15 Fun Things to Do in Binghamton This Summer

Catch a ballgame

Visiting Mirabito Stadium for a Rumble Ponies game is a signature Binghamton experience. The Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets cap off night games with a spectacular firework show, and the stadium’s environment makes it a great venue to go with family or friends. There is even a chance to see an MLB player on rehab; former MVP and three-time Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander recently made a rehab start in Binghamton.

Have fun at CK'Sters

CK’Sters, located on the west end of the Vestal Parkway, is home to the longest mini-golf hole in the world! CK’Sters is not only a mini-golf course, though. The park features a laser tag course, batting cages, a zip-line, great food and much more! It has been one of my favorite places to go with friends of family ever since its establishment in 2010.

Go picking at Apple Hills

Located out near Airport Road in Binghamton, Apple Hills Farms is situated in a scenic spot overlooking the rolling hills that surround Binghamton. They serve amazing breakfast and lunch food, and offer berry-picking all summer, as well as apple picking beginning around the fall. In addition, Apple Hills offers a wide array of entertainment for kids, such as activities with the animals on the property, as well as fossil-finding games and more.

Explore the parks and lakes of Broome County

Broome County is filled with beautiful, scenic parks spread all across the area. From Otsiningo to Greenwood to Grippen Park, there are many beautiful wooded areas throughout the county. Many of these parks include lakes, where you can kayak, canoe, paddle boat or swim. My personal favorite is Greenwood Lake, located in Lisle, about 12 miles north of Binghamton.

Snack on strawberries at the Owego Strawberry Festival

The Owego Strawberry Festival is a lively event, located about 22 miles west of Binghamton. The festival includes a parade, as well as live entertainment. The streets are filled with vendors selling food, as well as arts and crafts. The festivities kick off Friday, June 16 with a firework show, followed up the next day with a parade and live entertainment. This festival is a great way to get to know the Greater Binghamton area!

Experience the Dicks Sporting Goods Open

The Dicks Open is one of the biggest sporting events in the area. This PGA tour Champions event takes place in Endicott every summer at Enjoie Golf Course. It’s a great environment; I’ve gone with my dad every year for as long as I can remember! Aside from the tournament itself, there is also a concert every year over the weekend. This year, the performer is Kenny Chesney. The tournament always has a great turnout, and makes for a fun family trip.

Visit the Spiedie Fest

The Spiedie Fest is another one of Binghamton’s biggest claims to fame, as over 100,000 people attend annually. The three-day festival features delicious spiedies, live music and a hot air balloon rally that can be seen from all over the area.

Explore Animal Adventure Park

Animal Adventure Park is an interactive animal park, with a large focus on animal rescue. Located about 15 minutes outside of Binghamton, this park offers many different ways to interact with animals, such as feeding the giraffes, a rhino encounter, and much more!

Ride the carousels

Binghamton is known as the Carousel Capital of the World. The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the aforementioned AA Mets farm team, are named after these carousels. There are six historic carousels at locations around the area: Ross Park, Recreation Park, C. Fred Johnson Park, George W. Johnson Park, West Endicott Park and Highland Park. These carousels are also the object of a Twilight Zone episode, titled “Walking Distance.” The writer of the show, Rod Serling, wrote this episode as a nod to his childhood in Binghamton.

Take a trip to Ross Park Zoo

The Ross Park Zoo is a Binghamton staple. Opened in 1875, it is the fifth-oldest zoo in America. Ross Park is home to many animals: otters, a snow leopard, red wolves, as well as my favorite, the red panda, and many more. There are many exhibits throughout the zoo, and its location in a densely wooded area gives it a more natural feel that you cannot find in many other larger zoos around the country.

Rock out at Binghamton Porchfest

Porchfest is a great way to end the summer and kick off the semester! Featuring many up-and-coming bands from the Binghamton area, it is a unique and fun way to find new music. The Ithaca Porchfest follows up a few weeks later in late September, and many people from Binghamton make the hour drive to follow up!

Run a 5k

There are plenty of different 5k races around the Greater Binghamton area throughout the summer. This is a great way to get active and get some fresh air, and the parks and various venues around the area provide for great running paths. The biggest of these races is the Broome County Parks 5k Series. The parks involved are Greenwood, Dorchester, Nathaniel Cole and Otsiningo Park. The races are spread out from July 6 to August 17, and usually have a great turnout!

Get fresh food at farmers markets

The farmers markets around Binghamton offer a variety of great food, as well as flowers and other items. The most popular of these is the Broome County Regional Farmers Market. This market is open Saturdays year-round from 9 am.-1 p.m., and sports a wide range of food products. The layout of the market offers an opportunity to meet the contributing farmers, and is a great way to give to the Binghamton community. Another of my favorite farmers markets around Binghamton is Russell Farms. This market sells not only fresh produce, but an assortment of flowers, mulch, soil and fruit trees. Located behind Lowes in Vestal, it is another great option for supporting the local community.

Visit the Roberson Museum

Established in the mid-1930s, the Roberson Museum is an important part of Binghamton history. The museum hosts a variety of exhibitions, and is an entertaining visit for people of all ages. Aside from the various exhibits, the museum hosts many events, such as science fiction conventions, Halloween events, decorations for Christmas and much more!

Marvel at the LUMA festival

Started in 2015, LUMA is the largest projection festival of its kind, and it’s made possible by Binghamton alumni. The projections are played on loops throughout the nights, and attendees are encouraged to walk through the different projections like they would in an art gallery. Some projections involve collaborations with big artists, such as that with B.C. comic strip characters in 2016. This festival is a great way to finish off the summer!

Brady Wheeler-Nieman is a rising junior at Gettysburg College. He is home for the summer, working as an intern in the Office of Media and Public Relations.