Established in 1806, Potsdam, New York has a long history and is actually one of the oldest towns in the state of New York as it is one of the original towns in St. Lawrence County. It is also one of the top educational cities in northern New York, with such top schools as St. Lawrence Academy and Clarkson University, as well as others. In fact, the population of the city grows more than 8,000 people, while school is in session. It’s reasons such as these that Potsdam has become such a thriving city, with plenty to do and discover. The locals all the more keep the town pleasing yet adventure-packed. Airbnb vacation rentals, which are great accommodation options, await you on your visit. Discover what makes the residents proud about their hometown along with the best things to do in Potsdam, New York.
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1. Check out a hockey game at Pine Street Arena
Situated in a humble area in Potsdam, Pine Street Arena is every hockey player and figure skater’s dream in this town. The facility’s name is aptly patterned after the name of its street location, Pine Street. It is a popular ice skating rink playground in the area during the ice season. Among the organizations that primarily use this venue are Potsdam Junior Hockey Association and Potsdam Figure Skating Club.
With a fresh sheet of ice, come cheer for your team or try the rink yourself.
Pine Street Arena
Address: 43 Pine St, Potsdam, NY 13676
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
2. Try farm-to-table dining at 1844 House
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
As an advocate of the farm-to-table social movement, 1844 House restaurant is focused on creating a community bistro with a menu that supports local suppliers and organizations. You can highly sense its core value in the spot’s atmosphere as many of its guests have become loyal customers and dear friends. This American cuisine restaurant has been creating recipes with modern flares since it reopened and rebranded in May 2006. The simple yet elegant style of cooking and presentation are quite visible through its popular dishes from the dinner-only menu. Pommes frites, pepper-crusted and butter-seared filet of beef, fresh dijon herb-crusted salmon are your best bets here.
The bar area with a rustic vibe promptly greets you as soon as you walk inside the quaint dining space. Aside from scrumptious dishes, 1844 House has a paramount collection of beverages in its menu that features wines, champagnes, beers, and cocktails.
1844 House
Address: 6885 State Route 11, Potsdam, NY 13676
Website: 1844 House
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 4:30pm - 9pm (closed from Sun - Tue)
3. Experience the history of Potsdam at the Potsdam Public Museum
Founded in 1940, this non-profit institution strives to collect, preserve, study and exhibit artifacts and materials, relating to the history of Potsdam and the surrounding areas. Here you can dig deep into the past, through the archives and uncover letters, books, journals, cemetery records, magazines, and much more and truly discover what has lead to making this town so great. One specific thing that Potsdam is known for is its local sandstone (known simply as Potsdam Sandstone), and at the museum, you can view the sandstone map to see where the best places in the city are to go find some, yourself. But, there is only so much I can talk about here, so be sure to head down to the Potsdam Public Museum and see everything that they have to offer.
Potsdam Public Museum
Address: Civic Center, 2 Park St, Potsdam, NY 13676
Website: Potsdam Public Museum
4. Be an art critic at the Roland Gibson Art Gallery
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Now known as the Art Museum at the State University of New York, the Roland Gibson Art Gallery contains a collection of visual arts that are accessible to students, faculty, staff, alumni and residents of New York. The collection is full of artwork from the 20th and 21st centuries and some from even earlier.
There are also many activities at the gallery, such as exhibitions, publications and programming, which are used to help with classroom curricula and to frame the minds of young artists at the school.
If you are interested in art and if would like to broaden your mind with work you may never have seen before, this is a great stop. This Potsdam, NY, attraction is also good for individuals who are thinking about going to art school and want to see what they could do at the State University of New York.
Roland Gibson Art Gallery
Address: 44 Pierrepont Ave, Potsdam, NY 13676
Website: Roland Gibson Art Gallery
5. Enjoy the sunshine at Lehman Park
Feeling much better now! Zen!!!
Posted by Michelle Humburg on Sunday, 11 September 2016
Owned by the State University of New York (SUNY), Lehman Park is open to the public and is used by the university as a laboratory for their students. It provides access to the Raquette River, as well as picnic areas, boat launch facilities and open space along the river for recreational use and is a great area for fishing. The luscious green grass makes for a great scene for pictures and the vast, tall trees provide an excellent form of shade on those days that get just a little too hot.
The view from the Raquette River makes for a great spot to watch the sun go down after a fun day with family and friends. Once you get to Lehman Park, the kids will put down their phones, run and play as they’re meant to and you’ll feel much more relaxed.
Lehman Park
Address: Lehman Park, Pierrepont Ave, Potsdam, NY 13676
6. Be a kid again at Swing Time Mini Golf
Snow is gone - Clean-up day today. If the weather cooperates maybe we can play some mini golf next Sunday!
Posted by SwingTime Mini Golf on Sunday, 9 April 2017
Let’s face it, golf isn’t for everybody. But mini-golf is! Swing Time Mini Golf is newly opened so it’s state-of-the-art, with a beautiful landscape and a quirky design that is as fun as it is frustrating - in a good way, of course! A great way to spend the day as a family, this mini course is great for children and adults as the putting greens are the perfect combination of simple yet challenging.
Everybody remembers going mini-golfing as a kid and it’s time to make those same memories with your children. It’s also a great idea for a date - to laugh and be outdoors with that special someone, instead of sitting in a dark theater, where you can’t even talk. So, go relive your childhood at the new Swing Time Mini Golf.
Swing Time Mini Golf
Address: 7065 US-11, Potsdam, NY 13676
Website: Swing Time Mini Golf
7. The heat goes up as the lights go down at Backstreets Nightclub
Come out to Backstreets on Thursdays for great drink specials including $4 Bud Light 40oz!
Posted by Backstreets Nightclub on Thursday, 2 March 2017
If you’re out on the town without the kids, then the Backstreets Nightclub is a great place to go after a day of exploring the city. Open Thursday-Saturday, this club offers a full-service bar with live music, entertainment and great people. The atmosphere at this nightclub is one that will you get you excited to hit the dance floor, with its unique combination of pub and club. And every night features a different list of drink specials that you won’t find anyplace else.
Backstreets Nightclub even has you covered if you have to be up early the next day (or need to relieve the babysitter) with happy hour drink specials from 9:30 to 10:30. The Backstreets Nightclub is the ideal place to forget about your worries and feel (and act) like you’re in your early 20s, again.
Backstreets Nightclub
Address: 31 Market St, Potsdam, NY 13676
Facebook: Backstreets Nightclub
Much to discover in Potsdam, New York
If you’re wondering what to do in Potsdam, NY, to spend the day, or week for that matter, this town will surely not disappoint. With its educational museums, an art gallery, a park located directly on the water, mini-golf for families and a nightclub for the younger adults, there is something for everybody, in Potsdam.
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