Dry Hill ski area is a small resort that offers seasonal winter sports. The resort can create its own snow when the weather doesn't cooperate. A range of slopes are available to suit all skill levels, as are snow-tubing areas. Visitors can rent equipment from the on-site store and book lessons, choosing group training or private tutorials. The ski area is a seven-minute drive south of downtown Watertown.
Watertown Golf Club has a well maintained 18-hole course and is just a three-minute drive from the city's downtown area. The club offers a range of membership options, from whole family to individual packages, and is also open to the public on a pay-per-play basis. An on-site grill restaurant is open during the summer season, and the club's pro shop is open year round. Non-members can play 9- or 18-hole rounds and can also rent electric carts or pull carts.
The Hudson River Rafting Company offers tours of four local whitewater rivers: Moose River, Hudson River, Scandaga River and Black River. The rafting tours are run seasonally from April through to Mid-October and are supervised by professional guides. The company can supply all the required equipment, but it is suggested, during the early and late parts of the season, that visitors bring plenty of warm clothing. Rafting tours can range from calm paddles down river to exhilarating whitewater runs.
The New York State Zoo is located less than two miles from downtown Watertown. The 32-acre zoo, which first opened in 1920, attracts around 50,000 visitors a year. The zoo features mainly North American animals, such as bobcats, mountain lions and black bears. The zoo also offers the chance to see large predatory birds such as bald and golden eagles. One of the zoo's main aims is to teach visitors about New York state's local plants and animals and raise awareness about the need for conservation.
