3 days, 2 nights · All audiences
Rooted in
Oneida County
Farm stands, lavender fields, craft beverages, local cheese, and the chefs who turn it all into something extraordinary.
Where to stay: Blueberry Brook is the standout choice for this itinerary — a stunning property that's itself part of the agritourism story. Prefer a hotel base? Properties in the Utica/Clinton corridor keep every farm and restaurant within easy reach.
Rooted in Oneida County: Many stops on this itinerary are part of our local ag business campaign connecting visitors directly to the farmers, makers, and growers behind what's on your plate — and in your glass.
Farm hours, u-pick availability, and seasonal events vary widely. Always call ahead or check each location's website before visiting — especially for farms, which often run on weather and harvest schedules.
Arrive, farm-hop & a standout dinner
Afternoon
North Star Orchards
Start here. The farm market is a destination in itself — fresh produce, local goods, and u-pick options for tulips, pumpkins, and more depending on season.
AgritourismLate afternoon
Spring Creek Lavender
Lavender picking, animals, and rotating events — wine tastings, workshops, farm dinners. Check what's on when you visit. One of the most photographed spots in the county.
AgritourismEvening
Dinner: your pick
End Day 1 with a memorable meal. Oneida County punches well above its weight for fine dining — see options below.
Fine diningFarm-to-table
Nola's
Locally sourced, chef-driven, and the kind of dinner that makes you understand why people drive here from out of town.
Elevated & intimate
Creekside Inn
Just outside Verona — high quality, warm atmosphere, and a menu that takes local ingredients seriously.
Creative & bold
Motus
One of the most exciting kitchens in Utica — inventive, ingredient-forward, worth a special trip.
Beverage trail, cheese & a farmers market
Morning
Farmers market morning
Start the day at a local farmers market — Utica and Clinton both have excellent options in season. Pick up breakfast provisions, local honey, maple syrup, or whatever catches your eye.
Farmers marketMid-morning
Beverage trail — stop one
The Heart of NY Craft Beverage Trail covers 9 breweries and wineries across the county. Sign up for the free mobile passport to earn prizes as you go. Pick two or three stops — not nine in one day.
Beverage trailMidday
CNY Cheese Trail
The Central NY Cheese Trail runs through four counties — Oneida has its own stops worth seeking out. Many beverage trail locations carry local cheeses, making the pairing natural.
Cheese trailBeverage trail stop 2
Brewery or winery — your choice
Most trail stops are family-friendly, with outdoor spaces and local food pairings. Take your time — this isn't a race.
Lunch option
Eat at the brewery or go local
Several trail stops have food on-site. Alternatively, pick up provisions from the morning's market and make it a picnic.
Classic & beloved
Tailor and the Cook
A Utica staple with a strong farm-to-table pedigree. Locally sourced menu, well-executed — a natural fit for an agritourism day.
Something different
Beef & Bird
Everything cooked in tallow — no seed oils. A conversation-starter for food-curious diners and a genuinely different kitchen philosophy.
U-pick morning, farm store & the road home
Morning
Swistak Farm or Tassleberry
Both offer u-pick experiences and on-site farm stores. Swistak is a family staple with a well-stocked shop. Tassleberry brings its own charm — check what's in season.
U-pickMid-morning
Simple Farms
Home of the annual sunflower festival in September — also hosts wine tastings, flower arrangements, and farm-to-table dinner events. Check their event calendar before visiting.
AgritourismMidday
Lunch & depart
End the trip with one final great meal before hitting the road — ranging from elevated to relaxed depending on how the weekend felt.
DiningSpecial occasion
Wildflowers at Turning Stone
If you want to end on a high note — seasonal menu, beautiful setting, worth planning ahead.
Upscale casual
Tailor and the Cook
A natural closer — locally sourced food, well executed, bookending a weekend rooted in the land.
Classic & relaxed
Beef & Bird
Hearty, honest food with a kitchen philosophy worth talking about on the drive home.
🍺 Heart of NY Craft Beverage Trail
9 breweries and wineries across Oneida County — sign up for the free mobile passport at visitoneidacounty.com to earn prizes as you collect stops. Most locations are family-friendly with outdoor seating. Pick two or three per day rather than rushing the full trail.
🌸 Seasonal gems — worth timing your trip around
Shaw's Maple — maple season in early spring; syrup, sugar house tours, and a true farm experience. Clinton Cider Mill — fall cider, apples, and harvest-season atmosphere. Will's Cackleberry Farm — seasonal; call ahead. Simple Farms Sunflower Festival runs in September. North Star Orchards tulip u-pick is a spring highlight.
Rooted in Oneida County + events
Many of the farms, markets, and makers on this itinerary are part of the Rooted in Oneida County campaign — supporting local ag businesses and the people behind them. Farm dinners, harvest festivals, and seasonal events happen throughout the year. Check our calendar at visitoneidacounty.com
