This Upstate NY Town Is a Real-Life Wizard of Oz Village

Chittenango, NY is one of those rare upstate NY towns that fully commits to its personality — a little whimsical, a little nostalgic, and backed up by seriously beautiful nature. Tucked just east of Syracuse, this quiet canal-era village happens to be the **birthplace of *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz* author L. Frank Baum — and instead of letting that fact live quietly in a plaque somewhere, Chittenango leaned all the way in. Here, the sidewalks are literally a yellow brick road. Downtown storefronts reference Dorothy, Oz, and the Emerald City, festival banners feature flying monkeys and ruby slippers, and every June the entire town transforms into what’s essentially the world’s biggest Wizard of Oz convention. But Chittenango isn’t just novelty and nostalgia. Minutes from the village sits one of New York State’s most striking waterfalls, a dramatic 167-foot cascade tumbling through a wooded gorge. Add Erie Canal history, a canal-side museum, wildlife encounters, and easygoing small-town energy, and you’ve got a surprisingly well-rounded escape ready to book. Here’s how to experience Chittenango — yellow bricks and all. Follow the Yellow Brick Road (Literally) ---------------------------------------- Chittenango’s Oz obsession is immediately obvious the moment you step downtown. Sidewalks are paved in bright yellow bricks, forming a walkable “Yellow Brick Road” that winds past local businesses, public art, and Oz-themed signage. Storefronts lean into the fantasy with names like Auntie Em’s Place, Emerald City Grill, Tin Man Construction, and the Yellow Brick Road Casino & Sportsbook, making the village feel like a storybook layered over an old canal town. At the heart of it all is the All Things Oz Museum, a volunteer-run passion project dedicated entirely to L. Frank Baum and the Oz universe. Inside, you’ll find rare memorabilia, books, artwork, and ephemera that trace Baum’s life and the legacy of Oz across generations. It’s compact, charming, and packed with visual details that make it a must-stop — even for casual fans! Plus, every first weekend in June, the town takes things to another level with Oz-Stravaganza!, the world’s longest-running Wizard of Oz festival. The normally a sleepy village suddenly fills with parades, costume contests, live performances, authors and illustrators continuing the Oz canon, fireworks, carnival rides, and thousands of visitors. For a few days each year, Chittenango becomes pure Oz chaos — in the best possible way. A waterfall that steals the show -------------------------------- Just outside the village, Chittenango Falls State Park delivers a completely different kind of magic. The park’s namesake waterfall plunges 167 feet over layered limestone into a forested gorge, creating one of the most visually impressive cascades in the state. A short, accessible trail leads to viewing platforms and a footbridge at the base of the falls, making this a low-effort, high-reward nature stop. In warmer months, the park is perfect for picnics, light hikes, and fishing. In winter, the [falls partially freeze into towering ice formations that look almost unreal](https://secretnyc.co/frozen-chittenango-falls-upstate-ny/), turning the site into one of upstate New York’s most striking cold-weather scenes. Fun fact for nature nerds: the gorge is also home to a rare, federally threatened snail species found almost nowhere else, adding a quirky ecological footnote to an already memorable stop. Canal history, wildlife, and unexpected activities -------------------------------------------------- Chittenango’s appeal goes beyond Oz and waterfalls too! At Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, you can explore a restored Erie Canal dry dock complex where massive cargo boats were once built and repaired. The site includes reconstructed workshops, a blacksmith shop, mule stables, and canal-era buildings, all set along the Empire State Trail — making it a great stop for cyclists and history lovers. A few minutes outside the village, The Wild Animal Park offers one of the more unexpected experiences in the region. T he family-friendly park is home to lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, camels, kangaroos, and more — a literal “lions and tigers and bears” moment that feels almost too on-the-nose for a Wizard of Oz hometown. Drive-thru safari options and up-close animal encounters make it especially popular with families. Back in town, you’ll find classic small-town comforts: roadside ice cream stands, casual diners, local golf courses, and relaxed places to refuel between adventures. When to visit & why you need to visit ------------------------------------- Chittenango shines in different ways depending on the season. Late winter and early spring are ideal for frozen waterfall views and quiet museum visits. Early June is peak Oz energy thanks to Oz-Stravaganza!, when the town is at its most playful and packed with personality. Summer and fall bring lush greenery, flowing water at the falls, canal walks, and easy day-tripping weather. At 4.5 – 5 hours from NYC**, the drive upstate is just as worth as turning the page of the best-selling book. It’s kitschy without being cheesy, scenic without being crowded, and strange enough to feel like you truly stumbled onto something special. And honestly? Every escape could use a little more magic. Source: https://secretnyc.co/chittenango-wizard-of-oz-town-upstate-ny/