Be a Kid Again At These Great Upstate New York Miniature Golfs

What is it about miniature golf?

As a kid in the 1950s and 1960s it was an important part of any vacation that I went on with my parents and siblings. We jumped for joy as we pulled into the parking lot of a mini-golf, usually at our favorite vacation destination, the Adirondacks.

Back in those days the mini-golf places were a lot less sophisticated than they are now. A whole lot less sophisticated. Still, we squealed when we hit the ball through the revolving windmill, we loved it when we made it around the little pond or stream, and we were absolutely ecstatic when we achieved the biggest golf goal of any mini-golfer...we got the ball in the clown's nose!

Today's courses are right out of a Hollywood movie set. Dinosaurs roar, waterfalls thunder down on us, pirates watch us at every hole, and wild animals lurk around huge manmade boulders. So fun.

These 14 are representative of all the dozens of mini-golf locations in Upstate New York. If you were a kid up here once, you probably have been to some of them. If you have kids of your own, you probably will visit these places. Maybe even this summer! Each entry has a link to the course website.

Nostalgia lives on at the miniature golf courses in Upstate New York.

Putter Around at These Fun Family Upstate New York Mini Golf Courses

There is something quite magical about a miniature golf course. We loved them as kids, and now, years later, we love taking our own kids and grandkids to them! Such a nostalgic part of summer vacations from the past to the present. These 14 great Upstate New York mini golf courses, spread all over the region, are the place where are youthful memories still live on.

These Are Awesome!! 13 of the Most Dazzling and Historic Carousels in New York State

Who doesn't like a ride on an old-fashion carousel or merry-go-round? All ages, from the youngest to the most senior love going round and around while sitting on top of a gaily painted hand-carved horse or other animal. They are nostalgic for the older folks, and an exciting new adventure for the little ones. New York State can be considered the "Birthplace of the Carousels" because of the Herschell Carrousel Museum and Factory in North Tonawanda, N.Y., where they made hundreds of them over a century.

We are so lucky to have 46 historic, working carousels in the Empire State. Here is a list of 13 of the best!