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I've been posting queries on Upstate NY for a big road trip through the state on my way to and from Maine.
On the return I will be passing through the southern Finger Lakes with probably an overnight in Elmira or Ithaca (thinking of staying at the Ithaca Ecovillage, but that's still open...Elmira also sounds like a good option for me, for what I'm into).
But the big thing on the way down there is Binghamton. I've been reading a bit about the place in my old WPA Guide to New York, which is a good historical resource at least (mentions something called the BBB Binghamton Busy Boys shoe factory!), and it sounds like the kind of place I'd like to explore a bit...actually it sounds like a PA mountain city a bit (like Scranton or Johnstown maybe...both places Ive visited and liked a lot).
So for modern Binghamton, could you all recommend perhaps a good driving tour through some old neighborhoods...particularly old blue collar/ethnic ones, with old churches, old industrial districts, maybe a good spot for lunch like a neighborhood place that is a favorite with the locals....I ran across these on my other trips to the Northeast and was interested if something like that is in Binghamton.
I guess for example would be a place that has some sort of ethnic specialty (like for example I ran across an out-of-the-way place in Syracuse that served Polish stuff and an Irish place that had those salt potatoes...this is just an example...).
So, looking forward to seeing Binghamton and vicinity (from reading about the area in that guide and looking at maps, it looks like there is a string of industrial towns in a river valley, with Binghamton the biggest), up close and in real life!
Endicott has a Little Italy on its North Side and Johnson City is historically known for its Slavic/Eastern European population. Both are company towns formed to manufacture Endicott-Johnson Shoes. In the Union-Endicott school district, a couple/few elementary schools are named after the founders. IBM still has a small presence in Endicott and started in the area.
To be honest, given what you are looking for, those things shouldn't be hard to find in the area. Just take Main Street.
Also, you may want to check out Recreation Park on Binghamton's West Side, which has free Carousel rides during the warmer months. I believe that CFJ Park in Johnson City has them too. Parks Department
Endicott has a Little Italy on its North Side and Johnson City is historically known for its Slavic/Eastern European population. Both are company towns formed to manufacture Endicott-Johnson Shoes. In the Union-Endicott school district, a couple/few elementary schools are named after the founders. IBM still has a small presence in Endicott and started in the area.
To be honest, given what you are looking for, those things shouldn't be hard to find in the area. Just take Main Street.
Also, you may want to check out Recreation Park on Binghamton's West Side, which has free Carousel rides during the warmer months. I believe that CFJ Park in Johnson City has them too. Parks Department
Sad to say the glory days of BC are over, but many of the old favorites are still around. Just don't go walking around at night, it's not safe anymore... watch your back even during the day.
Sad to say the glory days of BC are over, but many of the old favorites are still around. Just don't go walking around at night, it's not safe anymore... watch your back even during the day.
In Binghamton? It isn't different from most cities and the metro is usually one of the "safest" in the country.
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