Things to Do in Watertown

Since 1972, Renaissance Music owner Gary Mullen has lived out his philosophy—that anyone can learn to express themselves through music—by selling instruments from makers such as Yamaha, Gibson, Fender, and Martin. The shop’s deft repairmen tend to all the wear and tear musicians inflict, building up a cache of services that ranges from guitar restringing to giving the Heimlich to blocked trumpets.

He facilitates patrons' enjoyment of the music world not only through sales but through lessons; the shop’s team of more than 30 instructors teaches almost 800 students on instruments from the piano to the harmonica. Students can show off their newly learned techniques during in-house concerts, and peruse a vast in-house supply of sheet music for classic concertos or newer works, such as Bach and Mozart mash-ups.

Part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, the 1000 Islands rest in the shadow of mountains carved by multiple glaciers over millions of years. A diverse biological landscape, the 1864 islands are frequented by a variety of animals as they migrate between Canada and the United States. Lush forests, marshlands, and waterfront architecture help create a setting picturesque enough to prompt involuntary yodelling.

Within this ecologically bountiful area, 1000 Islands Kayaking's certified instructors lead courses that teach fundamental and advanced techniques. Their programs can focus on topics such as exercise or can be geared toward kids and fostering leadership skills. Alternatively, staff members rent out kayaks for self-guided journeys lasting up to a week, equipping adventurers with maps that show detailed routes and the homes of celebrity fish.

Paintballers at Action Sports Park wreak colorful havoc across speedball courses during three-hour skirmishes. A massive indoor arena houses the action during winter months, keeping harsh elements and battle-tested yetis away from combatants as they unload paintballs on nearby frenemies. For the sake of maintaining a fair and safe playing field, paint guns are limited to 10.5 balls per second and are capped at 280 feet per second to mitigate post-battle aches. Parties of eight or more receive VIP treatment, with a private playing field, a neutral referee, and a group room where they can discuss battle scenarios or stage a nonviolent sit-in.

When Captain Andy boarded his first ship at age 17, he had no time for sightseeing—the young merchant marine was too busy hauling iron ore, road salt, and coal to factories along the banks of the Great Lakes. Maybe that's why Captain Andy now takes such delight in whizzing past idyllic islands at 45 mph in the newest addition to his fleet, a Wildcat catamaran. Though an adrenalin rush accounts for some of the Wildcat's appeal, Captain Andy is most pleased that the boat's speeds can help him expose passengers to even more island attractions during his informative and entertaining tours.

A native Ontarian, Captain Andy touts the Brockville waterfront as one of the most accessible and diverse in the world, and happily points out his favourite waterfront parks for picnicking and fishing during his trips. In the same vein, his cruising company offers seven diverse tours that incorporate adventure, theatre performances, and local sightseeing to help riders experience all the wonders of the area by water. The seasoned sailor also recognizes the advantage of helming his smaller ships; their compact size not only ensures more intimate tours and more time with passengers, but allows them to duck into the region's narrow channels where larger boats and determined icebergs can't follow.

Limestone City Dragon Boat Club was established in 2010 to offer recreational summer dragon-boating programs that promote teamwork and a healthy lifestyle. Dragon boats resemble a typical canoe or racing shell, with the additions of scales painted onto the side and a prominent dragon head jutting off the forward bow, just like the ones that were used in training for medieval lifeguard certification. On the water, one drummer and one steersman shout orders to two rows of participants sitting side by side and 10 deep, adding up to 22 total people on board at once. The paddlers—many of whom arrive with no prior experience—work as a team to propel the dragon forward and are encouraged to make friends along the way. In addition to adult recreational programs, the club offers team-building clinics that are an ideal way to bond coworkers without requiring them to share the same computer.

The locomotives were just becoming commonplace in the early 19th century, when the New York Central and Hudson River railroads were completed. A member of the legendary Vanderbilt family, Dr. William Webb capitalized on unfolding innovations by privately financing a railroad to his hunting preserve in the Adirondack Mountains. The route wound through treacherous terrain via 17 bridges and numerous service buildings, some of which still are still used to trick time-travelers into thinking they're finally home. Despite these complications, the tracks materialized within just 18 months and were soon whisking the Vanderbilts and other wealthy families to their opulent wilderness estates.

After several decades in disrepair, the tracks were rehabilitated by the railroad enthusiasts of Adirondack Scenic Railroad, who resurrected an initial four-mile stretch in 1992. Since having the railroad officially declared a Historic Place, they continue to unveil new sections, eventually securing routes from Utica to Carter Station, and between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. Today, retro locomotives, some built as early as the 1940s, chug through the rippling rivers and wildlife-rich forests of 600-million-acre Adirondack Park, letting passengers drink in the view. Though the railcars boast vintage touches, such as mahogany paneling haunted by the ghosts of Franklin Pierce, they are equipped with modern touches including air conditioning and fully loaded kitchens.

Many Adirondack Scenic Railroad rides provide other entertainments to supplement scenery. In the Doo Wop Train, waitresses from ‘50s-themed The Soda Fountain in Remsen pump up patrons for a mid-century feast at the eatery while en route to Remsen Station. Other themed excursions ooze with intrigue, including murder mysteries and train robberies, while some more laid-back jaunts simply convey riders to historically-rich towns such as Old Forge.