Budget Dates

Explore CNY on a shoestring

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Getting out with your beloved for the day doesn’t have to cost a lot. Daytrip around CNY with these date ideas with your special someone.

Sports fans should take a trip down to Cooperstown to enjoy the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum ($30; $24 for 65+ and free for veterans). While the admission is a little high for a budget outing, it is free for veterans. There’s also Canastota’s International Boxing Hall of Fame ($15.50; $14.50 for 65+).

Interested in rural life? Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum in Auburn and the Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum, (free during the hours of the New York State Fair Aug. 20 – Sept. 1) in Syracuse offer a glimpse of the area’s farming heritage and the country life of yesteryear.

You’re never too old to go to the zoo. Enjoy viewing animals and learning about them and their natural habitats at the Utica Zoo, $11, $10 for veterans or 62+; Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo, $12; or Rosamond Gifford Zoo, $9; $5 for 62+, free for military in Syracuse. The New York State Fair also exhibits a vast number of farm animals, along with an exotic animal petting zoo, free with fair admission, $8 for adults under 65; free for those 65+).

Why not attend the the New York State Fair? The live performers, animal and arts exhibits and special events are included in admission. Check the website for special discount days and events.

CNY’s cultural and historical offerings are vast, including the Shako:wi Cultural Center in Oneida (free); Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich ($15); Everson Museum of Art, $14; $10 for adults 65+); H. Lee White Maritime Museum, $12. Discounts offered through AAA, military in Oswego; Safe Haven Museum ($10) in Oswego; Richardson-Bates House Museum, $12; $10 for adults 65+; Cayuga Museum of History & Art, $12; free military) in Auburn; Schweinfurth Art Center ($10) in Auburn; Seward House Museum, $15; $12 for adults 65+, AAA and military), in Auburn; Harriet Tubman Home ($7; $5 for adults 65+); Erie Canal Museum ($10; $12 for a docent-led tour); and All Things Oz Museum, $12), in Chittenango.

New York’s state park system offers so many lovely places to enjoy outdoor recreation, including hiking, water sports, picnicking, disc golf, fishing, birding and more. Pack up a picnic basket and make a day of it. The state park website allows searches by location and activities. A few parks charge a nominal parking fee.