Watertown, NY Road Trips

Settlers came here in the early 1800s to use the power from the Black River for industry. On April 13, 1852 Frank Winfield Woolworth was born in the tiny village of Rodman, ten miles south of Watertown; he attended business college in the city and worked as a stockboy in a general store on Watertown's Public Square in 1873 before attempting to launch his own "five-cent store" in Utica in 1878. That short-lived effort fared poorly, but a Woolworth "five and dime" in Lancaster (Pennsylvania) in 1879 succeeded. Watertown is only a few miles from Fort Drum, home of the US Army 10th Mountain Division, the region's largest employer. It is home to various manufacturing industries (the "Car Freshener" scented air freshener is a local invention) and to Jefferson Community College.

1 Public Square (Downtown) (US 11 and US 12 will take you directly to the Public Square from the entrance of the city.). The Public Square is the city hub of Watertown, and contains numerous local businesses, and a beautiful oval-shaped mini-park with benches, a large fountain, and a gazebo. (updated Aug 2022) New York State Zoo at Thompson Park, ☏ +1 315 755-0894. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM. 32-acre Thompson Park Zoo exhibits species that are or were native to New York State, including wolverines, black bears, eagles, mountain lions, Canada lynx and grey wolves. $9/adult. 2 Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library (US 11 and US 12 will take you directly to the Public Square from the entrance of the city.), ☏ +1 315-785-7705, fax: +1 315-788-2584. M-W 9AM-8PM, Th F 10AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM. Closed on Sundays. The Flower Memorial Library is the only library in Watertown, and it is one of the most beautiful in the North Country. The library was built in 1905, dedicated to the 30th Governor of New York, and has two stone lions in the front. Inside, it has paintings, and wonderful architecture that will probably make you feel very relaxed. It also has Wi-Fi! (updated Aug 2022) Washington Street Arboretum, 200 block of Washington Street. Over 30 different varieties and species of trees.

Black River. Kayaking and whitewater rafting. Three rafting companies (Adirondack, Bob's, Hudson), seven miles of whitewater, fourteen sets of class III and IV rapids. Riverfront walking trails at the Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk, Waterworks and Marble Street Park; bike, hike or fish along the shoreline. Dry Hill Ski Area, 18160 Alpine Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 315 782-8584, toll-free: +1-800-379-8584, fax: +1 315 782-1741. Wintertime tubing, snowboarding and downhill skiing. Thompson Park, entrances off Gotham St, Academy St and Franklin St. Daily 7AM-9PM. A historic Olmsted Creation with scenic views, children's playground, pool, golf course, zoo, picnic area. On or near the 4th of July, the Potsdam-based Orchestra of Northern New York presents the 1812 overture with cannons as a concert in the park, followed by fireworks. Snowtown USA. Two weeks of indoor and outdoor activities and exhibitions, mid-February. Snowtown Film Festival in late January.

Art's Jug, 820 Huntington St., ☏ +1 315 788-9513. Daily 4-9:30PM. Italian. CaffeineHolic, 1 Public Square Suite 10 (inside the Paddock Arcade), ☏ +1 315 955-6972. Café, wi-fi. Church Street Diner, 107 Church St, Carthage 13619, ☏ +1 315 493-0997. Daily 6AM-2PM. Burgers, sandwiches, chicken, breakfast foods. Jreck Subs, 1201 Arsenal St., ☏ +1 315 782-3529. Watertown-based submarine sandwich chain, over forty locations in northern New York. Stefanos Pizza and Restaurant, 258 State St, Carthage 13619, ☏ +1 315 493-0400. Italian/Sicilian.

1812 on the River by 1812 Brewing Co. (formerly Maggie's on the River), 500 Newell St, Watertown 13601, ☏ +1 315 405-4239. Sports bar and restaurant, casual. Water is plentiful in the region.

Best Western Watertown Fort Drum, 300 Washington Street, ☏ +1 315 782-8000, fax: +1 315 786-2097. Wi-fi. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1290 Arsenal St, ☏ +1 315 779-1234. Wi-fi. Ramada Watertown, 6300 Arsenal St, ☏ +1 315 788-0700.

Watertown is about 75 mi (121 km) north of Syracuse on US 11 or Interstate 81 (exits 45, 46, and 47). Adirondack Trailways Service and Greyhound provide bus service, while the closest Amtrak stations are in Rome or in Syracuse. Adirondack Trailways, 540 State St., toll-free: +1-800-776-7548. Greyhound, 540 State St. (North Dr Inn Theatre, NY Route 3E), toll-free: +1-800-858-8555. 1 Watertown International Airport (ART IATA), Dexter, ☏ +1 315 639-6247. Twice-daily service to Philadelphia; airport otherwise primarily serves general aviation and charters. The closest major airport is Syracuse Hancock International (SYR IATA) a little over 70 mi (110 km) to the south. There is no direct scheduled transportation from Watertown to Canada, despite its proximity (Kingston and Brockville are each an hour away by road).

CitiBus. Provides a limited local bus service on three daytime routes.