Overview
Watertown is a small city in New York's North Country, and the seat of Jefferson County.
4 sights · 4 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Watertown
Public Square
The Public Square is the city hub of Watertown, and contains numerous local businesses, and a beautiful oval-shaped mini-park with benches, a large fountain, and a gazebo.
Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
The Flower Memorial Library is the only library in Watertown, and it is one of the most beautiful in the North Country. The library was built in 1905, dedicated to the 30th Governor of New York, and has two stone lions i…
New York State Zoo at Thompson Park
32-acre Thompson Park Zoo exhibits species that are or were native to New York State, including wolverines, black bears, eagles, mountain lions, Canada lynx and grey wolves.
Washington Street Arboretum
Over 30 different varieties and species of trees.
Black River
Kayaking and whitewater rafting. Three rafting companies (Adirondack, Bob's, Hudson), seven miles of whitewater, fourteen sets of class III and IV rapids. Riverfront walking trails at the Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk, Wa…
Dry Hill Ski Area
Wintertime tubing, snowboarding and downhill skiing.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Rochester)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ART Watertown International Airport, Watertown — 6 mi away. Directions
- OGS Ogdensburg International Airport, Ogdensburg — 54 mi away. Directions
- SYR Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Syracuse — 60 mi away (major hub). Directions
Watertown is about 75 mi north of Syracuse on US 11 or Interstate 81 (exits 45, 46, and 47). Adirondack Trailways Service and Greyhound provide bus service, while the closest Amtrak stations are in Rome or in Syracuse.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Public Square, Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
- Lunch Art's Jug
- Afternoon Black River, Thompson Park
- Dinner CaffeineHolic
- Evening 1812 on the River by 1812 Brewing Co. (formerly Maggie's on the River)
Day 2
- Morning New York State Zoo at Thompson Park, Washington Street Arboretum
- Lunch Church Street Diner
- Afternoon Dry Hill Ski Area, Snowtown USA
- Dinner Jreck Subs
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
Settlers came here in the early 1800s to use the power from the Black River for industry. On April 13, 1852 Frank Winfield Woolworth was born in the tiny village of Rodman, ten miles south of Watertown; he attended business college in the city and worked as a stockboy in a general store on Watertown's Public Square in 1873 before attempting to launch his own "five-cent store" in Utica in 1878. That short-lived effort fared poorly, but a Woolworth "five and dime" in Lancaster (Pennsylvania) in 1879 succeeded.
Watertown is only a few miles from Fort Drum, home of the US Army 10th Mountain Division, the region's largest employer. It is home to various manufacturing industries (the "Car Freshener" scented air freshener is a local invention) and to Jefferson Community College.
Get in
Watertown is about 75 mi north of Syracuse on US 11 or Interstate 81 (exits 45, 46, and 47). Adirondack Trailways Service and Greyhound provide bus service, while the closest Amtrak stations are in Rome or in Syracuse.
Go Watertown International Airport (ART)
Twice-daily service to Philadelphia; airport otherwise primarily serves general aviation and charters.
The closest major airport is Syracuse Hancock International (SYR) a little over 70 mi to the south.
There is no direct scheduled transportation from Watertown to Canada, despite its proximity (Kingston and Brockville are each an hour away by road).
Get around
By bus
See
See Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
The Flower Memorial Library is the only library in Watertown, and it is one of the most beautiful in the North Country. The library was built in 1905, dedicated to the 30th Governor of New York, and has two stone lions in the front. Inside, it has paintings, and wonderful architecture that will probably make you feel very relaxed. It also has Wi-Fi!
Do
Do Black River
Kayaking and whitewater rafting. Three rafting companies (Adirondack, Bob's, Hudson), seven miles of whitewater, fourteen sets of class III and IV rapids. Riverfront walking trails at the Veteran's Memorial Riverwalk, Waterworks and Marble Street Park; bike, hike or fish along the shoreline.
Events
Do Snowtown USA
Two weeks of indoor and outdoor activities and exhibitions, mid-February. Snowtown Film Festival in late January.
Buy
Eat
Eat CaffeineHolic
Café, wi-fi.
Eat Church Street Diner
Burgers, sandwiches, chicken, breakfast foods.
Eat Jreck Subs
Watertown-based submarine sandwich chain, over forty locations in northern New York.
Eat Stefanos Pizza and Restaurant
Italian/Sicilian.
Drink
Drink 1812 on the River by 1812 Brewing Co. (formerly Maggie's on the River)
Sports bar and restaurant, casual.
- Water is plentiful in the region.
Sleep
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My experience
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