Rome New York is a bit of a weird place, and I mean that in the best way possible. If you’re driving through Central New York, you might just see the signs for Griffiss International Airport or the fort and keep going toward Syracuse or Utica. That’s a mistake. Most people think it's just another Rust Belt town that's seen better days, but there is a specific, gritty resilience here that you don't find in the suburbs. It’s a city literally built on top of history—and I’m not talking about the "George Washington slept here" kind of fluff. I’m talking about the kind of history that actually changed the map of the world.
The Fort That Never Surrendered
Let's talk about Fort Stanwix. It’s right in the middle of downtown. Literally. You’re driving past a Taco Bell and a bank, and then suddenly, there’s a massive wooden star-shaped fortress. It feels out of place until you realize the city grew up around it.
Back in 1777, this was the edge of the civilized world for the colonists. During the Siege of Fort Stanwix, British forces and their allies tried to break through to reach the Hudson Valley. They failed. This is widely considered the "fort that never surrendered." It’s also where the Stars and Stripes were allegedly first flown in battle. Some historians argue over the exact details of that flag claim—was it a real flag or just some scrap fabric sewn together?—but the locals will tell you it counts.
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Walking through the reconstructed ramparts today, you get a sense of how claustrophobic it must have been. The National Park Service does a decent job keeping it from feeling like a dusty museum. They’ve got reenactors who actually know their stuff. If you go, ask them about the "Oneida Carry." It was a land bridge between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek. Basically, if you wanted to move goods from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, you had to haul your boat across this patch of dirt in Rome. That tiny strip of land made this one of the most strategic spots in North America.
Why Rome New York is Still the Copper City
You’ll see the nickname everywhere. "The Copper City."
At one point in the early 20th century, Rome was producing about 10 percent of all copper products in the United States. Think about that. One small city in upstate New York was responsible for a tenth of the nation's wiring, pots, and industrial supplies. Companies like Revere Copper and Brass were the lifeblood here.
Then, like much of the Northeast, the industry shifted. The mills didn't all vanish, but they certainly shrank. Revere is still there, though, which is kind of a miracle of its own. It’s one of the oldest manufacturing companies in the country. If you talk to anyone over the age of 60 in Rome, they likely worked at "the mill" or had an uncle who did.
The economic shift was brutal. When Griffiss Air Force Base closed its doors as a major active-duty installation in the mid-90s, the city lost thousands of jobs and residents overnight. It was a ghost town for a minute. But Rome New York is nothing if not stubborn. They turned the base into a Business and Technology Park. Now, instead of B-52 bombers, you have the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) doing cutting-edge work on quantum computing and drone technology.
It’s a strange mix. You have these massive, decaying industrial brick buildings on one side of town and guys with Ph.D.s discussing cybersecurity on the other.
The Delta Lake Escape
If you want to understand the lifestyle here, you have to go to Delta Lake State Park.
In the summer, this is where everyone ends up. It’s a man-made reservoir, created by damming the Mohawk River and flooding the village of Delta. Yeah, there’s an entire village underwater. When the water level gets low in a drought year, you can sometimes see the foundations of old houses. It’s spooky.
The beach is decent, but the real draw is the camping and the boat launches. It’s the gateway to the Adirondacks. You’re only 20 minutes from the blue line of the park, but Rome is cheaper and less "touristy" than places like Old Forge or Lake Placid.
A Note on the Food (The Utica-Rome Rivalry)
You cannot talk about Rome without talking about the food. And you have to be careful here. Rome and Utica are neighbors, but they fight over who has the better "local" dishes.
- Greens: Escarole, prosciutto, breadcrumbs, garlic, and cherry peppers. Every restaurant has a different "secret" version. Some are soupy, some are dry and charred.
- Tomato Pie: Don't call it pizza. It’s a thick, focaccia-like crust served at room temperature with a heavy, sweet-savory tomato sauce and a dusting of Romano cheese. No mozzarella. If you want mozzarella, go to Domino's.
- Chicken Riggies: Rigatoni pasta, spicy peppers, and chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food for people who live in a place where it snows six months a year.
Teddy's on Genesee Street is a staple for a reason. It’s one of those places where the booths feel like they’ve been there since the 50s and the servers know half the customers by name. It isn't "fine dining" in the Manhattan sense. It’s heavy, delicious, "stick to your ribs" food.
The Drone Corridor and the Future
Rome is currently rebranding. It’s trying to become the Silicon Valley of drones.
The FAA designated the Griffiss International Airport as one of the few sites in the country for testing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). They have a "drone corridor" that stretches from Rome to Syracuse. It’s a big deal.
Honestly, it’s a smart pivot. The city realized it couldn't rely on 19th-century manufacturing anymore. By leaning into the Air Force Research Lab’s presence, they’ve attracted tech firms that actually pay well. Is it enough to bring back the population peaks of the 1960s? Probably not. But it keeps the lights on.
What People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Rome is "dead."
It’s quiet. Sure. The nightlife isn't exactly booming if you're looking for clubs. But the quality of life for a family is surprisingly high if you can handle the winters. The snow here is no joke. We’re talking Lake Effect snow that can dump three feet in a weekend while the sun is shining twenty miles away. You need a snowblower. Not a shovel—a real, gas-powered snowblower.
There's also this idea that there's nothing to do. If you like the outdoors, that's just flat-out wrong. The Erie Canal Trail runs right through the area. You can bike from Rome to Albany if you have the legs for it. The fishing in the Mohawk River is underrated, and the proximity to the Tug Hill Plateau means some of the best snowmobiling in the world is right in your backyard.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning to spend a day or two in Rome New York, don't just wing it.
- Timing is everything. Visit in the fall. The foliage around Delta Lake and the surrounding hills is spectacular, and the weather is crisp enough for hiking without the humidity of July or the "shoveling my roof" misery of February.
- Hit the Fort early. Fort Stanwix is best in the morning when it's quiet. Check their schedule for "Living History" days. It makes a huge difference when the cannons are actually firing.
- Eat like a local. Stop at a bakery for tomato pie. Ferlo’s Bakery is a classic choice. Grab a box, take it to the park, and eat it cold.
- Explore the "Boneyard." Drive through the Griffiss Business and Technology Park. It’s fascinating to see the old hangars repurposed into modern offices. There’s a weird, industrial beauty to it.
- Check out Capitol Theatre. It’s an old-school cinema house that still uses a theater organ for some shows. It’s one of the few left in the country and worth the ticket price just to see the interior.
Rome isn't trying to be something it's not. It’s a blue-collar town with a high-tech brain and a Revolutionary War heart. It’s authentic. In a world of cookie-cutter suburbs and gentrified city centers, there’s something genuinely refreshing about a place that still smells like a mix of river water, Italian sauce, and industrial history.
To get the most out of your trip, start at the Fort Stanwix National Monument visitor center to get your bearings. Then, head North to Delta Lake to see the landscape. Finish your day on Dominic Street for dinner. You won't find many "tourist traps" here, just real people living in a city that refused to disappear when the world changed around it.