The City of Watertown NY is the Jefferson County seat, and is located in Upstate New York.  Residents in the City of Watertown NY and surrounding areas, value the rural setting and slower paced lifestyles offered in Upstate New York. Watertown is a small city, but has a wide variety of places to live, work and play. If you do decide to go to a more metropolitan area for shopping, theater and recreation, it is a relatively short trip with no traffic congestion. Watertown is about an hour from Kingston Ontario, and Syracuse NY.  The history buff will appreciate the glorious old homes and the wealth of information at the library, the museum and historian's office. A short drive around the area brings you to Historic Sackets Harbor and many other fascinating places!

The main highways into the community are Rt 81, Rt 3 and Rt 11. Watertown is located on the Black River and therefore always has sufficient water supply in any season. Surrounding bodies of water include Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence Seaway which serve the region for supply transport as well as boating, skiing, fishing and many other activities. Because of its proximity to the Adirondack Mountains, and tug hill plateau, the region also abounds in opportunity for hiking, camping and plenty of winter sports.

Nearby are Fort Drum, Sackets Harbor, Adams, Alexandria Bay and many other great places to live and work. Jefferson county is rich in dairy and farming industry, some paper mills, as well as private and public sector jobs. Jefferson Community college prepares our young adults well for the next step into a four year college or the workforce. The area is considered a safe place to raise and educate children.

If you enjoy having all four seasons, then this is the place for you.

Winters here are the old-fashioned type to include heavy snowfall, and chilling temperatures at times. This warms the heart of the ice fishermen, and the snowmobilers flock to the area to sled through the beautiful wooded areas of our area, followed by a hearty meal at one of the many country restaurants.

The snow precariously piled on every tiny branch and twig brings to mind a Currier & Ives print!

Spring brings fresh clean air with an early morning crispness, and sometimes a trace of frost that burns off as the sun peeks out. Hardy northern plants are making their debut such as daffodils, crocus, early tulips and lilacs! Since our area was originally predominantly settled by the French, we are privileged to have wonderful old lilac hedges and bushes in abundance all over Jefferson County. The French settlers brought a sprig of lilac from their homeland, and planted it traditionally in a spot on their new home facing France. The Northern part of the county is especially rich in French history. Spring seems quite short as sometimes Winter doesn't want to let go, and then suddenly, we are rushed right into summer.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer to our region. Cottages on the lakes and river are opened up, boats are cleaned and made ready for the rivers and lakes and we prepare to greet the visitors who have come to enjoy the hidden secrets of Upstate New York. Summer mornings begin on the mild side, and gradually warm to a sunny 80 degrees, and then back down to comfortable sleeping temps at night. Flowers are planted traditionally at Memorial Day as the start of the growing season for less hardy plants and crops. Summer is the time for Strawberries, ice cream socials and every weekend, most anywhere you go, the smell of Chicken BBQ greets the nose. There are plenty of country flea and antique markets, craft shows, and farmers' markets to visit.

Fall arrives here around Labor Day, and the hustle and bustle of activity begins to wane. The last of the flowers such as asters, marigolds and roses show off their splendid colors as if to compete with some of the country's very finest foliage displays! This is the time to drive through the Adirondacks, or anywhere in the area for that matter to view spectacular shades of red, orange and yellow against the clear blue skies. Farmers are busy baling hay, cutting last crops and turning fields over. Summer makes one last attempt with our traditional Indian Summer, a week filled with warmth, sun and one last dose of tropical weather before the onset of winter. Fall is a time for Harvests, church suppers and yummy treats like apples, ciders and cheeses!