It’s easy to make a splash in Watertown. One of the city’s treasures, the Black River, is just steps away from the Public Square. Seven miles of whitewater feature 14 sets of class III and IV rapids that offer thrilling adventures. The Black is great for
kayaking and hosts national competitions including the famous Blackwater Challenge. You can also experience some of the best rafting in the East. Spring through fall, thousands of visitors take guided rides with local outfitters like
Adirondack River Outfitters,
B.O.B. Rafting and the
Hudson River Rafting Company. A few miles away, Lake Ontario is known for some of the world’s best
fishing. Local dive shops provide training for scuba diving in the clear waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Winter brings skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing at the
Dry Hill Ski Area just south of town, as well as fantastic
snowmobiling on the nearby Tug Hill Plateau.
Learn about Watertown’s fascinating history at the
Jefferson County Historical Society, in a restored 1850s mansion. The birthplace of the safety pin, portable steam engine, and many other inventions, Watertown once had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the US. Their rich architectural legacy includes beautiful historic buildings, mansions and churches.
Overlooking Lake Ontario and the downtown shops and restaurants, Thompson Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the celebrated landscape architect who created Central Park in
New York City. Within the park, the
New York State Zoo highlights New York’s wild animals and wild places. And every 4th of July, the Syracuse Symphony plays the 1812 Overture accompanied by fireworks and cannons shooting off in the background.
You might already have a souvenir of Watertown hanging in your car. Little Trees air fresheners were invented here in 1951, and the company is still thriving.