Ride the “Twilight Zone” Carousel at Recreation Park
The shoe manufacturer and great benefactor, George F. Johnson, donated six carousels to the greater Binghamton area and all are still in service. As a youth living nearby, Rod often enjoyed the Rec Park Carousel. Renovated in 2011, panels were painted to honor Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone.
Eat a Spiedie Sandwich
Spiedies are a sandwich that originated in Binghamton, New York in the late 1920s. The dish consists of marinated meat cubes that are skewered, grilled, and served on a roll or a slice of Italian bread. The meat can be chicken, pork, beef, lamb, veal, or venison, and it’s often marinated in a garlicky Italian dressing-like marinade for a long time, sometimes overnight. The marinade caramelizes on the outside while keeping the meat tender on the inside.
Attempt the Twilight Zone Escape Room:
Binghamton’s Rod Serling Experience
The only CBS sanctioned Twilight Zone escape room! This 90 minute journey will blow your mind and you’ll be supporting a good cause. Xscapes is a fundraiser for Southern Tier Independence Center and all of the funds go to help with STIC’s mission of helping people in our community with various disabilities. xscapes-stic.com
Visit Both Ross Park and Animal Adventure Park
Binghamton’s Ross Park Zoo opened in 1875 and is the 5th oldest zoo in the country! Tucked in the north face of Binghamton’s South Mountain, it is full of winding wooded paths with naturalistic exhibits housing over 100 different species with a strong emphasis on conservation education.
Animal Adventure Park is just 15 minutes from Binghamton off I-88. With over 300 animals, the park is designed to promote up close and hands-on animal encounters like no other. You may recall April the giraffe giving birth in 2017 to 1.2 million live viewers!
Check Out Rod Serling’s Alma Mater
Visit Rod Serling’s High School (which is now home to the Rod Serling School of Fine Arts and the Helen Foley Theatre) and take a selfie with the New York State historical marker out front.
Eat at Little Venice
Little Venice Italian Restaurant has been around since 1946 and was recently added to the New York State Historic Preservation Registry. They’re known for their sweet tomato sauce and famous meat logs. While there, look for the picture of Rod dining at the restaurant!
Explore Techworks!
The Center for Technology and Innovation showcases Central New York’s technology in action. Highlights include the IBM Computing Center with one of four operational IBM 1401s world-wide, the Flight Simulation Workshop – including subset of the Apollo Lunar Module Simulator and three generations of Link Pilot Trainers plus so much more! ctandi.org
Check Out the Bandstand Which is “Walking Distance” from the Carousel
The bandstand is home to our memorial plaque honoring the fan favorite Twilight Zone episode Walking Distance that we all know was inspired by Rod’s neighborhood park – Recreation Park. The marker was dedicated on Rod’s birthday in 1991.
Check Out the Greyhound Bus Station
After eating at Little Venice, go next door and watch for your doppelganger as you check out the vintage facade of Binghamton’s Greyhound station which is said to have inspired the Twilight Zone episode Mirror Image!
Hometown Heroes Banner Honors Rod Serling
Look for Rod Serling’s banner among the other Hometown Heroes banners located on the VFW Memorial Bevier Street Bridge. The hometown heroes project is sponsored by the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group in partnership with Broome County and the City of Binghamton with support from the Vet Center.
Comedy Improv Show by the Puzzled Players
…at the Comedy Improv Theater and Training Center.
See creative and fun manifestations of the imagination by the area’s only Improv Players.