Saratoga, Syracuse and more: New York State road trips to take this summer
Pack the car and explore what New York State has to offer this summer. Credit: North Country Chamber of Commerce
Long Island may be the state’s ocean capital with the world’s greatest city next door, but beyond New York City, there are other cities, places and even coasts to explore. Here are four locations northwest of Long Island that are primed for a getaway visit. Just hop in your car and hit the road.
SARATOGA COUNTY
Catch a horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga. Credit: Alex Zhang
Part of the state’s Capital District, the region is well-known for its horse racing, and at the Saratoga Race Course (267 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs; 518-584-6200, nyra.com/saratoga), live racing kicks off July 13. Races will then be held mostly Wednesdays through Sundays until Sept. 4.
See a concert this summer at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center). Credit: Shawn LaChapelle
Check out the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs; 518-584-9330, spac.org), where you can see A-list performers including Dead & Company (June 17-18), Dave Matthews Band (July 14-15), The Chicks (Aug. 6) and Guns N’ Roses (Sept. 1), among many others. The facility is within Saratoga Spa State Park (parks.ny.gov), which also features a pair of golf courses, a pool complex and the Saratoga Automobile Museum.
If art is in your wheelhouse, the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College (815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs; 518-580-8080, tang.skidmore.edu) should be a stop to consider, as it’s not only a place to see dynamic contemporary art, but also is intended as an educational tool by the school’s students and faculty.
Biking and jogging paths wind through Saratoga National Historical Park. Credit: National Park Service
To see a spot full of history, visit Saratoga National Historical Park (648 Rte. 32, Stillwater; 518-670-2985, nps.gov), the site of a key victory during the American Revolutionary War. The county also holds a unique experience: the mineral water springs that give the city of Saratoga Springs its name. There are 21 naturally carbonated public mineral springs found across Saratoga, and each has its own taste due to different mineral makeup. Thirsty tourists can bring their own cups or bottles to sample the waters; visit discoversaratoga.org for an online map to each spring.
STAY The Gideon Putnam has a pair of restaurants (one indoor, one outdoor) and Roosevelt Baths and Spa, which features mineral baths in addition to facials, massages and other treatments. (24 Gideon Putnam Rd., Saratoga Springs; 866-890-1171, gideonputnam.com. Rates start about $192, but vary throughout the summer.)
SYRACUSE
St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse has tons of live entertainment and concerts to see this summer. Credit: Visit Syracuse
See a concert at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview (490 Restoration Way, Syracuse; 315-435-5100, asmsyracuse.com), located on Onondaga Lake. Shows slated for this summer include Chris Stapleton (June 8), Luke Bryan (June 15) and Phish (July 23). For a more indie opportunity, the Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards (2708 Lords Hill Rd., Lafayette; 315-696-6085, beakandskiff.com) is holding its "Summer Concert Series"; with performances by Mt. Joy (May 26), Rainbow Kitten Surprise (June 10) and Fleet Foxes (July 12).
Chittenango Falls State Park (2300 Rathbun Rd., Cazenovia; 315-492-1756, parks.ny.gov), which features a 167-foot waterfall that pours over 400-million-year-old bedrock, includes hiking trails and fishing opportunities among the park’s amenities. A bit closer to the city (by about 15 miles), Pratt’s Falls Park (7671 Pratt's Falls Rd., Manlius; 315-683-5550, onondagacountyparks.com) has a 137-foot waterfall, and the trails offer views of both the falls and its gorge.
The historic Erie Canal connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River — and while the canal's days as a vital commercial and shipping route have mostly passed, it’s still open to tourists in some spots. To tour the canal near Syracuse, head to Camillus Erie Canal Park (5750 Devoe Rd., Camillus; 315-488-3409, eriecanalcamillus.com), which offers jaunts May through mid-Oct. for $8, $3 ages 5-12; the maximum charge for a family is $15.
Green Lakes State Park (7900 Green Lakes Rd., Fayetteville; 315-637-6111, parks.ny.gov) is a big draw within the greater Syracuse region, with its two lakes, Green Lake and Round Lake, both leftovers of the ice age. There is an 18-hole golf course designed by notable course architect Robert Trent Jones at the park.
Baseball also is a big part of the Syracuse experience, as the Syracuse Mets, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets play here at NBT Bank Stadium (106 Lake Dr., Liverpool; 315-451-7275, onondagacountyparks.com). Grab a bite at Salt City Market (484 S. Salina St., Syracuse; 315-401-4111, saltcitymarket.com), a food hall that contains 11 vendors, ranging in cuisines such as Middle Eastern, Thai, soul food, Southern and Burmese, among other options; the venue also hosts a bar and a cafe. Over at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo (1 Conservation Place, Syracuse; 315-435-8511, rosamondgiffordzoo.org), guests can look for Yaad and Tukada, the first-ever surviving Asian elephant twins born in the United States, who only arrived last fall.
STAY Aloft Syracuse Inner Harbor sits along the Onondaga Creek and has an indoor pool. (310 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse; 315-422-1700, marriott.com. Rates start about $179.) The hotel also offers free shuttles from and to Syracuse Hancock International Airport (connects with LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark airports).
UTICA
Lemurs are just one of many animals you can see at the Utica Zoo. Credit: Utica Zoo
NY Energy Zone (35 Utica Zoo Way, Utica; 315-792-8720, nypa.gov), created by the New York Power Authority as an educational experience, features interactive activities, exhibits, movies and other things to see that are all focused on electricity — ranging from its role in human lives to how electric power has impacted the Empire State. Nearby is the Utica Zoo (1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica; 315-738-0472, uticazoo.org), which was established in 1914 and currently holds more than 99 species of animals. Guests can encounter Nigerian dwarf goats and Bactrian camels, among other ambassador animals.
The Turning Stone resort and casino (5218 Patrick Rd., Verona; 800-771-7711, turningstone.com) has a concert calendar that features some A-list acts set for this summer, such as Tom Jones (May 26) and Tim McGraw (July 2).
For a family-friendly experience, visit Wagner Farms (5841 Old Oneida Rd., Rome; 315-339-5182, wagnerfarmsny.godaddysites.com), known for its jams and jellies, and sunflower fields that bloom come July and August. At Spring Creek Lavender (8879 Trenton Falls Prospect Rd., Remsen; 315-790-1014, springcreeklavenderny.com), lavender blooms in June and u-pick is offered (from mid-June toward the end of July). Events also are held here, including both goat yoga and adult date nights (weekends in July).
STAY The Cove at Sylvan Beach is a new getaway-and-stay destination that opens May 5, and is intended for a weeklong stay (through August) on Oneida Lake. There are 70 dog-friendly cottages from which to choose, each equipped with a boat slip and a pontoon boat (also dog-friendly) plus a fire pit, a gas grill and a full kitchen, as well as Wi-Fi and access to an outdoor heated pool, among other amenities. (750 Pioneer Ave., Sylvan Beach; 315-356-1840, covesylvanbeach.com. Rates vary.)
THE ADIRONDACK COAST
City of Plattsburgh's beach on the shore of Lake Champlain is a very popular spot during the summer months. Credit: North Country Chamber of Commerce
For some beach time, the Plattsburgh City Beach (1 Beach Rd., Plattsburgh; 518-324-7709, cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov) has more than a mile of sand plus a swimming area, a concession stand, kayak rentals and a nature trail. The region also is known for its state parks that offer shoreline access, such as Cumberland Bay State Park (152 Cumberland Head Rd., Plattsburgh; 518-563-5240, parks.ny.gov), Ausable Point (3346 Lakeshore Dr., Peru; 518-561-7080, dec.ny.gov) and Point au Roche State Park (19 Camp Red Cloud Rd., Plattsburgh; 518-563-0369, parks.ny.gov).
Scenic trails also are part of the area’s attractions, and those looking to hike should start at the Adirondack Park (visitadirondacks.com). The coast is part of this National Historic Landmark, which holds 6 million acres of protected wilderness area that boasts 2,000 miles of trails that cover all skill levels. Visitors can go kayaking and canoeing, ranging from flat water routes for beginners to Hanging Spear Falls, which is billed as the steepest mile of white-water in New York State (and should be attempted only by professionally trained kayakers).
An event not to miss in the area is “Champ Day” at Champ Beach Park and Campground (Beach Road, Port Henry; porthenrymoriah.com). The event celebrates “Champ” or “Champy,” the purported leviathan that has long been rumored to live in Lake Champlain. The one-day bash is a family-friendly affair with vendors, a cardboard boat race, a “Champ Lure” contest, photo opportunities and more, all in the name of New York State’s most famous alleged lake monster; the 2023 date is to be announced.
STAY The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort includes restaurants plus sports betting, slots and table games to try. The resort also has a calendar of live entertainment and DJ nights. (873 Rte. 37, Hogansburg; 518-358-2222, mohawkcasino.com. Rates start at $179.)
