City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Oswego, New York
Situated east of Rochester and north of Syracuse, Oswego sits along the Oswego River and Lake Ontario in New York. If you’re heading to the Thousand Islands region of upstate NY or booking a private boat dock rental on Lake Ontario, it’s a terrific destination for families, couples and singles.
In addition to boating, kayaking and fishing for salmon, brown trout and bass on the Oswego River and Canal Way, the region offers a variety of activities and attractions. Let’s check out a few of them right now.
Fort Ontario State Historic Site
Located on the Oswego River, Fort Ontario State Historic Site is a convenient site to visit from a private boat lift rental. Check out those terrific views of Lake Ontario while you’re there. The current fort is on the site of three previous forts (all destroyed and then rebuilt between 1755 and 1840). Take a self-guided tour of the barracks, guardhouses, Officer’s Quarters, powder magazine and the storeroom. Be sure to visit the Safe Haven Museum inside. It’s believed to be haunted!
West Pierhead Lighthouse
West Pierhead Lighthouse, in Lake Ontario, was built in 1934 (this replaced one from 1880). Made of steel and cast iron, its rotating 4th order Fresnel light is on display at the H. Lee White Maritime Museum. A solar-powered lantern is currently used to light the way. The lighthouse is owned by the Maritime Museum and tours are available.
H. Lee White Maritime Museum
Visit the H. Lee White Maritime Museum to learn about the importance of Oswego Harbor (as well as tour the afore-mentioned lighthouse). Exhibits feature 300 years of history, including an authentic Normandy barge and a WWII tugboat. You’ll find it on the Oswego River and Lake Ontario, which makes it an excellent site to visit from a private boat dock for rent.
Children’s Museum of Oswego
Let the kids run wild with interactive and hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Oswego. They can have fun with weather, STEM workshops, water tables, an interactive town square play area, creation stations and other exhibits. They might not even realize they’re learning something.
Oswego Speedway
If you have the need for speed, the Oswego Speedway is a terrific day trip from a private boat slip rental. The 5/8-mile track was built in 1951 and nicknamed the Steel Palace. Modified and super modified race cars zoom around the track during the annual season of April to October.
Breitbeck Park
On Lake Ontario, the downtown park has walking trails, a mini golf course and a splash pad as well as picnic areas, a playground, a bell tower and a pavilion with live music and concerts. We just think it’s a fun spot to visit from a boat lift for rent in Oswego.
We hope you’ve found a few new activities and attractions to check out the next time you’re in the Oswego area. Happy boating and sightseeing!
