Beautiful countryside, cultural attractions and outdoor pursuits make this city in central New York State a wonderful year-round escape.
With mountains, lakes, rivers, wildlife and museums, there is much to see and do in and around Utica. The city in central New York State sits in the Mohawk Valley in the foothills of the Adirondacks Mountains.
Make the most of Utica’s position on the Erie Canal to explore the local scenery. Cruise the canal and the Mohawk River on a guided boat tour, passing one of New York State’s oldest churches and through an early 20th-centruy lock. Alternatively, walk or cycle along the Erie Canalway Trail.
Ride the Adirondack Scenic Railroad for a journey through the vast Adirondack Park. The railway operates between Utica and Lake Placid and travels through forests and past streams, providing superb views of the Adirondack Mountains. Return to the park for year-round recreational activities including skiing, whitewater rafting, hiking and rock climbing.
During your Utica vacation, visit the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area to follow the boardwalk trails through the wetlands. Look for muskrats and birds such as great blue herons, mallards and Canadian geese. For even more wildlife, go to Utica Zoo.
Carve out time to explore Utica’s indoor attractions. View 300 years of American art at the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute. Delve into centuries of the area’s history at the Oneida County Historical Society. At the Children’s Museum of History, Science and Technology, children can enjoy hours of hands-on science fun. Learn about some of the leading distance-running athletes at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.
Be sure to be in the city in early July for the Boilermaker Road Race. The annual 9.3-mile (15-kilometer) competition attracts runners from all over the world.
Utica is located in the center of New York State and is easy to reach by road, rail or air. A train journey from New York City takes about 4.5 hours. Enjoy great scenery, wildlife and cultural attractions.
