Recreation and Tourism

Travelers and residents alike enjoy the recreational opportunities available during all seasons of the year. Winter sports enthusiasts can find dozens of places for downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating and ice fishing.

Fall is a great time for hiking, where you're sure to see whitetail deer, wild turkey or grouse or the fall foliage that peaks at the end of September. Hunters take advantage of the animal sightings during the fall season also. In spring and summer the lakes, streams, ponds and creeks become populated with fisherman, boaters and swimmers. It is a great time for fun and festivity with many of the great fairs and celebrations in the area as well.

Fishing in central New York provides anglers with an abundance of walleye, northern pike, trout, perch, and bass to name a few varieties. Boats and canoes can be rented and bait tackle bought at numerous locations. For boaters, there are many conveniently located launch sites and marinas. In addition to the many lakes, the New York State Canal System offers boaters 524 miles of waterway linking the Great Lakes with the Hudson River and five Canadian waterways. Along this journey, boaters will encounter 57 working locks and thousands of attractions and recreational facilities.

Bird watching is becoming more and more popular and the Mohawk Valley is definitely a great place for watching. From the Utica Marsh, Delta Lake north of Rome, Rome Sand Plains, Verona Beach State Park, Oriskany Flats Wildlife Area, to the Great Swamp Conservancy between Canastota and Oneida Lake, bird enthusiasts are bound to spot unusual and interesting birds.

Locations for golf, tennis and various other sports are plentiful. There are over 40 golf courses, several free outdoor tennis courts, parks, and more. Naturally beautiful sites offer a great camping experience. Camping facilities are available ranging from tent sites to more elaborate facilities for RVs. Hiking trails are found throughout the region. With all the mountains, lakes and streams, there is definitely something, and more, for everyone.

The Mohawk Valley offers historic and modern places to visit. While in the Valley, there are many exciting locations to visit that can't be missed in order to truly experience all of what the Mohawk Valley has to offer.

For those interested in history, the Erie Canal Village in Rome is a recreated 19th century village built near the location of the construction of the original Erie Canal. The Oneida Nation's Shakowi Cultural Center allows visitors to explore Indian artifacts and artwork. The Steuben Memorial near Remsen honors the "drillmaster" of the American Revolution. At the Oriskany Battlefield visitors can relive one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, reconstructed by the National Park Service, features life as it might have been for American patriots at a lonely outpost in 1778.

After visiting the area's historical sites, visitors can head to Vernon Downs for live harness racing. Turning Stone Casino Resort and Golf Courses in Verona is a premier four season, first-class hotel destination offering guests luxury accommodations, spa, conference center, fine dining, big name entertainment, shopping, golf and gaming. The Turning Stone's Premier golf course, the Atunyote (uh-DUNE-yote) an Oneida word meaning "eagle", is the home of the PGA TOUR Turning Stone Resort Championship. The tournament will be held in September.

Atunyote, an 18-hole layout about two and a half miles from Turning Stone, presents a parkland setting with vast stretches of open space, gently rolling hills, a stream and small waterfalls, and several lakes. The largest body of water measuring 13 acres runs along three fairways and includes a dramatic finishing hole. The unforgettable experience begins as soon as guests enter the property. A mile-and-a-half long secluded driveway winds through wooded areas and locales adjacent to the course. The entryway leads to a New England-style clubhouse with a wrap around porch. Atunyote has its own practice facilities, offering a driving range, short game area and putting green.

The Utica Memorial Auditorium, home to many sporting events, as well as concerts, shows, and much more, was built in 1959. It is a 4,000 seat multi-purpose arena that can hold up to 5,700 people for concerts. The arena is home to MVCC and Utica College hockey teams, as well as many area high schools. The unique structure set the example for Madison Square Garden, after which it was modeled.

Remington Firearms Museum in Ilion is a museum "where the history of a company tells the history of a country." The first rifle made at Remington's Ilion forge was a flintlock and can be seen at the museum today. In the 19th and early 20th century Remington was "first" in fields as diverse as typewriters, knives, farm equipment and even bridges.

For sport fans, don't miss the Halls of Fame in the region, devoted to baseball, boxing, distance running, soccer, and twirling. The distance running Hall of Fame is operated by the Boilermaker Road Race, the 15K race that is well-known as one of the largest races in the U.S. The Boilermaker draws in over 11,000 participants that includes athletes, Olympians, and record holders from all different countries. The Boilermaker is part of a nonprofit organization that started in 1978 and has continued to grow and gain acclaim over the several years since its inception.

America's Greatest Heart Run and Walk is another race recognized in Utica. The Utica race is one of the largest in the nation and brings in nearly 7,500 people each year. The Heart Run and Walk is a 5K race that challenges participants to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association. The race brings in over one million dollars and has proven to be a major contributor to the community.

Festivals and parades are also popular in the Utica area. With its diverse cultural background, Utica has been able to distinguish itself from other areas. The Great American Irish Festival Inc. is a leading cultural based organization in the area. Their main goal is to further the understanding of the Irish culture and background. Since Irish heritage ranks second in Utica, the organization has been able to attract a great deal of interest. The organization holds a festival in July and one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in New York State. The parade includes over 100 units, lasts for an hour and a half, and attracts over 40,000 spectators.

The Matt Brewing Company of Utica, founded in 1888, is a major attraction for visitors, especially during the summer months when Saranac Thursdays bring tourists from all over. Saranac Thursdays present local bands live on stage every week starting at the end of May until the beginning of September. The Matt Brewing Company has earned its reputation as one of the country's most respected brewers of specialty beers.

There is plenty of fine shopping in the area from Riverside Center in Utica, Sangertown Square in New Hartford, The Orchards, Consumer Square, to specialty stores, antique shops and gift markets. Fine hotels, motels, bed and breakfast accommodations, and inns in the region are all available upon visitor request.

Families will want to visit the Children's Museum in Utica, the Utica Zoo, Fort Rickey Children's Zoo in Rome, Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Herkimer Diamond Mines, the Fulton Chain of Lakes aboard Old Forge Lake Cruises, and the Saranac Brewery Tour Center. Visit www.mvchamber.org for more information.

One of the great attractions in the Mohawk Valley is the Utica Zoo. Sitting atop its 35 acre parcel in Roscoe-Conkling Park, the Utica Zoo overlooks the bustling city and the rolling green hills of the outlying countryside. For over 90 years, the Utica Zoo has been part of the quality of life in this and surrounding communities, promoting education, conservation and recreation.

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is another not-to-be-missed attraction. Operated by the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society, the holiday train schedule reads like a Christmas wish. The Adirondack Christmas Train takes passengers for a day of unique shopping in the charming village of Old Forge. The Elf Train is a benefit to the Old Forge Library and delights children of all ages with storytelling and treats. Christmas on Main Street provides a round trip to Holland Patent, with treats for children and a vision of the North Pole. Inspired by Chris Van Allsburg's book, as a new magical experience in the eyes of a child, The Polar Express is undoubtedly the most popular holiday event in the Utica area. Visit www.adirondackrr.com.

Signature experiences of the Mohawk Valley include culturally diverse food choices ranging from the exclusive Chicken Riggies, Tomato Pie, Half-Moons, Utica Greens, Jelly Buns, and Pusties. Restaurant styles include those of many different cultures, including: Italian, Polish, Greek, Vietnamese, Bosnian, Puerto Rican, and Dominican. The result of today's "mosaic of cultures" includes a heritage of diverse cultures and a broad commercial and industrial base.