Discover 20 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Binghamton (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Ross Park Zoo, West Endicott Park Carousel, and Highland Park Carousel. Also, be sure to include George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Binghamton (New York).
Table of Contents
Ross Park Zoo
Tourist attraction in Binghamton, New York. Ross Park Carousel is a historic carousel located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. The carousel is housed in a wooden, one story, 16-sided, pavilion topped by an eight sided cupola. The carousel has 60 horses standing four abreast, each of which is a "jumper," and two chariots. It was constructed by the Allan Herschell Company and contains its original Wurlitzer #146-A Band Organ. The carousel was purchased about 1920 and is one of six carousels donated to the citizens of Broome County by George F. Johnson, president of Endicott Johnson Corporation.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Other carousels located in the Greater Binghamton Region:
- C. Fred Johnson Park Carousel
- George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel
- George W. Johnson Park Carousel
- Highland Park Carousel
- West Endicott Park Carousel
Address: 60 Morgan Rd, 13903-3667 Binghamton (Southside)
West Endicott Park Carousel
Amusement park ride in Broome County, New York. West Endicott Park Carousel is a historic carousel located at Endicott in Broome County, New York. The carousel was purchased about 1929. The carousel is housed in a wooden, one story, 16-sided, enclosed pavilion. The carousel has 36 figures: 34 horses, one pig and one dog, each of which is a "jumper," and two chariots. It was constructed by the Allan Herschell Company. It is one of six carousels donated to the citizens of Broome County by George F. Johnson, president of Endicott Johnson Corporation.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[2]
Address: West Endicott Park, Binghamton
Highland Park Carousel
Highland Park Carousel, also known as En-Joie Park Carousel and Ideal Park Carousel, is a historic carousel located at Endwell in Broome County, New York. The carousel was purchased between 1920 and 1925 and moved to its present site in 1967. It was previously located in Ideal Park. The carousel is housed in a wooden, one story, 16-sided, enclosed pavilion. The carousel has 36 figures: 34 horses, one pig and one dog, each of which is a "jumper," and two chariots. It was constructed by the Allan Herschell Company. It is one of six carousels donated to the citizens of Broome County by George F. Johnson, president of Endicott Johnson Corporation.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Other carousels located in the Greater Binghamton Region:
- C. Fred Johnson Park Carousel
- George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel
- George W. Johnson Park Carousel
- Ross Park Carousel
- West Endicott Park Carousel
Address: 801 Hooper Rd, 13760 Endwell
George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel
George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel is a historic carousel located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. The carousel and its pavilion were built in 1925. The carousel is housed in a wooden, one story, 16-sided, pavilion topped by a cupola. The carousel has 60 horses standing four abreast, each of which is a "jumper," and two chariots. It was constructed by the Allan Herschell Company and contains its original Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. It is one of six carousels donated to the citizens of Broome County by George F. Johnson, president of Endicott Johnson Corporation.
This carousel, the gazebo, and in fact, the entire Recreation Park served as inspiration for Binghamton native Rod Serling's classic Twilight Zone episode "Walking Distance". Serling is honored with a bronze plaque in the floor of the gazebo as well as with beautiful paintings, depicting memorable scenes from The Twilight Zone, on the carousel.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Other carousels located in the Greater Binghamton Region:
- C. Fred Johnson Park Carousel
- George W. Johnson Park Carousel
- Highland Park Carousel
- Ross Park Carousel
- West Endicott Park Carousel
Address: 99 Beethoven St, 13905 Binghamton
Roberson Museum and Science Center
Museum in Binghamton, New York. The Roberson Museum and Science Center is located in Binghamton, New York. The museum's exhibits focus on art, local history, science and natural history.
The centerpiece of the museum is the 1904 Roberson Mansion, which was designed by local architect C. Edward Vosbury. More contemporary additions to the mansion were added in the 1960s and 1980s, which expanded the exhibit space, included a planetarium, added offices, and upgraded the vaults and collections preparation space.
The museum features changing exhibits and a large model train layout that depicts regional landscapes in the 1950s. The museum hosts annual special events, including decorating the Roberson Mansion for the Christmas holidays, a food and wine festival, Halloween activities, science fiction conventions, a model train and doll fair, and more.[5]
Address: 30 Front St, 13905-4704 Binghamton
Harlow E. Bundy House
The Harlow E. Bundy House is a historic house located at 129 Main Street in Binghamton, Broome County, New York.[6]
Address: 129 Main St, 13905-2742 Binghamton
Phelps Mansion
Mansion in Binghamton, New York. The Phelps Mansion, formerly known as The Monday Afternoon Clubhouse, is a three-story brick and stone mansion located on Court Street in Binghamton, New York. It was built in 1870 as the private home of Sherman D. Phelps. Mr. Phelps was a successful businessman, banker, Republican elector for Abraham Lincoln, and mayor of the City of Binghamton. The building was designed by Isaac G. Perry who later became the chief architect for the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York.
The mansion was purchased in 1905 by the Monday Afternoon Club, a women's civic organization. The club constructed a large ballroom on the back of the mansion in 1905 and continues to hold its weekly meetings there to this day. In 1986, ownership of the mansion was transferred to The Phelps Mansion Foundation.
The Phelps Mansion was charted by the New York State Board of Regents as a museum in 2005.
The Monday Afternoon Club disbanded in 2006 and transferred the ownership of the home and contents to the Phelps Mansion Museum. The Museum remains open and offers a variety of programs and regularly scheduled guided tours.
Guided tours of the museum are offered Friday to Saturday 11am to 5pm. Last tour at 4:30pm.
Visitors are asked to enter through the ballroom doors located down the driveway side of the mansion (look for the open flag).[7]
Court Street Bridge
Bridge in Binghamton, New York. The Court Street Bridge is a combined motor vehicle and pedestrian crossing which spans the Chenango River in the New York State city of Binghamton. The bridge carries U.S. Route 11 and connects Court Street and Downtown Binghamton with Main Street and its West Side neighborhood.[8]
Roberson Mansion
Museum in Binghamton, New York. The Roberson Mansion, part of the Roberson Museum and Science Center, is a home in Binghamton, New York. It is an Italian Renaissance style house, designed by Binghamton architect C. Edward Vosbury and built in 1904, and completed in 1907, for Alonzo Roberson Jr. and his wife Margaret Hays Roberson. It was built with all of the then modern conveniences: an elevator, central heat, combination gas and electric lighting, a dumb waiter, an intercom system, and a private bath for each bedroom.
The New York City interior design firm, Pottier & Stymus designed the interior decorations. Townsend & Fleming landscape firm from Buffalo was hired to do the grounds. Titchener Iron works designed and manufactured the wrought iron fence surrounding the grounds. Estimated cost for the entire project was $107,500.
It is said to be very similar to the McKinnon House in Utica, built in 1899, which Vosbury also designed.
The mansion is supposedly haunted by the ghost of its former owner, Alonzo Roberson. His spirit is believed to still roam around and apparitions have been seen in the elevator and along the upper corridors.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[9]
Broome County Courthouse
County court in Binghamton, New York. Broome County Courthouse is a historic courthouse located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. It is a massive 2+1⁄2-story structure, built on a raised foundation, in the form of a Latin Cross and topped with an elegant copper dome. Originally constructed in 1897–1898 in a "T" shape, the south wing was added in 1916-1917 to form the cross. It was designed by noted New York State architect Isaac G. Perry. The courthouse is located within the boundaries of the Court Street Historic District.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[10]
Recreation Park
Park in Binghamton, New York. Recreation Park is a public, urban park in Binghamton, New York. Located in Binghamton's West Side, Recreation Park is bordered by Schubert Street to the North, and Laurel Avenue to the East, Seminary Avenue to the South, and Beethoven Street to the West. Shoe manufacturer George F. Johnson donated it to Binghamton, and it is home to one of Allan Herschell's six famous carousels. The park also contains a bandstand, statues and monuments, numerous athletic fields and courts, swimming facilities, a playground, and walking paths in a grove of mature oak trees.[11]
Address: 58-78 Beethoven St, Binghamton
Christ Church
Episcopal church in Binghamton, New York. Christ Church is a historic Episcopal church located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. It is a one-story bluestone structure with Gothic Revival elements. The church consists of a rectangular central section housing the nave and aisles, an apse and bell tower on the east facade, and side entrances through transepts on the north and south elevations. It was built between 1853 and 1855 and was designed by noted church architect Richard Upjohn,.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service in 1974.[12]
Address: 10 Henry St, 13901-2789 Binghamton
ACA Memorial Park
Sculpture in Binghamton, New York. The ACA Memorial Park is a public park and monument located in downtown Binghamton, New York at the intersection of Clinton and Front Streets.
The Park was created by a group of volunteers in the aftermath of the Binghamton shooting at the American Civic Association.[13]
Binghamton City Hall
Building in Binghamton, New York. Binghamton City Hall is a historic city hall located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York.
The building was designed by Ingle & Almirall in the Second Empire style. It is a five-story masonry structure with basement. The city hall was built in 1897–1898. It features a mansard roof and prominent cupola.
The city hall is located within the boundaries of the Court Street Historic District.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[14]
Emmanuel Church of the Evangelical Association of Binghamton
Baptist church in Binghamton, New York. Emmanuel Church of the Evangelical Association of Binghamton, now Our Free Will Baptist Church, is a historic Evangelical church located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. It was built in 1884 and is a large rectangular, wood-frame building, three bays wide and seven bays deep, on a stone foundation. It is two stories tall on the front elevation and, because of a steep drop off, four stories on the remaining sides. It features a steep gable roof and engaged bell tower. The variegated random ashlar stone siding was added about 1952, when a rear addition was completed.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.[15]
Goodwill Theatre
Theater. Goodwill Theatre is a historic movie theater located at Johnson City in Broome County, New York. It is a three-story steel frame building on a concrete foundation built in 1920. Its exterior is faced with red brick, cut limestone and marble in the Neoclassical style. It was a gift to the people of Johnson City by George F. Johnson, founder of Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
The theatre is currently a performing arts theatre.[16]
Address: 67 Broad Street, Binghamton
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center
The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, is a public observatory in Vestal, New York opened to the public on 16 June 1974 by the Kopernik Society of Broome County to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus in 1973. Its mission is to offer hands-on investigations and outreach programs for educating all ages about astronomy and science using advanced optical telescopes, computers and other tools. It is the first science laboratory facility in New York State designed for K-12 teachers, students and their families, and has been one of the best-sited and best equipped public observatories in the Northeast United States for nearly the last 40 years.[17]
Address: 698 Underwood Rd, Binghamton
South Washington Street Parabolic Bridge
Truss bridge in Binghamton, New York. South Washington Street Parabolic Bridge is a historic Lenticular truss bridge located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. It was constructed in 1886 and spans the Susquehanna River. It is composed of three identical through trusses with an overall length of 484 feet. The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1969. It is the longest multiple span, Lenticular truss bridge constructed in New York State during the 19th century. It was constructed by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of East Berlin, Connecticut. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The bridge was rehabilitated between 2014 and 2017.[18]
Southern Tier Physical Therapy of Binghamton
Bridge
Address: 17 Charles St, Binghamton
Anderson Center for the Performing Arts
Public university in Binghamton, New York. The State University of New York at Binghamton is a public research university with campuses in Binghamton, Vestal, and Johnson City, New York. It is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York system. As of Fall 2020, 18,128 undergraduate and graduate students attend the university. The 4-year graduation rate is 72%.
Since its establishment in 1946, the school has evolved from a small liberal arts college to a large research university. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
Binghamton's athletic teams are the Bearcats and they compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Bearcats are members of the America East Conference.[19]
Address: Binghamton University, 13850 Vestal (Southside)