Utica is not much of a touristy town it’s more like a stopover and a starting point for exploring the area which is very attractive. Of course you can’t miss visiting the city which has its highlights and you can see the results of an era that was based on manufacturing.
Among the attractions is Hotel Utica that reigns as the central piece of the city. You can have some fun there but you can also choose the Brewery District full of venues featuring live music and art collections of local artists. For gamblers there’s the Turning Stone Casino where they can try their hand at different games.
There are many other spots where you can have fun in the city and for the party seeking crowds they are the major attractions. One of the most frequented ones is Space 26 with super drinks and hot atmosphere mostly frequented by those who appreciate a good sip. More low key is Griffin's Pub a venue loved by the locals. This is the place to go if you want to do what the locals do and maybe you’ll find out more about the city from a local’s point of view. Maybe they’ll point you to the most or least frequented places depending on your interest, but they will surely tell you about the marvelous Oneida Lake, a must see for all those who happen to be in the city, be it business reasons or touristy ones.
The lake is a big attraction both for its beauty and for the entertainment possibilities it offers. Especially for kids there’s the Sylvan Beach Amusement Park where they can try the roller coaster, bumper cars, slides, boats and more while adults can enjoy watching them while having a little piece of mind.
Fun can continue at Fort Rickey Children's Discovery Zoo where the children can touch the animals. Parents will find Utica a good place to come with their children and they will surely find something for themselves as Sylvan Beach is awaiting adults too. The options are numerous. They can sunbathe during the day and enjoy the nightlife afterwards. During the summer the place is quite crowded and it is difficult to find a spot. If you’d rather go further north you will get to the beautiful area of Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area where the shoreline is not so crowded and you will even have the pleasure to see some wildlife.
Hiking is also an option. And if that doesn’t satisfy you, which is hard to believe, head to another attraction of the area: the Howe Caverns. It’s a passage set for the visitors who come here every year to take the journey to central New York's underworld. The tours include a boar ride on the underground lake of Venus.
Coming back on the surface you can continue exploring the area with the Erie Canal Village an 18th century village packed with colonial buildings. Here you can take a different boat ride than in the Howe Caverns, the Erie Canal offering a beautiful view. The place is like a museum in the open air with all the buildings to be found in an old village, but it’s not boring at all everything is set for the visitor’s entertainment and information.
Another historic sight is Fort Stanwix an 18th century fort located in the middle of downtown Rome. The fort’s importance in the place’s history is undoubted. The main reason for which it was built was to protect its strategic position as it happened to be at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Lakes in the area. Visiting the fort will give you an idea on how the people in that time lived.
Emerge yourself in the culture and traditions, get to know the people, taste the cuisine, and enjoy the splendors of the area!
