The New York Renaissance Faire

New York Renaissance Faire

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The New York Renaissance Faire is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day, August 27 – October 9, 2022, at 600 Rt. 17A, Tuxedo, NY • Ph: 845.351.517. The fair is open, rain or shine, except for severe thunderstorms. Check their website for ticket prices and coupons.

Direct bus transportation is provided by Shortline from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to the faire. It offers either a round-trip bus-only ticket to the faire or a day-trip package with round-trip bus tickets, fair admission, and a program. Contact Shortline for more details: shortlinebus.com or 800-631-8405.

The New York Renaissance Faire marks its 45th season. Spanning 65 acres, this permanent site has become an Elizabethan village that evokes 16th-century life, featuring twenty stages and more than 100 shops.

The Good and Bad Reviews

For any event I intend to attend, I consult Google for reviews. Although many were useful, the most recent ones were uniformly negative. I felt somewhat uneasy about buying tickets, yet I needed to visit the fair and judge whether the criticism was accurate.

Many said the prices went up. Yes, everything goes up each year. Some complained about the crowds and parking. Some complained about the food. When attending any fair, if the weather is perfect, people will be out. I always suggest visiting events when they first open up or two hours before closing time.

The Renaissance Fair opens its parking lot at 7:30 am, allowing an early departure to enjoy breakfast and arrive when the gates open at 10 am. If you are on a budget, bring a cooler and pack lunch. As a mother bringing her family, I recognize how costs can rise when feeding everyone. Outside food is prohibited, but you can leave and go to your car for lunch; make sure your hand is stamped for reentry. Or, have small snacks at the fair and head to dinner after. I would suggest going online and seeing the map and shops you want to visit and setting a budget for yourself.

Stepping back into the Medieval Times

Returning to medieval times made it appropriate to dress the part, so I selected a costume. I struggled to choose between a fairy, a gypsy, or a wench. I decided to be a queen. I visited Amazon and bought striking costume jewelry, my Guinevere outfit, and a royal crown to complete the look. If you prefer not to purchase a costume, you can rent one at the faire.

Things to Do at the Renaissance Faire

We drove about an hour from New Jersey and met minor traffic that we moved through quickly. Having paid for premier parking, we walked straight across the street. Free parking sits farther away, with complimentary shuttles running. I would guess that roughly 90 percent of visitors wore costumes; I even smiled at families fully dressed. I sat and wondered whether my husband might have joined them. After checking in, we were uncertain where to start.

 

 

Get a map and see what things to do at the Renaissance faire. It’s 65 acres and can feel overwhelming. We spent over 3 hours there and didn’t see everything. We were tired. I suggest wearing or bringing comfortable shoes.

You will see costumed performers walking the faire. I even sat beside one performer, who stayed in character the whole time. There are jousting tournaments, live music, magicians, and manually powered rides. I even tried axe throwing, which I was not good at. But it was fun trying. The faire has something for everyone.

We sat for a few shows and tipped the performers at the end. It’s not required, but I enjoyed the shows and thought they deserved it.

Tips for Visiting the New York Renaissance Faire

• The Renaissance Faire hosts themed weekends and special events
• There are free shuttle buses to take visitors back and forth.
• Some shows are not appropriate for kids. All of these are indicated on the schedule or online.
• There is a $20 parking lot closer to the fair. Parking opens at 7:30 am.
• The grounds are very stroller- and wheelchair friendly.
• Pets are not allowed, though service animals are welcome.
• You can get a stamp if you leave the park and intend to return later the same day.
• Outside food is not allowed.

I say visit the New York Renaissance Faire; you will have a good time. You will see amazing performers doing knife tricks, fire, dancing, and joists, hear some beautiful music, get your palm read by one of the physicists, and see how glass is blown. You can even buy baby dragons or baby lizards from one of the shops. There is so much to do and see!

Be a part of the Pub Crawl. The Pub Crawl departs at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. – three times daily and costs $65 to party with us.

Comment on this article and let me know your experience with the New York Renaissance Faire. I have a list of Fall Festivals to visit, hiking trails to explore to see amazing Fall Foliage, and, if the weather is not great, some cool places to visit indoors.