New York: Oneida, Summer Family Vacation Ideas – Beaches, Forts, and Orchards.
As American as apple pie, Oneida County provides back to basics, good old-fashioned family fun bucolic rural setting. From fishing and stargazing to apple picking and fort building, life in the slow lane has its rewards.
Here’s the scoop. Oneida County offers authentic summer getaways without long lines or traffic jams. Anchored by beautiful Lake Oneida and the historic Erie Canal, the area is ideal for sharing simple things with your children or grandchildren including berry picking, fishing, and American history.
Escape to the lake for fun. The community of Sylvan Beach, nestled on the Eastern shore of Oneida Lake is, a resort community offering a full array of summer activities. From outstanding camping facilities near sandy beaches with cozy picnic areas to marinas, boating, and finest fishing in Central New York, the area is ideal for an easy-does-it, summer family vacation.
Bonus points: Beautiful sunsets plus Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, Carello’s Landmark Carousel, and Verona Beach Lighthouse. (Toll-free 1866-795-2332, (315) 762-5212 or
www.sylvanbeachny.com)
Visit Fort Rickey Children’s Discovery Zoo. This is a special place where family fun just happens. The zoo is meant to delight young children while they make their own observations and encounters because for kids, passive observation of zoo animals is not enough. At Fort Rickey children have the chance to be engaged and to use all their senses to explore, manipulate and discover. (Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo 5135 Rome-New London Road Rome, New York. (Tel: (315) 336- 1930 or
www.fortrickey.com)
Get a view from the fort. Fort Stanwix is known by American historians as "the fort that never surrendered”. The actual story is great to share with your kids. At the visitor center, youth of all ages are invited to take part in a special activity - "Build Your Own Fort" and to participate in Fort Stanwix’s Junior Ranger program.
Bonus points: Checkout The Backyard Club, a monthly educational series which creates connections between youth and parks through diverse park programs and inspires kids to get outside and experience America. (Fort Stanwix 112 East Park Street Rome, New York 13440. (315) 336-2090 or
Fort Stanwix for Kids)
Count the locks. Travel back in time and relive a bit of America’s history with a canal tour along the Erie Canal Way National Heritage Corridor. The captain explains the importance of the locks and what transportation was like in the 19th century. Passengers will hear the fascinating history of the canal on a 90-minute excursion.
Bonus points: Along the way participate in an actual “Lock Thru.” The lock lowers the boat 20 feet to meet with the Mohawk River and uses all original equipment still working perfectly for more than 100 years. (Erie Canal Tours 800 Mohawk Street Herkimer, New York 13350. Tel: (315) 717-0350 or
Do down to a farm. More than 50 farms and farmers markets in the area are available to visit and share experience the roots of food and farm life. For example at Aqua Vita Farms, they embrace the Aquaponic growing method and treasure the responsibility of teaching the community about sustainable agriculture. Tours take place on the fourth Saturday of the month. At North Star Orchards it is possible to pick apples and blueberries from the orchards. (Aqua Vita Farms 104 E. Seneca St. Sherrill NY 13461. Tel: (315) 534-9278 or www.aquavitafarms.com; North Star Orchards 7723 State Route 20 Sangerfield, NY 13455. Tel: (315) 841-3370 or
www.northstrorchards.com)
Location on the planet. Oneida County is in the central portion of New York State, east of Syracuse, and west of Albany.
Content researched and posted by FTF staff. Images provide by Oneida County. Copyright 2012.
