AREA ATTRACTIONS, within 20 minute drive

Little Falls
Barge Canal Lift Lock  - rt 169, 1/2 mile south of Little Falls, one of the largest operating lift locks in the world
May-October

Little Falls Historical Society Museum - 319 Ann Street, Little Falls, NY 13365. (315)823-0825. On National Historic Register. Housed in Greek Revival limestone building (former bank). Exhibits change periodically. Open May-Oct TuTh 1-4PM and 6:30-8:30PM, Sa 10AM-Noon. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Canal Place - multi-dealer antique and gift shops, the mohawk valley center for the arts, art galleries, in the restored mill section of Little Falls along the Barge Canal

General Nicholas Herkimer Home and historic site -  Route 169, Little Falls, NY 13365. (315)823-0398. General Nicholas Herkimer's residence. He led the militia at Oriskany in the Revolutionary War. Free admission. Group tours. Open mid-May through October, Wednesday through Saturday 10AM until 5PM, Sunday 1PM until 5PM.

St. Johnsville:
Margaret Reaney Memorial Library - 19 Kingsbury Ave., St. Johnsville, NY 13452. (518)568-7822. Collection of Robert M. Hartley military buttons, paintings, other artifacts. Open year round, M-Sa. Free admission.

Fort Klock - Route 5, St. Johnsville, NY 13452. (518)568-7779. Limestone Native American trading post from approximately 1750. Blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, herb garden, and Dutch barn restorations. Open Memorial Day through September 30, Tuesday through Sunday 9AM until 5PM.

Amish Farms and Markets along route 5 and route 67 in the St. Johnsville, Palatine Bridge area

Herkimer:
Herkimer City Courthouse - Court Street, Herkimer, NY 13350. (800)233-8778. Built 1848. Open Memorial Day through Labor, daily 9AM until 9PM.

"Diamond" Mining... some of the oldest quartz crystals in the world and one of the only sources for doubly-terminated crystals (points at both ends)... mining can be as easy as picking them up off the ground or as difficult as breaking rock with hammers and chisels

Herkimer Diamond Mines - Route 28, Herkimer, NY 13350. Mailing Address: 5661 State Route 5, Herkimer, NY 13350. (315)891-7355, Fax: (315) 866-6140. Gem and mineral shop, museum, "Herkimer diamond" prospecting. Open April 1 through December 1, daily 9AM to 5PM.

Ace of Diamonds Mine - Route 28, Middleville, NY 13406. (315)891-3855. Prospect for "Herkimer diamonds" (double terminated quartz). Open April through October. Hours: daily, 9AM to 5PM.

Diamond Acres - Stone Arabia Road, Mohawk, New York. (518)762-7960. Dig for "Herkimer diamonds". Open May through November.

Treasure Mountain Diamond Mine route 5S Little Falls

Crystal Grove Campsite and Diamond Mines - 161 County Highway 114, St. Johnsville, NY 13452. (518)568-2914. Collecting area for "Herkimer Diamonds". Shop on premises featuring gems, minerals and gift items. Open April through October.

Salisbury Center:
Salisbury Historical Center/Covered Bridge - Route 29, Salisbury Center, NY 13454. (315)429-3605. Historic artifacts, exhibits. Free admission. Open June through September.

Salisbury Historical Society's 1805 Frisbie House - Route 29 and 29A, Salisbury Center, NY 13454. (315)429- 3605. Museum in a restored house from 1805. Exhibits. Group tours by appointment. Free admission. Handicapped accessible. Open June through August, Saturday and Sunday 1PM until 4PM. Holiday open house in December.

Canajoharie:
Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery - 2 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie, NY 13317. (518)673-2314. Collection of American paintings (Whistler, Stuart, etc). Open year round, M-W,F 10:00AM-4:45PM, Thu. 10:00AM-8:30PM, Sat. 10:00AM-1:30PM, Closed Sundays. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Fultonville
Poplar Mist Boat Tours - Fultonville, New York. (518)853-4511. Two and a half hour boat trip down the Mohawk River on a 102-passenger boat. Departs from The Poplar's Motel/Restaurant. Open mid-May through mid-October, daily 1:30PM to 3:30PM.

Fort Plain
Fort Plain Museum - 389 Canal St, Fort Plain, NY 13339. (518)993-2527. 1848 limestone Greek revival house. Headquarters of Marinus Willet during the Revolutionary War. Has exhibits on local history. Group tours by appointment. Open: mid-May through September, Wednesday through Sunday 12N until 5PM; open October through April by appointment.

Fonda:
Fonda National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine - Route 5, Fonda, NY 12068. (518)853-3646. On National Register of Historic Places.  Excavated Iroquois village of Caughnawaga (1666-1693). Chapel, cemetery, video show, exhibits. Free admission. Handicapped accessible. Open May 1 through October 31, daily 9AM until 4PM.

Jordanville:
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Monastery - Route 167 City Road 3, Jordanville, NY 13361. (315)858-0940. This continent's largest Eastern Orthodox Monastery. Gold domes and Byzantine-Russian architecture. Interior open by appointment.

dinner menu.weddings.history.live music.ghost stories.contact & directions.nearby accommodations

AREA ATTRACTIONS, within 45 minute drive
Cooperstown Area
Brewery Ommegang - 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326. (607)6547-8184. (800)656-1212. Fax (607)547-8374. info@belgianexperts.com. Offers tours of Belgian-style farmstead brewery. Tours daily through the summer season. Gift shop with beer, Belgian merchandise, chocolates, breads, cheeses, special events, tours and tastings. Picnic area available. Open Memorial Day thru Labor Day - weekends year round, Mon - Fri 2PM-7PM, Sat & Sun, 11-7.

Classic Boat Tours - Fair St, Cooperstown, New York. (607)547-8238. Boat rides on restored, classic wooden boats. Charters available. Open May 15 through October 12, 10AM until 6PM.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame - Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. (607)547-7200. Museum devoted entirely to baseball and baseball players. Open year round. May through September, daily 9AM until 9PM, October 1 through April 30, 9AM until 5PM, closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

Smithy Pioneer Gallery - Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. (607)547-8671. Blacksmith shop (circa 1786) with original forges and tools. Art galleries and exhibit. Open mid-Jun through mid Sep, Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Free admission.

Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard - Cooperstown, NY 13337. (607)547-9692. Water-powered cider mill from about 1856. Demonstrations on cider-making. Call for events. Free admission. Handicapped accessible. Open mid-August through November, daily 9AM until 6PM.

Glimmerglass Opera House route 80 cooperstown  summer opera company www.glimmerglassopera.com

Amsterdam Area
Old Fort Johnson - Route 5, Fort Johnson 12070. (518)843-0300. Sir William Johnson's home, built 1749. Has furnishings from the period. May 15 through October 15, daily, last tour at 4:30PM.

Walter Elwood Museum - 300 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY 12010. (518)843-5151. Indian, Eskimo, Early Americana. Gallery and gift shop. Open year round M-Th 8:30AM-3:30PM, F 8:30AM-1PM, with additional hrs Sep-Jun. Free admission.

National Shrine of North American Martyrs - Route 5S, Auriesville, NY 12016. (518)853-3033. Birthplace of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Indian museum, picnic area, spectacular scenery. Church seats 6,500. Open May-Oct, M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 9:30AM-5PM. (Also see related listing in Fonda)

Utica Area
Utica Zoo - Steele Hill Road, Utica, NY 13501. (315)738-0472. Has over 150 animals including primates, bird, unglates, the red panda, Siberian tiger, snow leopard, tamarins, white handed gibbon, golden lion, redruffed lemur. Handicap accessible. Open year round, daily 10AM until 5PM (including holidays).

Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute - 310 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502. (315)797-0000. Collection of international artists from 18th-20th centuries. Permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Dali, Moore, Burchfield. Open year round, Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

FX Matt (Saranac) Brewery Tour Center - Court and Varick Streets, Utica, NY 13502. (315)732-0022. One of the nation's oldest breweries. Has trolley rides to a tavern from 1888 for samples. Tours of the beermaking process. Groups welcome. Open: June through August, Monday through Saturday 10AM until 4PM; September through May, Monday through Saturday 11PM until 4PM; closed holidays.

Oneida County Historical Society - 1608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502. (315)735-3642. Museum of Mohawk Valley and Utica; reference library. Open year round, Tu-Sa 10AM-4:30PM.Free admission (fee for use of reference library).

Upstate New York Italian Cultural Center and Museum - 668 Catherine Street, Utica, NY 13501. (315)684-9502. Italian cultural heritage and museum. Exhibits include folk art, scultupres, library/archives. Gift shop. Italian language and cultural classes offered. Open year round, SaSu 1-4:30PM and by appointment. Free admission.

Emerson Art Gallery - College Chapel, Hamilton College, RD 2 Box 69, Plumbrook Road, Clinton, NY 13323. (315)859-4396. Open Jun-Aug, M-F 10AM-Noon, 2-4:30PM, Sep-Feb Sa(only) 9:30AM-12:30PM. Free admission.

Remington Firearms Museum - Ilion NY Exhibit of firearms produced by Remington Arms Co., antique and modern. Open year round, M-Sa 9AM-4PM, additional hours May-Sep Su 1-4:30PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

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AREA ATTRACTIONS, within 55 minute drive
North of Utica
Dodge-Pratt-Northam Art and Community Center - 106 Schuyler Street, Boonville, NY 13309. (315)942-5133. Victorian mansion (circa 1875) featuring art gallery with changing exhibits workshops and gift shop. Open Apr-Dec Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Free admission.

West of Utica
Oriskany Battlefield - Route 69, Oriskany, NY 13424. (315)492-1756. Site of the "bloodiest battle of the American Revolution" (1777). Tours by appointment. Open early May through mid-October, Wednesday, Saturday and Monday 9AM until 5PM.

Von Steuben Memorial - Star Hill Road, Remsen, NY 13438. (315)492-1756. The "Drillmaster of the Revolution's" gravesite. Tours by appointment. Open early May through Labor Day, Wednesday through Saturday and Monday, 10AM until 5PM, Sunday 1PM until 5PM.

Turning Stone Casino- Route 365 (Patrick Road), Verona, NY 13478. (315)361-7711. The Turning Stone Casino is the first casino in New York State since the turn of the century! Owned and operated by the Oneida Nation, the Turning Stone is one of the few casinos in the country offering an alchohol free environment for the gaming enthusiast. Offers more than 150 gaming tables.

Shako: Wi Cultural Center - Oneida Nation, Verona, NY. 13478. A complete cultural center, focusing on the Oneida Nation. The Center Museum houses an ever-changing display of a wide variety of artifacts and crafts. In addition, the Center holds classes in Oneida language and culture. Gift shop.

Erie Canal Village - Route 49W, Rome, NY 13440. (315)337-3999. Site of Fort Bull. Canal village from the 1840's. Includes a church, tavern, train station, schoolhouse, livery stable, hotel, farm cabin, ice house, and farm and canal museums. Group tours by appointment. Handicapped accessible. Open May through September, daily 10AM until 5PM.

Fort Stanwix National Monument - 112 East Park Street, Rome, NY 13440. (315)336-2090. Has costumed guides, museum, films. Group tours by appointment. Open April 1 through December 31, daily 9AM until 5PM, closed Thanksgiving.
Palatine House - Route 30, Schoharie, NY 12157. (518)295-7585. Built 1743. Oldest existing building in the village of Schoharie. Open May through October, Thursday through Monday 1PM until 5PM.

Lorenzo State Historic Site - Cazenovia, NY 13035. (315)655-3200. Federal-style mansion/estate from 1807. Has a formal garden and arboretum, gift shop, and new visitors center. Free admission. Tours. Open mid-May through October, Wednesday through Saturday 10AM until 5PM, Sunday 1PM until 5PM.

Canal Town Museum - 122 Canal Street, Canastota, NY 13032. (315)697-3451. Building is circa 1860's, houses memorabilia of canal and local related businesses. Open Apr-Dec M-Sa. Free admission.

Madisson-Bouckville Antique Markets  one of the largest village centers for antique hunting in the northeast, anual 3 day antique show attended by thousands each summer rt 20 Madisson-Bouckville

Rome Art and Community Center - 308 W. Bloomfield Street, Rome, NY 13440. (315)336-1040. Gallery, gift shop, classes. Open year round, Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Rome Historical Society Museum - 200 Church Street, Rome, NY 13440. Exhibits of Rome from past through present. Open year round, M-F 9AM-4PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

leatherstocking region
Howe Caverns - RR 1 Box 107, Howes Cave, NY 12092. (518)296-8900, Fax: 518-296-8992. Cave complex, 150+ft underground. Boat ride on underground lake. Elevators, rock formation, paved walkways, stalactites and stalagmites, constant 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Open year round, daily 9AM until 6PM; closed Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1.          90 minute drive from the Castle

National Soccer Hall of Fame - 5 Ford Avenue, Oneonta, NY 13820. (607)432-3351. Equipment, trophies and prizes from soccer's greatest. Film footage and memorabilia. Open June through September, daily 9AM until 7PM; October through May, Monday through Saturday 10AM until 3PM, Sunday Noon until 5PM.

Gates Hill Homestead - Brookfield, NY 13314. (315)899-5837. Tour of the Eternal Hills via stagecoach or horse drawn sleigh. Meal at American homestead. Open mid-April through mid-March, daily 11:30AM until 7PM.

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site - Fort Hunter, NY 12069. (518)829-7516. The only remaining site where remnants of all three Erie Canal development stages can be viewed. The Schoharie Aqueduct, built to carry the canal over the Schoharie Creek. Boating, picnicking, fishing. Free admission. Handicapped accessible. Open May 1 through October 31, daily during daylight hours. Visitors Center exhibits open May through October 31, Wednesday through Saturday 10AM until 5PM.

Blenheim Bridge - North Blenheim, New York. (518)827-6344. May be the longest two-lane, single-span, covered wooden bridge in the world.

Lansing Manor Museum - Route 30, North Blenheim, NY 12131. (518)827-6121 or (800)724-0309. Restored country estate from the nineteenth century. Free admission. Tours daily except Tuesday. Open May through October, daily 10AM until 5PM.

Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitors' Center - Route 30, North Blenheim, NY 12131. (518)827-6121. Hands-on displays, lasers, computers. Housed in converted barn (circa 1800's). Open year round, 10AM-5PM with extended hours Jul-Aug (open until 6:30PM). Free admission.

Lansing Manor Museum - Route 30, North Blenheim, NY 12131. (518)827-6121. On National Register of Historic Places. Restored country estate, circa 1800's. Fully furnished with period items. (Located on grounds of Power Project). Open May-Oct W-M 10AM-5PM. Free admission.

Schoharie County Arts Council Gallery - 54 Main Street, Cobleskill, NY 12043. Open year round, M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Old Stone Fort - Box 30A, RD2, Schoharie, NY 12157. (518)-295-7192. Historical museum including a Dutch barn circa 1760 and an 1860 schoolhouse. Originally built in 1722 as a church and fortified during the Revolutionary War. Has been a museum and library since 1889. Open May through October, Tuesday through Saturday 10AM until 5PM, Sunday 12N until 5PM.

Northeast Classic Car Museum - NYS Route 23, 24 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY 13815. (607)334-AUTO. Fax (607)843-2015. oxfrdstu@norwich.net. Featuring the Staley collection: the largest collection of Franklin automobiles in the world (manufactured in Syracuse, New York from 1902-1934). You'll also see fabulous Duesenbergs, Cords, Auburns, Packards, Cadillacs and much more - all fully functional, superbly restored and meticulously preserved. Serious collectors and everyone with an appreciation for our automotive heritage must see this exhibit. Open daily, 10 AM-5 PM. Grand Opening, Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 24, 1997), Beginning 10 AM.

Hartwick College - Oneonta, NY 13820. (607)431-4825. Open year round, Yager Hall contains collection of North American Indian artifacts from upper Susquehanna. Lectures. Foreman Galleryhas collection of paintings, scultpure, prints; regional and national artists. M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1-4PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts - The Gallery, 248 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. (607)432-2070. Exhibits include regional arts and crafts. Open year round, Tu-Sa Noon-5PM. Free admission.

Old Stone Fort - Box 30A, RD2, Schoharie, NY 12157. (518)295-8553. Historical museum including a Dutch barn circa 1760 and an 1860 schoolhouse. Originally built in 1722 as a church and fortified during the Revolutionary War. Has been a museum and library since 1889. Open May through October, Tuesday through Saturday 10AM until 5PM, Sunday 12N until 5PM.

Sharon Historical Society Museum - Main Street. Mail Address: RR1 Box 226, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. dawne@roseboro.com. Sharon Historical Museum and Schoolhouse. Dedicated to preserving Sharon's history, the museum offers an insight to the golden era of the mineral spa town with original 19th century photos and memorabilia. Upstairs are rooms authentically appointed with mid to late Victorian examples of everyday living. The recently restored Chestnut Street one room school is an example of education at its best in the 1860's. Open July through August, daily 2-4pm & Wed evenings 7-9pm during free concerts.

dinner menu.weddings.history.live music.ghost stories.contact & directions.nearby accommodations