Taberg Falls: A Quiet Escape In Upstate New York
Some getaways are about how much you can fit into a few days, but this particular trip was not one of them.
As an early anniversary celebration, we booked a little getaway for two nights at Taberg Falls, a collection of mirrored villas tucked into the woods in Taberg, New York. It’s about 10–15 minutes from Rome, 45 minutes from Syracuse and roughly a 3 hour drive from Buffalo—close enough for an easy weekend away, but definitely different from anywhere we’ve stayed before. I would like to mention one thing before you go: While there is general information on the website about where the villas are located, you won’t receive the actual property address until shortly before your stay.
We stayed in The Bluff, one of the property’s mirrored villas overlooking the water. And pretty much from the minute we arrived, I knew this was going to be the kind of place that made it very easy to slow down.
Our hot tub was already warm. Firewood, fire starters and a lighter were waiting for us. Inside, there were fresh flowers and a handwritten note wishing us a happy anniversary and Frank Sinatra was playing when we walked through the door. It was such a simple little touch, but it set the tone for the entire stay. As we settled in, we kept discovering more of those thoughtful details—the kind that made it feel like someone had really considered what would make a couple of days here feel special.
While the mirrored villa was what originally caught my attention, it ended up being everything surrounding it—the water, the woods, the quiet and having nowhere we needed to be—that I loved the most.
Making the Most of the Drive
Since Taberg Falls is about a three-hour drive from Buffalo, we decided to make the drive part of the getaway and stop at Green Lakes State Park on our way. And I’m so glad we did!
If you’re coming from Western New York, this is such an easy addition to your arrival day. The park is home to Green Lake and Round Lake, and you can walk around both in roughly three miles. The trail is relatively flat and easy, with beautiful views pretty much the entire way. I have seen pictures of the lake, but I always thought they were edited!! If you come in the summer time, there is even a beautiful beach where you can swim. We did not have to pay to enter the day we were there, but depending on the time of year, there may be a park entrance fee.
After our walk, we headed into Syracuse for dinner at Pastabilities before making our way to Taberg Falls. If you can fit it into your schedule, I’d definitely consider adding Green Lakes to the drive.
Staying at the Bluff
Each of the mirrored villas at Taberg Falls is a little different, both in its view and the amenities it offers, so it’s worth looking through all of them before choosing. Some have spiral staircases that lead to rooftop seating areas with chairs and gas fire pits, while ours, had a private hot tub and wood-burning fire pit right beside the villa.
Inside, the space is simple, modern and cozy, with a bed, small dining area and kitchenette surrounded by huge windows. And when I say windows, I mean WINDOWS.
One of my favorite parts of the entire stay was the view from bed. We could wake up, open the curtains and look straight out at the water and trees. Between the view and the sound of the water running behind the villa, it really did feel like we were sleeping right in the middle of the woods.
And let me just say the bed was incredibly comfortable—which may not be the most exciting amenity to write about, but at this stage of my life, a comfortable bed can make or break a hotel stay.
Even with another villa not terribly far away, we never felt like we were on top of anyone else. The way the villas are positioned, along with the trees and mirrored exterior, made our space feel surprisingly private.
Next up is the shower, which I feel deserves its own moment. The bathroom continued the floor-to-ceiling window theme, so showering felt like you were practically outside in the woods. There were curtains to close for privacy at night, but during the day, that view was pretty incredible.
The little things became a bit of a theme during our stay. Shower steamers, Q-tips, disposable eye masks for sleeping—they seemed to have thought of everything you might need and a few things you probably wouldn’t think to bring yourself.
None of these are huge things on their own, but together they made the whole experience feel really thoughtful.
If You Feel Like Exploring
Since there isn’t a ton to do right around Taberg itself, you do have to be willing to drive a bit if you want to explore. One day we headed a little over an hour north to Old Forge, grabbed lunch, wandered around town and did a little souvenir shopping before making our way to Bald Mountain.
The hike up to the Rondaxe Fire Tower is only about two miles round trip, which sounds innocent enough, but it’s a pretty steady climb on the way up and definitely got our hearts pumping. Once we made it to the top, though, the views were absolutely worth it—and it ended up being such a fun way to spend part of the day. I would consider this a fairly easy hike as long as you’re okay with a slow, steady incline and a bit of rock scrambling.
Taberg Falls does provide a list of recommended restaurants and places to check out in the surrounding area, which I definitely appreciated since there isn’t much right around the property itself. Their suggestions stretch into places like Rome, Utica and Syracuse, so depending on what you’re in the mood for, you have options—you just have to be willing to drive a little.
On our second night, we chose to drive about 30 minutes to Tailwater Lodge for dinner. It was an easy drive and we really enjoyed our dinner. The menu had something for everyone and some fun fall drinks to choose from. After dinner we enjoyed the perfect night rotating between the hot tub and the fire pit.
So, is it Worth the Price?
I’m not going to pretend Taberg Falls is an inexpensive little weekend away. Even with a $100 promo code, our two-night stay came in around $1,300, so it’s definitely a splurge.
But I also think whether it’s “worth it” really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to walk out your door and have restaurants, shops and a long list of things to do nearby, this probably isn’t the getaway for you. You’re paying for the villa itself, the privacy, the hot tub, the beautiful setting and, maybe most importantly, the chance to slow down for a couple of days.
For me, that was kind of the whole point. We explored a little, we hiked, listened to lots of Yacht Rock Radio, sat by the fire, soaked in the hot tub and reconnected.
A Few Things I’d Bring to Taberg Falls
● Comfy clothes — this is absolutely a sweats-and-cozy-clothes kind of place.
● Swimsuit — the private hot tub is too good not to use. Just remember not every villa has one.
● Flip-flops or slides — for going back and forth to the hot tub. I actually suggested to Taberg Falls that adding robes to the villas would be such a nice touch, especially for those chilly walks back and forth from the hot tub. Until then, I’d definitely throw one in your bag if you have one.
● Hiking shoes or sneakers — especially if you’re planning to explore places like Bald Mountain or Green Lakes.
● Groceries and snacks — there aren’t a ton of places right around the property, so I’d bring whatever you think you’ll need.
● Easy meals — especially breakfast or something simple for dinner if you don’t feel like driving. Just remember there’s no cooktop, but you do have a toaster oven and propane grill.
● Drinks — wine, cocktails, whatever you want to enjoy by the fire or in the hot tub. They do stock some basics in the mini fridge.
● A good book — this is the kind of place where you might actually read it!
● Layers — especially if you’re visiting in fall and plan to sit outside at night.
● A plan for downtime — cards, a game, downloaded movies (keep in mind there is no television here)
There are so many interesting places tucked away closer to home than we realize. Taberg Falls was one of those for me! I hope that by sharing my little adventures, you feel inspired to go have one of your own!
Happy traveling….
x, Julie