From salmon fishing to mining, central NY has it all.
Take a ride east on the thruway to Herkimer NY. Follow 28 to Middleville for mining at the Herkimer Diamond Mines and KOA Campground, the Ace of Spades, or other mines in the area.
I have always liked the Herkimer KOA Campground and Mine. We just looked around on the ground, sifted the dirt, or moved rocks left by others. If you chip away at the stone and break rocks, maybe you’ll find that perfect Herkimer diamond. They have a website, as do most of the mines there.
Take a ride north on 81 from September to mid-October to Pulaski NY. Visit the Salmon River Hatchery. Watch the salmon run up the river. Or try fishing for these monsters. There are plenty of guides. There are public access areas all along the river. But be sure to read the regulations before fishing if you are not going to use a guide.