Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in New Hartford, NY

  • Published 2022/04/09

Looking for the best things to do in New Hartford, New York?

The vibrant town is part of Oneida County.

New Hartford got its name from a pioneering family in Hartford, Connecticut.

While it’s small enough to exude that small-town vibe, it’s big enough to host various activities.

It’s also close to Boston and New York City, making it a great weekend getaway.

New Hartford is Oneida County’s shopping hub, with many strip malls and one enclosed mall.

There are several great indoor and outdoor spaces in New Hartford to enjoy throughout the year, and you do not have to contend with the traffic or congestion as residents of major urban areas do.

Read on to discover the best things to do in New Hartford, New York!

Have Fun with the Young Ones at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park

Exterior of Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

Children and kids at heart in New Hartford go to Rockin’ Jump, a trampoline park devoted to the bouncing arts, for a large trampoline arena.

Some of the elastic arena’s other features include dodgeball and jousting on an X beam, as well as a giant foam pit for jumpers to plunge into.

Side exterior of Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

Rockin’ Jump is fun, but it’s also very safety-conscious.

The owners have hired certified Jump Patrol monitors to oversee the facility to minimize congestion and risky jumps.

The springy playground is a perfect location for children’s birthday parties and other special occasions because of the high level of supervision and the private party area.

Shop Till You Drop at Olde Wicker Mill

Located in Washington Mills, the Olde Wicker Mill opened its doors on April 2, 1979.

Did you know its owner didn’t want to open Olde Wicker Mill on April Fools’ Day to avoid people thinking it was an April Fools’ hoax?

The Olde Wicker Mill is a Central New York boutique department store.

Its objective is to provide things that are both entertaining and practical.

In 1995, it built a 3,500-square-foot business in Hartford and immediately expanded to a 6,500-square-foot site.

Here, you may get everything from Crabtree & Evelyn to Vera Bradley to Park Design Curtains to WoodWick Candles.

Skate or Play Hockey at New Hartford Recreation Center Ice Skating Rink

The New Hartford Recreation Center Ice Skating Rink is one of the top ice skating rinks in New Hartford and is open seasonally.

A popular feature of the New Hartford Recreation Center is the All Ages Ice Skating sessions.

If you’re looking for a fun way to get some fitness and a chance to get out of the house, then ice skating is a terrific option.

Come on over and get your boots on.

Make your way onto the ice and prepare for a memorable time.

Do you want to learn how to ice skate as an adult?

Have any of your kids ever wanted to learn to ice skate like their idols?

If this is the case, the people in this area like teaching and have some of the best teachers around.

It’s common for newbies to concentrate on supplying the fundamentals.

Skaters at a more advanced level are taught good form and technique and how to prepare for their future objectives.

There are ice hockey leagues at the New Hartford Recreation Center’s Ice Skating Rink.

Whether you are a novice skater wishing to become an ice hockey player who wants to play with people of a similar level, the New Hartford Recreation Center Ice Skating Rink is the place to go.

Go Hiking at Sherrill Brook Park

Outdoor activities and nature preservation are the focus of Sherrill Brook Park in New Hartford, New York.

In the vicinity of the town of New Hartford, New York, the park has a distance of 1.2 miles (2,500 steps).

Go hiking, trail running, and mountain biking while taking in the magnificent views.

Plus, you won’t run across a crowd while exploring it.

A simple route, this one takes around 43 minutes to finish.

This walk has a total ascent/decline rating of easy.

The New Hartford Parks Department maintains the park, which is available to the public.

Dogs are allowed; however, they must be kept on a leash.

Peruse Different Shops and Restaurants at the Sangertown Square

Exterior and entrance of Sangertown Square

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

Sangertown Square is the only enclosed retail mall within a 40-mile radius of the Mohawk Valley that provides families shopping, eating, and entertainment.

The country’s best department and retail shops may be found at Sangertown Square. Everyone can get what they’re searching for thanks to a wide variety of retail brands.

At Mohawk Valley’s most prominent indoor play park, families may have a good time with their children.

Subway and Auntie Anne’s are just two of the restaurants in Sangertown Square that cater to a wide range of tastes.

Take advantage of its wide range of deals and promotions!

Play with Your Friends at The Family Fun Factory

Everyone can find something to do at the Fun Family Factory, not just kids.

There are private rooms available for parties, and food is available.

If you’re feeling hungry, there’s a snack bar where you can get pizza.

In 2020, the Fun Factory moved from Sangertown Square Mall to a new site in the New Hartford Shopping Center in New Hartford.

The new additions include a laser tag arena two times the size of the one in Sangertown, additional VR stations, a bigger restaurant with more food choices, an arcade section, and two huge playground spaces for various age groups children.

Additionally, the new facility features an esports arena to hold regular games and competitive sports.

Meet New Friends and Have Fun at Painting with a Twist

For a unique social experience, Painting with a Twist combines wine and art.

There are no artistic or creative abilities required to join.

While customers drink their favorite beverages, the in-house artists take them step-by-step through the process of making art.

Every class also comes with games and rewards!

It’s the ideal way to celebrate a birthday or a team-building event, or the bachelorette party of your dreams!

Grab a Good Read about the Area at New Hartford Public Library

There are over fifty libraries affiliated with the Mid-York Library System in Oneida, Madison, and Herkimer counties in central New York.

The New Hartford Public Library (NHPL) is one of them.

The library has the third-highest circulation in the region and various special programs.

You may access a wide variety of current, high-demand, and high-interest items in multiple formats to fulfill your educational, research, personal, lifestyle, and recreational requirements.

There are tens of thousands of people using the library’s website to find valuable resources.

Leadership at NHPL is committed to adapting to the ever-changing demands of its customers in this age of fast technological advancement.

Cycle through the Philip A. Rayhill Memorial Recreational Trail

The five-mile asphalt trail connects the two towns and follows a former New York Central Railroad rail track, which runs nearly parallel to Route 840 (Judd Road).

The trail’s previous eastern endpoint at New Hartford Street was extended to New York Mills, where it follows the Sauquoit Creek northwards to a new settlement.

Experience the area’s industrial history and natural beauty brought together with this new trail stretch.

On the northern end of the route, you’ll find a variety of settings, ranging from nearby commercial malls to the clear forested path of the old rail line.

An alternate, less-traveled road leads from Whitestown’s trail system to Westmoreland Road, a short distance from where the main route stops at Halsey Road.

Go biking, running, or hiking with your furry friend but always keep them on a leash.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Gaze at Local Works in Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

Exterior of Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

One way to learn and understand local culture is through its arts.

The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, standing nine minutes from new Hartford, promotes art appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment to serve a wide range of people.

The museum of art features an extensive collection of globally acclaimed artworks in its permanent collection.

In the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Museum of Art Building, these may also be seen on display.

Steps leading to Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute's entrance

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

The Philip Johnson-designed structure, completed in 1960, is an example of International Modernism.

At the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, the United States Pavilion included a replica of the structure.

The goal of the art institute is to encourage people to participate in the arts and cultivate their own creative expression and creativity.

Utica, New York MWPAI is a driving force for the arts and a strong voice for the community.

Side exterior of Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

Meet and Greet Animals at Utica Zoo

Welcome sign of Utica Zoo

Megan Miller, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Utica Zoo is committed to promoting public awareness of wildlife via education, conservation, and recreational opportunities.

For almost a century, the Utica Zoo has been striving for excellence in animal care and tourist attraction, opening its doors in 1914.

A viewer at Utica Zoo's observation deck

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

More than 200 animals from 99 different species are housed in the Utica Zoo, which plays an essential role in the conservation and progress of several critically endangered species.

These include the Red Panda, California Sea Lion, White-Handed Gibbon, Mexican Wolves, etc.

The zoo is located nine minutes from New Hartford.

Visit the Historic Doyle Hardware Building

Exterior of Doyle Hardware Building

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

A 10-minute drive from New Hartford brings you to the historic Doyle Hardware Building, situated at 330 Main Street in Utica, New York.

The building used to house a manufacturing plant.

Between 1881 and 1901, three portions of the structure were constructed.

The total floor area of the four-story building is 82,000 square feet.

Side exterior and name sign of Doyle Hardware Building

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

Frederick H. Gouge, a Utica architect, designed it.

Originally built as a textile factory, it was converted to a spark plug factory in 1934 and then, in 1947, to the Utica Distributing Company, which subsequently became the home of Doyle Hardware.

In 1993, it was added to the list of historic properties on the National Register.

For years, the landmark building was empty.

Details of Doyle Hardware Building

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

However, following a $15 million investment, it currently has 56 market-rate units.

There is also a business area of over 17,000 square feet.

Rooms for exercise, dog cleaning, and other activities are available here.

Take a photo with the building or avail one of its services to support local merchants.

Immerse Yourself in Nature at Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Information board of Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

This urban marsh peculiar to Utica, located between the Mohawk River (to the south) and the New York State Barge Canal (to the north), is rare.

For an 11-minute drive from New Hartford, you can witness wet meadows, flooded willows, and open water pools.

These bodies of water form a very diversified and abundant marsh habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Body of water at Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

Two observation towers and one handicapped-accessible viewing platform are now part of WMA 213’s acreage.

There are also pathways with boardwalks across wet parts, water-control dikes, parking spots, a pavilion, and a car-top boat launch location on the Mohawk River.

The WMA has a big parking area and boat launch situated on the Barge Canal off the northwest corner, and a cycling route runs along the barge canal and the marsh to the north.

There are many things to do at Utica Marsh, including fishing, birding, and paddling.

Sunny day at Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Mahmoud Suhail / Shutterstock.com

Explore a Turbulent Past at Oriskany Museum

The Battle of Oriskany Historical Society runs Oriskany Museum.

It is just 12 minutes away from New Hartford.

The society’s collection is now housed in a new facility in Oriskany, New York.

The Oriskany Museum, dedicated to the Battle of Oriskany, the Town of Oriskany, and the USS Oriskany, offers something for any history fan.

The museum’s collection of artifacts, photographs, and papers includes a growing collection of local history books.

Learn the Region’s Native American History at Oneida County History Center

Exterior of Oneida County History Center

https://www.flickr.com/people/7327243@N05 Doug Kerr] from Upstate New York, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Oneida County Historical Society, dedicated to preserving Central New York’s history, was founded in 1876.

It runs the Oneida County History Center, located seven minutes away from New Hartford.

It carries the history of Oneida County rich and varied, spanning from the Native Americans who initially settled here to the subsequent settlers who influenced the county’s and the nation’s futures through their contributions.

In Utica’s historic old Christian Science Church, the Oneida County Historical Society maintains a museum, reference library, events, and a book and gift store.

One of the best ways to learn about Oneida County’s history, present, and future is to become a member.

Final Thoughts

New Hartford may not be the first place that comes into mind when thinking of Northeast New York Attractions.

Yet, this small town feels like a world away from the typical concrete jungle of New York.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of life and spend the weekend in this quaint town.

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