17 Best Things To Do In Oneida, New York

1. Enjoy a tour of the market at Oneida for unique finds

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

A visit to any new place is an opportunity to do some shopping and gather a few items as souvenirs from your trip. When you visit Oneida, a visit to the market for unique finds is a must. The market has over 40 vendors, all selling different items, featuring new and gently used gifts, recycled treasures, quality antiques, locally handcrafted items, estate sale jewelry and much more. There is also a local food section which you must visit to have a taste of the local culinary delights. This will come in handy in case you don’t get time to book yourself on a food tour.

Oneida Market Tour

Address: 501 Packerland Dr, Green Bay, WI 54303, USA

Website: Oneida Market Tour

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

2. See what the world's smallest church looks like

New York may be the home of the megastructures in the world, but in contrast, it is also the home to the smallest church in the world. Cross Island Chapel was completed in 1989, and it is located on a dock on Mason’s Pond. Not only is it the world’s smallest church but, it is also located right in the middle of the pond.

This attraction in Oneida is less than 30 square feet (2.7 square meters) in space. And though no formal services take place here, curious couples who don’t mind getting crammed in the space, travel far and wide to get married in the tiny white chapel in the middle of the pond.

Cross Island Chapel

Address: Sconondoa Rd., Oneida, NY

Opening hours: 24/7

3. Go catch some fish on Mount Hope Reservoir

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Theis historic reservoir was once the trusted source of water for drinking, firefighting, and industrial uses in Oneida. Currently, it remains a recreational site since it was abandoned in 1979. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and one of the finest spots in Madison County for those who would love to go fishing. It is also a great site for camping, cross country skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. Think of it as a paradise for outdoors enthusiasts.

Mount Hope Reservoir

Address: Mt Hope Ave, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Mount Hope Reservoir

Opening hours: 24/7

4. Enjoy world-class theatrical performances at the Oneida Performing Arts

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

You will never miss finding an event going on at the Oneida Performing Arts. It is one of the top places to consider for lively entertainment all days of the week. Depending on your dates of travel, you may be lucky to find some really big events lined up. But, in the absence of these, there will always be a variety of performances nearly every day. It provides you with a chance to appreciate live arts from a variety of performances in various types of genres.

Oneida Performing Arts

Address: Oneida Performing Arts PO Box 51 Oneida, New York 13421

Website: Oneida Performing Arts

Price: 40 USD

5. Drink a cup of high-quality coffee at the HIPstir Café

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

It is always a good idea to sample a coffee experience away from your city or home town. This will help you realize what you may be missing and also appreciate what others have and you don’t. In Oneida, the best place to have a taste of the region’s coffee is at the HIPstir Café, located on Farrier Avenue. The coffee here is not only great, but it comes with delights that are unique to the region and will introduce you to a whole new way of appreciating coffee. This is where you want to be when catching up with a long lost friend you bumped into during your visit to Oneida.

HIPstir Café

Address: 125 Farrier Ave, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: HIPstir Café

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 3pm; Sat: 8am - 1pm; Sun: 9am - 1pm

6. Go wine tasting at Villa Verona Vineyard & Bistro

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you love wine and you visit Oneida, then wine tasting at the Villa Verona Vineyard & Bistro is a must. It is the leading winery in Oneida County that promises every visitor, that walks past its gate, a memorable wine experience. Currently, there are approximately 15 different bottled wines, featuring sweet wines, dry produce wines, and wines produced and bottled within the winery. In addition to a magical wine tasting experience at this vineyard, you will also have a chance to browse through local unique gift items, crafts beers, and much more!

Villa Verona Vineyard & Bistro

Address: 4914 NY-365, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Villa Verona Vineyard & Bistro

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 4pm - 9pm; Sat: 12pm - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

7. Craft your own beer at Bottom of the Barrel

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you have ever desired to learn how to produce the contents of the famous brown bottles (i.e. wine!), then this is a tour you must consider when you visit Oneida. Bottom of the Barrel not only sells everything that pertains to wine making, beer brewing, and cider making but it also teaches you to transition from being a beginner to an expert in this field. They have ingredients, kits, bottling items, and all the equipment you will need for beer crafting and wine and cider making. You can visit the facility to learn more about the processes, and most importantly, you can visit for a chance to craft your own beer.

Bottom of the Barrel

Address: 1736 Mt Hope Ave, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Bottom of the Barrel

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 5pm - 8pm; (closed Tue - Sat)

8. Know your future at Nook and Cranny Reading Room

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

How would it feel if you knew what the future holds for you? If you are courageous enough to find out, then a visit to the Nook and Cranny Reading Room is a must when you visit Oneida. If you are interested in past life connections, or want to understand why certain things are happening the way are happening, or you want to know how to resolve a health concern you may be facing at the moment, then be sure to make a date with the psychics, mediums, healers, hypnotherapists and healers at the Nook and Cranny Reading Room.

Nook and Cranny Reading Room

Address: 134 Lenox Ave, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Nook and Cranny Reading Room

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 7pm (closed Mon & Tue)

9. Enjoy an affordable brunch at Choo Choo Charlie’s

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Your brunch experience will never be the same after a visit to Choo Choo Charlie’s in Oneida. This kid-friendly restaurant prepares everything from scratch after you place your order. It is a family-owned establishment, with the father, mother, and daughter present to give you a memorable dining experience. The menu is diverse and highly affordable. Expect to enjoy nice treats like burgers, hotdogs, mouthwatering appetizers, finger-licking chicken, specialty brew coffees, malts, and shakes. Be sure to visit when you are on an empty stomach because you will have so much to eat.

Choo Choo Charlie’s

Address: 236 Main St, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Choo Choo Charlie’s

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 3pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 7pm

10. Dig into some delicious pizzas from Pepi’s Pizza

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Just like coffee, a good number of travelers love to sample the various pizzas they find in the places they visit. This is why you need to pay a visit to one of the best places to eat in Oneida - Pepi’s Pizza. The joint has been around since the 1960s, and this means that it comes with a historic flair you won’t find in many places. Their pizzas are nothing but exceptional, and you will also be treated to custom and specialty pies, served with gelatos and a wide variety of ice creams.

Pepi’s Pizza

Address: 228 Genesee St, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Pepi’s Pizza

Opening hours: Sun - Tue: 4pm - 10am; Wed - Sat: 11am - 10pm

11. Go antiquing at The Eclectic Chic

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

As usual, antiquing should be part of every trip to a new destination. There are no reasons why you should not indulge in some when visiting Oneida. The place to head to for some unique antique fins is The Eclectic Chic. This is one of the best multi-vendor stores where you will find more than 65 vendors, guaranteeing a fruitful antiquing experience. You will have a humongous variety of items to choose from, and it will be truly unique to Oneida.

The Eclectic Chic

Address: 21 Seneca Ave, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: The Eclectic Chic

Opening hours: Sat - Tue: 10am - 5pm; Wed - Fri: 10am - 6pm

12. Browse through Oneida’s public library books

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Whether or not you are an avid reader or an academician, it is always a good idea to visit libraries found in the places you will be visiting. This is not just for knowledge alone. Browsing through the books in a public library is a great way to enrich your general knowledge of the area, and also appreciate some of the strides that the region has made in the academic field. It is a nice way to pass the time if you are waiting for someone, or you are taking a break before you move on to the next attraction.

Oneida Public Library

Address: 220 Broad St, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Oneida Public Library

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 8pm (closed on Sun)

13. Play a game of poker at the Turning Stone Resort Casino

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Turning Stone Resort Casino (@turningstone)

Playing poker on a Friday evening sounds like a great idea to end a week of touring and exploring Oneida. Well, if this is what you desire, then you need to check out the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. It is not just about poker, but a wide range of casino games you could play to gamble the night away. This is also a good chance to sample the high-end night life of Oneida’s privileged.

Turning Stone Resort Casino

Address: 5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, NY 13478, USA

Website: Turning Stone Resort Casino

Opening hours: 24/7

14. Discover the rich past of Oneida at the Shako: wi Cultural Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Shako: wi cultural center has been in operation since 1993. The cultural center is a tribute to the lives and struggles of the people of Oneida. You will get a glimpse of the history of the land and the specific strides made by the people of Oneida in keeping the community alive, including fighting for their rights to retain the ownership of the over 17,000 acres (6880 hectares) of their ancestral homelands.

Shako: wi Cultural Center

Address: 5 Territory Rd, Oneida, NY 13421, USA

Website: Shako: wi Cultural Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

15. Visit Madison County Historical Society

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Visiting the Madison County Historical Society in Oneida is a captivating journey into the past, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. Located in the heart of Oneida, New York, this historical society is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the stories and artifacts that shape the area’s identity.

From Native American artifacts and early settlers’ possessions to exhibits on local industries and notable figures, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s past. In addition to the exhibits, the Madison County Historical Society often hosts special events, lectures, and workshops that delve deeper into specific aspects of the area’s history. These events offer a unique opportunity to connect with local historians, researchers, and fellow history enthusiasts.

Madison County Historical Society

Address: 435 Main Street Oneida, NY 13421

Website: Madison County Historical Society

Opening hours: 10am - 3pm (Mon - Fri)

16. Go cycling at Oneida Rail Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Embarking on a cycling adventure along the Oneida Rail Trail is one of the exhilarating activities to do in Oneida to explore its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. This well-maintained trail offers a fantastic route for leisurely rides and more challenging cycling experiences. As you pedal along the trail, you’ll be surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including lush forests, rolling hills, and serene waterways.

The Oneida Rail Trail follows the path of a former railway, offering a relatively flat and smooth surface that is perfect for cyclists of all skill levels. The trail is also frequented by walkers, joggers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, creating a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

17. Enjoy the Oneida community mansion tour (from USD 10.0)

1/3 things to do in oneida new york | enjoy the oneida community mansion tour

2/3 enjoy the oneida community mansion tour

3/3

Show all photos

This is one of the most sought-after tours in Oneida! A trip to the community mansion will be worth every second you spend within its precincts. Through this tour, you will discover the rich history of the Oneida community as displayed by the museum’s exhibits and collections. You will also learn more about the socialist Utopian group that once called the mansion home, including their beliefs, practices, and evolution. The guided tour is approximately two hours and you need to book the tickets in advance.

Oneida Community Mansion House Tour

Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Oops, this activity is currently unavailable. Check out these alternative activities in the same location.

from USD

10.0

Book Now

Soak in the history and splendor of Oneida

Evidently, the best of Oneida County can be experienced in its multitude of things to do. It doesn’t matter whether you are traveling alone, with your better half, or with the entire family. There is something for everyone! Be sure to plan your trip well so that you have enough time to soak in the beauty and splendor of Oneida.

If you wish to time your trip during winter, you can check out some of the best ski resorts near Syracuse, which is an equally stunning city just about 40 minutes away from Oneida.