About Town: Verona
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.COM Associate Site Producer
The Fall Series began two weeks ago opposite the Ryder Cup, but this week feels more official now that the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup are over. Where better to ease into the final six events of the 2008 season than upstate New York during the fall?
If you're headed to Verona for the Turning Stone Resort Championship this week, here's everything you need to know starting with where to catch some zzzzs.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
This part of the country is teeming with alluring guest houses and bed and breakfasts, so indulge yourself in a little small-town charm at Notleymere Cottage. This three-star bed and breakfast is about an hour away from the course in Cazenovia, N.Y. Isn't the name of the town enough to make you want to visit? Rates start at $165 a night
Other options
• For similar character a lot closer to the course, try Tuscany suites -- quite literally just minutes from the course. Rates at this three-star bed and breakfast start around $165 a night also.
• Not into the small-town feel? Book a room at the tournament's host -- the Turning Stone Resort. It's onsite and rates start at $170 a night.
SOMETHING TO SNACK ON
Verona isn't the biggest town on the map in New York, but you should still be able to find some appealing local restaurants. Need some ideas? ...
• Charlotte's Creekside Inn: Another guest house in nearby Oneida, Charlotte's has three restaurants -- The Sconondoa Room, The Red Room and The Garden Room -- as well as a full bar to keep you wining and dining into the night.
• The Savoy Restaurant: Located in Rome, N.Y., this Italian joint was established in 1908. Won't you join them in celebrating 100 years?
• Teddy's: Also in Rome, Teddy's has the honor of being three-time Riggie Fest Champions. Don't you want to know what on earth that means? I know I do.
• Grimaldi's Restaurant: Just down the road in Utica, N.Y., the family-owned Grimaldi's is a reminder of why this state is so famous for fabulous Italiano.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
There's a whole lot of countryside and not too much else in these parts, which is pretty much perfect at this time of year. But if you're looking for a little more stimulation, read on.
• Steeped in Native American and Colonial American history, the Fort Stanwix National Monument is in Rome, N.Y., and both the fort and visitor center are open daily -- weather permitting.
• Bringing the kids? Even if you're not, everyone loves a trip to the zoo, right? The Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse (less than an hour from Verona) has a lot of great events going on this weekend. From horseback riding to bird walks, get back in tough with nature.
• Brave enough to hit the casino? If the idea is in your mind, it'll be hard to avoid it since the host course this week is on the same site. Go on, try your luck at Turning Stone.
• And back to the great outdoors for the last suggestion -- whitewater rafting on the Salmon River. Fall is one of the best times to give this exhilarating experience a try because the scenery is perfect, and the waters aren't so angry.
STICKING AROUND?
Verona is somewhat in the middle of nowhere, which is what makes it such a pretty place, but you can still hit the road briefly to find some new territory to explore.
• Skaneateles: Located an hour west on one of New York's Finger Lakes -- Lake Skaneateles to be precise -- this quaint town might be one of the most adorable places to spend some time in the fall. It has so much character and style, and you can't go wrong at any of the "mom 'n pop" eateries.
• Oswego: On the shores of Lake Ontario about an hour northwest of Verona, this college town has everything you would expect from a Great Lake town, and again, you just can't beat it in the fall.
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