Now that summer is officially here, many New York residents may be taking road trips to visit family or go on vacation, and those long drives can get boring.
Making pit stops on the way to your destination can be a good way to break up the drive, especially when you’re stopping to see interesting or unique attractions.
New York has an abundance of roadside attractions that can make for a fun stop along the way. Here are some of the things you might see on your trip.
Nipper the dog
Where: 991 Broadway, Albany. The statue is located just about 3 miles off Interstate 90 and can be seen from Interstate 787.
What you’ll find: Nipper the dog is a “28-foot-tall, four-ton steel and fiberglass canine statue,” according to the Albany Institute, and sits atop a warehouse. Nipper has been perched there since 1958 and is based on a real-life dog from 19th-century England.
Copernicus statue
Where: The corner of Genesee and Eagle streets in Utica. The statue can be found about 7 miles from Interstate 90.
What you’ll find: The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica explains that the Kopernik Monument honors the life of Polish astronomer Nicholas Copernicus. The statue is 21 feet high and provides insight into the ways in which Copernicus “initiated modern science.”
Site of the first ice cream sundae
Where: 216 E. State St., Ithaca. Stopping at this site would require a bit of a detour if you stick to highway driving, as it is around 25 miles from Interstate 81.
What you’ll find: The Ithaca Commons holds a plaque at the site of the first ever ice cream sundae, which, according to the History Center in Tompkins County, started in 1892 as vanilla ice cream topped with cherry syrup and a candied cherry at the Platt & Colt Pharmacy.
World’s original largest gnome
Where: Kelder’s Farm, 5755 US-209, Kerhonkson. The gnome is located about 19 miles off Interstate 87.
What you’ll find: The former world’s largest garden gnome sits within Kelder’s Farm and makes for the perfect family photo op.
Rod Serling statue
Where: Recreation Park, Beethoven Street and Seminary Avenue, Binghamton. The statue can be found just about 4 miles from Interstate 86.
What you’ll find: Binghamton’s Recreation Park holds a statue of “The Twilight Zone” actor Rod Serling, who was a Binghamton native. The episode “Walking Distance” was based on Recreation Park, which is why it now holds a statue in his honor.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: NY roadside attractions: Five destinations to check out while traveling
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
