An hour, an afternoon, a whole day, or a weekend – there are so many perfect ways to get to know our area!
What’s our vibe? You’ll just have to experience it yourself! We have the best weekend getaways, road trips, family outings, spa days, cultural and sporting events, or just an evening with cocktails and fine dining.
Whatever your interests, we can point you in the right direction. We’ve tapped into some of our most enthusiastic Upstaters to help you plan your trip.
Don’t see something that interests you here? Let us help build your perfect Upstate experience. Send us a note and we’ll be in touch!
From entry-level to management, The Fountainhead Group is committed to providing advancement opportunities for all of our employees, regardless of prior experience or training. We’re thrilled to highlight some of our best and brightest, all of whom started on the manufacturing floor and have grown exciting careers in all levels of management!
It doesn’t take a boulder to make a ripple, just a single stone. Joe and Monica Hickel, owners of Monarch Banquets, have been hosting events for local non-profit organizations for over a decade. It was through those events they began to hear stories of children showing up to school without proper winter clothing during the…
An Inspirational and Beautiful Gift to the Community “So often, tradition and innovation seem at odds with each other,” explained John Ossowski, “we see them as part of a necessary process of change that happens regardless of whether we want it to or not. Every tradition starts out as an innovation – we are all…
Hut Number 22 Where Grandmothers Share Stories and Sell Seasonings “Refugee grandmothers, most American citizens now, from Bhutan worked hard to ensure their families stayed together and survived in refugee camps. Men had to leave home to find labour jobs far from the camp and their families. Grandmothers stepped up. Moving to the United States…
Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri and artist Steven Teller announced the completion of the mural at Liberty Corner. The mural took just over 90 days to complete, required hundreds of can of spray paint and was document on social media by residents across the Mohawk Valley. Teller’s concept includes a river of roses and local…
For Coleman and Heather Covington, life in Otsego County is pretty sweet. As the owners of Five Kids Bakehouse, a bakery and cafe in Gilbertsville, their breads, pastries, and coffee fuel the local community. What started with selling Heather’s homemade baked goods from their front porch grew to a retail location in June 2021, thanks…
Utica becomes one of only five US cities to ever host the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships. This year’s tournament is set for April 3-14 at the Adirondack Bank Center and is expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to our area. The tournament features the best women’s ice hockey players in…
The Mohawk Valley region of Upstate New York, which includes Utica, Rome, Herkimer, and Cooperstown, is home to a large, vibrant, and growing Hispanic community. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the region with a variety of events and activities that highlight the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Here are a few…
Today, we remember those whose lives were lost during a horrific terrorist attacks on our soil and honor the first responders who heroically put their safety aside that day to assist those caught in the attacks. We must always stand against extremism and evil. Seven people with ties to the region were among those who…
We have an announcement to make: Welcome Otsego County Group to What’s Upstate NY! We are excited to expand our reach into neighboring Otsego County! The following Otsego partners have joined forces known as the Otsego County Group to make this happen! You will begin to see Otsego County businesses, attractions, events, blogs, and information…
The Parade steps off at 10am on Saturday, July 29, followed later that evening by the Symphoria Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert, featuring popular show tunes, rousing marches, and Americana at its best on the west lawn of Fort Stanwix National Monument in downtown Rome. Enjoy the cannon fire, the ringing of church bells, and a…
The Otsego County nonprofit community was still buzzing from the Community Foundation of Otsego County’s first nonprofit breakfast in November 2022, when, on Monday, May 22, CFOC hosted its second event at SUNY Oneonta. Over 80 representatives from 50 Otsego County nonprofits were in attendance. The big announcement: through a CFOC collaboration with the Community…
Looking for world-class golf? Check out the beautiful Yahnundasis Golf Club, in New Hartford. The Yahnundasis, a private club, was established in 1897. Today, the club is recognized as one of the top 40 golf courses in New York State by Golf Magazine (www.golf.com), and one of only five courses outside of the greater New York…
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…
Workforce development is key to fostering opportunities to expand our community’s ever-evolving diverse workforce, from traditional pathways to innovative and emerging ways that promote economic growth. In collaboration with community partners, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is committed to developing a thriving labor force in growing industries through a continuing workforce development…
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,…
“The Sebilj is an incredible symbol of my Bosnian culture and traditions. It reminds me where I came from, and allows me to pass on the history and stories of my country to my children and to future generations. Every time I visit it, I will remember who I am and the country that formed…
What makes a community truly feel like home? What makes a community, a community? We believe it’s the people who live there. And the Mohawk Valley is unique in the sense that its relatively small population represents enormous cultural diversity. At the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, we put residents first. We pool…
Meet one of Mohawk Valley’s unsung heroes – – Frank Yarborough, a therapist at Cayuga Centers, a child and family service agency. His journey from being a foster child to helping at-risk youth tells a tale of hope and healing for New York State’s struggling families and kids. Frank was born into a tumultuous home…
Name: Samantha Age: 32 Location: New York Mills, NY Occupation: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) What are your top 3 interests?: Weather, cats, gaming Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: I moved to upstate NY about two years ago from Scotland. I grew up near Glasgow, and then completed my…
Name: Laura Powers Age: 40s Location: Little Falls Occupation: Financial Advisor What are your top 3 interests?: Helping others (professionally, personally, and through community service).Promoting the region’s assets and connecting great people together who share a goal to improve our community.And, of course, exploring the Mohawk Valley (particularly Little Falls!) with my family. Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: Highlights:…
Name: Britta Hennessy Age: 30s Location: Old Forge NY Occupation: Business Owner What are your top 3 interests?: Spending time outside as a family with two young boys; hiking, skiing, and mountain biking Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: Devlin and I moved to Old Forge from NYC 7 years ago to renovate and rebrand a historical resort property on Fourth…
Name: Chester DiBari III Age: 30s Location: Rome Occupation: Executive Director, Rome Health Foundation What are your top 3 interests?: great dining, outdoor recreation, kid-friendly activities Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: Married to my wife of 10 years, we relocated (return trip for me) to CNY in 2018 with our two children from Washington, DC. We enjoy experiencing all…
Name: Carli Age: 20s Location: Utica Occupation: Director of Philanthropy What are your top 3 interests?: My top three interests are trying new local restaurants, exploring in the Adirondacks, and working out. Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: I’m Carli, a 28-year-old Utican who loves this city and doing my part in helping it thrive! I work at a…
Name: Kay Age: 20s Location: Utica Occupation: Quality Engineering What are your top 3 interests?: Home improvement projects, meeting people and learning their stories, and discovering new places, cultures, and adventures. Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: Moved to Utica at the age of 19 as an International student. While in College, I interned and worked at multiple tech…
Name: Frank Age: 70+ Location: Utica Occupation: VP of MVCC, lifelong entrepreneur, co-founder, and owner of Comets, Utica City FC, Babes, 72 Tavern, etc etc What are your top 3 interests?: Quality of life here in Oneida CountyStart-Up opportunities for individualsMentoring individuals who never thought they could start a successful business in Utica and live here. Tell us about yourself!…
Name: Tabo Bo Age: 20s Location: Utica Occupation: Delivery Driver for Parkway Drugs (part-time) and Site Tutor for Young Scholars LPP (part-time) What are your top 3 interests?: Mix Martial Arts (MMA)Poetry and other creative artsProducing and Partaking in Nomadic Voices Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: I was born in a Thai refugee camp in the midst of a…
Name: Sharrone Sofer Age: 30s Location: Utica Occupation: Owner, The Compound What are your top 3 interests?: Food • Music • Real Estate Tell us about yourself! Who are you?: I’m a serial entrepreneur and general big-picture guy who’s come back to CNY from Austin, TX after a lifetime rambling all around the USA. Currently a real estate agent with the…
Do you have a great story about why you love to live in Upstate NY? Share your story with Sean today!
Love. Acceptance. Support. Joy. Those were just some of the adjectives used to describe the 2nd Annual Little Falls PRIDE event that took place Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Little Falls, NY. Rainbow decorations covered Burke Park, and people lined the sidewalks draped in PRIDE flags of different colors. The weekend kicked off Friday night…
https://youtu.be/tevpUvxy27Q Hear how Britta and Devlin enjoy everything winter in Old Forge, NY!
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 !
https://youtu.be/DgpimYvkF9I Hear how Hanka enjoys slowing down for a cup of coffee at a delicious Bosnian Cafe, Yummilicious Cafe & Bakery, located at 1600 Rutger Street in Utica, NY.
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/jREzoFe6Ea0 Hear how Carli’s experience as a Saranac Brewery Ambassador helped her find a sense of community!
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.
https://youtu.be/W5vHDzQsr_4 Even the AHL feels the energy of Upstate, New York! Hear from Frank DuRoss, co-founder and owner of the Utica Comets, about why they chose to make Utica their home.
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…
Fall Festival Weekends (Sauquoit) What: Hosted by Lincoln Davies Building Supply, this event has plenty of activities for all ages. There is a corn maze, hayrides, food, bounce house and live music on select weekends. Oneida Lake Chicken Wing Run (Sylvan Beach) What: The weekend includes an optional raft off 3 Mile Bay, chicken wing lunch at…
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…
From spring through fall, you’ll find it all! Last summer, Oneida County Tourism wrote a blog that featured U-pick experiences at different farms in Oneida County. As spring quickly approaches, we thought we’d share a calendar of what you can pick throughout the seasons. Social media has had both a positive and negative impact on these experiences…
Hear how Chet and his family enjoy a more balanced lifestyle by moving here from Washington, DC
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…
Travel Blogger www.postcardsfromsomeplace.com There has never been a better time to be a beer lover in Upstate NY. A microbrewery revolution has hit the streets and the Mohawk Valley has hopped onto the scene. My college years turned me into a domestic beer drinker, but shortly after meeting my husband, I retired domestic bottles and…
Explore Sylvan Beach on beautiful Oneida Lake with Dyann!
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…
Is company culture important to you? Learn how Site Seeker is dedicated to improving communications internally and externally with their clients.
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…
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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…
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