Accessible Travel Guide to Oneida County, NY

Located in central Upstate New York, Oneida County brings a mix of culture and the great outdoors. Places like Utica and Rome give the area its backbone, with museums, theaters, and longtime local restaurants, while nearby towns and parks make it easy to step away from the busier spots when you want to. Fall brings an especially beautiful feel, full of colors and foliage. But it is a destination you can visit all-year round.

For travelers with disabilities, you have options. This guide focuses on verified accessible places across Oneida County, from things to do and places to eat to hotels and transportation. This means these spots have been assessed and measured so you can see the detailed information before going. Lets get into it.

Top Accessible Things to Do in Oneida County

Oneida County has a lot packed into a relatively small area, which makes it easier to mix different kinds of experiences into one trip. These five accessible attractions give a good sense of what the region offers.

Explore the Paths at Sherrill Brook Park

Sherrill Brook Park is a large, 450-acre park in New Hartford that includes open lawn space, wooded areas, and a creek that runs through the property. Paved walking paths (with some possible gentle slopes) cut through different parts of the park, with stretches that follow the water and others that move through trees and open ground.

The park is used throughout the year for walking and casual outdoor time. In the fall, much of the park fills with foliage. Sherrill Brook Park sits just outside Utica, which makes it an easy outdoor stop when visiting nearby towns or spending time downtown.

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Step Inside a Revolutionary War–Era Fort at Fort Stanwix

Fort Stanwix National Monument is a historic site located in downtown Rome, built on the remains of an 18th-century fort that played a role in the American Revolutionary War. The grounds include outdoor paths, reconstructed fort walls, and interior museum spaces with exhibits focused on the fort’s history and the surrounding region. Interpretive displays and artifacts help explain the site’s military and cultural significance.

Accessible parking is available near both the Visitor Center and the reconstructed fort, with a step-free entrance. Entryways and restrooms in the Willett Center are accessible. Introductory videos are open captioned, and assistive listening devices are available upon request. The site provides tactile maps, Braille and text-accessible brochures, and audio-described materials. Ramps allow access to most interior fort buildings, and the trail surrounding the fort is approximately half a mile long with a mix of paved and compacted gravel surfaces.

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Visit Munson, One of Upstate New York’s Largest Art Museums

Munson is a large arts institution in Utica that includes a museum of art, exhibition galleries, and architectural spaces spread across its campus. The museum features rotating exhibitions along with a permanent collection that includes American art, modern works, and decorative pieces. The building itself is a notable part of the experience, with distinct gallery spaces and open interior areas.

All exhibits at Munson are viewable from a wheelchair, and the museum is designed with step-free access throughout. Entrances are at ground level, with elevators connecting floors, and galleries have wide pathways with adequate turning space. The museum offers accessible restrooms, designated accessible parking, and elevator controls with raised numbers and Braille. Exhibition spaces include large-print materials, QR codes, and docent support, with printed information and captioning available for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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Watch a Live Performance at the Stanley Theatre

The Stanley Theatre is a historic performing arts venue in downtown Utica that dates back to the 1920s. The theater hosts concerts, touring Broadway productions, comedy shows, and other live performances throughout the year. Its interior features restored architectural details that reflect its original design.

The Stanley Theatre offers wheelchair seating on the main level, with multiple locations at different price points and companion seating available. The theatre also offers an assistive listening system upon request. For guests who require sign language interpretation, presenters are responsible for providing qualified interpreters at no additional cost to the patron.

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Spend a day at Utica Zoo, one of New York’s oldest zoos

The Utica Zoo is a small zoological park that has been operating since 1914, making it one of the older zoos in New York State. It has a compact size and continuous layout, with animal exhibits arranged along a defined path rather than spread across large distances. It houses a mix of species and focuses on education and conservation programs alongside its exhibits.

The Utica Zoo includes step-free entry and accessible paths throughout the grounds, with walkways that follow gentle slopes and connect animal exhibits and buildings. Restrooms include designated accessible stalls as well as a private family and accessible bathroom. Accessible parking is available near the entrance. The zoo provides large-print materials and QR codes, with printed information available through guest services, and tactile guidance paths are present in some areas.

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Where to Stay

Utica serves as the main base for visitors to Oneida County, with museums, theaters, and historic sites clustered in and around the city. Staying in Utica places you close to cultural attractions like Munson and the Stanley Theatre, as well as dining and events downtown. Two verified accessible hotels are located here. Fairfield Inn & Suites Utica is a newer property offering outstanding accessibility features. They have rooms with roll-in showers and grab bars, as well as proper turning space in both the rooms and bathroom. Additionally, they offer free breakfast each morning and their indoor pool has a lift.

Another accessible hotel option in Utica is DoubleTree by Hilton Utica, set in a historic downtown building. They also have rooms with roll-in showers and space under the bed – which is ideal if you use a Hoyer lift for transfers. Their onsite restaurant offers breakfast each morning and drinks and dinner in the evening.

Another top spot to stay in Oneida County is New Hartford, located just outside Utica and has a quieter, more suburban layout. The area includes shopping centers, parks, and residential neighborhoods, while still being a short drive from Utica’s downtown attractions. The verified hotel to consider in this area is Burrstone Inn, a boutique hotel located near many top attractions. They have rooms with roll-in showers and grab bars, and plenty of turning space. They do have a seasonal outdoor pool, but unfortunately no lift. Their onsite restaurant and lounge uses local, fresh, and seasonal ingredients, so you don't have to go far to savor something tasty.

Places to Eat & Drink in Oneida County

Aqua Vino Restaurant

Aqua Vino is a full-service restaurant in New Hartford serving Italian-inspired dishes in a traditional dining room setting. The menu focuses on classic preparations, and the restaurant is located near shopping areas and residential neighborhoods just outside Utica.

Vescio’s Franklin Hotel Restaurant

Located inside the historic Franklin Hotel in Rome, Vescio’s is known for long-standing Italian-American recipes. The restaurant operates as a formal sit-down dining space and has been part of the local food scene for generations.

LaRoma Pizzeria & Restaurant

LaRoma is a casual restaurant offering pizza and Italian staples. It’s a popular local spot with a straightforward menu and a relaxed dining environment, located near downtown Rome.

Spressos Coffee House & Eatery

Spressos is a café-style eatery serving coffee, baked goods, and light meals. The space functions as both a coffee shop and a casual place to eat, making it a common daytime stop.

Chesterfield’s Tavolo

Chesterfield’s Tavolo is a sit-down Italian restaurant located in Utica. The restaurant operates inside a historic building and offers a traditional dining room layout with a menu centered on Italian cuisine.

Getting to and Around Oneida County

Oneida County does not have a commercial airport, but Syracuse Hancock International Airport is located less than an hour from Utica and is the closest major airport serving the area. Importantly, United Access operates out of Syracuse, offering wheelchair accessible vehicle rentals equipped with powered ramps and securement systems. Travelers can coordinate airport pickup or drop-off directly with United Access (typically for an extra fee), making it possible to land in Syracuse and begin traveling independently and getting to Oneida County by car. Reservations are recommended in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Once you’re in Oneida County, getting around is generally manageable. Parking is widely available throughout Utica, Rome, and New Hartford, including street parking, surface lots, and hotel parking near major attractions. Compared to larger cities, traffic is light, and driving distances between key sites are short. This makes having a vehicle, especially an adapted one, a practical option if you plan to visit multiple towns, parks, or attractions spread across the county.

Other ways to get around:

Amtrak

Amtrak serves Oneida County through stations in Utica and Rome, connecting the area to cities across New York State and beyond, including Albany, Syracuse, and New York City. Both stations offer step-free access to platforms and accessible boarding assistance when requested in advance. Amtrak trains include accessible seating and restrooms, and passengers can request mobility assistance during booking or at the station.

Centro & Local Transit

Local bus service in Oneida County is operated by Centro of Oneida, part of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority. Centro runs fixed-route buses throughout Utica, Rome, New Hartford, and surrounding communities. Buses are equipped with ramps or lifts and designated wheelchair spaces, and routes serve major corridors, shopping centers, medical facilities, colleges, and other key destinations. A central transfer hub in downtown Utica allows riders to switch between routes.

Local Events & Festivals in Oneida County

Boilermaker Road Race (Utica)

The Boilermaker Road Race is an annual 15K road race held in Utica and is one of the most well-known running events in the country. The race draws thousands of participants and spectators each summer and finishes at the Utica University campus. In addition to the race itself, the event includes organized spectator areas and post-race activities that take place across the city.

Remsen Barn Festival (Remsen)

The Remsen Barn Festival is a long-running community event held each summer in the village of Remsen. The festival includes live music, food vendors, craft booths, and family-friendly activities. It takes place in and around the village center and reflects the area’s agricultural and small-town roots.

Bavarian Festival (Utica)

Utica’s Bavarian Festival celebrates the region’s German heritage and is typically held during the summer months. The event features traditional food, music, and cultural programming, along with beer gardens and outdoor seating areas. The festival has been part of Utica’s event calendar for decades and draws visitors from across the region.

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