Imagine this; you wake up Christmas morning to the twinkling lights and gaily wrapped packages under the tree. Children’s laughter peals down the hallway as they jump out of bed and run to see if Santa ate his cookies, drank his milk, and left them a gift or two to celebrate the day.

And there it is - a single envelope, tucked into the branches – you’d miss it if you weren’t looking at the magical sight before you, breathing it all in. You feel a childlike wonder as you open the greeting addressed to you, and your eyes light up – it’s the gift of travel!

Some people love to travel far away – don’t get me wrong, so do I. But I often have just a free weekend to travel. If I’m lucky, sometimes it comes bookended with a Friday and Monday. Even though it means I can’t go across an ocean, it doesn’t mean I miss out on adventure just a few hours away. And when it’s a gift tied with a pretty bow, a little getaway thought out and planned with me in mind goes a long way.

The Carriage House Inn in Sodus Point, New York, is perfect for an extended weekend stay. Owners Claudine and Jerry Karczewski work hard to make guests feel comfortable from the moment they open the front door to welcome you inside. 

This 1870 Victorian mansion is just a few steps away from the Sodus Point Lighthouse and the vast expanse of Lake Ontario. The rooms are comfortable, and the food prepared every morning is beyond delicious. It was fun to interact with the couple each day before setting out on another adventure – believe me, there are plenty of things to do in the area. 

If you enjoy shopping for interesting things in unique places while traveling, The Purple Painted Lady in nearby Palmyra is the place to visit. The retail space is 6000 square feet, and owner Tricia Kuntz has filled every inch with friendly employees, candles, soaps, home décor, and a fantastic line of Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan. I was impressed! They do custom work and even offer classes so you can do it yourself.

We were happy to learn that our afternoon stop at Chimney Bluffs State Park could happen a few different ways. Hiking down from the upper-level parking lot was one option, while hiring a tour boat operator or renting a kayak or canoe from Sodus Bay Outfitters was another favorite. Either way, the bluffs are otherworldly, towering 150 feet above Lake Ontario, and made us feel like we were on another planet when we first caught sight of them. The shoreline landscape is quite dramatic – I had so much fun taking photos with my Canon! People were picnicking along the shore, boats were anchored offshore, and everyone was relaxing under sunny skies and calm waters. 

One of my favorite places to visit was the Museum of Wayne County History. It’s located in the old Jail House and Sheriff’s residence, built in 1856 and used until 1960. We were able to view the 24 jail cells and learn a little bit about some of the inmates and their crimes. I asked our tour guide to lock me in the solitary confinement cell so I could see what it must have felt like for prisoners, and we even saw remnants of the inmate’s original artwork painted on the cell walls. 

The museum has three floors of exhibition space, including Lyon’s Pottery & Clyde Glass, the Military Room, a Child’s 1856 bedroom, and so much more. Plan an hour or so for this visit; if you love history as I do, you’ll be glad you went. 

Another neat museum to visit is the Huron History Center and Museum. Inside we found several exhibits showcasing artifacts from the mid-19th century through the mid-20th century. The themes covered agriculture in the region, local heritage memorabilia, information about prominent families, and a room dedicated to local bays, creeks, and a variety of exciting facts about Lake Ontario. Next year is Wayne County’s Bicentennial, and they’ve planned a celebration – it’ll be a great time to visit the area and learn about the people and the stories that helped make it what it is today.

Because I love December, the Christmas holiday, and everything to do with Santa, I was delighted to hear that Wayne County has Upstate New York’s ONLY year-round Christmas shop named Evolve – The Christmas Store of New York. When we walked inside, the childlike wonder in me jumped out and I ‘ooohed’ and ‘ahhed’ the trees, decorations, and all the twinkling lights, which filled several rooms of over 7000 sq feet. No matter where I looked, there was something that made me smile.  

In the back room of the Christmas store, we discovered a vast display of Department 56 villages, each set up with meticulous care. No matter which piece you want to add to your collection – I bet they have it! The careful attention to detail in architectural design and realism makes this brand what it is today.  

And are you holding onto your hats? Glen, the owner, is working on making the top floor of his shop an Airbnb in the beloved Christmas theme! Guess who will be booking a stay there as soon as possible?  

There are plenty of places to eat – and all kinds of food to choose from. Burgers, steaks, a good old-fashioned hot dog, tasty meatball appetizers, sushi, seafood, French onion soup, you name it; this area has it. There’s even a restaurant offering over 250 tempting martinis from the bar!

Whenever I travel, I look for mural artwork from talented artists in the area, often painted along the sides of old walls and brick buildings. In Wayne County, you can find bright and colorful murals depicting the Erie Canal, The Humane Society’s fundraiser, and local businesses from yesteryear to name a few. 

While in the area, we stopped at Young Sommer Winery and met owners Herm and Wilma Young. They were kind enough to share their love of wine with us, and we enjoyed a few different ones before we chose a couple of bottles to bring home. 

I learned how the couple invited the community to help harvest the grapes the year before and were happily surprised when so many came to work out in the field gathering the fruit. I would love to spend a day (or two!) doing that sometime!  

Our last visit was to see the Sodus Outer Lighthouse. We walked along a sandy stretch of beach, with the waters of Lake Ontario lapping at our feet. Afterward, we made our way out along the 1,150 foot long pier to admire the structure and the surrounding view. If you like lighthouses, save enough time to see this one. It’s pretty – and comes with a side of history.

A sea of yellow unfolded before us when we drove around the corner of that lonely country road. What wasn’t on this extended weekend getaway plan was a lovely surprise; I’d never come across such a beautiful sight. So, when you travel to this area of New York during the summer months, Google ‘sunflower farms.’ There are a few to choose from – and they’re all stunning. It was an excellent time to pause, breathe in deeply, and be grateful for my Christmas present – making memories with travel.