Things to Do in Greater Binghamton, New York

The Greater Binghamton area consists of several small towns about fifteen miles north of the Pennsylvania border on Interstate 81. Some of these towns are Vestal, Johnson City, Endicott, Endwell and the actual city of Binghamton. Admittedly, my first impression was not a favorable one as a lot of the houses you can see from the highway are run down...and there are not too many places that look their best in the middle of winter. However, as I got to talking to co-workers, I discovered that there were actually a lot of family-oriented things to do here if you were willing to look.

Binghamton boasts the title "Carousel Capital of the World" on one of the signs leading into town. In all, there are six working carousels in the Greater Binghamton area. In Endicott there are two: one at George W. Johnson Park and one at West Endicott Park. In Endwell, you can find a carousel in the aptly named Highland Park. Johnson City is home to the carousel in C. Fred Johnson Park, and the city of Binghamton has one in Ross Park and one in Recreation Park. Most of the carousels are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day but for specific hours and maps to each park, please visit gobroomecounty.com/community/carousels.php. Most of the carousels are free and are situated in areas where there are other activites, like playgrounds, so they are great summertime activites to do with your children.