Last week, my husband, friends, and I were supposed to be in Hawaii. For obvious reasons, we cancelled the Hawaii trip. We decided instead, because we needed to get away but wanted to stay safe, to plan a one week trip around upstate New York. Happy to be going away, but certain the trip would not be as spectacular as the planned Hawaii trip, we left on a Saturday for our one week “lap” around upstate New York.

From the moment we were north of the Bronx, New York State strove to prove our expectations wrong. Throughout the week, New York treated us to an explosion of fall foliage whose colors just defied our hopes. We were very lucky that our planned trip to Hawaii happened to coincide with a prime foliage week. The show of colors New York gave us just cannot be equaled.

The sights and experiences that New York treated us to continued to astound. Who needs the waterfalls of Iceland when Niagara Falls are in our own backyard? The delectable wines of the Finger Lakes coupled with the beauty of vineyards perched on the lakefront rivalled anything we experienced in Tuscany. And, as a friend said, “Who needs Murano, Italy, when we have Corning Glassworks?”

The quant towns and shops of Saratoga Springs and Corning more than satisfied our shopping urges. Every restaurant we went to throughout the week surpassed our expectations with their farm to table freshness. And while we ventured to Jamestown for Lucille Ball nostalgia and the Lucy and Desi Museum, the hidden treasure in Jamestown is the National Comedy Center Museum. We spent two hours there and easily could have spent two more.

Every local person we met, whether shopkeeper, restaurant worker, or hotel employee were so thankful to see us. Especially poignant was our experience at the historic Anchor Bar in Buffalo. Having been there before, and knowing we would be there on a Monday night when the Bills were playing on Monday night football, I called to make a reservation. The person answering the phone told me that no reservations were necessary as, “Nobody comes here anymore.” Unfortunately, they were right as we had the whole backroom to ourselves.

While this may read as an ad for New York State travel, it is more of a thank you. Thank you to New York for taking care of us in this stressful time and giving us the incredible vacation, we did not expect but sorely needed.

Given the vastness and diversity of New York State, I already have the next itinerary planned, filled with places we have not yet been. And if you need to get away-and who does not-I urge you to do the same. The local business owners would love to see you.