Herkimer County can be explored through a variety of discoveries: a Georgian manor house, museums in former buildings, a cheese-making tradition, and journeys through river and forest landscapes. The differences between the county’s northern and southern areas can also help guide your travel plans. Culture, waterways and outdoor activities each represent a distinct side of the region.
Architecture, Collections and History
Herkimer Home is a Georgian manor house whose construction was completed around 1764. Fort Herkimer Church reflects a different period: it was built between 1753 and 1767 and is considered the oldest building in Herkimer County. The two structures represent different chapters of the region’s history and offer a tangible starting point for exploring their architecture.
In Little Falls, the Historical Society Museum is housed in a restored bank dating to 1833. Its collection includes thousands of artifacts, family records and relics from the past. The former bank provides a distinctive setting for the museum, while the collection leads from material objects to family stories. In Old Forge, the Goodsell Museum is housed in a Victorian home built in 1899. Six exhibition rooms are spread throughout the building. The Russian History Museum adds to this museum landscape with tours, a library, an online lecture series and special exhibitions.
Little Falls’ cheese-making history is also part of its local character: the city was once a global cheese capital and is now a gathering place for the next generation of New York’s finest cheesemakers. The story therefore extends beyond historic buildings and collections to a cheese culture that remains present today.
Train Rides and Outdoor Experiences
The train rides described here differ in their destinations, duration and route scenery. The one-hour Otter Lake Explorer departs from Thendara Station and takes a scenic round trip via the Moose River to Otter Lake. The Big Moose Explorer runs as a round trip from Thendara Station in Old Forge to Big Moose; along the way, it passes through forests and over rivers and streams. The Adirondack Mountaineer also takes passengers through forests and over rivers and streams, with Tupper Lake as its destination. The schedule and route for this ride may change; check the details before traveling.
McCauley Mountain in the Town of Webb has a vertical drop of 633 feet and 21 ski trails. In summer, the mountain also offers a scenic chairlift ride, as well as opportunities for hiking, biking and picnicking. Because seasonal operations may vary, check which summer activities are available before your visit. This makes it possible to compare the mountain’s winter focus with its explicitly seasonal summer activities without treating the different offerings as the same.
Adirondack River Outfitters (ARO Adventures) is also based in Old Forge. The company offers family-friendly river trips and adventure-class whitewater rafting on three rivers. These activities expand the range of on-the-water experiences to include guided river trips and a whitewater option. Which one interests you depends on whether you’re looking for a river trip or the rafting experience described here.
Waterways and Regional Differences
The Mohawk River flows through Herkimer County, and the Erie Canal also runs through the county. In the southern part, the Erie Canalway Trail passes through the region. Recreational boating is also possible on the Erie Canal there. Hiking, biking and rock climbing are among the outdoor options in the southern county as well. These details make the southern region especially interesting for travelers who want to include trails, outdoor activities or time on the water in their explorations.
The north offers a different geographic setting: the northern part of Herkimer County is part of the six-million-acre Adirondack Park. Along with the museums, historic buildings, and the train and river experiences described here, this contrast shows how differently a trip through the county can be shaped. You can choose your focus based on the discoveries that interest you most, rather than experiencing every part of the region in the same way.
Explore more destinations: Ilion, Herkimer, Big Moose, Old Forge, Orleans County, Schoharie County, Madison, Dutchess.
For the broader travel overview: New York.
