From its parks and nature centers to its museums, history is everywhere in Canastota. Plus, the village is a quick drive down the New York State Thruway from Syracuse, making it a great place to take the kids for the day. Here are a few of the must-see attractions:
Museums and Historical Sites
Canastota Canal Town Museum
The village owed its growth, in part, to the construction of the Erie Canal. Learn more about that era through the Canastota Canal Town Museum’s two floors of exhibits, then walk across the street to view a section of the Old Erie Canal.
Where: 122 Canal St.
More information: canastota-canal.com.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
Canastota is the hometown of two world boxing champions; they inspired the creation of the International Boxing Hall of Fame four decades ago. These days, the museum attracts boxing enthusiasts from around the world, but you don’t have to be one to appreciate its collection of gloves, robes, posters, and fist casts.
Where: 1 Hall of Fame Drive.
More information: ibhof.com.
Parks and Nature Centers
Great Swamp Conservancy
A few miles north of the village lies the Great Swamp Conservancy, Madison County’s only nature center. Visitors can go for a hike on its roughly seven miles of trails (they wind through a variety of habitats) or view its collection of historical artifacts (they are on loan from the New York State Museum in Albany).
Where: 8375 N. Main St.
More information: greatswampconservancy.org.
Oxbow Falls Park
This county park sits on the edge of the Helderberg Escarpment, a geologic formation that is more than 350 million years old. Though the 100-foot waterfall is its main attraction, there is plenty more to see and do here, including three hiking trails and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Where: 6919 Oxbow Road (Lincoln).
More information: madisoncounty.ny.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/88.
Other family-friendly attractions in Canastota include: Canastota Hi-Way Bowl; Town of Lenox Skate and Bike Park; and Zem’s Ice Cream & Miniature Golf.
