Thrive
Your guide to Greater Binghamton
Work It. Live It. Enjoy It.
A community that values progress is a community that knows how to thrive. In Greater Binghamton, we encourage you to dream big and live life to the fullest. Join us as we embrace our community with a can-do attitude and sparkle of excitement in our eyes.
Meet your neighbors
Insider’s guide
Try the famous penne alla vodka at Lost Dog Café and visit their lounge for live music, trivia, and karaoke nights! This Binghamton institution has been around since 1994.
Walk, jog, or bike along this 2.1 mile long trail that is kid and pet-friendly. The 12-foot-wide trail is fully ADA accessible, and perfect for the whole family.
The Binghamton area is home to six fully-operational antique carousels. The collection is the largest of its kind in the world, and the carousels are located in city parks that are just as beautiful and charming as the ornate, hand-carved carousels themselves. Rides are always free!
Need to blow off some steam or experience something different? Try your hand at one of the area’s newest entertainment venues, PAC’s Axe Throwing. Whether you book a lane or join a league, you’re going to want to get in on the axe-tion!
Journey back to the Gilded Era with a tour of the Phelps Mansion. Built in 1870, this exquisitely preserved home is open to the public for tours, exhibitions, educational programs, and events.
First introduced by Italian immigrants in the early 20th century, spiedies are cubes of marinated meat— chicken, pork, beef or lamb— that are skewered, char-grilled and served on a sub roll. The zesty marinade tastes similar to Italian dressing, and caramelizes nicely on the grill.
Enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape as you float away in your own hot air balloon. Afraid of heights? No problem. The view from the ground is just as spectacular at the annual Spiedie Fest and Hot Air Balloon Rally.
Hidden behind an old bookcase is the entrance to 205 Dry— a unique speakeasy bar located in the heart of downtown Binghamton known for craft cocktails and imaginative bar bites.
Discover Broome County
In Broome County, you can transition from rural to suburban to urban life in mere minutes. Explore rolling acres of beautiful farmland, timeless brick cityscapes and the white picket fences of suburbia— all without leaving the 24 villages, towns and cities that make up Broome County.
Binghamton
The City of Binghamton is nestled in a small valley where the Susquehanna and Chenango River converge. Settled in 1787 at the site of the Iroquois Village of Ochenang, Binghamton became the financial and cultural center of Broome County during the railroad boom of the 1800s. Today, Binghamton is home to a thriving population of 48,000, and the city was recently recognized as one of the “Best Places for Career Opportunities in 2021” by Smart Asset.
Binghamton
Spend a Saturday in Binghamton, and you’ll experience a vibrant city with something for everyone. Start your day with a locally roasted coffee at the Farmers Market before taking the kiddos over to the Discovery Center for educational playtime. Follow the Binghamton River Trail to historic Washington Street for lunch and window shopping. Finish your day cheering on the Rumble Ponies at the Mirabito Baseball Stadium downtown. Don’t leave before the fireworks show!
Binghamton
Those searching for a little peace and quiet would do well to spend a few hours at the Cutler Botanic Garden. Open daily and free of charge, this verdant oasis is maintained by the Master Gardeners of the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Are you a horticulture enthusiast? Cutler Botanic Garden is one of only 200 public gardens in the United States that displays new, never-before-sold ornamental and edible plant varieties hand-picked by the AAS.
Johnson City
Rich in history and diversity, the Village of Johnson City has been a hub of industry since the late 1800s. The village’s long heritage of diversity and inclusion first began with the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company— which defied convention by extending employment to immigrants— and continued into the 1970s, when many Southeast Asian refugees settled in the area. Today, Johnson City is home to a diverse population of 20,000 and is a state-designated Health and Cultural Innovation District with big plans for the future.
Johnson City
History and culture collide in Johnson City, where contemporary visual and performing arts groups occupy historic buildings. Go for a ride on one of largest antique carousels in the country— the CFJ Park Carousel houses 72 hand-carved horses— before touring the grounds of the charming and historic Your Home Library. See a family-friendly show at one of two theaters located in the heart of Johnson City— the 1920 Vaudeville Goodwill Theatre and the 1899 Schorr Family Firehouse Stage— or visit contemporary art space Spool Mfg to view large-scale installations in an industrial setting.
Johnson City
Johnson City was once home to the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, and that sole-ful history lives on at Sarah Jane Johnson Church— the congregation’s co-ed basketball league plays on a court made from recycled EJ shoe soles. Be sure to stop by BU’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to view the towering, colorful sculpture of caffeine molecules that is installed on a bed of real coffee beans in the building’s atrium.
Endicott
Endicott was built to provide housing for the employees of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company in the early 20th century. What had once been a large tract of farmland became a bustling planned community in just five short years, earning Endicott the nickname “The Magic City”. Intended as an industrial utopia that reflected the company’s progressive values, the new town featured schools, healthcare, houses of worship, shops, libraries, parks, and more. Today, Endicott boasts a population of 13,300 and is home to a thriving Italian-American community.
Endicott
Experience la dolce vita in Endicott’s Little Italy. Hit up long-time neighborhood staples Oaks Inn, Consol’s Family Kitchen and Battaglini Bakery for mouth-watering Italian recipes passed down for generations. Stop by Antonio’s for their signature cocktail that doubles as a dessert— a Gelato Martini. Want to learn more about the area’s Italian-American history? Visit the Little Italy Endicott Heritage Center.
Endicott
Head to the Cider Mill for apple cider and donuts— or a show! The operating cider mill is home to The Cider Mill Stage— a professional theater that can seat 224 people. The theater stages on-and-off-Broadway plays, and tickets cost only $15-$25 apiece.
Whitney Point
The Village of Whitney Point is located in Northern Broome County at the confluence of the Tioughnioga and Otselic Rivers. Indigenous peoples used these rivers as highways to and from the Finger Lakes region, and the area is still known today as the “Gateway to the Finger Lakes”. While only home to 954 people, Whitney Point boasts an expansive network of public nature trails and parks.
Whitney Point
Jump into a kayak, canoe or inner-tube and explore Whitney Point via the village’s two rivers. Take in the local flora and fauna, or kick up your feet, relax and float downstream. If you’re looking to fish, head over to Dorchester Park’s 1200-acre reservoir that’s stocked with pike, bass and panfish.
Whitney Point
An ornate archway visible from I-81 marks the entrance to Wat Lao Samakhitham— a Buddist temple that welcomes visitors of all faiths. Inside, the temple is richly decorated with symbolic ornamentation and religious works of art. Venture further up the hill, and you’ll discover a small, highly ornamented water temple that is a retreat for the resident monks. Photo by Roger Luther, courtesy Broome County Historical Society.
Vestal
Situated between the Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania border, Vestal is home to a population of 28,000 and the number-one ranked public university in New York State— Binghamton University. In Vestal, residents can enjoy the suburban conveniences of big box stores and shopping centers without sacrificing green space— the area’s many public parks are ideal for nature enthusiasts.
Vestal
The Town of Vestal maintains 20 public parks, including the 2.1 mile-long Vestal Rail Trail that visitors can walk, skate, run or cycle. Vestal’s largest park, Arnold Park, covers nearly 100 acres and features picnic areas and athletic fields as well as a nature trail that loops around the park’s wooded areas.
Vestal
The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center is perched atop a 1,740-foot hill in Vestal. Known for its K-12 programming, the Kopernik Observatory is one of the largest, best-equipped public observatories in the world. Visitors can explore the night sky through the observatory’s powerful telescopes, and kid-friendly activities are offered every Friday during Family STEM Hour.
Kirkwood
Kirkwood is a low-density suburban area located right outside Binghamton city limits along the Susquehanna River. The town is made up of seven hamlets that offer small town charm plus easy access to urban life in neighboring Binghamton. The Erie Railroad put Kirkwood on the map in the 1800s, and the area remains a center for industry and manufacturing today.
Kirkwood
Got a need for speed? Grab your goggles and head over to the Five Mile Point Speedway for dirt track racing around a quarter-mile, semi-banked track. Prefer the serene? Skyline Drive State Forest covers 533 acres and includes a 2.3 mile access road that winds across the forest’s ridge top and provides dramatic views of the Susquehanna River Valley. No formal trails exist in the forest, but visitors still enjoy hiking, camping, bird-watching, hunting and cross-country skiing. Photo by Dawn Maynard, D & J FOTOS.
Kirkwood
Despite its sleepy appearance, Kirkwood is the industrial hub of Greater Binghamton, and Kirkwood Industrial Park is home to some of the biggest names in manufacturing and electronics. Did you know you can find the world leader in driving simulation, the East Coast’s top fast-food systems distributor and more— all in Kirkwood?
Windsor
The Town of Windsor is one of the oldest towns in Broome County, established in 1807. A large number of the earliest settlers were veterans of the Revolutionary War who had served with the New England troops.
Windsor
In the present, Windsor offers a charming downtown square, a seasonal farmer’s market, spacious living options and safe rural neighborhoods for families looking for more fresh air and room to stretch their legs.
Windsor
Have an interest in Ag? Windsor School District’s first outdoor laboratory will advance the district’s agriculture pathway, providing hands-on experience applying the science, technology, and engineering behind agriculture to make students more future-ready.
Fenton
Featuring two glacial lakes, Chenango Valley State Park is a local treasure. In the summer, you can take a dip or play a round of golf. In the fall, try hiking or camping at one of the 184 campsites or 24 cabins. Winter activities include cross country skiing while Spring brings birdwatching.
Fenton
Looking for a cozy and close-knit community? Hillcrest is a residential community that offers numerous single-family homes and friendly neighbors. After watching your kid’s soccer game, head to the local ice cream parlor for a delicious treat.
Fenton
In recent years, the Town of Fenton has seen a surge in the development of the beverage industry. Home to the original Beer Tree Farm, the town is also eagerly awaiting the build of New Leaf Cider Co. The cidery uses 100% fresh pressed New York State apples to create their product.
