Butternut Valley Days 2026 | Otsego County Festivals
Three communities, two weekends and one packed late-summer celebration. Discover music, outdoor adventures, art, food and family fun during Butternut Valley Days.
Neighbors who become friends who become family. Community is about belonging, and you belong here.
Being able to build a community of friends and family and developing a sense of “belonging” is at the core of so many life decisions. Our area is a unique and appealing blend of city, suburban, and rural living-with a rare collection communities that are welcoming, charming and diverse. Neighbors who become friends, who turn into family are just waiting to meet you! If community is about belonging, WELCOME HOME!
Are you looking for a suburban neighborhood where kids play without care? Or is a downtown loft steps away from trendy restaurants and nightlife more your scene? Maybe you’re looking for something quieter and more surrounded by nature or farmland to raise your own crops. We have everything within just one region here in Upstate NY.
Well below the national average for housing prices, the latest data shows the 12-month average house price was $202,909 for the period September 2024-August 2025.
Wondering how far your salary will go in Upstate New York? Curious about your monthly mortgage payment? How much weekly groceries will cost you? The average cost of utilities? Let’s find out!


Upstate New York prides itself on offering the highest quality of public, private, and higher education; and is proudly home to some of the top-ranking educational institutions in the entire country.
In decades past, Upstate New York served as an area of great economic importance, as smaller cities along the Mohawk River were once fractions of a vast manufacturing hub for industries ranging from textiles to technology. Our local educational institutions have embraced this rich, home-based history, and now proudly specialize in offering innovative technology programs that provide hands-on learning experiences and prep students for careers in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technology.
Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School District
Cooperstown Central School District
Edmeston Central School District
Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School District
Laurens Central School District
Milford Central School District
Morris Central School District
Otego-Unadilla Central School District
Richfield Springs Central School District
One notable educational institution in Otsego County is Pathfinder Village in Edmeston, an internationally recognized open-access neighborhood offering quality of life and independence for people living with Down syndrome and developmental disabilities. Pathfinder Village provides individualized education programs and is a living testament to Otsego County’s commitment to inclusive education.
Notre Dame is a unique community known for high academic standards, a value-centric mission, and an inclusive school community. At Notre Dame, they aim to develop each student’s unique gifts and talents and assist them in achieving their full potential. Therefore, particular emphasis is placed on teaching moral values, effective oral and written communication skills, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. In addition, faith development and sharing are encouraged in daily religion classes, school-wide liturgies and prayer services, and retreat opportunities.
Students also have many opportunities to participate in interscholastic and intramural sports, music, drama, and other activities. Highlights include:

Is Liberal Arts your calling? Are you a tech-savvy individual, and ready to focus on an Engineering or Computer Sciences career path? Or perhaps your long-term plans are still up in their air, so it makes more sense to kickstart your college career with a 2-year degree? Are you looking to live on an expansive campus, or does the intimate vibe of a community college make more sense?
Whichever higher education scenario appeals to you, Upstate New York has the collegiate opportunity you’re looking for.
Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter all get equal billing in Upstate NY! Summer highs average around 80 degrees while winter lows average 16 degrees. You’ll need a wardrobe that spans from swimsuits to a down-filled parka, but we promise, you’ll enjoy each and every season as we know how to make the most of the weather and there’s ALWAYS something to do! Check out our “Explore” section for lots of ideas!
You’ll love our Upstate Fall51 degrees/39 degrees
Utica Coffee’s Great Pumpkin Flavored Coffee
Saranac’s Pumpkin Ale
Clinton Cider Mill’s apple cider donuts
Apple picking at Windy Hill Orchards
Upstate Winter33 degrees/17 degrees
Utica Coffee’s Flavored Mocha Mint Coffee
Almond Paste Cookies from Café Canole
Utica Greens from Georgio’s Cafe
Bright Nights at the Utica Zoo
ADK Polar Express Train Ride
Spring55 degrees/40 degrees
Corned Beef and Cabbage from the Celtic Harp Restaurant and Pub
Green Beer
St Patrick’s Day Parade
America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk
Summer84 degrees/71 degrees
Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale
Utica’s Boilermaker
Saranac Thursdays
Great NY State Fair

Get the 411 on what’s Upstate! Learn the things you absolutely must know when moving to a new city.
Three communities, two weekends and one packed late-summer celebration. Discover music, outdoor adventures, art, food and family fun during Butternut Valley Days.
Celebrating new ideas, new businesses, and the people building them. “What do you want for dinner?” The usual response? “I don’t know. What do you want?” Repeat the same question six more times, open the fridge, close the fridge, and somehow end up making a silent, defeated turn into the same drive-thru. Or ordering the…
What’s New in Upstate NY: A Mid-2026 Snapshot of What’s Actually Being Built Every few months, it is worth stopping and taking stock. Not of what is being teased. Not of what is floating around in a rendering with perfect lighting, suspiciously clean sidewalks, and exactly one golden retriever. What is actually being built?…
What’s New, Utica: Care, Wonder, and New Businesses in the Utica Area Celebrating new ideas, new businesses, and the people building them. Cities don’t become interesting by accident. They’re built one odd little decision at a time. Somebody says, “You know what this town needs?” Vietnamese pho. Fresh donuts. A coral reef. Or a company…
What’s New, Utica? Celebrating New Ideas, New Businesses, and the People Building Them Some cities get another chain restaurant. Another beige office buzzing with harsh overhead fluorescent lighting. Another place that makes you wonder if anyone involved has ever experienced joy. And then there’s Utica. Around here lately, people are opening businesses rooted in connection,…
What’s Up in Rome? A $10 Million DRI, The Runway, Chobani, and a Waterfront Finding Its Footing Rome does not always get the headline. Utica tends to grab the spotlight. Cooperstown gets the postcard treatment. The Adirondacks loom nearby like the cool older cousin with a cabin and better hiking boots. But in the last…
Celebrating new ideas, new businesses, and the people building them. Spring is in the air. Well… right after that last rogue snowflake drifting past your office window finally melts in the afternoon sun. But it’s coming. And when it does, Upstate New York does what it always does. Quietly. Confidently. Beautifully. It comes back to…
Discover new businesses in Utica NY including Lafa Mediterranean, Silk Utica, Urban Planet, and more local momentum shaping the Mohawk Valley.
Three Blocks, One Big Vision: What’s Coming to Utica’s Nexus Neighborhood The Wynn Hospital opened downtown. Harbor Point opened on the waterfront. The Utica University Nexus Center is already drawing athletes, families, tournaments, and visitors to the city. And now, three city blocks between those major investments are being designed for what comes next.…
Heavy snow, bitter cold, and icy roads are hitting Central New York. Here’s how to protect your heart—and look out for neighbors—during this Upstate winter storm.
Utica Builds a Waterfront. Here’s What Harbor Point Actually Is. For a long time, Harbor Point was one of those phrases people in Utica used to describe something that was coming. Eventually. Someday. You know, the classic Upstate development timeline: big vision, many meetings, occasional renderings, and everyone politely wondering whether they would need a…
Oneonta, New York boasts affordable home prices, exposed rock cliffs, and a minor-league baseball team.
Prior to my wife, Denise and I purchasing the former Bellinger Rose Bed & Breakfast in the fall of 2021 the questions posed to us were: “Why Herkimer? What is in Herkimer? What is there to do in Herkimer? Are you sure Herkimer is the right place to purchase a B & B?” But there…
Growing up in a refugee camp in Thailand, I had never imagined one day I would be dancing and performing throughout Upstate New York. My journey started on the muddy road of a citizen-less refugee camp for the K’Nyaw (Karen) people of Myanmar. I was born in the hospital of the Umphiem refugee camp in…
We’re so happy you’re interested in exploring our beautiful, diverse murals and cities. The goals of the trail are simple. We wish to provide visitors and locals with a free way to view public art; we want to shine a light on the artists involved, many of whom are local; we want people to explore the…
At the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, we have a long-term commitment to help our partners bring about neighborhood revitalization—to breathe new life into communities from Little Falls to Camden. By definition, revitalization is the act or process of giving new life, fresh vitality or energy to someone or something. In this case,…
Do you have a great story about why you love to live in Upstate NY? Share your story with Sean today!
On April 25, 2022, Wolfspeed hosted the grand opening for their Mohawk Valley Fab, the World’s first, largest, and only 200mm silicon carbide manufacturing facility. Click here to watch the video and learn more about Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab !
Hear how Sharrone and Anna Sofer started a business on $20,000 and a prayer! Visit them at The Compound, 106 Genesee Street in Utica, NY for delicious grilled cheeses, burgers, baked potatoes, gifts and more!
https://youtu.be/oowwNiWncjE Hear from Laura about why she chose to live in Upstate, New York with her family! In her video you’ll learn how she enjoys all 4 seasons with her kids and why she feels you won’t find a better place to live.
This guide, originally created to promote “How to Explore the Outdoors While Physical Distancing”, is a comprehensive overview of the beautiful trails we have in Oneida County. While reading through the guide, you might think of exploring in spring, summer and fall, but don’t stop there! You can also hike, cross country ski and snowshoe…
More than 25 public courses in 25 minutes! Did you know that we have over 25 public golf courses in Oneida County? Since we live in such a large county, it’s convenient to have a vast variety of courses spanning most cities and towns across #ocnewyork. And not only are there golf courses sprinkled across the…
There is SO MUCH going in throughout the Utica area (yes, even during the winter) for families, sometimes you just need to know where to look. Whether you’re a Utica native or just visiting, here are 5 great family-friendly destinations within the city that are sure to bring the culture and the fun. The Utica…
Everything you need to know to take on your first backpack camping trip right here in the 315. One hundred minutes from your front door to off the off the grid! One of my favorite camping destinations is the 8th Lake Lean-to which sits on the West side of 8th Lake and is in the…
Sure – Utica is famous for our Italian cuisine, chicken riggies and greens, but what might be lesser known is just how diverse the landscape of food is in our city. It’s become a melting pot of immigrants, refugees and transplants from all over the world and everyone has brought their unique style of food…
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Join Councilperson Celeste Friend to take a tour of the South Utica neighborhood!
I grew up an Air Force brat. Born in Caribou, Maine, I stayed attached to my mother’s side as we relocated to Guam, Hawaii, Indiana, and Missouri. Life on base was interesting, as we were surrounded by like-minded families from all walks of life who, just like us, relocated every four years. My time on…
The last two years have been challenging for the world – the pandemic has consumed our news outlets, disrupted our community, family and social lives, as well as affected the way our employers have had to think about “business as usual.” Our schools have had to create alternative ways for educating our children. Hospitality, hotels…