Summer in Central New York is something special. The days are longer (and sunnier!) the kids are out of school, and suddenly the calendar is wide open — which sounds like a dream until you’re staring down week three of “I’m bored” and running out of ideas. Whether you’re looking to fill a free afternoon, plan a full family day out, or make the most of the season before it slips by, CNY has no shortage of ways to soak it all in. We’ve rounded up some of the best summer activities in the area — something for every age, every budget, and every kind of family adventure.
Explore the activities below, and start making that summer bucket list!
Miniature Golf
Big Don’s Outdoor Fun Center
📍 8408 Button Road, Cicero, NY
Fairmount Glen Miniature Golf
📍 210 Onondaga Road, Syracuse, NY
Gold Rush Adventure Golf
📍 4853 NY-233, Westmoreland, NY
Hickory Hill Golf Center
📍 3451 State Route 31, Baldwinsville, NY
Mr. Pudder’s Mini Golf & Ice Cream
📍 687 W. Genesee St. Road, Skaneateles, NY
Palm Springs Mini Golf
📍 9411 Maynard Drive, Marcy, NY
Shipwreck Amusements
📍 759 State Route 13, Cortland, NY
Tom Thumb Drive In
📍 6143 East Lake Road, Auburn, NY
Victory Golf Complex
📍 7380 Thompson Road, Syracuse, NY
Zem’s Ice Cream & Miniature Golf
📍 124 W. Hickory St., Canastota, NY
U-Pick Farms
Abbott Farms
📍 3275 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville, NY
Behling Orchards
📍 114 Potter Road, Mexico, NY
Blueberry Hill Farms & Nursery
📍 6884 Roberts Road, Clinton, NY
Candella’s Farm & Greenhouses
📍 9256 River Road, Marcy, NY
Critz Farms
📍 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia, NY
Emmi Farms
📍 1482 W. Genesee Road, Baldwinsville, NY
Fruit Valley Orchard
📍 507 Bunker Hill Road, Oswego, NY
Grisamore Farms
📍 749 Cowan Road, Locke, NY
Navarino Orchard
📍 3655 Cherry Valley Turnpike, Syracuse, NY
Reeves Farms
📍 1220 W. Genesee Road, Baldwinsville, NY
Stan’s Berry Patch
📍 208 County Route 84, West Monroe, NY
Water Activities
Beaver Lake Nature Center
📍 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville, NY
Buttermilk Falls State Park
📍 112 E. Buttermilk Falls Road, Ithaca, NY
Delta Lake State Park
📍 8797 State Route 46, Rome, NY
Enchanted Forest Water Safari
📍 3183 State Route 28, Old Forge, NY
Emerson Park
📍 6914 E. Lake Road, Auburn, NY
Fair Haven Beach State Park
📍 14985 State Park Road, Fair Haven, NY
Green Lakes State Park
📍 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, NY
Jamesville Beach Park
📍 3992 Apulia Road, Jamesville, NY
Oneida Shores Park
📍 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton, NY
Onondaga Lake Park
📍 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool, NY
Roseland Waterpark
📍 250 Eastern Blvd., Canandaigua, NY
Sandy Island Beach State Park
📍 3387 County Route 15, Pulaski, NY
Verona Beach State Park
📍 6541 Lakeshore Road S., Verona Beach, NY
Veterans Memorial Park at Gillie Lake
📍 2260 Sands Road, Camillus, NY
Looking for even more water activities?
Splash Pads and Spray Parks
We’ve highlighted more than 20 splash pads and spray parks across Central New York where families can cool off during the summer without spending much money. There are plenty to choose from in Central New York, including Syracuse, Utica, Ithaca, Auburn, and Oswego — click here.
Waterfalls
Visit 12 scenic waterfalls in Central New York this summer, including destinations like Taughannock Falls State Park, Chittenango Falls State Park, and Pratt’s Falls Park. The guide showcases family-friendly hiking trails, dramatic gorge views, and natural attractions that make these parks ideal summer day trips and outdoor adventures — click here.
Outdoor Entertainment
Finger Lakes Drive-In
📍 1064 Clark Street Road #9505, Auburn, NY
Hangar Theatre
📍 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY
Midway Drive-In Theatre
📍 2475 NY-48, Fulton, NY
Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater At Lakeview
📍 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse, NY
📅 Click here for upcoming concerts
Syracuse Shakespeare-In-The-Park
📍 Thornden Park Amphitheater, Thornden Park Drive, Syracuse, NY
Festivals, Fairs and Other Special Events
June
Taste of Syracuse
Kick-off summer with the celebration of local food, business, music (on three stages), and more in downtown Syracuse. $2 samples from a variety of local restaurants will be available.
📅 June 5 & 6, 2026
📍 Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse, NY
Oz-Stravaganza!
Chittenango — the birthplace of Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum — pulls out all the stops for this beloved annual celebration! Expect a parade, costumed characters, vendors, and plenty of over-the-rainbow fun for the whole family.
📅 June 5-7, 2026
📍 Dr. West Park, Chittenango, NY
CNY Fiber Arts Festival
See sheep shearing, examples of fiber arts and more.
📅 June 6 & 7, 2026
📍 Herkimer County Fairgrounds, 135 Cemetery Street, Frankfort, NY
NYS Blues Fest
One of the region’s premier music events returns to Syracuse! World-class blues artists, great food, and outdoor summer vibes make this a standout weekend for music-loving families and grown-ups alike.
📅 June 11-13, 2026
📍 Chevy Court, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY
St. Sophia’s Greek Cultural Festival
This beloved cultural festival serves up authentic Greek food, music, and dancing in a festive, family-friendly setting. The gyros and baklava alone are worth the trip.
📅 June 11-14, 2026
📍 325 Waring Road, DeWitt, NY
Syracuse Polish Festival
Celebrate Polish culture, cuisine, and community at this annual festival! Enjoy traditional food, music, dancing, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s fun for all ages.
📅 June 12-14, 2026
📍 Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse, NY
Syracuse Pride Parade & Festival
Celebrate love, community, and inclusion at the annual Syracuse Pride Parade and Festival! A joyful, welcoming event for families and individuals of all backgrounds — come out and show your colors.
📅 June 13, 2026
📍 Progress Park, Inner Harbor, Syracuse, NY
Syracuse Juneteenth Festival
Celebrate freedom, culture, and community at CNY’s Juneteenth Festival — a meaningful and joyful event for the whole family featuring food, music, art, and community programming.
📅 June 19 & 20, 2026
📍 Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse, NY
St. Elias Middle Eastern Cultural Festival
The festival features traditional music and dances, a “souk” marketplace and Middle Eastern food and desserts.
📅 June 25-28, 2026
📍 St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 4988 Onondaga Road, Syracuse, NY
July
Syracuse International Jazz Fest
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Jazz Fest is one of CNY’s most beloved free traditions.
📅 July 9-12, 2026
📍 Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards & Syracuse University Campus
Syracuse Nationals
See thousands of hot rods, (pre-1985) classic and custom cars and trucks.
📅 July 16-18, 2026
📍 New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY
Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show
Families can view more than 80 antique and classic boats. This event also includes concerts, a boat parade and children’s activities.
📅 July 24-26, 2026
📍 Clift Park, 15 W. Genesee St., Skaneateles, NY
Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival
Around 140 artists, entertainers and craftspeople make their mark during the three-day festival centered in Downtown Syracuse.
📅 July 24-26, 2026
📍 Downtown Syracuse, NY
August
Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
See pipes, drums, dance and athletic competitions, and shop for Celtic goods and food.
📅 Aug. 8, 2026
📍 Long Branch at Onondaga Lake Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool, NY
New York State Fair
The annual event features thousands of animals, hundreds of commercial attractions, scores of rides and unusual, exotic and fried foods.
📅 Aug. 26 – Sept. 7, 2026
📍 New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY
Looking for more events in Central New York? Visit our CNY Events Calendar!
