Utica, located in the heart of New York's Mohawk Valley and home to Utica College and the State University of New York Institute of Technology, offers many varied attractions. Utica visitors can see modern works of art, interact with a wild animal or sample a hand-crafted ale while exploring this city nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.
The Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute is a fine arts center that offers sections for Performing Arts, Museum of Art and School of Art. The Museum of Art, housed in a restored 1850s mansion, features more than 25,000 American, Asian and European works of art from the 18th century to the present. Guests can explore the permanent collection and see works by such modern artists as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Georgia O'Keeffe. In addition, there are furniture pieces by Tiffany & Co., and Leon Marcotte in the extensive 19th-century American Decorative Arts permanent collection. The Museum also offers a variety of traveling exhibitions, including textile arts and ceramic arts. The Museum allows guests to use non-flash cameras and/or sketch the works in the permanent collection and sometimes the work in special exhibitions. Guests may not use ink, watercolor or a fountain pen when sketching.
The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Museum is free and open to the public.
Museum of Art
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute
310 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13502
mwpai.org
For a furry adventure, visitors can explore the Utica Zoo. The zoo, located right off the Memorial Parkway, is home to red-tail hawks, American alligators, Eurasian wild boar and red pandas. The zoo also hosts many annual events such as Wine in the Wilderness, in which New York State wineries let visitors sample wines, and Brewfest, in which brewers from all over the allow visitors to try their brews. Children on school vacation are welcome to take part in special programs at the zoo, including various encounters with the animals, games and creating crafts. The zoo is open year round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Utica Zoo
99 Steele Hill Road
Utica, NY 13501
315-738-0472
uticazoo.org
For a tour of a working brewery, visitors can tour the Saranac Brewing Company, which is located in downtown Utica. Founded in 1888, the brewery makes a variety of beers, including a Pale Ale and an Adirondack Lager. It also make a variety of seasonal beers, including a Summer Ale and Amber Wheat. Saranac isn't just about craft beers, it also makes hand-crafted soft drinks such as Ginger Beer and Orange Cream. On Thursdays, the brewery features concerts in its outdoor beer garden. In addition, there is a summer concert series, which has featured such acts as the Dropkick Murphys and Blues Traveler.
Tours of the brewery are held from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays from June though August. From September through May, tours are held from 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The brewery is closed on Sundays and all major holidays. Reservations are strongly suggested for tours held September through May.
Saranac Brewing Company
830 Varick St.
Utica, NY 13502
800-765-6288
saranac.com
