(Sept. 20, 2011) As the Central New York Region touts a bit of everything New York State-esque, from live theatre, museums and halls of fame, to historical landmarks, country style B&Bs, and some of the best antiquing and golfing in the northeast, it is no wonder that it is also plays host to a variety of edu-vacation possibilities. An edu-vacation (literally, a vacation with an educational twist) is the perfect, affordable family outing or a great trip for homeschoolers.

Some exceptional edu-vacations can be built around visits to the following attractions.

The Children’s Museum of History, Natural History, Science & Technology in Oneida County offers a hands-on, educationally enjoyable environment – including four floors of interactive exhibits – for kids from 1 to 101 to explore. The facility is the only children’s museum adopted by NASA and the Office of Science. From Red Tail Hawks, to American Alligators, to Golden Lion Tamarins, the collection of over 200 animals who call the Utica Zoo home is always a family favorite in Oneida, as well.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, Otsego County, known as the “Home of Baseball,” is where America has gathered to celebrate its great pastime since 1939. Today, it’s the ultimate place for baseball buffs to pore over three stories of frequently updated exhibits, 35,000 artifacts, 130,000+ baseball cards, an $8 million library and research center and the nearby Doubleday Field. For a lesson or two on the heritage of the Central New York Region circa 1845, the innovative “living history” museum, The Farmers’ Museum brings history to life with exhibits, craft demonstrations and hands-on activities in Cooperstown.

Edu-vacationers are invited to paddle back in time at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Madison County and enter the canal era. This nineteenth century dry dock complex on the old Erie Canal tells stories of boat-building and repair of Erie Canal boats, plus the social history of the era. More of the region’s rich history can be found at the National Abolition Hall of Fame/Gerrit Smith National Historic Landmark. The National Historic Landmark, lifetime home and office of Gerrit Smith (1797-1874), is the site where numerous abolitionists received support and renewed commitment to the cause of freedom. Smith helped hundreds of African Americans by purchasing their freedom from slavery, arranging safe passage to Canada, helping families establish their lives locally, providing education and working for human rights.

Visitors to Schoharie County are transported through a portal of sorts into Native American life at the Iroquois Indian Museum shaped like a 400-year-old Iroquois longhouse. With authentic Iroquois art, crafts and artifacts, the Museum aims to foster understanding of the Iroquois culture. Another educational draw, this time plunging 156 feet below the Earth’s surface, is a prehistoric underground cavern six million years in the making, Howe Caverns. Some newer additions to the mysterious, magnificent limestone formations, the stalactites and the stalagmites are the Howe High Adventure Sky Trail Ropes Course – quite the aerial adventure; the Four Tower Zip Line – boasting beautiful, scenic views from up to 40 feet in the air; and the Howe Caverns Mining Company – a new 6,000-square-foot spot to sift through bags of rough for gemstones, fossils and arrowheads to take home.

The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier in Greater Binghamton is a hands-on type of museum for children where play and learning are combined with imagination in an engaging atmosphere. The Discovery Center encompasses over 22,500 square feet of family fun. An out-of-this-world experience in Greater Binghamton can be had at the Roberson Museum Science Center & Link Planetarium, a place full of exhibits ranging from art to history to science.

The Goodsell Museum in Old Forge, Herkimer County, offers insight into what life was like long ago in the Adirondacks with interesting exhibits and an extensive new research library overflowing with books, maps, genealogy, vintage photographs and postcards. Another educational stop in Herkimer County is the View Arts Center of Old Forge, a place dedicated to the visual and performing arts, inspired by and reflecting the beauty of the natural environment of the Adirondacks.

Chenango County’s Wolf Mountain Nature Center is a unique place where observation of natural wolf behavior is possible. Animal enthusiasts delight to see the Alaskan Timber Wolves and Arctic Foxes that call the nature center home. Edu-vacations take on an agricultural twist at the Norwich Pumpkin Festival where kids can compete in a variety of contests, including an annual pumpkin-carving contest.

An abundance of excellent edu-vacation hot spots exist throughout the Central New York Region. Plus, a wide range of accommodations can be found nearby – from cozy, country-style B&Bs and inns to hotels, motels and campgrounds. Any of these educational attractions can be paired with one of these accommodations (and a few stops at the gourmet eateries lining the region) to form the perfect edu-vacation itinerary. The Central New York Region really does have it all.

Plan your family’s next edu-vacation. For more attractions and information about accommodations, check out:www.JustGoCNY.com.