Overview
Potsdam (pop 9,000) is a village in the town of Potsdam in northern New York State.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Potsdam
Clarkson University
Private university founded 1896, 3500 undergraduate and postgraduate students on two campuses; arts, science, business and engineering.
SUNY Potsdam
Founded 1816 as the St. Lawrence Academy, which became the Potsdam Normal School to train teachers of music, mathematics and the arts. 4500 students, two libraries and an art gallery.
Orchestra of Northern NY
Live performances at SUNY Potsdam's Hosmer Concert Hall and around the region (Watertown, Massena).
Potsdam Public Museum
Local and civil war history, archives.
Potsdam Town and Country Club
Golf course with restaurant (+1 315 265-1234), pro shop.
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSS Massena International Airport Richards Field, Massena — 20 mi away. Directions
- OGS Ogdensburg International Airport, Ogdensburg — 24 mi away. Directions
- SYR Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Syracuse — 121 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take US 11 north from Watertown or NY 56 south from Massena.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Clarkson University, Potsdam Public Museum, SUNY Potsdam
- Lunch 1844 House
- Afternoon Potsdam Town and Country Club, Orchestra of Northern NY
- Dinner Becky's Place
- Evening McDuff's Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Founded in 1806 and named after the city of Potsdam in what is now Germany. The town, in turn, lent its name to the orange Potsdam sandstone found in Central St. Lawrence County.
Get in
By car
Take US 11 north from Watertown or NY 56 south from Massena.
By bus
By train
There is no Amtrak service in the region. The closest passenger rail is in Brockville (VIA) or Utica-Rome (Amtrak). The closest passenger rail to connect directly to the bus to Potsdam is in Syracuse.
By plane
There is a tiny one-runway Potsdam municipal airport which houses thirteen single-engine planes for general aviation (PTD), but the closest scheduled Essential Air Service is in Massena (MSS) or Ogdensburg (OGS), each with two daily Cape Air flights from Albany. Massena and Ogdensburg are reachable from Canton-Potsdam by county-level commuter bus:
Get around
Place Potsdam Taxi
See
Do
- There is a riverside state park in Colton for swimming, fishing and hiking.
Buy
Eat
Eat 1844 House
American bistro, local produce, regional cuisine.
Eat Becky's Place
Salads, pizza, baked pastas, paninis, soups and takeout items. Grill, adjacent Tim Horton's café.
Eat Cactus Grill and Cantina
Mexican.
Drink
Drink McDuff's Tavern
Tavern in restored 1860s brick building, full menu and selection of cocktails, beers, and wines. Pool, darts, flat screen TVs. Second bar with dance floor and DJ downstairs.
Sleep
Hotels and motels
Go next
- Canton (New York) — Clarkson and SUNY Potsdam have counterparts (and rivals) in Canton: St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton
- Adirondack State Park
- Cornwall-Massena
- Prescott-Ogdensburg
Nearby
Canton
City / town · 12 listings · 11 mi away
Massena
City / town · 21 listings · 18 mi away
Ogdensburg
City / town · 17 listings · 25 mi away
Malone
City / town · 23 listings · 36 mi away
Tupper Lake
City / town · 11 listings · 39 mi away
Saranac Lake
City / town · 46 listings · 48 mi away
Alexandria Bay
City / town · 2 listings · 51 mi away
Lake Placid
City / town · 41 listings · 56 mi away
My experience
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