See historic sights, encounter wildlife and journey into the mountains near this attractive city in central New York State.
Oneonta is a small college town located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. The presence of students from Hartwick College and the State University of New York at Oneonta give the place a youthful energy. Visit Oneonta for its parks, forests, ski areas and historic sites.
Walk down Main Street where you’ll find a large variety of shops and restaurants. Observe the many Victorian-era buildings. For more historic structures, stroll through the Oneonta Downtown Historic District. Look for the Old Post Office, built in 1915.
Oneonta has many green spaces providing ample opportunities to enjoy wildlife spotting. Overlooking the town is the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary. Take a position at one of the lookouts to photograph red-tailed hawks and golden eagles. Walk among the plants of the large indoor tropical garden at Joseph L. Popp, Jr. Butterfly Conservatory to see free-flying butterflies and more than 30 species of tropical birds.
Devote a whole day to Gilbert Lake State Park. Here you can swim or sail and hike along more than 12 miles (19 kilometers) of trails. Consider camping overnight or staying in a cabin.
Escape to the Catskill Mountains for more outdoor activities. Hunter Mountain, Windham Mountain and Belleayre Mountain are within an hour’s drive of Oneonta. Hike, fish, bike and horseback ride in the summer and ski in the winter.
Unwind in the evening with live entertainment. Catch a concert at the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Plays and concerts are staged at the restored 19th-century Oneonta Theatre. During the summer, Neahwa Park is the place to be to enjoy the summer music series of eclectic concerts.
Oneonta is 170 miles (274 kilometers) from New York City and 79 miles (127 kilometers) from Albany. The nearest airport is Oneonta Airport, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) away. A rental car is a good idea to get around, especially if you want to explore Oneonta’s natural environment.