96 miles NE of Albany; 203 miles E of Buffalo
Utica had its heyday in the era of the Erie Canal, when manufacturing was booming. It attracted business, travelers, even the founders of a Utopian society -- one that went on to create some of the country's finest flatware. The famous Oneida company is still around, and you can buy its gorgeous home products at the Oneida Outlet Store, 606 Sherrill Rd., Sherrill (tel. 315/361-3662), but the Utica/Rome area is hardly the same. Those cities are trying to stage something of a comeback, but it's an uphill struggle: The biggest success story has been the reopening of the gorgeous Hotel Utica. Unfortunately, you won't want to spend much time in the cities -- there's not much there -- but the countryside is very pretty. For nature exploration and outdoor fun, try Howe Caverns and gorgeous Oneida Lake.
