Nicandri Nature Center — Attraction in Town of Massena

Enjoyed a nice visit on a Sunday. The center itself was relatively crowded with families and parking was very limited (although I might've missed overflow parking, if there is any.) I did a brief swing through the center. I enjoyed the small carnivorous plant exhibit right up front, as I was weird enough to try to grow them as a kid.

I took the longer loop trail, and there was no one else on it. Most of it was shaded with relatively dense canopy and skirted the river. There are a few educational signs asking the route that help one put the area into context, and a few benches to enjoy the view and rest if needed.

Admission is free. I think the trails are the draw, but the center would be great for kids, or as a museum-type visit when...

Our family loves this local attraction; as it's run by the state, it is completely FREE to visit and take part in all the amazing activities the staff plan! The centre itself is beautiful, bright and clean; they have a small collection of live animals to view and interact with, and many more preserved (taxidermy) animals in realistic habitat displays. The building is not very large, but they have dedicated spaces for exhibits, special programs/birthdays, and the lobby/outdoor seating is also adequate for groups. They have a full closet of winter skis and snowshoe to use for free, and guided tours along the trails outside. You can easily spend a day here if you take advantage of the programs and...

It was a great hike, we went after hours so I can't tell what they had inside the building itself for more information about the surrounding area. The trails were pretty long and along the trails they had signs that gave you detailed information about the tree's and plants. Which was pretty neat, told you what they would use the plants for if they were harvested. Told you how big the tree's would grow and how big they got. Also how swamps would form.

Took us 2 hours to do all of the trails, it was quite fun, we wish we got inside the building to see what else they...