What's Hot

    Explore CNY: Embrace the season in Old Forge

    September 28, 2023

    Fall Activities Guide

    September 28, 2023

    Best Spots for Fall Family Photos in Central New York

    September 28, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Explore CNY: Embrace the season in Old Forge
    • Fall Activities Guide
    • Best Spots for Fall Family Photos in Central New York
    • Eight Fall Theme Walks
    • 315 Bulletin
    • Treat Yourself: The 2023/24 Broadway in Syracuse season will feature Tony Award-winning musicals, movie adaptations
    • Tanya Reese, Program Coordinator for the Cancer Services Program
    • Treat Yourself: Festa Italiana returns for its 25th year
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Family TimesFamily Times
    • Community Guide
    • Things to Do in CNY
      1. Central New York Events
      2. Activities
      3. Treat Yourself
      Featured

      Explore CNY: Embrace the season in Old Forge

      By Courtney KlessSeptember 28, 20230
      Recent

      Explore CNY: Embrace the season in Old Forge

      September 28, 2023

      Fall Activities Guide

      September 28, 2023

      Best Spots for Fall Family Photos in Central New York

      September 28, 2023
    • Parenting
      1. Pregnancy
      2. Babies
      3. Kids
      4. Preschoolers/Toddlers
      5. Special Needs
      6. Teens
      7. Pets
      8. View All

      The Power to Save a Life: Cord blood is being used to treat more than 80 diseases

      January 30, 2020

      It’s Not What It Looks Like: Reflections on motherhood’s changes, outside and inside

      July 29, 2019

      In Search of Sleep: 8 Strategies for coping with wakeful babies

      July 29, 2019

      A Surgical Birth: Many pregnant women are likely to deliver by cesarean

      July 29, 2019

      Strangers Bearing Advice: New babies bring out the expert in everyone

      August 1, 2021

      Hand to Mouth: How to help babies start to sample solid food

      August 1, 2020

      315 Bulletin

      August 1, 2020

      Name, Please? Expectant parents face another momentous decision

      August 1, 2020

      Prep Work: Keep your family’s food safe this summer

      June 1, 2022

      A Blooming Craft: These homemade flowers make a great centerpiece

      March 1, 2021

      Rainbow Snowflakes: A colorful craft even little ones can make

      November 24, 2020

      DIY Critter Magnets: Make cute clips for hanging reminders and more

      September 1, 2020

      DIY Critter Magnets: Make cute clips for hanging reminders and more

      September 1, 2020

      Allergy Adjustments: Parents can support their food allergic child

      September 3, 2019

      Calming Commotion: How to deal with car sickness and more

      June 27, 2019

      Introducing Riff Rockit: Kindie artist to play jingles at Leon Fest

      June 1, 2017

      A History of Inclusion: The Jowonio School marked 50 years in 2019

      March 30, 2020

      Reaching a Milestone: Now the largest chapter in the country, Special Olympics New York is celebrating 50 years

      March 30, 2020

      Come Out and Play: Move Along offers adaptive sports for youth, adults

      March 30, 2020

      Let’s Get Together: Remaking classrooms so all students are included

      September 3, 2019

      Prep Work: Keep your family’s food safe this summer

      June 1, 2022

      A Little Jolt: Caffeine’s risks for kids and teens

      March 1, 2021

      A Blooming Craft: These homemade flowers make a great centerpiece

      March 1, 2021

      Environmental Club: Auburn Junior High School

      January 30, 2020

      Furry Friends: What it takes to adopt a pet for the first time

      July 1, 2020

      Tail Wagging Fun: Lights on the Lake Dog Walk 2019

      November 14, 2019

      Uncommon Companions: Local pet store sticks to its niche

      May 30, 2019

      Dog Food for Thought: Trying to keep your pet from your plate

      May 30, 2019

      Homework Habits: How to Motivate Kids

      September 1, 2023

      After-School Activities and Programs in CNY

      September 1, 2023

      Fun, Educational Websites You Won’t Want Your Kids to Miss

      September 1, 2023

      Take the Stress Out of School Mornings

      August 31, 2023
    • Health
      1. Child Development
      2. Food
      3. Nutrition
      4. The “Recipe Doctor”
      5. View All

      Financial Literacy for Families: How parents can teach children, teens about money management

      April 1, 2022

      Strangers Bearing Advice: New babies bring out the expert in everyone

      August 1, 2021

      Choosing a Daycare: Learn As You Grow’s Joshua LaGrow offers some tips for finding the right fit

      August 1, 2021

      A Little Jolt: Caffeine’s risks for kids and teens

      March 1, 2021

      Berries and Cream Croissant Breakfast Casserole

      June 1, 2023

      Prep Work: Keep your family’s food safe this summer

      June 1, 2022

      Nutrition in No Time: Are you always on the go? These tips will help you stay on track.

      January 1, 2022

      Easy Holiday Recipes: Are you searching for some new dishes this season? These are some of our favorites.

      November 1, 2021

      Nutrition in No Time: Are you always on the go? These tips will help you stay on track.

      January 1, 2022

      Liking Lunch: Best bets for serving kids a delicious, nutritious meal

      September 1, 2021

      A Little Jolt: Caffeine’s risks for kids and teens

      March 1, 2021

      Better Choices: How about a resolution to eat vegetables and other nutritious foods?

      January 1, 2021

      Best Friend’s Treats: Bake up some special dog biscuits

      June 1, 2018

      Colorful Soup in a Jar: Give the gift of winter comfort

      December 1, 2015

      Berry Good! Use a summer favorite in this ice cream

      July 1, 2015

      Flapjack Fever: Even pancakes can be a healthy breakfast

      June 1, 2015

      Treat Yourself: The 2023/24 Broadway in Syracuse season will feature Tony Award-winning musicals, movie adaptations

      September 28, 2023

      Treat Yourself: Festa Italiana returns for its 25th year

      September 1, 2023

      Treat Yourself: Right Mind Syracuse hosts one-session art workshops at local venues

      August 1, 2023

      Treat Yourself: Oswego Harborfest returns with food, live music and children’s activities

      June 28, 2023
    • Travel
    • Education
      1. Educator of the Month
      2. Class of the Month
      3. Education News
      4. Reading
      5. Teaching
      Featured

      Tanya Reese, Program Coordinator for the Cancer Services Program

      By Janelle DavisSeptember 28, 20230
      Recent

      Tanya Reese, Program Coordinator for the Cancer Services Program

      September 28, 2023

      Kate Laissle, Director of Education at Syracuse Stage

      September 1, 2023

      Annie Gordon, Education Program Coordinator at the Sciencenter

      July 31, 2023
    • Crafts & DIY
      • Create
      • Holiday Crafts
    Family TimesFamily Times
    Home»Travel»A Hidden Gem: Search for buried treasure an hour from Syracuse
    Travel

    A Hidden Gem: Search for buried treasure an hour from Syracuse

    Steve GuglielmoBy Steve GuglielmoJuly 1, 2021No Comments3 Mins Read
    Herkimer Diamond Mines
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Herkimer Diamond Mines/KOA Resorts, about an hour from Syracuse, are a fun, family-friendly adventure. Herkimer, New York, is the only place in the world where the aptly named “Herkimer Diamonds” can be found.

    Though I’ve spent my whole life in Central New York, I had no idea what differentiated a “Herkimer Diamond” from the type of diamond you can find at a jeweler. According to the Herkimer Diamond Mines Website (herkimerdiamond.com), “Herkimer Diamonds are beautiful, double-terminated quartz crystals found in Herkimer, New York. Incredibly, these phenomenal gemstones are close to five hundred million years old. The crystals are magnificent works of nature, found in the rock, having a diamond-like geometrical shape. Thus, the name recognition of ‘Herkimer Diamonds.’”

    The mines, which are open from April 15 through November 1 are an opportunity to find your own Herkimer Diamonds, with the promise that anything you find is yours to keep. Who doesn’t love the idea of a real-life treasure hunt?

    Advertisement

    So, in early June, my wife and two sons, ages 4 and 1, got in the car and drove out for a day of treasure hunting. Admission is free for children four and under ($14 per person ages 13 and up, $12.00 ages 5-12), and comes with an all-day wristband, the use of a rock hammer, and bags to store your treasures. Goggles are recommended, but not required, and are available for an additional fee.

    As we walked out to the mine, which looks like a big, open quarry, it became apparent to me that it was not just families looking for something to do. There were shade tents and pickaxes and serious miners out there. My four-year old and I quickly got to work breaking up rocks with our rock hammers in search of diamonds. While we did find some flakes and a couple of “matrix stones,” where the diamonds were embedded in the stones, we certainly didn’t strike it rich.

    Undeterred, we returned to the front-desk to purchase a bag for “sluice mining.” Sluice mining are bags filled with dirt and stones that you sift through in the mine’s “sluice machine” to filter out the debris and keep the gems.

    We purchased a “motherlode” bag, but the mines offer several different types, and got to sifting. This was a great opportunity to guarantee that we would not go home empty-handed. When we got home, we put all of our stones in a vase and my son keeps the vase in his room.

    In addition to the two mining types, the grounds also offered a “built and wear” artisan center, a gift shop, a café, and a museum, complete with informational video.

    All in all, it was a great day to spend together with family and make memories that will last a lifetime.

    If You Go
    Herkimer Diamond Mines
    Where:
    4601 State Route 28, Herkimer.
    When:
    Registration and mining: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily; Artisan Center: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily; Retail Store: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily (April 15 – November 1).
    More information:
    (315) 891-3099. herkimerdiamond.com.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
    Steve Guglielmo

    Related Posts

    Don’t Let Time or Money Hamper Your Vacation

    June 28, 2023

    Tips for Efficient Packing

    June 28, 2023

    Tackling Holiday Travel: AAA Western and Central New York’s Elizabeth Carey offers some tips for those planning to drive, fly this year

    November 1, 2022
    Flip Through Our Latest Issue!
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    Top Posts

    Summer Activities Guide

    June 1, 2023148 Views

    DIY: Make your own vibrant, paper fans in only a few easy steps

    July 1, 2020108 Views

    Wondrous Waterfalls

    June 1, 202374 Views

    Staying Safe This Summer

    June 28, 202366 Views
    Recent Posts
    • Explore CNY: Embrace the season in Old Forge
    • Fall Activities Guide
    • Best Spots for Fall Family Photos in Central New York
    • Eight Fall Theme Walks
    • 315 Bulletin

    Family Times Magazine publishes a digital magazine highlighting events, businesses, and content to inform and entertain families here in Central New York. Sign up for our twice monthly newsletter to have the magazine and other featured content.
    ____

    Email Us: [email protected]
    Contact: 1.315.422.7011

    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS
    Our Picks
    Most Popular

    Summer Activities Guide

    June 1, 2023148 Views

    DIY: Make your own vibrant, paper fans in only a few easy steps

    July 1, 2020108 Views

    Wondrous Waterfalls

    June 1, 202374 Views
    © 2023 Family Times, CNY. Designed by Crossroads Marketing.
    • Our Authors
    • Archives
    • Community Events Calendar
    • Advertising

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Go to mobile version