Originally inhabited by members of the Iroquois Confederacy, Hamilton remains a sacred place to members of the Oneida Indian Nation. White settlers developed the area after the Revolutionary War and turned it into a bustling farming community not far from the Great Lakes.
Today, the village is home to Colgate University, a nationally recognized liberal arts college. The students lend liveliness and energy to the small but bustling downtown area, ensuring that there’s always something fun to do. Stroll past the stone buildings of the pretty campus. West Hall, the first building, was built by the students themselves. Learn something new at the Longyear Museum of Anthropology, with thousands of archaeological artifacts from around the world. Appreciate culture at the Picker Art Gallery, which is free to enter.
Find Hamilton’s heart in a walk around its nationally recognized historic district or stroll along a trail that follows the now-abandoned O&W Railroad tracks leading to and from the town. View early industrial history when you walk along the original Chenango Canal towpath, once home to the canal ultimately made obsolete by the railroad. Play a round or two at the Seven Oaks Golf Course, a favorite with locals and visitors alike.
Bring a picnic to the Village Green and watch the students and townspeople go to and fro. Don’t be afraid to strike up a chat, since Hamilton was recently named by Forbes as one of America’s friendliest towns. In the summer, shop for fresh local produce and other products at the weekly farmers market. In September, celebrate the anniversary of the Great Chocolate Train Wreck, when a train de-railed and spilled chocolate all over the town. Today enjoy music, fun and, of course, chocolate.
Drive to Hamilton from Syracuse, New York, in about 1 hour. Regional and international connections are available from Syracuse International Airport.
