Five of the Tri-State Area’s Best Summer Festivals
New York City might be one of the most famous tourist attraction in the world, but it’s surrounded by some of the best places to visit you’ve probably never thought of. In the Tri-State area you can find some of the best summer festivals where they serve up heaping portions of local food, craft beer, great wine, world-class art, music, blending fun in the sun with an all-American county fair experience.
Beer, Bourbon & Bacon: The Hudson Valley Brew Festival – June 20
This tasty event at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY, can be reached by a scenic drive up the Hudson River. The grown-ups-only festival lets you pig out, literally, all day, with a pig roast, fresh craft bacon (don’t worry, there’s other great food too), your own beer-tasting glass, and live music all day long. Tickets from $45 in advance, $55 at the gate.
Art Southampton, Long Island, NY – July 9 -13
The Hamptons are known as an expensive area, especially in the summer time. But daily admission to this spectacular art show is just $25. Top artists and galleries from NYC and beyond will be showing their work, and while we can’t promise you’ll see Diddy, Southampton is prime celeb-spotting territory. If you stick around for a trip to the beach. Parking may be a little pricey but rates drop to $0 after 5 pm.
New Jersey State BBQ Championship & Blues Festival – July 10 – 12
Based in North Wildwood, NJ, it’s almost sounds too good to be true. This is a free festival that celebrates the best BBQ cooks, live blues music, and is located on one of America’s most spectacular stretches of surf and sand. If you’re driving down from the city, make your escape in the early morning to beat the inevitable traffic to shore points off the Garden State.
Connecticut Wine Festival (Goshen, CT) – July 26 & 27
Connecticut is an up-and-coming wine region and this festival pops the cork on a great selection of locally sourced wines and wineries. A tasting ticket will get you your own wineglass, tote bag, access to some free food samples, with plenty of other quality foods, wines, and crafts on sale all weekend long. Tickets from $25.
Ulster County Fair – July 28 – August 2
Here’s a place you can take the kids every summer to enjoy the farm animals, fun rides, upstate food specialties like fresh ice cream and an array of apple-inspired fare, plus nightly concerts all in the heart of the Shawangunk Mountains (one of New York State’s lesser-known travel destinations, with gorgeous peaks that rival the Catskills and Adirondacks for natural beauty and hiking opportunities) in New Paltz, NY.