The Residence
Our 5,000 square foot residence, The Fort, is provided free of charge to our out of town clients
double click for full image
GETTING HERE
We like to call it “centrally isolated.”
Utica is nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in scenic Central New York State. Big Blue North is just five miles off the New York State Thruway and is easily accessible in less than six hours by car, bus and train from NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal and Toronto.
DISTANCES
136 miles to Rochester, NY
198 miles to Buffalo, NY
234 miles to New York, NY
246 miles to Montreal, Canada
261 miles to Boston, MA
269 miles to Philadelphia, PA
293 miles to Toronto, Canada
The Syracuse International Airport is located just 45 minutes to our west along the NYS Thruway, and The Albany International Airport is 90 minutes to the east along the NYS Thruway.
Big Blue North has a free on-site parking lot for six cars and The Fort has one attached garage space for secure overnight parking and one outdoor spot.
STAYING HERE
Located down the street from the recording studio, "The Fort" can sleep six band members comfortably.
Our residence is in a historic townhouse dating from 1860. Downstairs has a large kitchen and dining room to self-cater your meals, a living room with a big TV and couch to veg out, an office with a desk and couch, one half bath and one full bath. There are three double bedrooms upstairs and two half baths. There is also a private outdoor courtyard (seasonal) to get some fresh air and an attached garage spot to securely park the band van… and of course, free wireless internet. Weekly cleaning and towel service is included.
Big Blue North is dedicated to providing over the top hospitality and guest services that are as great as our facility. That includes our complimentary concierge service. We’ll gladly arrange whatever your budget allows, including travel and hotel accommodations, a private chef, masseuse, acupuncturist, hairdresser, laundry service, transportation, personal trainers and video/photographers. Special requests are always welcome too. Full catering service at the residence and/or the studio is also available for an additional fee.
*The “315 rate” does not include the residence.
PLAYING HERE
So, you have a free day while the rest of the band toils away in the studio? No problem!
In Town (within 10 minutes)
Art: Enjoy a great regional art collection and house museum at MUNSON
Entertainment: See a show at The Stanley, our historic Baroque movie palace
Beer: Take a tour of one of the last remaining family-owned craft breweries, Saranac Brewing Co
Nature: Visit the Zoo animals or go for a hike
Sports: Play tennis, pickleball, disc golf, basketball, skateboard or swim in Utica's Olmstead designed public park system
Golf: Hit the links on our 18 hole public course designed by Robert Trent Jones
Hockey and Ice Skating: Catch a Utica Comets game or rent some skates at the Nexus Center
Indoor Soccer: Cheer on the Utica City FC at the Utica Memorial Auditorium
Architecture Tour: Pam loves to talk about local history and is glad to take you for a spin around town to see Utica's fabulous old buildings and sites.
Day Trips (within one hour)
Casino / Spa / Golf: Turning Stone Casino in Verona (20 miles)
Foodie: Beekman Boys Farm and The American Hotel in Sharon Springs (45 miles)
Beer: Think NY, Drink NY on the Craft Brewing Trail (statewide)
Cannabis Dispensary: Verona Collective (20 miles)
Nature: Adirondack Park and Old Forge (50 miles)
Shop: Destiny USA in Syracuse (50 miles)
Sports: National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown (40 miles)
Ski / Snowboard: Woods Valley (20 miles)