When you think of New York, your mind is probably drawn to the hustle and bustle of the city.
But there’s so much more to the state than just NYC.
Central New York’s Mohawk Valley is a hidden gem, and the town of Verona is one of the best places to visit.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, a chance to try your luck at the casino, or want to explore a pleasant small town, Verona has something for everyone.
While it may not have the fame and fortune of some of New York’s other destinations, Verona more than makes up for it in charm.
Plus, it’s only a short drive from the city, so you can easily make a day trip out of it.
If it’s your first time in town and you’re not sure what to do, don’t worry.
Here are the best things to do in Verona, NY:
Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com
If you’ve brought your family with you on your trip to Verona, consider getting them to the Verona Beach State Park.
It’s in Verona Beach, New York, 14 minutes from Verona.
A marriage between beach and forest, the Verona Beach State Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with your family and friends.
Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com
The state park offers various activities, including swimming, fishing, hiking, and strolling around the nature trails.
The Verona Beach State Park is also great for camping and picnicking as it has several dedicated sites.
So if you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, the Verona Beach State Park is the perfect spot!
KRNaturalPhoto / Shutterstock.com
Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com
Experience the Las Vegas of New York at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino.
With over 120,000 square feet of gaming floor, plenty of games will keep you entertained.
Located on Lakeshore Road, sitting right beside the magnificent Oneida Lake, the Turning Stone Resort and Casino is one of Verona’s most popular tourist attractions.
fotosteve / Shutterstock.com
The casino features table games, poker rooms, slot machines, and more.
There’s also an on-site hotel if you want to make a weekend.
If you’re feeling lucky, the Turning Stone Resort and Casino is the perfect place to test your luck.
Located on Route 31 at the Turning Stone Resort, Kaluhyat Golf Course is a beautiful 18-hole course that offers a challenge for players of all skill levels.
In 2015, Golfweek ranked the Kaluhyat Golf Course as one of the “Top 100 Best Casino Courses.”
The famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed the course, featuring 7,100 yards of golfing bliss.
With its rolling hills, wooded areas, and stunning views of the Adirondacks, Kaluhyat Golf Course is one of the most scenic courses in New York.
If you’re looking for a challenging round of golf or enjoy a day outdoors, Kaluhyat Golf Course is the perfect place.
After a long day exploring Verona, head back to the Turning Stone Resort Casino and unwind at the Ahsi Day Spa & Salon.
Ahsi is the Oneida word for “awaken,” which is a fitting name for this rejuvenating spa.
The spa offers various services, from massages and facials to hair and nail care.
You can choose from a variety of packages or customize your own spa day.
After a day of pampering at Ahsi Day Spa & Salon, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on the world.
So, check it out if you ever need to relax and rejuvenate.
The Showroom at Turning Stone is the best place for visitors and locals to see a show or concert in Verona.
The Showroom features 650 premium seats and a wide variety of live entertainment.
There’s also a full-service bar and lounge area to enjoy a drink before or during the show.
The Showroom has hosted many big-name acts, including Jerry Seinfeld, Tony Bennett, and John Legend.
From headlining comedians to up-and-coming musicians, the Showroom has something for everyone.
So if you’re looking for a great night out, check out the Showroom at Turning Stone.
For a rustic and simplistic stay in Verona, you can never go wrong with the Villages at Turning Stone.
This 157-site camping accommodation opens its doors to everyone from May to October.
It takes pride in its Adirondack Mountains charm, right at the core of the town of Verona.
This RV park comes with a bathhouse, a pool, an arcade room, and a retail store.
While enjoying the nature playground this place provides, you may be happy to know the place also offers games and entertainment, like horseshoe pits and bocce balls.
If you prefer a serene setting to spend most of your time in, venture into the lake onsite with a rented boat.
The Villages at Turning Stone is on State Route 365.
Turning Stone Resort & Casino is Verona’s most notable attraction.
And rightfully so, because this resort hosts the annual Empire State Tribute Festival.
This event turns quaint Verona into a Las Vegas-style version of the town.
With premier Elvist Artist Tribute contests, this event cures your blues for music over the decades.
Learn more about Elvis Presley’s rise to success with special spotlight performances.
Empire State Tribute Festival takes place in the Showroom of the Casino on Patrick Road.
Tommy Liggett / Shutterstock.com
Don’t end your trip along Verona’s best spots without a stop by Nicky Doodles.
This ice cream shop, established in 1998, is a New York staple in the towns of Verona, Rome, and New Hartford.
From multiple-sized soft-serve custards to sorbets and sundaes, you can bet you can satisfy your sweet tooth cravings at this shop.
But ice cream isn’t the only treat on its menu.
Fill your stomach with American classic quick-serve dishes, like sandwiches and French fries, to go along with your ice cream snack.
You can get to Nicky Doodles via US Highway 365.
At Verona, there’s always a reason to get your muscles working and your mind to remain active.
Sportsplex at Turning Stone is the go-to destination for all things golf-related.
This facility comes with an indoor practice arena that extends to about 110 yards long.
Complete with 8-foot elevation changes and 40 driving range hitting stations, playing golf at this site is almost the real deal.
If you would like to travel to various locations for their world-class golf courses without leaving Verona, the Callaway Golf Simulator Experience might be for you.
Play with friends and loved ones and challenge your limits in reaching a hole-in-one.
Sportsplex at Turning Stone is on Snyder Road.
Having trouble finding the best hotel to stay in while in Verona?
Add Sandstone Hollow Inn to your hotel choices.
This is a top-ranking smoke-free hotel located within Turning Stone Resort Casino.
It boasts the third-largest bingo hall you’ll ever find in the country.
Its amenities include five golf courses, over 20 fine dining restaurants, and comfortable room suites.
And the best part?
The hotel is dog-friendly!
So, you can bring your furry companions over along with your loved ones and friends.
Sandstone Hollow Inn is along US Highway 365.
Zack Frank / Shutterstock.com
Fort Stanwix National Monument is a must-see for history buffs and anyone interested in the Revolutionary War.
Fort Stanwix offers a unique glimpse into what life was like during the 18th century.
You’ll find it in Rome, New York, ten minutes from Verona.
It’s also one of the best-preserved forts from the era.
Zack Frank / Shutterstock.com
The Fort Stanwix National Monument is an essential link between the past and present.
The site features several interactive exhibits and educational programs that bring the fort’s history to life.
You can join guided tours or take unguided tours by yourself.
Zack Frank / Shutterstock.com
There are even programs and activities for kids at specific points of the year.
Fort Stanwix is open all year round, so make sure to add it to your list of things to do in Verona.
Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com
If you want to shop for organic produce, local goods, and handmade items, the Vernon Farm and Market is the place for you.
The market features a wide variety of vendors selling freshly-grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
You can find it in Vernon, New York, ten minutes from Verona.
The Vernon Farm and Market is the perfect place to find locally-sourced goods.
With friendly vendors and a relaxed atmosphere, the market is a great place to spend an afternoon buying fresh produce while socializing with the friendly locals.
The Bull Farm Antiques is an antique shop in downtown Vernon, six minutes from Verona.
The shop is known for its wide variety of antiques, vintage items, and collectibles.
The Bull Farm Antiques has operated for over 20 years and is a favorite among locals and tourists.
If you’re looking for a unique souvenir or gift, check out this shop!
Complete your trip to Verona with a visit to A&A Treasures.
A&A Treasures is a souvenir shop located on the Main Street of Sylvan Beach, 15 minutes from Verona.
The shop features various souvenirs and gifts, including T-shirts, mugs, keychains, and more.
There are also several antique and vintage items for sale.
A&A Treasures is the perfect place to find a unique and memorable souvenir from your trip to Verona, NY.
So whether you’re looking for a gift for someone back home or a keepsake for yourself, A&A Treasures is the perfect place to shop!
April531 / Shutterstock.com
Sylvan Beach is a nearby village in Oneida County, New York.
It’s 17 minutes from Verona.
Nestled west along the shores of the great Oneida Lake, Sylvan Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a day at the beach.
Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com
The village features two public beaches—the North Beach and the South Beach—and several restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops.
Sylvan Beach is also home to many annual events and festivals that are fun for the whole family.
So if you’re looking for a place to enjoy the sun and the sand, Sylvan Beach is the perfect spot!
Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com
Besides the glistening lakes and sandy shores, Sylvan Beach is also known for the tasty pancakes at the iconic Pancake House.
It’s 14 minutes from Verona.
While the diner opened in 2016, the building where it operates has stood there since the early 1900s.
The Pancake House building was originally Sylvan Beach’s Post Office.
Today, it remains the center point of the beach yet features a whole new look.
The Pancake House is a must-visit for anyone visiting Sylvan Beach.
It serves delicious pancakes, waffles, and French toast.
Likewise, it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists.
If you want to experience authentic horseback riding, Voltra Farm is the place to go.
Voltra Farm is a working horse farm that offers a variety of horseback riding lessons and trail rides.
So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, Voltra Farm has something for everyone.
You can take your family and friends for a fun day out or host your event at the farm.
The farm also has a gift shop to purchase souvenirs or gifts.
There are also lessons about horses in general and tours around the farm.
Voltra Farm is the perfect place to go if you love horses or want to learn more about them.
If you’re looking for a night out on the town, check out The Gig.
The Gig is a popular bar and music venue located at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
The bar features live music, nightly entertainment, and a full menu of drinks and food.
So whether you’re out for some drinks or you want to enjoy some good food and live music, The Gig is the perfect spot!
The Gig is the prime destination if you’re in for a fun and exciting night.
This nightclub is only open during the weekends, so plan your visit accordingly.
RalphKohler, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Oneida Community Mansion House is a historic building and museum located in the village of Oneida, New York.
It’s 12 minutes from Verona.
The Mansion House was the home of the 19th-century religious commune known as the Oneida Community.
The community was known for its social experiments and innovative way of living.
They were also known for their production of silverware and other metal goods.
Frederika Eilers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Today, the Mansion House is open to the public as a museum.
Visitors can take guided and unguided tours of the building and learn about the history of the Oneida Community.
The Oneida Community Mansion House is a must-see for anyone interested in American history or religious communes.
Are you staying at Turning Stone Resort Casino, or just looking for an excellent place to eat?
Then check out Pino Bianco.
Pino Bianco is an upscale Italian restaurant with a menu of classic and modern Italian dishes.
The restaurant has won numerous awards and accolades, including the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
So if you’re in the mood for some good Italian food, Pino Bianco is the perfect spot to dine.
The Villa Verona Vineyard is a 3,200-square-foot facility that comprises a winery, wine tasting room, and restaurant.
Villa Verona Vineyard is the town’s prime destination for wine lovers.
You can find it in Oneida, New York, six minutes from Verona.
The vineyard produces a large variety of red, white, and rose wines, from a variety of dry to sweet.
In addition, the bistro serves delicious wood-fired pizzas and other American cuisines, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal with friends or family.
With picturesque views of the nearby Adirondack foothills and a relaxed atmosphere, Villa Verona Vineyard is the perfect place to enjoy some of New York’s finest wine.
If you’re a fan of horse racing, then you’ll want to check out Vernon Downs Racing.
Vernon Downs is a harness racing track located in Vernon, 11 minutes from Verona.
The track features live racing from May to October.
You can even place bets on the races!
So whether you’re a die-hard fan or want to try something new, Vernon Downs Racing is the perfect place for you.
If you picture a quaint small town in your head, Verona, NY, is probably what you’re thinking of.
This beautiful town in upstate New York is perfect for a weekend getaway.
There are several things to do in Verona, from exploring the local shops and restaurants to enjoying the outdoors.
So whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend away or an action-packed vacation, Verona is the perfect place to visit.
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
