Winter Bucket List
The winter months in Central New York can sometimes feel endless.
Embrace the season with this list of activities.
- Sign up for skiing or snowboarding lessons at Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center, Labrador Mountain, Song Mountain, Skaneateles Ski Club or Woods Valley Ski Area
- Visit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo during its (discounted) Snow Leopard Days
- Learn how to snowshoe at Beaver Lake Nature Center – or, if you have experience, go on a guided moonlight hike
- Take a horse drawn sleigh ride through Highland Forest
- Spend an afternoon ice skating in Clinton Square (or check out one of Central New York’s indoor rinks)
- Grab your warmest jacket and go for a hike at Baltimore Woods Nature Center
- Learn about local history at the Erie Canal Museum, art at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute or astronomy, weather and sustainability at the Ithaca Sciencenter
- Attend Winterfest (Feb. 16-23) in downtown Syracuse
- Escape the cold temperatures at Greek Peak’s Cascades Indoor Waterpark
- Take a day trip to the Strong National Museum of Play or Corning Museum of Glass
- Try a new sport at the Utica Curling Club
- Catch a Syracuse Crunch or Utica Comets game – or, if you prefer soccer, a Utica City FC game
- Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa from Sweet on Chocolate
- Release some pent-up energy at one of Central New York’s indoor play spots
Winter Activities Guide
Central New York has no shortage of outdoor activities during the winter months. These are some of the best places to hike, snowshoe, ice skate, and more.
Allyn Ice Arena – Ice skating.
Where: 97 State St., Skaneateles.
More information: auburnymca.org/ice-programs.
Baltimore Woods Nature Center – Snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus.
More information: baltimorewoods.org.
Beaver Lake Nature Center – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville.
More information: onondagacountyparks.com/parks/beaver-lake-nature-center.
Camillus Erie Canal Park – Hiking.
Where: 5750 Devoe Road, Camillus.
More information: eriecanalcamillus.com.
Camillus Ski Hill – Snow tubing.
Where: 401 Blackmore Road, Camillus.
More information: camillusskihill.com.
Clark Reservation State Park – Hiking.
Where: 6105 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.
More information: parks.ny.gov/parks/clarkreservation.
Clinton Square Ice Rink – Ice skating.
Where: 2 S. Clinton St., Syracuse.
More information: skatesinthecity.com/clintonsquare.
Four Seasons Golf & Ski Center – Snow tubing.
Where: 8012 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville.
More information: fourseasonsgolfandski.com.
Great Swamp Conservancy – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: 8375 N. Main St., Canastota.
More information: greatswampconservancy.org.
Greek Peak Mountain Resort – Snow tubing.
Where: 2000 Route 392, Cortland.
More information: greekpeak.net.
Green Lakes State Park – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville.
More information: ny.gov/parks/172/details.aspx.
Highland Forest – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, sleighrides, sledding.
Where: 1254 Highland Park Road, Fabius.
More information: onondagacountyparks.com/parks/highland-forest.
Kennedy Arena – Ice skating.
Where: 500 W. Embargo St., Rome
More information: romenewyork.com/kennedy-arena.
Labrador Hollow Unique Area – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: Labrador Road, Tully.
More information: dec.ny.gov/lands/37070.html.
Lime Hollow Nature Center – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing.
Where: 338 McLean Road, Cortland.
More information: limehollow.org.
Meachem Ice Rink – Ice skating.
Where: 121 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse.
More information: syracuse.recdesk.com.
Midstate Athletic Community Center – Ice skating.
Where: 5575 Meltzer Ct., Cicero.
More information: midstateny.org.
Oneida Shores Park – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton.
More information: onondagacountyparks.com/parks/oneida-shores-park.
Onondaga Lake Park – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, sledding.
Where: 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool.
More information: onondagacountyparks.com/parks/onondaga-lake-park.
Osceola Tug Hill Cross Country Ski Center – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing.
Where: 1486 Osceola Road,
More information: uxcski.com.
Rogers Environmental Education Center – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: 2721 NY-80, Sherburne.
More information: friendsofrogers.org.
Selkirk Shores State Park – Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
Where: 7101 State Route 3, Pulaski.
More information: ny.gov/parks/84/details.aspx.
Sunnycrest Ice Rink – Ice skating.
Where: 698 Robinson St., Syracuse.
More information: skatesinthecity.com/sunnycrest.
SUNY Morrisville IcePlex – Ice skating.
Where: 105 Madison Road, Morrisville.
More information: iceplex.morrisville.edu.
Taughannock Falls State Park– Hiking.
Where: 1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg.
More information: parks.ny.gov/parks/taughannockfalls.
Three Rivers Athletic Complex – Ice skating.
Where: 2725 West Entry Road,
More information: lysanderhockey.com/trac.
Woods Valley Ski Area – Snow tubing.
Where: 9100 Route 46, Westernville.
More information: woodsvalleyskiarea.com.
Indoor Play Spots
Billy Beez
Where: Destiny USA, 9090 Destiny USA Drive, Syracuse.
More information: billybeezus.com/location/destiny-usa.
Central Rock Gym
Where: 600 N. Franklin St., Syracuse.
More information: centralrockgym.com/syracuse.
My Gym
Where: 3218 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt.
More information: mygym.com/syracuse.
Playday
Where: 4979 W. Taft Road, Liverpool.
More information: playdaycny.com.
Play Space
Where: 100 North St., Suite 2, Auburn.
More information: playspaceabc.com.
Sky Zone
Where: 3179 Erie Blvd E., Syracuse.
More information: skyzone.com/syracuse.
The Warrior Factory Syracuse
Where: 170 Township Blvd, Suite 20, Camillus.
More information: syracuse.thewarriorfactory.com.
WonderWorks
Where: Destiny USA, 9090 Destiny USA Drive, Syracuse.
More information: wonderworksonline.com/destiny.
