Madison County & Scenic Tours B-E
Madison County is home to quaint villages and rural communities full of heritage. Along Route 20, you'll find Cazenovia on beautiful Cazenovia Lake and home to Cazenovia College, many fine shops, restaurants and historic inns as well as the Lorenzo State Historic Site where you can experience life on a rural estate or attend any number of free events on the historic grounds. Fresh farm traditions abound at the many farm markets including Critz Farms just a few miles south of Cazenovia or Nelson Farms, home to a wealth of made-in-New York food products manufactured on site or from local producers. Peterboro played an important role in the Underground Railroad and Abolition movements. Morrisville is home to Morrisville State College, a hi-tech college with over 80 degree programs. Hamilton provides a unique blend of shopping, dining, arts and education and is home to the Palace Theater and Colgate University. Madison-Bouckville offer a year-round antique venue with more than 30 dealers dedicated to antiques. Once a year in August, the Madison-Bouckville Antique Week draws more than 2,000 dealers for a week long show along one two-mile stretch of Route 20 for the largest antique show in New York State. A must while visiting Madison Bouckville is a meal at the historic Hotel Solsville or Ye Olde Landmark Tavern. Plan to spend days and nights in Madison County.
Route 20 Scenic Tour B - The Yellow Brick Road and the Erie Canal - Madison County
From Cazenovia, follow Route 13 north to Chittenango. Route 13 nearly parallels the route of the once thriving Lehigh Valley Railroad. After just entering Route 13 north, at Williams Street on the left is the Historic Lehigh Valley Depot and Caboose, now the home of Gene Gissin Photography. Along the way, stop to see a picturesque 167-foot waterfall, the main attraction of Chittenango Falls State Park. In the Village of Chittenango, you'll find the yellow brick road -- now a sidewalk -- the inspiration for native son L. Frank Baum who wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Chittenango celebrates all things Oz during their annual Oz-Stravaganza, the first weekend of June. While in Chittenango be sure to visit the Award of Excellence winning Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum. Return to Route 20, or continue a few miles east on Route 5 from Chittenango to the Village of Canastota, an Erie Canal Community. The Canal Town Museum is located across the street from the Canal. Canastota also is home of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Continue back to Route 20 on S. Peterboro Street/Oxbow Road (Route 25) to Peterboro, home of the Abolitionist Hall of Fame and the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark, then on to Morrisville, home of Morrisville State College and a great equestrian center.
Route 20 Scenic Tour C - The Land of Windmills - Madison County
You will find 20 wind turbines nestled among dairy farms on a hilltop in Madison County and the FREE Center, a place to view kiosks on renewable energy, a windmill blade and even to have a picnic. Just west from Morrisville on Route 20 is the community of Nelson. While in Nelson, stop at Nelson Farms for some locally New York State produced products and learn about the entrepreneurial opportunities they provide for the agri-business community. Then, from Nelson, head north on County Route 67 which turns into County Route 23 after about 3 miles. Follow for another 2.5 miles and turn east onto Larkin Road. Turn north onto Bellinger Road to the Fenner Renewable Energy Education Center. From the FREE Center, continue east on Peterboro Road to Oxbow Road (Route 25) and then south on Oxbow Road to historic Peterboro, a stop on the Underground Railroad and home of the Abolitionist Hall of Fame and the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark. Then return to Route 20 via Route 101 to Morrisville.
Route 20 Scenic Tour D - Hop Culture and Utopian Silver - Madison County
Just west of Bouckville, take Route 46 north past Heritage Farm to Foothill Hops and a visit to their shop. Continue on Route 46 north to Oneida and the Madison County Historical Society at 435 Main Street. Visit the exhibit, Bittersweet: The Story of Hop Culture in Central New York, for an introduction to the Hop Heritage Trail which marks hop kilns and other hop sites still in existence. The museum also hosts a Hop Festival in September. Be sure to visit the Oneida Community Mansion House, a Utopian commune of the 19th century, considered to be the most successful commune in American history. The members learned to make silver knives, forks and spoons, the beginning of what has grown to become Oneida Silversmiths and the Oneida Ltd. of today. There are eight guest rooms for those who wish to stay overnight at the Mansion. Return to Route 20 on Route 46 and continue south on Route 46 for your next adventure.
Route 20 Scenic Tour E - Classic Cars - Madison County
Just west of Bouckville, from Route 20, travel south on Route 46 (turns into Route 12B) to Hamilton, home of Colgate University, the restored Palace Theater and the recently renovated historic Colgate Inn. While in Hamilton enjoy the Village Green, weekly Farmer's Market, galleries and quaint shops. Continue south on Route 12-B to Earlville and the historic Earlville Opera House, antique shops and galleries. From Earlville continue south on Route 12B (becomes Route 12) for about 30 minutes to the City of Norwich. Turn east onto Route 23. The Northeast Classic Car Museum is about three blocks down and features more than 125 antique and classic cars, period fashions and much more, including a large collection of Franklin autos. Return to Route 20 via Route 12 north to Sangerfield.