Governor Kathy Hochul immediately introduced, in celebration of Taste NY’s tenth anniversary, that the Adirondacks Welcome Center, a premier vacation spot for vacationers and constructed by the State Department of Transportation, has reached a serious milestone, attracting a couple of million guests. Since its institution in 2018, this facility, situated on Northbound I-87 between Exits 17 and 18, simply north of the Saratoga County line and near the banks of the Hudson River and Lake George, has been a real gateway to the North Country and Adirondack area, offering a variety of regional meals, drinks and present objects, distinctive service, comfort, and hospitality to guests in search of native choices, journey, leisure, and recreation.
“Travelers know the Adirondacks Welcome Center for its warm, rustic setting unique to the Adirondack Park and extensive range of amenities, including delicious local food and beverages from Taste NY,” Governor Hochul mentioned. “From its modern facilities, including a video wall featuring stunning destinations within the Adirondack Park, to its commitment to introducing visitors to the region through local food and gifts, the center continues to create a memorable experience for each visitor. We are immensely grateful to the more than one million travelers who have stopped at this gateway to the Adirondacks and congratulate Taste NY on its success.”
For a number of years, the Adirondacks Welcome Center, operated by the State Department of Transportation, and the Taste NY space, which is overseen by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, has offered a comfortable first impression for guests from throughout the globe, offering a second of relaxation whereas selling space agriculture, tourism, and commerce.
The Taste NY space on the Welcome Center showcases a broad number of native and New York State merchandise in a merchandising mannequin, starting from fresh-made sandwiches and wraps with regionally sourced elements to grab-and-go snacks, drinks, and specialty native present objects on the market. It sells craft sodas, regionally sourced water, maple syrup and maple novelties, honey, jams, sauces, artisan cheese, recent milk, ice cream, nuts, and sweet, amongst others. Bringing in merchandise from over 90 farmers and meals and beverage producers yearly from throughout the State, the Welcome Center’s Taste NY space has seen guests buy over $716,000 of product since its opening in 2018, offering an financial increase to the agricultural neighborhood within the Capital Region, North Country, and throughout the State.
Many guests additionally take pleasure in capturing and sharing a selfie on the power’s decommissioned chairlift from Gore Mountain or snapping an image subsequent to the long-lasting “I LOVE NY” brand statue. The Center additionally encompasses a enjoyable zip line for teenagers, pet space, and Wi-Fi for vacationers.
From its begin, the Adirondacks Welcome Center has been a shining instance of sustainability with an eco-friendly building and applied sciences, together with geothermal water supply warmth pumps for each heating and cooling the building, LED lighting fixtures, electrical automotive charging stations, recyclables assortment, water-efficient landscaping, and energy-efficient home windows and doorways.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez mentioned, “The Adirondack Park has a centuries-old legacy of exceptional beauty and hospitality – a playground for all seasons for people from around the globe, including those exploring the Lake George and Schroon Lake Regions, Lake Placid’s rich Olympic history, unparalleled scenic views of the snowy high peaks and outdoor fun throughout the year. While marking this achievement with gratitude to our loyal visitors, we continue to open our arms to new guests and those who live, work, or play in the Adirondack Park. New York State DOT is proud that The Adirondacks Welcome Center stands as a hub of connectivity and hospitality for all – come visit and see for yourself!”
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball mentioned, “For ten years, the Taste NY program has helped promote our farmers and producers while showcasing the unique qualities of New York’s widely diverse regions. The Adirondacks Welcome Center and its Taste NY area is committed to showcasing the very best of the Adirondacks region and the farmers and local food businesses that set the area apart. We’re proud to have a hand in connecting travelers and residents to the agricultural community in the Capital Region and North Country and encouraging them to support the local businesses in their communities.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos mentioned, “The Adirondack Park lands belong to everyone, and in collaboration with our State and local partners, DEC encourages visitors to get outdoors safely and responsibly to protect themselves and others, as well as New York’s irreplaceable natural resources. DEC joins in celebrating the milestone of more than one million outdoor enthusiasts from around the world utilizing the Welcome Center all year round.”
Taste NY highlights the standard, variety, and financial impression of meals and drinks grown, produced, or processed in New York State. Taste NY goals to create new alternatives for producers via occasions, retail places, and partnerships, comparable to at The Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. Over the final 10 years, Taste NY has supported almost 2,000 meals and beverage producers collaborating in this system via stores, occasions, and sponsorships. In 2022, 311 new producers had been onboarded to this system via New York’s Welcome Centers. Taste NY’s meals and beverage businesses additionally assist the State’s farmers by utilizing New York grown and produced elements of their merchandise.
Governor Hochul has supported and prioritized New York’s tourism business – one of many state’s key financial drivers. The governor lately introduced record-breaking visitation and tourism spending in New York State with greater than 291 million guests producing greater than $78.6 billion in direct spending in 2022. Under her management, new applications just like the I LOVE NY Black journey initiative have been launched to increase visitation, and the historic “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” pandemic restoration bundle supported journey business businesses and staff, and introduced new occasions to the state. Earlier this yr, the governor introduced greater than $14 million in grants had been awarded to 30 native and regional vacation spot advertising and marketing organizations via the EDA Tourism Partner Sub-Awards Grant Program. Additionally, Governor Hochul has introduced recreation altering enhancements to tourism infrastructure like state parks and airports, in addition to complete I LOVE NY advertising and marketing efforts to encourage journey all through New York State.
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi mentioned, “New York State’s Welcome Centers present an ideal alternative to introduce guests to the superb locations and experiences that await them on present and future journeys, and I LOVE NY is proud that the Adirondacks Welcome Center has served a couple of million company. We are excited to proceed furnishing nice journey recommendations in enjoyable, partaking methods – from selfie experiences to interactive kiosks to the out of doors youngsters’s play space – within the Adirondacks and all through the State, utilizing Welcome Centers to point out how straightforward it’s to like New York State.”
Executive Director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Gina Mintzer mentioned, “The Adirondacks Welcome Center stands as a thriving magnet for visitors, and the Taste NY vending area has significantly elevated the overall traveler experience. Collaborating with over 80 vendors in this initiative has exponentially boosted small businesses and agritourism by increasing awareness, driving visits to individual farm stores, and positively impacting sales and revenue for each vendor. As the program’s operator, we take great pride in advancing the mission and promoting the message of ‘Choose Local, Buy New York.’”
At six million acres, the Adirondack Park is the most important protected area within the contiguous United States. This nationwide treasure homes an enormous expanse of nature, divided into each private and non-private land, offering countless out of doors recreation alternatives for residents of New York State and guests from all around the nation and the world. From accessible nature trails to rugged mountains towering at over 5,000 toes, small ponds to the large Lake Champlain, there’s a vacation spot for each dimension and sort of journey.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation opened a ship inspection and washing station on the facility to assist forestall the unfold of invasive species and protect biodiversity throughout the Adirondack Park. These efforts align with Governor Hochul’s long-range goal to protect and defend the area’s pure magnificence for generations of tourists and residents.
The State Department of Transportation put in individuals counter units with software program upon development of the power. As of October 2023, the Adirondacks Welcome Center totaled 1,074,162 guests. Learn extra in regards to the Adirondacks Welcome Center, regional locations, and to plan your subsequent journey here. Learn extra about Taste NY on the Adirondacks Welcome Center and see an inventory of the collaborating farmers and meals and beverage producers on the market here.
