North/Central New York Hostels
Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River meet in Cape Vincent, New York, a serene town that dates back to the days of the first Native American settlements in New York. Cape Vincent was first explored by French missionaries and explorers in the 17th century, the town still celebrates its French heritage to this day. The annual French Festival Day, held every July on the Saturday around Bastille Day, features French exhibits, costumes, cuisine, and a parade, finished by a beautiful fireworks display. The Cape Vincent hostel is located within the lightkeeper’s quarters of Tibbets Point Lighthouse. Built in 1826, the lighthouse still guides ships along the St. Lawrence Seaway into the Great Lakes. Cape Vincent is also located in the Thousand Islands area, where a chain of more than a 1,000 islands on the St. Lawrence River straddle the U.S. and Canada borders, snaking 50 miles downstream from Kingstown, Ontario, Canada. The nearby Antique Boat Museum explores North America’s maritime heritage, while the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Fisheries Research Station and Aquarium is open for public tours.
Winters in Cape Vincent bring heavy snow with January temperatures ranging from the single digits to 30 degrees. Cape Vincent summers are mild, with July temperatures ranging from the mid 50s to low 80s.
The metropolitan hub of Central New York, Syracuse is known as the snow capital of the United States. Receiving an average of 115 inches per year, Syracuse receives more snow on average than any other U.S. city. But that doesn’t keep the city’s residents from enjoying winter. The annual Winterfest, held in mid-February, celebrates the season of snow with indoor and outdoor events, including ice skating, dancing, concerts, cook-offs, wine tasting, treasure hunts, and ice carving. Syracuse is the location of the annual Great New York State Fair, the oldest state fair in New York. Held every fourth Thursday in August through Labor Day, the fair attracts about 1 million visitors annually with its farmers’ exposition, entertainment, rides, games, and concerts. The Syracuse hostel is located downtown, close to Clinton Square, the historic, festival, and entertainment center of the city. Its annual Jazz Fest is the Northeast’s largest free jazz festival. Armory Square is the evening entertainment district of the city – its countless galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs are always charming and eventful.
Winter brings almost daily snowfall in Syracuse, with average temperatures in the 20s and 30s. July is usually Syracuse’s warmest month, with an average high temperature of 82 degrees.
