More Experiences - Southwest Region
Lake Ontario, Tug Hill Plateau, Mohawk River, Southern Adirondacks
Just north of Port Ontario on Rte. 3 look for Selkirk Shores State Park and the Selkirk Lighthouse where the Lesser Salmon River flows into Lake Ontario. Explore the town’s history. Cyclists can pick up the Seaway Trail bike loop here.
In Oswego (Rte. 104), tour the Erie Canal, Fort Lake Ontario, and to the east, the Derby Hill Bird Observatory (Rte. 3) where thousands of hawks pass overhead during a few days in late April.
In Henderson Harbor (Rte. 3) be sure to look for historic buildings dating to the early 1800s. Scenic Southwick Beach State Park (Rte. 3) is a favorite of campers. Anglers will recognize Henderson Harbor as home of the PBS television series, "Rod and Reel." Pick berries inland along Rte. 11 in Adams Center and in Adams enjoy fresh Great Lakes Cheese.
Among the historical homes in Croghan (Rte. 812), the Mennonite Heritage Farm, now a museum, preserves the lives of early Amish-Mennonite settlers. Located just outside Croghan, the farm hosts the annual Zwanzigstein Fest, a day-long celebration featuring traditional Mennonite foods, crafts, and activities. Close by, on the Beaver River, nine hydro plants take advantage of the drop of elevation from the eastern edge of Lewis County to its confluence with the Black River.
The Tug Hill Plateau (Rtes. 12 and/or 26), with breathtaking views of the farmlands of the Black River Valley and the Adirondacks, rises from the shores of Lake Ontario to an elevation of 2,000 feet, and is a mecca for recreation enthusiasts. With average yearly snowfall of 200 to 300 inches, the greatest anywhere in the eastern U.S., winter sports here are unbeatable.
See Welsh traditions at the Remsen Barn Festival (off Rte. 28/12) in early September. Be sure to visit the Steuben Memorial, the burial site and log cabin home of the Revolutionary War General who fought with General Washington at Valley Forge, and authored the military Blue Book still used today.
Between the Erie Canal and the Mohawk River (5 Oriskany Blvd. to Barnes Ave.), the 213 acre Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area is a mixture of cattail wetlands, wet meadows, open-water pools, and flooded willows. The diverse marsh habitat harbors a tremendous variety of plants and animals, especially birds.
Visit the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, (310 Genesee St, Utica) famous for its collections of 18th, 19th, and 20th century American and European arts. All 25,000 pieces!