My Trip to Upstate New York, Part 2

By Nate Feldman

It is the end of the school year, so once again I had to drive my daughters Sara and Sofia from our home in Berwyn, PA to Clarence, NY, where their mother, stepdad, and siblings live.  Here is a summary of my trip:

Day 1: Monday, June 16, 2025

I left Berwyn with the girls around 9 AM.  We stopped at a Royal Farms around Kulpsville, PA on the northeast extension of the PA turnpike and then went north.  We got off the turnpike at exit 95 and headed west on I-80.  I-80 eventually meets up with I-15, which takes you into downtown Williamsport, PA.  The weather in Pennsylvania was gloomy and rainy throughout the entire trip.

In Williamsport, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant called Vinnie's Eatery.  The girls ordered a hoagie with a drink and chips, and I had stuffed shells with a salad and breadsticks.  Afterwards, we picked up some desserts from Le Chocolat, right around the corner.  

After lunch, we continued on I-15 north through a heavily mountainous part of Lycoming county into Tioga county in PA.  This area is quite pristine and unpopulated, and it's really fascinating to see a part of Pennsylvania which is so different from the heavily suburbanized area I come from.  I-15 takes you into New York state.  

Eventually, we caught up with I-86 west around the town of Corning and connected with 390 north towards Rochester.  Afterwards, I used other routes, including route 63 and 33.  We reached Clarence around 6 PM.  At some point in New York, we got away from the clouds and rain and got into bright, sunny weather.

From Clarence, I went to my motel in Lockport, NY, about 12-13 miles away.  The motel's rooms are very impressive and quite affordable.  

My room at the Lockport Inn and Suites 

In the evening, I went to the Erie Canal Trail and ran for about an hour.  Being further north and west than my home in PA, I noticed that the sun stays out longer here.  At about a quarter to ten at night, there were still shades of light in the sky.

The Erie Canal Trail near Lockport, NY

I got some food at the Tops surpermarket in Lockport for dinner and ate at my hotel while watching the NBA finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.  

Day 2: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Downtown Lockport, NY

I had breakfast at the Steamworks cafe in downtown Lockport.  I had an amazing cinnamon roll and cold brew coffee.  Afterwards, I walked briefly on a portion of  the Erie Canal Trail going through the middle of the town.

Breakfast at Steamworks Cafe in Lockport, NY

Afterwards, I went to Niagara Falls and spent the afternoon there.  I was on the American side of the iconic falls and got spectacular views.  I also walked besides the rapids that head towards the falls and took a trolley tour of the entire park.  

 

A view of Niagara Falls 

For lunch, I went to a Nepalese restaurant and ordered steam veggie Momos, a famous dish from Nepal.  I had it with naan bread and mango lassi.  

After my day at Niagara Falls, I returned to my motel, and I ran again on the Erie Canal Trail before watching the Stanley Cup finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers in my room.

Niagara Falls upclose 

Day 3: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

I jogged in the streets of Lockport in the morning before checking out of my motel.  For breakfast, I had a bagel sandwich and coffee at B&D bagels in the downtown area.  

Afterwards, I took 63-S and drove through towns, such as Batavia.   Eventually, around the town of Mt. Morris, 63-S connects with 408-S, which in turns connects with 390-S.  This took me to 86-E, and from there I took 15-S into Pennsylvania.

In Tioga county, I stopped for lunch in the town of Mansfield, which has a university.  There, I visited the Bearly Enough Quilt and Gift Shop on Main Street, where I got a get well card with golden retrievers on it.  At this shop, the owner talked about notable things about the town of Mansfield. 

Afterwards, I continued on 15-S through Williamsport and eventually returned to my home in Berwyn.  

Highlights of the Trip:

*Visiting Niagara Falls for the first time in 31 years 

*The cinnamon roll and cold brew coffee at Steamworks 

*Being given free naan bread at the Nepali restaurant 

*Jogging on the Erie Canal Trail 

*The gift shop in Mansfield, PA