UPSTATE NEW YORK - rochesterbiz.com · That s a lesson that chairman Jeremy Jacobs ... U.S. Army to develop a vaccine for dengue fever, a mosquito-borne virus that hospitalizes an

UPSTATENEW YORK

In turns out that the Empire State has plenty to celebrate beyond just the Big Apple

CHANGING THE WORLDHow research born in Upstate New

York is improving the way we live and

work on a global level

CITY GUIDEHow innovative development eff orts

are creating vibrancy and downtown

growth across this historic region

MY UPSTATECook and TV presenter Rachael Ray

shares a taste of what makes New

York a great place to call home D E C E M B E R 20 1 7A N A M E R I C A N W A Y S U P P L E M E N T

Upstate New York_V8.indd 109Upstate New York_V8.indd 109 13/11/2017 11:4613/11/2017 11:46

A small change comes from asking “Why?”

CHANGING THE WORLD COMES FROM ASKING “WHY NOT?”Because life on Earth is faced with dilemmas in need of multidimensional solutions. From clean water to superconductors. From aeronautics to nanorobotics.

We’re going all in to get the hard stuff done.

Learn more at: www.rpi.edu

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A M E R I C A N WAY – 1 1 1

WELCOME TO UPSTATE NYTaken loosely to mean the vast area of the

state to the north and west of New York City,

Upstate has sometimes fallen in the shadow of

its neighbor to the south. That’s a shame, as it

has a wonderful story of its own, beginning with

a history of innovation and industrial pedigree.

At last, though, things may be changing, as

unprecedented investment in quality-of-place

initiatives and growing expertise in some of

tomorrow’s most exciting technologies are fi nally

helping the world understand that there could be

more to New York than it thought.

The Americans defeat the British at the Battle of Saratoga, now

considered a major turning point in the Revolutionary War.

The opening of the Erie Canal connects New York City to inland cities via the Great Lakes, spurring development in Upstate New York.

The construction of the New York State Capitol building in Albany is completed.

At $25m, it was the most expensive government building of its time.

Upstate New York is considered an industrial powerhouse, thanks to the

prosperity of such homegrown fi rms as IBM, Kodak and General Electric.

Governor Cuomo announces plans to award a total of $1.5bn to transform three Upstate regions through the

Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

Lake Placid hosts the Winter Olympic Games for the second

time—an occasion best remembered as the site of the ‘Miracle on Ice.’

1980 2015

1950s

1825

1899

M A K I N G O F A C I T Y

F A C T F I L E

New York ranks 2nd in the U.S.

for enrollment in a degree-

granting institution.

1777

Need to know

UPSTATE NEW YORK

Close to 6.3 million people live in Upstate, although the exact amount depends on how you

defi ne the region’s boundaries.

At $5.7 billion, New York ranks second nationally for academic

R&D spend—of which half comes from Upstate institutions.

During 2016, Upstate’s major metropolitan markets exported

goods worth a total of $17.8 billion.

The state has committed to a $100-billion plan to improve its infrastructure, from its airports

to roads and bridges.

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Rochester Regional Health is developing the best new story in healthcare. And, we’re looking for physicians to be a part of it and join our growing system.

We are a physician-led organization that serves patients in the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions. We rely on powerful partnerships with our 16,000 employees, social service agencies, and educational institutions, as well as our patients, residents and their families. Together, we’re writing new chapters to shape the future of healthcare. With new resources, innovation and an abiding dedication to caring for the community, we’re making the lives of our patients better, easier and healthier.

Take the opportunity to do something remarkable every day. Join Us.

Visit RochesterRegional.org/PhysicianCareers

DO SOMETHING REMARKABLE EVERY DAY

No.864986A_RochesterRegH_1pp.indd 1No.864986A_RochesterRegH_1pp.indd 1 13/11/2017 14:1713/11/2017 14:17

LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE REGION EXPLAIN HOW THEIR ORGANIZATIONS ARE THINKING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW

THE TRAILBLAZERS

The oldest technological university in the U.S.,

Rensselaer was established in 1824 with the

mission to educate those who would apply

science to the common purpose of life—values it

still lives by today, as it directs its programs toward

some of the most urgent issues of the 21st century.

Says president Shirley Ann Jackson, “We

want to be known for addressing hard problems

that have the challenges that face humankind

embedded in them, but where we also see

great opportunity not only to address complex

challenges but create something new.”

In doing so, it can apply resources such as one

of the most powerful supercomputers at any

university, and more than $100 million in annual

research expenditures, to such diverse areas as

biotechnology and cybersecurity—and even

needs as basic as clean water, as it works with IBM

and The Fund for Lake George to employ smart

technologies to secure the lake’s future.

Born and raised in Buff alo, Delaware North has

become established as one of the world’s largest

food service and hospitality companies, trusted

by major airports, national parks, and global

sports and entertainment venues stretching from

London’s Wembley Stadium to Melbourne Park.

Underpinning this is a history of family

ownership that dates back to its founding, in 1915,

that has allowed it the fl exibility to look to the long

term. That’s a lesson that chairman Jeremy Jacobs

took in 2015 when he commissioned futurists

from Singular University to write the fi rst of two

Future of Sports books, looking at the trends that

would shape the industry in years to come. The

Future of Medicine would follow, in 2017.

“So many of us look at something in today’s

problem and don’t take the time to look where

they’re going long range,” says Jacobs. “We need

to step back and look at where we want to be, or

where we think we’re going to be, into the future.”

“We want to be known for addressing hard problems that have the challenges that face humankind embedded in them”SHIRLEY ANN JACKSON, PRESIDENT RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

“We need to step back and look at where we want to be, or where we think we’re going to be, into the future.” JEREMY JACOBS, CHAIRMAN DELAWARE NORTH

Part of the State University of New York system,

the University at Albany recently implemented

its largest academic expansion in half a century,

with two new colleges that are set to boost its

profi le as a hub for globally relevant research.

The College of Engineering and Applied

Sciences addresses a national need for graduates

with STEM backgrounds, while the College of

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and

Cybersecurity is the fi rst in the nation dedicated to

security, and poised to be a thought leader at a time

where communities across the U.S. have to adjust

to technological threats and extreme weather.

“Institutions of higher education have to play

a key role in really understanding the issues that

impact our societies at large,” says president Havidán

Rodríguez. “Whether it be politics, or economic

development, or climate and environmental

impacts, we have to provide critical training and

education that focuses on these issues.”

“Institutions of higher education have to play a key role in really understanding the issues that impact our societies at large”HAVIDÁN RODRÍGUEZ, PRESIDENT UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY


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HOW TWO OF UPSTATE’S MOST INNOVATIVE UNIVERSITIES ARE TAKING THE LEAD ON PROJECTS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FAR BEYOND NEW YORK

CHANGING THE WORLD

SUNY UPSTATEAs the only academic medical center in Central New

York, SUNY Upstate Medical University is proof that

healthcare need not only be a local story. Close to

home, its health system serves 1.8 million people in

the surrounding area, but its reach spans far beyond

when you add a $40-million research enterprise

that’s undertaking transformative work in such areas

as cancer and infectious disease—for example, in

2015, it announced a $12-million partnership with the

U.S. Army to develop a vaccine for dengue fever, a

mosquito-borne virus that hospitalizes an estimated

500,000 people worldwide each year.

“This health science university has local impact and

regional impact, but it actually has global impact as well,”

says its president, Danielle Laraque-Arena. “We have a

unique capability to address major causes of morbidity

and death, and then if there are emerging diseases such

as dengue and others, we are a site of innovation to

accelerate the pathway to address those issues.”

RITIts name alone suggests that the Rochester Institute of

Technology is a place where cutting-edge innovation

happens, but according to its president, David Munson,

it still doesn’t tell the full story of what distinguishes the

university today: “RIT is not just about technology,” he

says. “It’s about the arts as well, and it’s about making,

doing and producing things that never existed before.”

That interaction between technology and design

has opened up wide fi elds of opportunity for RIT in

recent years that few peers can match. It was selected

by the U.S. Department of Energy to lead a consortium

around clean-energy initiatives aimed at improving

manufacturing. It’s putting fi rst-of-a-kind infrastructure

in place to commercialize computer gaming and digital

media products. And it is building on Rochester’s optics

pedigree to explore how high-performance photonics

will revolutionize communication and sensing systems.

Adds Munson, “My goal is that we think of ourselves

as a global university that’s changing the world.”

F A C T F I L E

Upstate has an annual

$2.3bn impact on Central

New York’s economy.

F A C T F I L E

RIT reported $73m in

research funding during

the 2016 fi scal year.

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1 1 4 – A M E R I C A N WAY


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No.864986B_RochesterRegH_1pp.indd 1No.864986B_RochesterRegH_1pp.indd 1 13/11/2017 14:1813/11/2017 14:18

nce one of America’s industrial heartlands, Upstate New York could be on the cusp of greatness once more as economies across

the state reinvent themselves for the 21st century—be it the ascent of chip fabrication in the Capital Region, next-generation silicon carbide products in the Mohawk Valley, photonics in Rochester, or clean energy in Buff alo.

“The Upstate economy has been transformed in recent years,” says Howard Zemsky, president and CEO of Empire State Development, the chief economic development agency for New York state. “This has been a tremendous focus on the part of the governor and each of these regions to reimagine their economic future.”

Although the specifics may be different from community to community, some things remain consistent—that these are high-growth, technology-oriented industries underpinned by a commitment to innovation, research and a highly skilled workforce. That’s a winning combination, and something that’s nicely summarized by Matt Hurlbutt, interim president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise:

A LOOK AT THE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDUSTRIES PUTTING UPSTATE ON THE WORLD STAGE AS A PLACE FOR IDEAS, INNOVATION AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

GLOBAL IMPACT: UPSTATE NY

O

F A C T F I L E

New York state ranks second

in the nation for the number

of residents who are either

scientists or engineers.

“We’re a region where smart people live and smart businesses grow.”

TECHNOLOGYWhile the products may change, Upstate has long provided an environment that has allowed companies to explore the boundaries of technology, having birthed some of the country’s most innovative industrial corporations.

For example, Xerox was founded in Rochester, in 1906. In the century-plus that’s followed, the company’s footprint has expanded to 180 countries, yet the city still remains its largest employment center and a major hub for product development and research. In recent years, it has played a vital role in the creation of ConnectKey, the largest product launch in Xerox’s history, as the company continues to execute on its mission to help change the way the world works.

“These devices in the offi ce are not only input and output devices, but are on-ramps to get information from the physical world to the digital world,” says CTO Steve Hoover. “Now the big future that we see is, how do these become your

“The Upstate economy has been

transformed in recent

years”



assistant at work, much like your mobile phone is your assistant at life?”

Similarly, New York, and specifically Schenectady County, has been home to the headquarters of GE Global Research since 1900, and therefore can be considered the birthplace of many of the technologies that have distinguished the corporation ever since. Today, it is charged with advancing the innovations that will transform the way we live, in such areas as renewable power, artifi cial intelligence and the industrial internet.

“We think of ourselves as at the leading edge of some of these really exponentially changing spaces,” says Danielle Merfeld, VP and general manager of the organization’s Niskayuna Technology Center. “We’re going to be able to capitalize on that growth for the world.”

Returning to Rochester—for more than a century, Kodak has been one of the city’s leading employers. While the company looks different today to how it once did, its impact is still felt through projects such as its Eastman Business Park, a 1,200-acre industrial and R&D complex where almost 100 companies are developing next-generation technologies in fi elds such as chemical manufacturing and photonics.

Says the Park’s president, Dolores Kruchten, “ We would love people to see this as a manufacturing innovation hub for high-tech industries across the country.”

It’s not just these legacy companies, though,

F A C T F I L E

In 2016, CNBC placed New

York fourth among all states

for technology and

innovation.

that continue to see opportunity across Upstate. Mobile computer manufacturer Bak USA was only founded in 2015, yet already has a national footprint through a partnership with Microsoft and a unique niche that emphasizes aff ordable devices for the most vulnerable parts of the population. It also sets itself apart by building its tablets by hand in downtown Buff alo, where it is committed to creating jobs and opening opportunity to those that have been traditionally disadvantaged—a model it feels it can replicate across the country.

“We want to produce the products locally, by local people, for local people,” says co-founder, chairman and CEO J.P. Bak. “That can be done because our production procedure is entirely diff erent to the rest of the industry.”

These examples not only demonstrate the state’s capacity for technological innovation, but also the breadth and diversity of companies fi nding success here. New York organizations are leading the way in everything from optics to cleantech, while the presence of GlobalFoundries speaks to the state’s strengths in the semiconductor industry.

“It was a proof point that we could compete with some of the lower cost places outside of New York state and even outside of the country,” says Andrew Kennedy, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth, an economic development organization that serves the Capital Region. “Bringing this level of research and innovation to the area helped put us on the map as a powerhouse

“We promote the fact that

we’re a region where smart

people live and smart businesses

grow”



Above: Opportunities for UAS research have attracted the

likes of Walmart, which will conduct its primary East Coast

R&D for automated fulfi llment capability in Rome. Left: Bak

USA is the only computer manufacturer to handmake all of its

tablets in the U.S.

in the semiconductor industry.”Much of that prowess can be traced

initially to SUNY Polytechnic Institute, a public research university with campuses in Marcy and Albany, whose Nanotech Complex represents the most advanced research facility of its kind at any university. Here, it works with more than 300 corporate partners, including the likes of IBM and Tokyo Electron, on next-generation technologies that can spur local economic development and create worldwide impact.

“I can’t think of a more exciting place to be working on things that will help people live better lives, healthier lives and more enjoyable lives,” says president Bahgat Sammakia. “The things that we’re working on now, like semiconductor research, integrated photonics, power electronics, and many other projects that we’re just starting, will have that direct impact.”

On the other side of the state, a similar history in industrial innovation is creating opportunities in clean energy technologies: “Rather than looking where the ball was, we’re looking where the ball is going,” says Thomas Kucharski, president and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara. “We’ve taken our rich history in advanced manufacturing, metalworking, silicon and nano, and we’ve

been able to attract SolarCity and Tesla here for the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in North America.”

M e a nw h i l e , i n R o m e ’s G r i f f i s s International Airport, the region is home to one of only seven unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test sites as designated by the FAA. As such, it enjoys a rare opportunity to lead the development of this burgeoning industry—something that will be supported by a one-of-a-kind test corridor between Rome and Syracuse for testing beyond line of site.

“Companies have UAS platforms that they are looking to test and validate so that they ultimately can be integrated within the commercial airspace,” says Steve DiMeo, president of Mohawk Valley EDGE. “I believe that the Utica-Rome area and Central New York are really primed to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Robert Simpson, president and CEO of the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, adds, “By all accounts the commercial UAS industry is looking to be a trillion-dollar industry within the next 10 years. Right now we’re attracting hundreds of partners from all over the globe that are coming and testing their product here in Central New York, and ultimately creating jobs here in the region as well.”

FINANCIAL SERVICESNew York City may have Wall Street, but that doesn’t mean it has a monopoly on the state’s fi nancial services industry. For instance, Buff alo is the home of M&T Bank Corporation, one of the 20 largest U.S.-headquartered commercial bank holding companies, with more than $120 billion in assets. Established in 1856 to assist local manufacturers and traders along the Erie Canal, it has long helped to shape the Upstate economy, and continues to do so today, such as through its nationally ranked SBA lending.

“Small businesses serve as the incubators of expanded employment and economic growth,” says chairman and CEO Robert Wilmers. “And it’s these companies—fl ickers of an idea that become engines of job creation—that turn points on a map into rich communities.”

HEALTHCARESustaining a thriving healthcare industry goes a long way to supporting a thriving economy, not only because it typically represents an important source of jobs, but also because it makes up a vital component of a place’s quality of life. And while that’s backed up in Upstate, organizations are also innovating in their own ways, and so making an impact beyond their local area.

These include one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), which supports its clinical enterprise with a leading medical school and more than $1.1 billion in biomedical research over the last fi ve years. Among other specialties, it receives more research funding from NIH for musculoskeletal diseases than any other institution in the nation.

“What distinguishes us is the quality of the research and the role of the institution in education,” says CEO Mark Taubman. “A lot of the curriculum that is taught in medical schools around the country really came from developments at the university.”

URMC is joined in the Finger Lakes region by Rochester Regional Health, a comprehensive health system with five hospitals, 66 primary care locations and a research institute that recently patented a vaccine to help prevent ear infections in young children. Over the next fi ve years, the organization expects that it will spend

“I can’t think of a more exciting place to be working on things that will help people live better lives”

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A Global Force in HospitalityAs one of the largest privately held hospitality and food service companies

in the world, Delaware North has operations at high-profile places such as sports

and entertainment venues, national and state parks, visitor attractions, destination

resorts and restaurants, regional casinos, airports and travel hubs. Find out how

we can help you reimagine the experience.

DelawareNorth.com I Leaders in What’s Next

No.867226 Delaware North 1pp.indd 1No.867226 Delaware North 1pp.indd 1 13/11/2017 14:3713/11/2017 14:37

Left: Rochester Regional Health was formed in 2014 with the

joining of Rochester General and Unity Health systems

around $300 million on capital projects, most notably the Sands-Constellation Center for Critical Care, a cutting-edge, seven-story facility that will allow it to expand on its clinical capabilities.

“Our goal is to have the very best healthcare, deliver it in the most effi cient manner, at the highest quality,” says president and CEO Eric Bieber. “We’re trying to be forward-thinking. We think about where healthcare’s going and not where it’s been, and to make sure that we have the facilities that we need.”

HIGHER EDUCATIONAccording to Joel Seligman, president of the University of Rochester, “The ultimate purpose of a great research university is the discovery and dissemination of knowledge,” which goes some way to explain why his institution balances its commitment to liberal arts education with a research enterprise that attracts more than $300 million in annual funding.

Recently, it made a $100-million commitment to expand its work in data science, recognizing it as one of the most transformative disciplines of our time, while its impact on the city can also be seen through its business incubator, High Tech Rochester, which has provided services and resources to the local startup community for close to 30 years.

Similarly, in New York’s Southern Tier region, Binghamton University complements its research in such areas as

lithium batteries and smart energy with projects that stimulate direct investment in the local area. The decision to locate its College of Community and Public Affairs in downtown a decade ago has transformed the city’s urban core, and now it hopes to replicate this in nearby Johnson City with the construction of its new Health Sciences Campus.

“Binghamton is human-scale,” says its president, Harvey Stenger. “You can impact Johnson City, Endicott and Binghamton P

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It’s not the size of the region that matters, but what it can accomplish. We pump out more patents per resident, and we’ve got more

brains trained to excel in this knowledge-based economy, than communities three times our size. The talented people in the Rochester,

NY region are powering incredible innovations — cancer-preventing vaccines, fuel cell components and the technology supporting

missions to Mars. It’s the innovative hub that inspired Datto, OFD Foods and other future-focused companies to expand here.

THE GREATER ROCHESTER, NY REGION HAS IT ALL.We’ll connect you with the people and resources that will enable you to take your business to the next level.

RochesterBiz.com | 585.530.6200

121_AMER_1217.indd 1121_AMER_1217.indd 1 16/11/2017 10:1816/11/2017 10:18

Left: One of New York’s unique destinations, the 1000 Islands

saw $253m in traveler spending in 2016

with one medium-size university that has energy, enthusiasm and big ideas.”

Meanwhile, SUNY Empire State College proves that innovation in academia isn’t just found in research. For more than 40 years, it has been a leader in non-traditional education, primarily for working adults, delivering market-driven programs using new technology platforms and personalized degree pathways.

“We’re unique among both traditional a n d n o n - t r a d i t i o n a l u n i v e r s i t i e s,” says president Merodie Hancock, whose

Adirondacks’ high peaks, sipping wine lakeside in the Finger Lakes, cruising down the Erie Canal, or standing in the spray of Niagara Falls.

These assets not only create a quality of life that helps New York recruit and retain the talent it needs for its knowledge-intensive industries, but they also drive a thriving tourism sector that has a statewide economic impact of more than $100 billion annually and sustains employment for more than 914,000 locals. A record 239 million visitors traveled to New York destinations in 2016—and that number only looks set to rise as the state continues to see the fruits of its decision to provide around $200 million of support to the industry in recent years.

“That’s a historic level of state investment, both here in New York and nationally,” says Ross Levi, executive director of tourism at Empire State Development. “We’re seeing an upward trend of visitors thanks to the increased awareness of what New York has to see and do.”

university currently serves more than 17,500 students across 30 New York locations, eight international sites and online. “We’ve taken some of the individualized programming that you see at some of the smaller private schools, and combined it with the access and innovation mission of a non-traditional public.”

TOURISMIn case it had passed you by, in New York, there really is life beyond the big city, whether that’s climbing one of the P

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The State University of New York Empire State CollegeTTTTTTThhhhhhhheeeee SSSSSSSSSttttttaaaaaatttttteeee UUUUnnnnniiiivvvvvvveeeeerrrsssiittyyyyyy ooofffff NNNewww YYYorrrrkkkk EEEEmmmmmppppppppire SStaatttttee CCCCCCoooooooooolllllllllleeeeeeeeeeggggggggeeOur undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to meet the needs of working adults like you.

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Fly in and count them yourself

Hint: there’s more than 1,000. Fairytale castles, freshwater adventure and your next island vacation are waiting to be discovered. The region’s charming communities and refreshing blend of farms, forests and shores offers lifestyle options that have been drawing those in the know for generations.

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INSIDE THE PROJECTS AND ATTRACTIONS THAT DEFINE SOME OF THE REGION’S LARGEST CITIES

UPSTATE CITY GUIDE

ROCHESTER

POPULATION 211,000

AREA 37.1 sq mi

THE STORY As well as a history of innovation

in technology, especially in optics, Rochester

is known for one of the most aff ordable

housing markets among major metros and

access to recreational opportunities on Lake

Ontario and the Finger Lakes

MAJOR PROJECTS A $200m overhaul

of the former Sibley’s department store will

include residential units, offi ce space and a

High Tech Rochester business accelerator,

while providing an anchor for the new

Downtown Innovation Zone

FLIGHT DETAILS A new entrance

canopy and a suite of smart technology

enhancements headline a $79m renovation

of Greater Rochester International Airport,

set for completion in fall 2018

CAN’T MISS At the National Susan B.

Anthony Museum & House, visitors can enter

the living room where Anthony was arrested

for voting in the 1872 presidential election

WHAT THEY SAY “Rochester’s on a roll.

We’re great value, fun, and a terrifi c place to

bring your family.”—Don Jeff ries, president

and CEO of Visit Rochester

WHAT OTHERS SAY Movoto named

Rochester as one of America’s 10 most

creative cities, in 2015

FACT FILE Rochester’s Lilac Festival is

the largest of its kind in the U.S., attracting

500,000 guests from across the world

ALBANY

POPULATION 98,000

AREA 21.9 sq mi

THE STORY The New York capital enjoys

all of the employment and cultural benefi ts

that typically come with that distinction,

while a compelling downtown renewal story,

plus eff orts to reconnect with its waterfront,

are leading a new quality-of-place agenda

MAJOR PROJECTS The ribbon was cut

on the $78m Albany Capital Center in 2017,

providing the city with the facility it needed

to host events and conventions that it did

not have space for before

FLIGHT DETAILS With strong fi nancials

and a terminal that’s fewer than 20 years old,

Albany International Airport is well-equipped

to meet the needs of a growing community

CAN’T MISS Completed in 1899 after 32

years of construction, the New York State

Capitol building was declared a National

Historic Landmark in 1979

WHAT THEY SAY “We’ve been a great

destination for over 400 years, and being at

the crossroad of Upstate New York has made

us a historic and convenient destination.”—

Michele Vennard, president and CEO of

Discover Albany

WHAT OTHERS SAY In 2016, Albany

placed sixth in ValuePenguin’s list of the best

cities for music fans in the U.S.

FACT FILE Albany is the oldest continuously

inhabited settlement among the original 13

English colonies

BUFFALO

POPULATION 257,000

AREA 52.5 sq mi

THE STORY The opening of the Erie Canal

made Buff alo the gateway to the West

during the 19th century, and now the state’s

second-largest city is on the path to its

next great era thanks to more than $1bn of

investments into its urban core

MAJOR PROJECTS Buff alo is returning to

its roots with the revitalization of its waterfront

through developments such as HarborCenter,

a $170m hotel and entertainment complex

featuring two NHL-sized ice rinks

FLIGHT DETAILS Buff alo International

Airport has recently fi nished the design for

a $70m project that will revamp its baggage

claim area and add two exit concourses

CAN’T MISS The city is home to seven

Frank Lloyd Wright structures, including

the Darwin D. Martin House Complex,

considered to be one of the most important

projects from Wright’s Prairie School era

WHAT THEY SAY “People have a

perception of what they think Buff alo is,

and when they get here, they’re completely

caught off guard.”—Patrick Kaler, president

and CEO of Visit Buff alo Niagara

WHAT OTHERS SAY It’s known as ‘The

City of Good Neighbors’ so it should be no

surprise that Buff alo was named America’s

friendliest city by Travel + Leisure, in 2017

FACT FILE Buff alo wings were invented by

Teressa Bellissimo at the Anchor Bar in 1964


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THE NATURE TOURThe power of Niagara Falls (1) has made it one

of America’s most-visited destinations, with more

than 20 million people annually swarming to see

the phenomenon. Plus, from there, it’s a relatively

quick sweep east to get to the Finger Lakes (2)

for a more serene lakeside experience, courtesy

of refreshments at one of the region’s 100-plus

wineries. To the north, on the St. Lawrence River, the

1,000 Islands (3) area was known as a fashionable

retreat in the late 19th century, and today off ers a

host of recreational opportunities and historic sites.

Away from the lakes, Letchworth State Park (4) is

popularly known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’,

while Adirondack Park (5) is the largest publicly

protected area in the contiguous United States.

THE SPORTS TOURNearly 300,000 visitors a year converge on the

small community of Cooperstown to experience the

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (6).

Lake Placid (7) hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics

and the storied Miracle on Ice, and is the still the

place to go for all your bobsledding and luge needs.

Meanwhile, those craving major league sports can

fi nd that in Western New York, home to the NHL’s

Buff alo Sabres and the NFL’s Buff alo Bills (8).

MY UPSTATERACHAEL RAY

What makes Upstate special?

“I grew up on Lake George, and I

used to do my homework sitting

literally in trees or on rocks at the

lakeside. I still live there today. I

bought 199 acres that I’ve willed

forever wild. The Adirondack

Mountains are over 6 million

acres of just pure beauty,

whether you love to ski, or fall

foliage is your thing, or you love

to river raft, or fl oat in a boat.”

How do the mountains

compare to the city?

“I just like the smell of the air.

Our skies are still dark at night—

we can still count stars, literally. I

just calm down when I’m in the

mountains. There’s something

about the eff ect it has on me.

Mountains just feel like they’re

giving you a big hug.”

WHEN THE WORKDAY’S DONE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF GREAT REASONS TO GET OUT AND EXPLORE UPSTATE

UPSTATE TOUR

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THE FAMILY-FRIENDLY TOURA shopping center may not sound like the ideal

place to take the entire brood, but when it’s the

sixth-largest in the country, like Syracuse’s Destiny

USA (9), that makes a diff erence, with a collection

of retail, dining and play venues that entice 26

million guests each year. Elsewhere, Rochester is

home to such attractions as Seabreeze amusement

park and The Strong (10), where the history of play

is explored through venues such as the National Toy

Hall of Fame (62 toys inducted thus far).

THE MUSEUM TOURAs you travel across Upstate, with its diverse

landscapes and communities, you’ll fi nd a museum

for pretty much anything, from the National

Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro

to the Corning Museum of Glass in the Finger

Lakes. Perhaps most notably, the New York State

Museum (11) in Albany is the nation’s oldest and

largest state museum, with 600,000 guests entering

through its doors annually to learn about New York’s

fascinating history. Finally, you’ll also fi nd world-class

art destinations, such as Buff alo’s Albright Knox Art

Gallery, and the George Eastman Museum (12),

the world’s oldest museum dedicated to photography

and a global leader in fi lm preservation.

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