There is something uniquely magical about stepping back in time via the most childlike of vehicles, and Binghamton’s Recreation Park Carousel, built in 1925, does not fail to deliver on that enchanting promise. The ride is free and you can choose from 60 horses and two chariots with a cupola on top. This is one of several carousels in the area, and you can earn a special badge by visiting all six of them—a particularly delightful scavenger hunt to pursue! If you can prize your children away from the carousel, then get them over to The Discovery Center, where hands-on activities will teach them about science and more as they dig, drive, fly, perform, hop and paint their way through 30 exhibits.The center will give your kids the opportunity to pilot an airplane, dance around in a music exhibit, learn how to send ambulances to an emergency call, find out what is considered polite manners in various cultures and do scientific experiments. Outdoors, check out the award-winning Story Garden, which offers interactive experiences for your kids using images from favorite children’s books.
For some less-structured family fun, head out to Otsiningo Park, where your activities are limited only by your imagination. There are bicycle and pedestrian paths along with picnic areas and athletic fields, and all of it is located on a beautiful wooded riverbank. Trails are color-coded on the park map, so be sure to pick up a copy to decide where you want to hike. There is a hot air balloon rally here along with the Spiedie Festival every August, so check local brochures for dates and times if you happen to be in the area then. Roberson Museum and Science Center “engages people of all ages and backgrounds by providing regionally significant exhibitions and programs in art, history and science education.” That represents a wide swath of learning, but the museum holds its end of the bargain, with a mansion, planetarium, life sciences center, a modern pottery studio and the New York State Heritage Area Visitor Center all in residence. Silk damask is stretched on the walls of the reception room and the library; the main hall was painted, stippled and glazed before being decorated with Dutch metal, stenciling and hand-painted decorations.
The next stop on your museum tour is the Phelps Mansion Museum. Take the house tour and listen to the interweaving of stories about people, places and events during the time the house has stood in Binghamton. There are some wonderful chandeliers to note, including the ballroom’s Baccarat crystal chandelier that dates from 1890. There are ongoing rotating exhibits from the house’s collections—including its clothing and art collections—as well as exhibits of local artists.
The Bundy Museum of History and Art may look like another of Binghamton’s stunning old buildings—and it is—but it tells the story of something far more modern: the genesis of International Business Machines, or IBM. Step back into time and check out the sheer beauty of this house: its architecture, its stained glass and woodwork are all exceptional. It's all up-to-date, however: the museum owns and broadcasts a radio station and offers locally produced movies in the carriage house on Thursday nights!
With Choice Hotels in Binghamton, you will have a cozy starting point to explore the remarkable museums and activities that the city offers visitors. From old buildings, new technology and a carousel to ride just in case you have not laughed enough lately, Binghamton will be a trip to remember!