If you are looking for free activities in or near Watertown, New York, then this post is for you. Here you will find fun and free things for everyone to do.
I don’t know about you, but I love to do free things. This is especially true when it comes to activities where admission fees are involved, since I have a family – it can add up pretty quickly!
One of the great advantages of exploring all of the activities on this list is that it won’t cost you anything, and you will learn a lot about the area. There is no better way to get to know Watertown than to set out to explore these free activities.
You might not initially think of Watertown as a place filled with fun and free things to do, but it actually is! Find my list of fun activities in Watertown below.
Riverwalk in downtown Watertown NY
Did you know that Watertown, New York has a Riverwalk? It sure does!
Located along the Riverwalk in Watertown is the Veterans Memorial Park, which is an accessible, manicured place to view the river, enjoy the sights, and have a picnic. The trail at this location is about 1/4 mile long and is paved.
There are about 10 picnic tables, and there are even charcoal grills. Some people even like to fish from the observation platform.
The Watertown Veteran’s Memorial Riverwalk is just one of the three places in the City of Watertown where you can walk along the shore of the Black River. There are multiple free parking lots downtown, but the Riverwalk is best accessed from the free parking lot on Newell Street, which you can find near Coffeen Street.
To get directions to the parking lot on Newell Street: Get Google Maps Directions
Salmon Run Mall
When my daughter came to visit from one of America’s biggest cities, she was surprised to learn that there is a pretty nice mall right here in Watertown. The Salmon Run Mall has all of the stores that you might expect, along with some surprising ones, plus a movie theater.
I included this on the “free” list because it doesn’t cost anything to go to the mall. Entry is free, and it is a nice place to people watch and see what things are like here in northern New York.
One of the things that I like the most about where the mall is located is that there is so much to do right there in an area of only a few blocks, if the mall doesn’t have what you are looking for. There are also lots of great places to eat, and even hotels, right by the mall and the commercial center on Arsenal Street.
Salmon Run Mall: 21182 Salmon Run Mall Loop West Watertown, NY 13601
Historic Thompson Park
Historic Thompson Park is located just a few minutes from Watertown’s central downtown district. This is a large park with lots of free recreation on offer:
- big playground
- walking trails
- picnic areas
- public pool (yes, it’s free!)
- splash pad
- exercise trails
- tennis courts
- soccer fields
- monument to Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division’s Soldiers
- Cross country ski trails
Aside from being a beautiful park, one of the most notable aspects of Thompson Park is that it was designed by the same planner who designed Central Park in New York City, John C. Olmstead. How about that for a claim to fame?
Dogs are allowed at the park, but you have to keep them on a leash and clean up after them! They have dog pots throughout the property.
While it is free to visit Thompson Park and explore all of the activities that I listed above, there are a few things to do at the park that are not free. These activities include Watertown’s Zoo New York and an 18-hole golf course.
Thompson Park: Thompson Park, Watertown, NY
Waterworks Park
This is a small park, but it is right on the Black River near downtown Watertown, and it has great views of the river. There is ample parking space, picnic tables, spots for fishing, and a short paved trail that can connect to the longer Black River Trail.
Waterworks Park: 1630 Huntington St, Watertown, NY 13601
Flower Memorial Library
This is an especially great place to visit if you live in Watertown, or nearby the city. The library is the Central Library in the North Country Public Library System which consists of more than 60 libraries across the North Country, and so you can use the library card that you get from your local library at the Flower Memorial Library.
Flower Memorial Library: 229 Washington St, Watertown, NY 13601
Black River Trailhead – Watertown
The Black River Trail is one of my favorite places to go with my family. The trail is wide, paved, well-maintained, and over 4 miles long.
You can bike, walk, run, and walk on this trail. The best part is that it is a beautiful nature trail that goes along the Black River from Watertown to the town of Black River.
Black River Running Trail Head: 25534 Ridge Rd, Watertown, NY 13601
Watertown Public Square
The Watertown Public Square is a promenade, also known as a mall, where people can go to walk around and view the historic downtown Watertown area, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. There are several types of activities that you can do at the public square, which is really a pretty neat place to visit:
- Watertown Public Square Park (includes Peanut Park)
- Photograph opportunities
- The Paddock Arcade (one of the oldest malls in the US!)
- Shopping
- Eateries
Lots of famous people have visited Watertown’s public square, including Frederick Douglass, who gave at a hotel on the square in the 1850s. The Watertown Public Square continues to be the focal point of activity in Watertown, just as it has been since the founders of the city built their homes near the square in 1800.
Watertown Public Square – Get Google Directions
Note: The following activities are not technically located within Watertown city limits, but don’t worry – they are less than 20 minutes away from downtown! Plus, they are free, so worth the drive.
10th Mountain Division & Fort Drum Museum
If you are a fan of military history, the history of Northern New York, or have a personal connection to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, you will enjoy this museum. The US Army first arrived in this region of New York back in 1813, then expanded to Pine Camp, and then to what is now Fort Drum.
The military’s connection to Jefferson County spans more than 200 years, and really encompasses the growth of the United States during this period. The museum is free to visit, but it’s closed on Sunday and Monday.
Another great thing about the location of the Fort Drum Museum is that it is located near a small town called Great Bend, which happens to be where you can find a trail head for a really nice hiking trail along the Black River. For a quick lunch, you can even get lunch or dinner at Stefano’s Pizzeria, just a few minutes from the museum.
10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum: 2509 Col Reade Rd, Fort Drum, NY 13603
Burrville Cider Mill
The Burrville Cider Mill is one of the oldest buildings in Jefferson County. This business makes freshly pressed cider, usually during the late morning hours, from local North Country apples.
The best part is that they allow members of the public to watch.
They are not open year round, so be sure to visit their website to make sure that they are open when you plan to visit. In addition, if you want to visit while they are making cider, they say on their site that they do the process as new cider is needed, which usually happens Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
There is also a beautiful view of waterfalls on Sandy Creek from the deck.
Burrville Cider Mill: 18176 County Route 156, Watertown NY 1360
Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site
Sackets Harbor Battlefield New York State Historic Site is a fun, free, family-friendly, and beautiful way to spend the day. Parking and access to the grounds is free, and guided tours of the buildings are very inexpensive ($2-3 a person). You could easily spend the whole day exploring the park, reading the interpretive signs, having a picnic, and taking a long walk on the trail.
You can see Lake Ontario from almost any place on the Battlefield area, which is just stunning. If the day is sunny, be sure to stay and watch the beginning of the sunset!
If you want to grab lunch or coffee, there are many places within walking distance right there in the cute town of Sackets Harbor. You will enjoy walking past the marina and the bay to get to the main downtown area where there are a variety of shops and restaurants to choose from.
Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site:
504 W Main St, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685
The Cheese Store
I couldn’t make this list without including “The Cheese Store“. While it is a store and not technically a “free” place, it is a place that is definitely worth visiting.
This store is primarily a cheese and dairy products store, owned and operated by a collective of 22 dairy farmers local to the North Country. You can buy gallons of milk from local dairy farms, and local cheese from cows that graze just miles away – it’s truly a prize.
You will love the selection of locally made dairy products, meats, snacks, treats, including the biggest, most amazing English muffins that you have ever seen, so tempting that you will probably end up buying something. If you are hungry after your day of visiting all of these fun and free places, you can even get a sandwich at the counter in the back of the store.
My favorite reason to stop by The Cheese Store, which is very clearly visible south of Watertown on NY Route 3 is to buy as much as I can locally and contribute to the local economy. It’s only a few minutes north of Sacket’s Habor Battlefield, one of the places on this list.
The Cheese Store: 19401 State Rte 3, Watertown, NY 13601
Conclusion
I hope that this list of free things to do has helped you get an idea of the many ways that you can enjoy the Watertown and greater Jefferson County. There is more to do than meets the eye!
If you get the chance to try one of these places out, or if you have your own idea of something free to do around Watertown, please join in the discussion below.
Thanks for checking out this post!