15 Best Things to do in Watertown (NY)

Watertown is a northern New York city located at the Black River and Otter Creek confluence. It is the county seat of Jefferson County and is situated approximately 20 miles south of the Thousand Islands.

There are lots of fun and exciting things to do in Watertown, a city with a rich history. The local economy has also transitioned to focusing on services and leisure activities.

Watertown is a major center of retail, education, tourism, and recreation for the North Country. It is home to several museums, playgrounds, lakes, parks, restaurants, monuments, shopping malls, and other lovely places.

Here you have a guide pointing you to the 15 best things to do in Watertown (NY)

1. Vist the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library

The Flower Library, called “The most beautiful small library in the United States,” was presented to the City of Watertown on 10th November 1904 by Mrs. Emma Flower Taylor.

The Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library was designed to provide a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service to the community. It is a center for reading, learning, and research.

The Library is a vibrant institution and maintains a well-balanced collection of books, periodicals, audio-visual materials, technology, and other resources, and presents programs on various subjects in appropriate formats.

If you love acquiring knowledge, Visit the Roswell Library, which offers educational and recreational opportunities for all ages.

2. Tour the Burrville Cider Mill

Located between the Thousand Islands and Adirondack Regions of New York, the Mill has been a historic landmark and family tradition for several generations. Their high-quality apples are purchased in New york.

Take a trip to Burrville cider mill to watch how different varieties of apples are blended to produce the North Country’s best Sweet Apple Cider.

As you tour the Mill, you will be greeted by the sweet smell of apples pressed into cider and freshly fried cider donuts still too hot to touch. On sale are some of the most delicate hand-crafted items from local artists.

The best season to visit is from (late August- to late November). During the hours of 9 am – 8 pm.

3. See Wildlife at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park

New York zoo is A 25-acre Zoo at Thompson Park focusing on conserving New York’s indigenous wildlife. It is dedicated to educating the community on animals native to the Empire State.

This zoo is now the second most visited attraction in the Thousand Islands Region. It attracts nearly 50,000 visitors annually and offers various educational and interactive experiences, including daily Keeper Chats.

Make it a plan to visit. There is always a goal of inspiring conversation, education, and family-oriented programs.

4. Get Busy at Salmon Run Mall

Salmon Run Mall is the North Country’s top retail and entertainment destination. The facility is at the busiest crossroads in the tri-county market, the northwest intersection of Interstate 81 and NYS Route 3.

Salmon Run Mall features over 80 stores, including Best Buy, Christmas Tree Shops, Designer Shoe Warehouse, and more! A full-service sit-down restaurant, food court, and 12-screen stadium seat theater.

You will have many things to do when visiting the salmon run mall.

5. Have a Fun Time at Dry Hill Ski Area

Dry Hill Ski Area is a modest ski area near Watertown, New York. Snowmaking is available on 50 percent of the ski area’s 11 trails, and night skiing is available on the same trails.

It is a highly family-friendly place for all ages. This winter recreation area offers skiing and snowboarding. It is also home to a snow tubing park, which also benefits from extensive snowmaking.

Suppose you are a pro or a complete beginner. You will have access to all the necessary equipment and instructors who will get you sliding on the snow as soon as possible.

Enjoy the calming atmosphere and warm your bones at the Fireside Lounge. It is one of the best skiing spots in New York. The best time to make a trip here is during the winter.

6. Visit the Jefferson County Historical Society

Jefferson County Historical Society was established in 1879 with the main aim of discovering, collecting, preserving, and promoting the heritage of Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Historical Society will expose you to arts and heritage experiences through programs, exhibitions, research, and more.

Currently, a visit to the society will tell you the history, culture, and overall way of life of Jefferson County as documented in the artifacts, documents, and books present in the society. It is a great place to visit if you love learning more about American history.

7. Honor the Mountain Monument

The North County community created and established Honor the Mountain Monument on 1st July 2016 as an enduring statement of the community’s appreciation for the service and sacrifice of the 10th Mountain Division’s Soldiers and the Fort Drum Civilian WorkForce.

Honor the Mountain Monument is an essential addition to the community and a clear reminder of the North Country’s excellent relationship with the military neighbors at Fort Drum.

Honor the Mountain Monument stands as a lasting legacy to the generations to come and a tribute to the Division’s history.

Visit the Monument to discover the history and learn more about the services of the Division Soldiers and the Fort Drum Civilians.

8. Tour the Yellow Barn Winery

Yellow Barn Winery is owned and operated by the Surdo family and is located just outside the Historic Village of Sacket’s Harbor in Watertown, NY.

You wouldn’t have a problem choosing the perfect wine. Yellow Barn winery has over 20 years of experience and knowledge in the Wine industry. Make a stop and see their large selection of wines and wine-related gifts in the gift shop.

Visit this family winery, tour the production area, and talk with their friendly and knowledgeable staff, giving you a brief history of Yellow Barn Winery and the surrounding area. Taste some of the fine wines, and relax in their barn-style ambiance.

Yellow Barn Winery opens every Wednesday through Monday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm and doesn’t open on Tuesdays. Visit the Yellow Barn Winery with your friends and loved ones for the most delicate wine tasting and a great experience.

For the wine lover, this is one of the must-do things to do in Watertown, NY, for fun.

9. See the Roswell P. Flower Monument

The Roswell P. Flower Monument is located in Watertown, NY’s Public Square Historic District. It was inaugurated in 1902 to celebrate the state’s only native northern New York governor.

The architect Henry Bacon collaborated on the commission by designing the granite pedestal. Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company of New York cast the bronze afterward. The Monument is about 18 feet- tall.

The Monument is being preserved and maintained to remove carbon crusts, remnants of old coatings, biological growth, and other stains.

Take a trip to Roswell P. Flower Monument to spend a fun afternoon outdoors soaking in the history of this town.

10. Sci-Tech Museum of Watertown, New York

The Sci-Tech Museum of Watertown, NY, is a hands-on science and technology museum open all year. This 3,600-square-foot facility features more than 40 interactive displays designed to pique guests’ attention and imagination.

The museum aims to help the public better understand science and technology. A visit to the museum will expose you to various exhibits and programs in different scientific disciplines, which will amaze and awe you simultaneously.

Sci-Tech also has a Scientific Gift Shop with science kits, science curiosities, and unusual goods that will pique the interest of both young and old.

These museums have been described as the playground of the mind. Whether or not you are enthusiastic about science, this is a place you wouldn’t wish to miss visiting.

11. Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument

The Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument in the Public Square, Watertown, was built and dedicated on 3rd June 1891 to honor the local citizens who fought in the Civil War.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument rests upon the former village green, which has been there since 1805.

The Civil War Monument portrays that the nation had a new birth of freedom through the brave heroes who fought in the war.

The Monument has undergone restructuring between 2009 and 2012. Many repairs and additions have been made, including adding the sailor’s missing cutlass blade.

Visit this Monument if you want a memory of the Soldiers and Sailors of Jefferson County that fought or fell in the war.

12. Beat the Waves at Adirondack River Outfitters

Adirondack River Outfitters (ARO) Adventures offers personal and guided whitewater rafted trips through the wilderness of the Hudson River Gorge. Near Lake George, NY, it is a 17-mile wilderness experience.

ARO’s experienced staff are trained to ensure your trip goes smoothly. From family fun to adrenaline-pumping experiences.

Try the ARO’s aerial ropes and zipline course at their Adirondack Adventure Center, or go on a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion down the Hudson River.

Other activities at ARO Adventures include; Paintball, Rowing canoes, Hiking trails, and more. It is the perfect place for thrill-seekers and risk-takers.

13. The Escape Works Inc. – Watertown (NY)

Escape works inc, located at 140 Stone St, Watertown, NY, gives you a Premier Escape Room Experience. They are games with themed rooms that go along with the storyline of a personal adventure.

Escape rooms are immersive physical adventure games in which you are locked in a room with friends, relatives, or coworkers and try to escape in 60 minutes. You participate by following clues, solving puzzles, and accomplishing tasks to succeed.

Take a trip to escape works to find out how good your detective skills are. It’s a great way to spend some time with friends and family when looking for fun things to do in Watertown.

14. Experience a Virtual World at Zero Latency (NY)

Zero-Latency is a state-of-the-Art Free-Roaming Multiplayer Virtual Reality Experience in New York. The technology is incredibly immersive, and you have a vast space to walk around freely. There are no cables or wires.

As realistic as it feels, this is only a virtual world where you strategize via headsets and fight to the death with killer robots. Annihilate zombies and capture the universe’s power source as a team,

Please put on the VR headset, strap it into the backpack, and pick up the controller. You and your friends/family are about to be transported into the virtual world.

Take a trip to zero latency for an exciting day.

15. Escape The Mystery Room – Watertown (NY)

Escape The Mystery Room at Salmon Run Mall allows you to play detective. You and your team will collaborate to locate secret clues, solve riddles, and decipher hidden codes to escape the themed chamber of your choice in 50 minutes.

Each chamber has numerous difficulty levels, ranging from one to three, so escape artists of all ages are welcome. You may become a superhero, a sailor, a special agent, and more.

Spend quality time with family or friends in this engaging, mentally-challenging escape room environment. Choose between nine expertly crafted scenarios, sure to give you a fantastic adrenaline rush.

Leave the real world aside and enter an exciting realm. It’s ideal for a romantic night out or just a hangout with friends and family.

Plan a trip to Watertown, New York

There are tons of things to do in Watertown, New York. I hope you will make a plan to spend time in this beautiful city.

While touring New York, You should also visit White Plains (NY) to engage in fun activities.

Don’t forget to drop a comment about your experience and let us know how we can update this article.