravesite and walked around the town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Please take time to read Stuart's 2023 blog post, since it goes into more detail how he has visited the Norman Rockwell Museum several times over the years as part of his backpacking experiences on the Appalachian Trail: Norman Rockwell Museum - Amazing Original Art

I wanted to open this blog post with mentioning my 2023 Appalachian Trail trip and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, since, for me, they are both connected to the museum. My first time visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum was when I was thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail many years ago. My hike this year is the first time backpacking on the Appalachian Trail northern Massachusetts section since my thru-hike. At the time of my thru-hike, the museum was still located in the center of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, at 48 Main Street (it is now three miles from that location), . . .

FYI, Stuart's 2023 backpacking trip in northern Massachusetts was featured on University Hospital's website for for February - - American Heart Month: University Hospitals Guest Post: HCM Patient Returns to Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Julie has visited the Norman Rockwell Museum once at its old location on Stockbridge’s Main Street, and this trip is her third time at its current location. Stuart discovered the museum at its old location during his Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and with this trip has visited the museum four times.

In the following photos that Stuart took, we feature the artwork of Norman Rockwell, and photos from the cemetery and town. We also included work, "Moving Water for Frank Moore; Niagara Falls," by Stephen Hannock, that was displayed at the Norman Rockwell Museum during our visit, since we knew we would also be going to Niagara Falls on this trip.

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Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail and Town of Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers and day visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catharine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.

In 2015, the park was chosen from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States, and won third place!

Watkins Glen State Park is the crown jewel of the Finger Lakes, famous for its breathtaking gorge, cascading waterfalls, and scenic hiking trails.
. . .
Must-See Stops Along the [Gorge] Trail:
● Cavern Cascade – A waterfall you can walk behind for a magical experience.
● Suspension Bridge – A thrilling view from 85 feet above the gorge.
● Rainbow Falls – The park’s most photographed spot, where water cascades over layered stone.
● Spiral Tunnel – A unique rock-carved tunnel leading deeper into the gorge.

Enlarge Trail Map

Click here to open large Watkins Glen State Park Trail Map in New Browser Window

Tuesday was a travel day, but we did have time to end the day with a game of miniature golf at Harris Hill Amusement Park.

Stuart had never heard of the next place we were going. For Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Julie had planned a great day for us exploring the gorge of Watkins Glen State Park, which according to the park's website, has a "reputation for leaving visitors spellbound."

The Gorge Walk experience more than lived up to its hype!! It had incredible water features and rock formations along a mile-and-a-half-long path. The Gorge Trail ended with an extremely long, steep, set of stairs called "Jacob's Ladder." After a lunch break at Glen Mountain House at the top the stairs, we walked back along the North Rim Trail (Indian Trail), which was an easier trail.

Stuart saw on his Gaia GPS map app that the Watkins Glen State Park trail on the southern rim of the Gorge is part of the Finger Lakes Trail section of the North Country Trail. See the map and learn more details on the New York web page of the North Country National Scenic Trail website at: NorthCountryTrail.org/the-trail/new-york

 

After our hike, we visited the town of Watkins Glen, New York, on Seneca Lake.

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Thursday, August 20, 2026 - The Solar Powered Buffalo Heritage Carousel

Since Julie volunteers at the Western Reserve Historical Society's Cleveland History Center Euclid Beach Grand Carousel, we made a point of visiting The Solar Powered Buffalo Heritage Carousel while traveling through Buffalo, New York.

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Thursday - Saturday, August 20 - 22, 2026 - Niagara Falls USA and Canada

We spent several days in Niagara Falls State Park USA and one day at Niagara Parks Canada. Everywhere we looked is such beauty, and the power of the moving water always draws us to want to see more.

Open 365 days a year, Niagara Falls State Park lives up to its reputation as a natural wonder of the world. America’s oldest state park provides an adventure-packed and family-friendly experience with incredible views. Thrilling attractions and interactive exhibits, riverfront hiking trails, and delectable dining options.

Over the days we were there, we enjoyed seeing these areas of Niagara Falls State Park USA: Prospect Point Observation Point, the American Falls, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center, Goat Island, Three Sisters Island, Terrapin Point, Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls, Top of the Falls, Nikola Tesla Monument, Bridal Veil Falls, and Luna Island.

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Stewardship
Niagara Parks is committed to preserving the natural wonders of the Niagara River corridor, ensuring the sustainability of our forest canopy, promoting species diversity, and implementing effective shoreline management practices.

In addition to seeing the Niagara Parks Canada areas near the falls (Table Rock House, Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Parks Power Station, and Grand View Marketplace), we also drove along the path of the Niagara River to visit the Whirlpool Aero Car, Niagara Falls Power Generating Plants Lookout, and the Floral Clock. In the evening, we visited the Clifton Hill "Fun By The Falls" area, which is full of neon-illuminated amusements.

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It you want to learn more about what there is to do in Niagara Falls, we highly recommend reading our Niagara Falls 2024! blog post. In 2024, we visited more attractions and provided details, maps, and videos in our post on what we recommend seeing in the area.

 

 

Saturday, August 22, 2026 - Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

"Once Around Is Never Enough"

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, operated by the Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier, is a premier national historic site and community resource for family recreation and learning that fosters an appreciation for the unique heritage of the carrousel and related industries in the Niagara Region.

The Herschell Factory Carrousel Museum is pleased to announce our long-anticipated Music Hall is now open to the public. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 3, 2025 welcomed our patrons, friends and guests to rave reviews. This Music Hall allows for a dedicated temperature and humidity controlled exhibit space for the museum’s Band Organ collection as well as display space for the Wurlitzer Perforation Department exhibit. This exhibit also pays tribute to the numerous Band Organ companies that called North Tonawanda home, and is the only place in the world where band organ rolls are still produced using all historically correct equipment and methods. The Carrousel Music Hall exhibit is included with your regular admission so plan on visiting us soon!

Wurlitzer Music Roll Department Exhibit - Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
. . . Nov 18, 2013
The still-operational, historic equipment in the Wurlitzer Music Roll Department demonstrates in detail the production of paper music rolls. Band organs use these rolls to produce the inimitable and universally recognized sound of an American carousel. Visitors are able to watch any of the machines which may be in use at the time of their visit. All the machines are over 90 years old.

In addition to the machinery, the Wurlitzer Music Roll Department includes several organs, and over 1600 hand-punched original master music rolls dating back to the turn of the century.

Since we were near North Tonawanda, New York, we wanted to go on a tour of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. This was our first time at this museum, even though Julie has known about it for a while. The museum building and grounds include: the carving floor, historical amusement park ride displays, the Jeanette E. Jones Children's Gallery which has a Kiddie Carrousel, Wurlitzer band organs and music rolls, 1916 carousel Allan Herschell Number 1 Special (admission included two rides), and Kiddieland Testing Park Exhibit.

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Sunday, August 23, 2026 - Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center

The Heritage Center’s mission is to reveal authentic stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls that inspire visitors to recognize modern injustices that stem from slavery and take action toward an equitable society.

Standing on the border of freedom, Niagara Falls was one of the most important points on the Underground Railroad. For some people of African descent, it was home and a safe place to work and live. For others, the city was a crossing point over the last barrier to freedom – the Niagara River.

The Heritage Center hosts year-round events to pay recognition to and to honor the stories of freedom seekers and others who have pushed the boundaries of freedom.

Freedom Conversation Tours
11:30 am and 2:00 pm Every Day That We Are Open
The Heritage Center’s signature tour is a bit different than other museum or historical site tours – we engage visitors in conversation about their life experiences to foster personal connections with the authentic stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls.

In 2024, while visiting the site of the historic bridge in Niagara Falls, New York, that freedom-seekers used to cross into Canada, we learned about the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. At that time, we wrote in our blog post that we would visit the next time we were in Niagara Falls, and shared the museum's video about the bridge to freedom:

While at the Freedom Plaza and Gorge Stairs Trailhead, we stopped to see the site of the historic bridge that freedom-seekers used to cross into Canada. While there, we learned about the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, which is across the street. We didn't get to go to this museum, since it was too late in the day, but we hope to visit the next time we are in the area. The sign at the bridge described it as "A Bridge To Freedom" . . .

On Site - Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
. . . Feb 15, 2021
Join our Visitor Experience Specialist Saladin Allah as he discusses a pivotal crossing point for freedom seekers to Canada, the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge.

On Sunday, August 23, 2026, our last day in Niagara Falls, we visited the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. It is amazing how people would travel so far through the pre-Civil War United States to reach the New York side of the Niagara River with freedom in sight, but still need to cross the river to freedom in Canada. The museum also included information about people within our lifetime who continue to fight for true freedom. One of the main stories of bravery that we learned was how the employees of the Cataract House Hotel helped transport freedom seekers to Canada.

The Cataract House was a hotel in the neighborhood of Buffalo Avenue in Niagara Falls, New York. The hotel was established in 1825 but destroyed by fire in 1945. It was a major stop on the Underground Railroad and it was the largest hotel in Niagara Falls. The hotel's name refers to the large and powerful waterfall next to property.
. . .
The Cataract House employed an entirely African-American wait staff, who helped many enslaved people to freedom in Canada. White families would bring enslaved African Americans with them on their vacations to view the Natural Wonder of Niagara Falls. Black hotel staff would privately engage the enslaved people and offer to take them to freedom in Canada, if they could be ready quickly. Those who chose the daring escape would be given the route from a side door, along just a few city blocks, to a steep, slippery staircase down to the gorge below of the falls. There they met the rowboat that would ferry them across the treacherous gorge to safety on the Canadian side. This system, supported by all the Black staff and enabled by the white management, operated from 1825 until 1865.[9]

In 2018, a model of the hotel was constructed at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center to highlight its history and importance to the Underground Railroad and the history of Niagara Falls.[10]

While writing this blog post, we watched the following video and learned that the Cataract House Hotel was located near the American Rapids at coordinates 43.084, -79.06265.

We were fortunate to participate in the museum's Freedom Conversation Tour, which was led by the museum’s director of community engagement, Saladin Allah. As noted above, we had included his video in our 2024 blog post. We highly recommend touring the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, and attending the Freedom Conversation Tour.

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Please feel free to pause the video to look more closely at the photos and to read any interesting facts that are in the slides!!

 

 

Related Blog Posts

We always like to include in our blog posts a list of related posts that may be of interest to our readers:

• Blog Date: September 20, 2026 - Adventure Trips 2026: Great Britain & Two Backpacking Trails (STS, AT)
  Part of this blog post tells the story of Stuart's "Appalachian Trail Month In NH/VT" backpacking trip that led to our August 2026 vacation in Massachusetts and New York.

• Blog Date: October 26, 2023 - Norman Rockwell Museum - Amazing Original Art
  This blog post has a lot of detailed information about the town of Stockbridge, the Norman Rockwell Gravesite, and Stuart's 2023 visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum. It begins with the background of Stuart's connection with the Appalachian Trail and the Norman Rockwell Museum.

• Blog Date: February 28, 2024 - University Hospitals Guest Post: HCM Patient Returns to Hiking the Appalachian Trail
  This blog post tells about Stuart's backpacking trip the same year he last visited the Norman Rockwell Museum.

In recent years, we have increased the number of "Travel" blog posts (16 blog posts total). See our blog posts about Great Britain, Rocky Mountain National Park, Niagara Falls, Mohican State Park, Alaska, Norman Rockwell Museum, Merry-Go-Round Museum, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and much more!

 

Three "Niagara Falls" blog posts:

• Blog Date: December 12, 2024 - Niagara Falls 2024!

• Blog Date: August 17, 2021 - After Backpacking Adventure: Exploring Appalachian Trail Highlights & New York Water Destinations

  Over the years, we have gone to both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls, but this was the first time we explored New York's Niagara Falls State Park completely on foot. It is amazing how we keep finding new areas to explore, even after visiting so many times.

• Blog Date: November 10, 2019 - From Waterfalls to Wilderness Workshops
  Read about our trip to Niagara Falls as we were going to the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) Annual Gathering 2019.

 

Three "Underground Railroad" blog posts:

• Blog Date: December 14, 2023 - PechaKucha Night Cleveland: Untold Lakefront Stories & Announcement of Lakefront's Future
  See the section of the blog post entitled: "2) Fran Stewart - Ohio Freedom Path (Underground Railroad)"

  It was great to hear from Fran Stewart again when she presented at PechaKucha Night Cleveland Volume 39. I had already met Fran Stewart while participating in two of the Ohio Freedom Path's Underground Railroad Tours in Cleveland.

• Blog Date: July 19, 2023 - Exploring Our City's Past: Cleveland History Days 2023
  Stuart attended the "inaugural Ohio Freedom Path tour." We include a lot of information about the Underground Railroad in Ohio in the section of this blog post entitled: "Saturday, July 1, 2023 - Ohio Freedom Path Hike"

• Blog Date: May 15, 2018 - 8) Saturday, May 5, 2018 - Fifth Annual Station Hope
  "Now in its fifth year, Station Hope ... [is] on the grounds of Cleveland’s first authenticated Underground Railroad site, St. John’s Episcopal Church."

 

Five "Carousel" (merry-go-round) blog posts:

• Blog Date: September 16, 2025 - Colorado 2025: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, and Denver
  See the sections of the blog post about the "Carousel of Happiness" and "Lakeside Amusement Park."

• Blog Date: March 19, 2025 - Artist-In-Residence Sylvia Munodawafa - University Circle New Community Room - Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel
  See the section about the "Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel - Cleveland History Center"

• Blog Date: September 7, 2023 - Summer Vacation 2023: South Haven, Michigan, and Merry-Go-Round Museum
  See: "Day Nine: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 - Merry-Go-Round Museum"

• Blog Date: August 8, 2022 - Family Time: Euclid Beach Park Days & Motorcycles/Tractors

• Blog Date: August 17, 2021 - Before Backpacking Adventure: Hershey’s Chocolate World & Knoebels Amusement Resort
  Read about Knoebels Carousel Museum, which features over 50 carousel figures!

 

You can find more related past blog posts under the following categories:

• We have 108 past "Art" blog posts going back to 2012.

• "Amusement Park" - Seven blog posts.

• "Backpacking" - Ten blog posts.

• "Euclid Beach Park" - 11 blog posts.

 

Thank you for reading our blog post! This blog post is our sixteenth "Travel" blog post! Watch for future blog posts about our local activities in Cleveland and Akron, as well as our travels, at: sosAssociates.com/Blog