Exploring Central New York, the Finger Lakes

Get off campus and have some fun. Here are top low-budget things to do in CNY

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Of course, your school offers plenty of interesting things to see and do on campus, but so does the Central New York community — and it doesn’t cost much at all.

Oswego

• James P. Cullinan Ice Rink (https://visitoswegocounty.com/directory/james-p-cullinan-skating-rink) offers open skating on weekends from 5 to 8 p.m. for only $2 and skate rental for $3.

• If you have your own skates, try Anthony J. Crisafulli Skating Rink (www.oswegony.gov/government/parks-recreation), which provides free skating

• Oswego Cinema 7 (https://oswego.zurichcinemas.com) promotes deals such as $5 tickets all day on Tuesdays and every day before noon. And on Wednesday, a small popcorn is only $1.

• H. Lee White Maritime Museum (https://hlwmm.org) charges $12 admission. However, they offer discounts including AAA, active duty and veteran military. View artifacts related to Oswego’s maritime history housed in the offices, quarters, workshop and powerhouse for the former 1,000,000-bushel grain elevator located on the West First Street Pier.

• The Richardson-Bates House Museum at 135 E. Third St. in Oswego — https://oswegohistorical.org/visit. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Richardson-Bates House Museum is one of the most intact house museums in New York state. It offers a unique glimpse into the lifestyle of a prominent wealthy Oswego family and serves as the place where history comes alive in Oswego County. It’s currently closed for the season and is scheduled to reopen in the first week of April.

• The H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego (https://hlwmm.org/) offers tours to the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse by boat. It can accommodate reservations of up to six people per transit to the station. Visitors to the lighthouse should plan to spend roughly two hours (including transit) for their experience. The problem: You’ll have to wait until the summer to take the short boat trip to visit the place.

Syracuse

• Funk ‘N Waffles (https://funknwaffles.com) hosts live music with admission of around $13, plus serves up home cooking, soul-satisfying food.

• The New York State Fairgrounds (https://nysfairgrounds.ny.gov/events) hosts events every week that charge minimal admission, including the Central New York Boat Show (Feb. 19-22, $12 for the entire weekend) to get a feel for the better weather yet to come and the New York Farm Show (Feb. 26-28, $5), where you can sample farm goods, pet a cow and see more tractors than you ever knew existed. Check the website for more events.

• The Erie Canal Museum (https://eriecanalmuseum.org) charges only $12 (free with SNAP or EBT card) and includes both self-guided tours to view ongoing and rotating exhibits about “Clinton’s Ditch.”

• Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (https://www.most.org) admission is $18. However, pre-arranged group rates are only $5 per person if you bring along nine or more friends. Or if you have a Bank of America credit or debit card, enjoy free admission during the first full weekend of every month. Across 35,000 square feet, explore interactive exhibits that make you feel like a kid again.

• Onondaga Historical Museum (www.cnyhistory.org/visit/downtown) charges only $5 admission to peruse exhibits chronicling the county’s history.

• Clinton Square Ice Rink (https://www.syr.gov/Venues/Parks-Recreation-Community-Centers/Clinton-Square-Ice-Rink) admits for only $5 (credit card is $5.14) and rents skates for the same fee. Skate all day!

• Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnett Park (www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org) discounts admission through February, bringing ticket prices down from $9 to $5. Check the website for special events and fun promotions.

• The Everson Museum of Art (https://everson.org) admits students for only $10, but if you go on a Wednesday or from 5 to 8 p.m. on a Thursday, it’s “pay what you wish.” Experience 10,000 works of American art in a building artfully designed by I.M. Pei.

Utica

• Munson Art Museum (www.munson.art) offers free admission, unless there’s a special event happening. The museum possesses more than 13,500 pieces of art and hosts concerts and community classes.

Auburn

• Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum (https://wardwoharaagriculturalmuseum.org) is also free. It features the equipment and tools for life in rural America 150 years ago. The museum is in Emerson Park and near Owasco Lake, so pick up a picnic to enjoy lakeside.

• Seward House Museum (https://sewardhouse.org) admits students for only $8 and opens March 3. The museum is the historic home of William Henry Seward and family. He serving as a New York State Senator, Governor of New York, a U.S. Senator, and as Secretary of State in the Lincoln and Johnson administrations. View American art and period décor and furniture, all in a well-preserved historic home.

• Moondog Lounge (www.moondoglounge.com) hosts live music and open mic nights with admission at only $10 for reserved seats (walk-ins $5).

Skaneateles

• Downtown (https://skaneateles.com) is the perfect place to window shop as unique stores abound in the quaint town. You can also stroll the waterfront and pier.