Chittenango is considered the birthplace of L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. A visit can combine this literary connection with canal heritage and outdoor trails: the town offers the All Things Oz Museum, the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, and two distinct trail options. This gives visitors a choice of clearly differentiated highlights: cultural history, historic sites, and outdoor activities.
Oz Culture and the Birthplace
The All Things Oz Museum curates more than 16,000 items, with 1,400 to 1,800 items on display at any given time. These numbers may change as exhibits are updated. The selection on display is only part of the curated collection, so not all items are on display at the same time during a visit.
Canal Heritage at the Historic Dry Dock
The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum is an educational and recreational park complex and is home to the only recovered historic dry dock complex on the Erie Canal. Visitors can see three dry dock basins, as well as a reconstructed general store, blacksmith shop, boat repair shop, mule barn, and visitor center. The All Things Oz Museum focuses on the Oz connection; historic dry docks and canal heritage are at the heart of Chittenango Landing. A dry dock is a basin that can be drained so a ship can be placed out of the water for work; this also makes the hull accessible for maintenance.
Trails with Different Routes
There are two distinct options for outdoor activities. The 20-mile section of the Empire State Trail from Chittenango to Erie Canal Lock 21 passes forests, wetlands, and stream crossings. It runs away from public roads and is designed for cyclists and pedestrians of all ability levels. Since trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check the current conditions before setting out.
By contrast, the Chittenango Creek Walk is a 3.3-mile network of trails and walking paths connecting the residential neighborhoods of the Village of Chittenango. The Empire State Trail runs between two named endpoints; the Creek Walk is a network of trails through the residential neighborhoods of the Village of Chittenango.
Annual Events
Oz-Stravaganza takes place annually in Chittenango and includes costume contests, whose formats may vary from year to year. The Boat Float ‘n Folk Festival is also an annual event in Chittenango. Its dates and program may change. Plan for Oz-Stravaganza, with its costume contests, and the Boat Float ‘n Folk Festival as two separate annual events in Chittenango.
If you want to plan your stay around an event, check the dates and program for the relevant year. The fact that an event recurs annually does not mean its dates or formats stay the same.
Discover more destinations: Cazenovia, Morrisville, Leonardsville, Canastota, Oneida
For the regional travel overview: Madison.
