Question: Daniel Kinney asks:  We are traveling to East Wallingford, Vermont in July.  I would like to go to Niagara Falls.  What are some good stops for kids ages 3 to 13 and adults en-route to Niagara Falls?

Answer:  Candy Christman, AAA Publishing communications manager, says:  The most direct route from East Wallingford to Niagara Falls is via I-90 which travels through the northern most part of the Finger Lakes region.  This is a popular tourist destination, whether you are traveling with children or planning a getaway for the adults in your family.  The region is filled with museums, historic homes, performing arts, and wineries to tour.  Wine making in this region dates back to 1829 and there's over 100 wineries and vineyards today.  You'll also find hiking, boating and fishing for the outdoorsman. 

Since you are traveling with children, you'll want to visit the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, a AAA GEM attraction that has many interactive learning exhibits.  Be sure to show your AAA membership card for a AAA discount when you purchase your admission tickets.  Also in Rochester is the Seabreeze Amusement Park.  Depending on how much time you have and how far you want to veer off I-90, children might also like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Howe Caverns in Howes Cave, New York, and mining for quartz diamonds in Herkimer, New York. 

We have used TripTik Travel Planner to plan your drive from East Wallingford to Niagara Falls.  Accompanying the full-color map is information about these attractions, as well as AAA Approved hotels, restaurants, and festivals and events occurring in the area during your visit.  Just click the Show button to display the icons and zoom in to see them close-up.  You can even book your hotel reservations right from the maps.  Check out the Niagara Falls Travel Guide to help you make the most of your stay in Niagara Falls.  Click the ‘AAA Picks’ tab to see recommendations from AAA travel editor Frank Swanson.

The Finger Lakes area covers 14 counties of Upstate New York.  See for yourself why it’s so named.  Open a AAA state map of New York and see if the bodies of water running north to south look like the fingers of your hand!