Six Scenic Drives. Two Weekend Escapes. Endless Adventures.
Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Mohawk Valley This August
By Carrie Byrne Putelo
There is something special about a summer road trip.
It is not just about getting to a destination. It is about taking the scenic route, pulling into a town you have always meant to visit, stopping for lunch at a family-owned restaurant, browsing an antique shop that was never part of the plan, or following a sign toward a waterfall simply because you finally have the time. Some of the best summer memories are made in those unplanned moments, when the drive itself becomes part of the experience.
That is one of the things I love most about living in the Mohawk Valley. Within an hour or two, you can experience an incredible variety of places, from waterfalls and lakes to historic Main Streets, museums, fairs, farm stands, restaurants, antique shops, and small towns filled with character. One day can take you into the foothills of the Adirondacks, while another can lead you along the Erie Canal, through rolling farm country, or toward one of the beautiful lakes that make this region such a special place to explore.
Last year, our Great MVL Road Trip introduced readers to some of our favorite destinations throughout the region. This year, we decided to approach the journey a little differently by mapping out six scenic drives that showcase the Mohawk Valley one route at a time.
Along the way, you will find outdoor adventures, charming villages, historic landmarks, museums, local restaurants, hidden gems, and many of August’s biggest fairs and festivals. Whether you are planning a Saturday afternoon getaway, a family day trip, a dinner drive, or a full weekend escape, these routes are designed to help you experience the very best our region has to offer.
So fill the gas tank, roll down the windows, leave a little extra time for detours, and enjoy the ride. Some of the best places to discover this summer are closer than you think.
ROAD TRIP ONE
Route 12 North & Route 28
From City Streets to Mountain Peaks
Route
Utica → Marcy → Barneveld → Remsen → Forestport → Old Forge
Boonville can be added as a Route 12 side trip.
Fuel Up at Cliff’s
Your Official Road Trip Stop
Coffee • Fresh Food • Snacks • Cold Drinks • Fuel
Convenient Cliff’s Stops for This Route
New York Mills – 4862 Commercial Drive
Utica – 385 North Genesee Street
Alder Creek – 11468 New York 12
Port Leyden – 3205 State Route 12
Why Go
The farther north you travel, the more the landscape begins to change. Forests replace city streets, waterfalls tumble through rocky gorges, and the Adirondacks feel closer with every mile. This drive can be as relaxed or as adventurous as you want it to be, with country stores, ice cream stops, museums, hiking trails, scenic views, and plenty of reasons to keep going until you reach Old Forge.
This is a perfect route for families, outdoor lovers, and anyone who wants to trade a busy schedule for fresh air, water views, and a little Adirondack magic.
Stops Along the Way
NY Energy Zone Museum
Utica Zoo
Pixley Falls State Park
Bonnie’s Country Store
McCauley Mountain Scenic Chairlift
Enchanted Forest Water Safari
Bald Mountain Fire Tower
Outdoor Adventures
Chase Waterfalls at Pixley Falls
Hike to the Fire Tower at Bald Mountain
Paddle Board Across First Lake
Kayak the Moose River
Where to Eat
Before you Head out: Boulevard Diner – Whitesboro
On the way: Bonnie’s Country Store – Forestport
Detour: Ohio Tavern & Restaurant – Ohio
Carrie’s Pick
Ride the chairlift at McCauley Mountain, spend time exploring Old Forge, and finish the evening watching the sunset over First Lake.
Don’t Miss
NYS Woodsmen’s Field Days
August 21–23
Boonville
The NYS Woodsmen’s Field Days is one of the region’s signature summer traditions, celebrating the forestry industry with lumberjack competitions, chainsaw carving, logging demonstrations, vendors, exhibits, food, entertainment, and family fun.
ROAD TRIP TWO
Route 365
History, Entertainment & Lakeside Fun
Route
Rome → Verona → Verona Beach → Sylvan Beach
Fuel Up at Cliff’s
Your Official Road Trip Stop
Coffee • Fresh Food • Snacks • Cold Drinks • Fuel
Convenient Cliff’s Stops for This Route
Rome – 1221 Erie Boulevard West
Rome – 7823 Rome-Westernville Road
Taberg – 4094 Route 69
Clinton/Kirkland – 7481 State Route 5
Why Go
This drive brings together some of the Mohawk Valley’s most recognizable summer experiences in one easy day trip. You can start with Revolutionary War history in Rome, follow the Erie Canal, enjoy resort dining and entertainment in Verona, and end the day along the sandy shoreline of Oneida Lake.
It is a great route for families, couples, visiting guests, or anyone who wants a day that feels like a mini vacation without going far from home.
Stops Along the Way
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Bellamy Harbor Park
Erie Canal Trail
Turning Stone Resort Casino
Sylvan Beach Amusement Park
Oneida Lake waterfront
Outdoor Adventures
Spend the Afternoon at Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake
Wander the Erie Canal Walking Trails
Watch the Sunset at Lewis Point, Oneida Lake
Where to Eat
The Beeches – Rome
DiCastro’s Brick Oven – Rome
Black Stallion – Vernon
The Pancake House – Sylvan Beach
Carrie’s Pick
Spend the morning exploring Fort Stanwix, enjoy lunch in Rome, and end the day with dinner and ice cream near Oneida Lake before watching the sunset from the beach.
Don’t Miss
Sylvan Beach Canal Fest
August 7–9
Sylvan Beach
Sylvan Beach Canal Fest brings summer to the water with vendors, water-ski shows, the blessing of the boats, a kids fishing derby, family activities, and plenty of reasons to spend the weekend along Oneida Lake and the Erie Canal.
ROAD TRIP THREE
Route 28
Diamonds, History & Americana
Route
Herkimer → Richfield Springs → Cooperstown
Optional Detour: Richfield Springs → Sharon Springs
Fuel Up at Cliff’s
Your Official Road Trip Stop
Coffee • Fresh Food • Snacks • Cold Drinks • Fuel
Convenient Cliff’s Stops for This Route
Herkimer – 430 Mohawk Street
Herkimer – 412 East State Street
Ilion – 20 Central Avenue
Sauquoit – 9553 Pinnacle Road
Why Go
Route 28 South is a road trip filled with discovery. It begins with one of the Mohawk Valley’s most famous treasures, Herkimer Diamonds, and continues through historic sites, canal heritage, country shops, lake views, and one of the most iconic small towns in America. Be sure to stop by Weisser’s Jewelers in Herkimer, where they have been creating unique and beautiful Herkimer Diamond jewelry for the last 45 years.
This drive has something for almost everyone. Families can dig for crystals, shoppers can browse locally made treasures, and history lovers can visit Herkimer Home or explore the region’s Erie Canal heritage. Farther along the route, art and culture lovers can spend the afternoon in Cooperstown visiting Fenimore Art Museum, Fenimore Farm & Country Village, or the National Baseball Hall of Fame. By the time you reach Otsego Lake, the day feels like a true getaway.
Stops Along the Way
Herkimer Diamond Mines
Herkimer Home State Historic Site
Erie Canal Cruise from Gems Along the Mohawk
Butternut Barn Primitives
Fenimore Art Museum
Fenimore Farm & Country Village 
National Baseball Hall of Fame
Weisser’s Jewelers
Outdoor Adventures
Dig for Herkimer Diamonds
Take a Cruise on the Erie Canal
Explore Fenimore Museum’s Grounds and Gardens
Glimmerglass Queen Boat Tour of Otsego Lake
Kayak Brookwood Point to Kingfisher Tower
Where to Eat
Before you Head out: Munger’s Luncheonette – Herkimer
Brimstone Bakery at Fenimore Art Museum – Cooperstown
Origins Café – Cooperstown
1909 & The Leatherstocking Golf Course Bar & Grill at The Otesaga – Cooperstown
Carrie’s Pick
Spend the afternoon at Fenimore Art Museum, stroll Cooperstown’s Main Street, and enjoy dinner overlooking Otsego Lake.
Worth the Detour
Sharon Springs
From Richfield Springs, take a country-road detour to Sharon Springs, one of the region’s most charming historic villages. Known for its mineral spring history, preserved architecture, boutique shopping, and destination-worthy stops, Sharon Springs is an easy add-on for readers who want to extend the day beyond Cooperstown.
Plan ahead to visit with the Beekman goats, browse the Beekman 1802 shop, and make time for Brimstone Bakery, a road trip-worthy café and bakery known for beautifully made pastries, handmade cakes, thoughtful lunch, and sweet and savory baked goods. Lunch is served from 11am to 3pm, making it a perfect stop before continuing through the scenic Route 20 corridor.
End the day with dinner at The American Hotel before taking the scenic route home.
Don’t Miss
The Linda McCartney Retrospective: From the Light
On view through September 7
Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown
This summer exhibition at Fenimore Art Museum offers a compelling look at the life and work of celebrated photographer Linda McCartney, whose photographs captured musicians, family life, and cultural moments with warmth and intimacy.
ROAD TRIP FOUR
Route 12B & Route 20
Village Greens, College Towns & Antique Treasures
Route
Clinton → Hamilton → Madison → Bouckville
Fuel Up at Cliff’s
Your Official Road Trip Stop
Coffee • Fresh Food • Snacks • Cold Drinks • Fuel
Convenient Cliff’s Stops for This Route
Clinton – 33 Utica Street
Clinton/Kirkland – 7481 State Route 5
New Hartford – 17 Genesee Street
Washington Mills – 3931 Oneida Street
Why Go
This scenic drive brings together some of the region’s most classic small-town experiences, from village greens and college campuses to rolling countryside and antique fields. It is an easy, beautiful route for readers who like to browse, wander, shop, eat well, and make a day out of the places between destinations.
Begin in New Hartford, then make your way toward the bucolic village of Clinton, where the village green, local shops, restaurants, and Hamilton College give the day a charming start. Continue south toward Hamilton, home to Colgate University, walkable streets, local restaurants, and the kind of college-town energy that makes summer exploring feel easy. From there, head toward Madison and Bouckville, where Route 20 becomes one of the best-known antique corridors in New York State.
This route is especially strong in August, when Madison-Bouckville Antique Week turns the fields, shops, and show spaces along Route 20 into a treasure hunter’s dream.
Stops Along the Way
New Hartford Village Green
Calabria Coffee
Clinton Village Green
Hamilton College
Downtown Hamilton & Colgate University
Madison-Bouckville Antique Show fields
Route 20 antique shops like Victorian Rose Vintage Antiques
Outdoor Adventures
Grab Calabria Coffee and Browse Around New Hartford’s Village
Explore Hamilton College’s Root Glen
Wander the Madison-Bouckville Antique Show Fields
Raise a Glass at Hamilton Harvest Winery
Walk The Leland Reserve Trails
Where to Eat
Before you Head out: Symeons, Yorkville
Charlie’s Place – Clinton
The Lucky Dog Bistro – Clinton
Ray Brothers Barbecue – Bouckville
Flour & Salt – Hamilton
Carrie’s Pick
Spend the morning in Clinton, continue to Hamilton for a walk through town or around the Colgate campus, and save plenty of time for treasure hunting in Madison-Bouckville.
Don’t Miss
Madison-Bouckville Antique Week – shopping photo
August 9–15
Route 20, Madison-Bouckville
Madison-Bouckville Antique Week transforms miles of Route 20 into one of New York State’s largest outdoor antique events, with antiques, collectibles, vintage décor, folk art, furniture, and one-of-a-kind finds spread across fields and shops throughout the area.
ROAD TRIP FIVE
Route 5 & 5S
Canal Communities & Historic Main Streets
Route
Utica → Frankfort → Little Falls → Canajoharie
Fuel Up at Cliff’s
Your Official Road Trip Stop
Coffee • Fresh Food • Snacks • Cold Drinks • Fuel
Convenient Cliff’s Stops for This Route
Utica – 385 North Genesee Street
Utica – 1262 Culver Avenue
New Hartford – 1701 Burrstone Rd
Herkimer – 430 Mohawk Street
Herkimer – 412 East State Street
Ilion – 20 Central Avenue
Why Go
Few drives tell the story of the Mohawk Valley quite like Route 5 and 5S. Following the historic Mohawk River and Erie Canal corridor, this route connects communities shaped by water, industry, immigration, architecture, and local pride.
Start in Utica with breakfast, lunch, or a favorite downtown stop, and then follow the corridor east through Frankfort and Little Falls, where Canal Place, Moss Island, antique shops, restaurants, and dramatic rock formations make the city one of the most distinctive destinations in the region. Continue toward Canajoharie, Fonda, and Fort Hunter for museums, historic sites, river views, and canal heritage.
This is a route for people who love history, architecture, Main Streets, and discovering the stories behind the places we pass every day.
Stops Along the Way
Munson Museum
Canal Place
Moss Island
Arkell Museum
Canajoharie Gorge
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Fonda Speedway
Outdoor Adventures
Hike Around Moss Island
Explore Erie Canal Locks and Towpaths
Visit the Robert B. Woodruff Outdoor Learning Center
Catch a race at the Fonda Speedway
Where to Eat
The Tailor and The Cook – Utica
Crust – Utica
Friendly Bake Shop – Frankfort
Nonna Maria Wood Fired Oven – Little Falls
Carrie’s Pick
Try Rock Climbing at Moss Island with Clark Sports on 8/25 or 8/27, browse Canal Place, and enjoy a margherita pizza at Nonna Maria Wood Fired Oven before continuing east through the river corridor.
Don’t Miss
Little Falls Canal Celebration
August 7–9
Little Falls
The Little Falls Canal Celebration honors the city’s heritage, community spirit, and connection to the Erie Canal with family-oriented programs, community events, food, music, and activities throughout Little Falls.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ROAD TRIP
Family Fun, Outdoor Adventures & Culture-Filled Days
Not every great August road trip has to follow one route from beginning to end. Sometimes the best summer days begin with a simple question: What do we feel like doing today?
Maybe you want something easy to do with the kids before summer winds down. Maybe you want to get outside, find a waterfall, walk along the canal, or spend a few hours near the water. Maybe you want a day built around museums, history, art, and the stories that make our region so interesting.
That is the beauty of exploring the Mohawk Valley. There are so many ways to build a day around what you love, and you do not have to travel far to feel like you went somewhere special. Use this guide as a starting point, choose a few stops, and make the day your own.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ROAD TRIPS
August always feels like the month when families want to fit in just a little bit more. There are still summer days to enjoy, visiting relatives to entertain, kids to get out of the house, and memories to make before the routine of fall begins again.
Stops to Consider:
Enchanted Forest Water Safari – Old Forge
Herkimer Diamond Mines – Herkimer
Sylvan Beach Amusement Park – Sylvan Beach
Fort Stanwix National Monument – Rome
McCauley Mountain Scenic Chairlift – Old Forge
Erie Canal Cruises – Herkimer
Utica Zoo – Utica
NY Energy Zone – Utica
Fenimore Farm & Country Village – Cooperstown
Howe Caverns – Schoharie County
Easy Pairing:
Herkimer Diamond Mines + Erie Canal Cruises
Carrie’s Pick:
Plan a day around Herkimer Diamond Mines and Erie Canal Cruises. It gives kids something hands-on, gives adults a beautiful ride along the canal, and still leaves time for lunch, ice cream, or a stop along the way home.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Some August road trips are all about getting outside. The destination might be a waterfall, a lake, a trail, a fire tower, a canal path, or simply a beautiful view that makes you want to stay a little longer.
Stops to Consider:
Pixley Falls State Park – Boonville area
Bald Mountain Fire Tower – Old Forge area
McCauley Mountain Scenic Chairlift – Old Forge
Moss Island – Little Falls
Canajoharie Gorge – Canajoharie
Verona Beach State Park – Verona Beach
Oneida Lake – Sylvan Beach and Verona Beach
Otsego Lake – Cooperstown
Glimmerglass State Park – Cooperstown area
Erie Canal Trail – Rome, Utica, Little Falls, and beyond
Vroman’s Nose – Schoharie County
Mine Kill State Park – North Blenheim
Easy Pairing:
Moss Island + Canal Place in Little Falls
Carrie’s Pick:
For a day that feels like a true summer escape, head to Little Falls for Moss Island, Canal Place, and a walk along the water. It is scenic, historic, close to home, and one of those places that always reminds you how much beauty there is right here in the Mohawk Valley.
MUSEUMS, CULTURE & HISTORY
For some readers, the best road trips are the ones that come with a story. They want to visit a museum, walk through a historic site, tour an old home, explore a gallery, see a theater, or spend time in a place that helps them understand the region in a deeper way.
Stops to Consider:
Fort Stanwix National Monument – Rome
Munson – Utica
Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art – Hamilton College, Clinton
Herkimer Home State Historic Site – Little Falls area
Fenimore Art Museum – Cooperstown
Fenimore Farm & Country Village – Cooperstown
National Baseball Hall of Fame – Cooperstown
Arkell Museum – Canajoharie
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site – Fort Hunter
Old Fort Johnson – Fort Johnson
Johnson Hall State Historic Site – Johnstown
Old Stone Fort Museum – Schoharie
Iroquois Museum – Howes Cave
The Glove Theatre – Gloversville
Stanley Theatre – Utica
Easy Pairing:
Wellin Museum of Art + Clinton Village Green
Carrie’s Pick:
Spend the day in Cooperstown with Fenimore Art Museum, Fenimore Farm & Country Village, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and dinner near Otsego Lake. It is one of the easiest ways to turn a day trip into something that feels like a vacation.
BEFORE YOU HEAD HOME
The more I explore the Mohawk Valley, the more I realize how much there still is to discover, and the more I appreciate the kind of magic that makes this region feel so deeply personal. It is not just the lakes, trails, farms, historic sites, restaurants, museums, and small towns we are lucky enough to have close by. It is the people who bring those places to life.
Here, the beauty is in the lakes, trails, farms, historic sites, restaurants, museums, and small towns we are lucky enough to have close by, but it is also in the business owners who know their customers by name, the families who keep traditions going, the volunteers who make local events happen, the organizations that quietly serve our communities, and the neighbors who show up for one another.
Sometimes we imagine the grass must be greener somewhere else, but the more time I spend exploring the Mohawk Valley, the more I realize how much has been right here all along.
Before summer slips into fall, I hope this guide inspires you to take one more drive, stop somewhere new, support a local business, stay for the sunset, and come home with a story.
