Binghamton

Eastside Binghamton runs along the northern banks of the Susquehanna River, extending eastward from the city’s downtown area. The mostly residential neighborhood, known for its diners and Italian restaurants, has convenience to Interstate 86 and partially bridges the area between downtown and Fivemile Point. “There are a lot of residential homes and some really great restaurants and,” says Douglas Harrington, a licensed real estate salesperson with EXIT Realty and resident of Eastside Binghamton. “We have a really nice park, Howard Avenue Park, that’s right in there, as well. I like to walk my dog there.” Local celebrations and events give the area a close-knit atmosphere. “I’ve noticed, over the last 10 years, that there’s more of a sense of community,” says Tara Cataldi, a real estate salesperson with EXIT Realty. “More people are volunteering to get grassroots projects off the ground, and they’re growing.” Eastside Binghamton is known for the prominence of diners and Italian restaurants. Jody’s Diner and Christy’s Diner both dish out breakfast and brunch along Court Street near the river. “You have Michelangelo’s, which is my personal favorite,” Harrington says. “They’re a good Italian staple. The Binghamton area has a really big Italian population, so there’s quite a bit in terms of Italian restaurants.” Michelangelo’s is complemented by Cortese Restaurant, and the two Italian diners are only about a mile apart. “If you go a little bit farther east, between Routes 11 and 17, there’s an ice cream stand called Frosty Joe’s,” Harrington says. “They have like 50 different flavors of soft serve. It’s a really nice place to go and it’s pretty inexpensive, especially during the summer.” Less than 10 miles north of Eastside Binghamton, the Fat Cowboys BBQ plays host to a stocked menu and live music. “He has a bar-restaurant here,” Cataldi says of pit master Garrett Wagner. “He’s won multiple awards for his barbecue, and they have food trucks that are up here.” Dick’s Sporting Goods originated in the Eastside Binghamton neighborhood, and the very first location is still in operation just off Court Street. Less than half a mile up Ely Street, a Weis Markets provides convenient grocery shopping for residents. Just east of the neighborhood, the Binghamton German Club plays host to an Oktoberfest celebration every fall. “They do the stein hoist, pretzel-eating contests and keg rolling,” Cataldi says. “They have the German beers there and authentic German food that they source from deep into Pennsylvania and from Germany itself.” To the southeast and across the Susquehanna, the annual Conklin Town Fair draws thousands of attendees for a three-day stretch of games, rides and events. “We’ve got something going on every single week,” Cataldi says. During the holiday season, Kirkwood Hometown Christmas schedules activities, contests, tree lightings and more. SUNY Upstate Medical University sits on the east side of the neighborhood, which hosts transfer and graduate-school students. On the same grounds, the New York State Inebriate Asylum is more than 150 years old and sits vacant, though plans have been discussed to renovate the building ; it’s on the United States Register of Historic Places and is known as the Castle on the Hill. “It’s pretty cool,” Harrington says. “It’s a public area, and you can go drive up and check it out. It’s really cool architecture and a building on the grounds there." Interstate 86 and Route 17 are concurrent in the area, and 86 runs through the northern side of the neighborhood before splitting with Interstate 81 in either direction. “It’s very convenient,” Harrington says. “It takes me two minutes from my home to hop on Interstate 86 and Route 17.” To the west, I-81 turns north, and to the east, it turns southward. “It’s just a minute or two from either highway, which is nice,” Harrington says. Public BC Transit buses run along Robinson and Court Streets. The waters of the Susquehanna River flow along the south side of the neighborhood, and it’s not uncommon to see boaters and kayakers offshore. To the west, across downtown, the Chenango River is typically used more for fishing. “It’s a calmer river,” Cataldi says. “There’s several drop-off points and there’s several points where you can land, such as Beer Tree Brew. You can park there, get off and then there’s the restaurant, where they make their own craft beer.” Near the middle of the neighborhood, Fairview Park’s playground and swimming pool are complemented by sports facilities like a baseball field, tennis courts and two basketball half-courts. Close to Court Street, Howard Avenue Park branches off Robinson Street, a linear green space amid the street of the same name. Past Colesville to the northwest, Nathaniel Cole Park sits less than 15 miles away and has a lake spanning more than 50 acres, beaches, trails and more. Walkable, gridded streets line Eastside Binghamton, which is mostly residential. “On the Eastside, you’re looking at older, Victorian-style homes,” Harrington says. “My home was built in 1890.” The angular Victorian homes sit alongside ranch-style houses and Cape Cods, as well as some duplexes. Homes in the neighborhood mostly date to the early 20th century. “There’s a lot of really good character and charm that you’re going to find in those Eastside homes,” Harrington says. Single-family home prices typically range from $120,000 to $160,000, but can dip to $75,000 or go for closer to $200,000. The neighborhood earns a CAP crime score of 4 out of 10, equivalent to the national average. Calvin Coolidge Elementary School begins education for Eastside Binghamton students, located in the center of the neighborhood amid its residential area. As such, it’s walkable from some nearby homes, and receives a C-plus from Niche. East Middle School is situated northwest of Coolidge Elementary and earns a C. Graduates then head west across the Chenango to Binghamton High School, which scores a B with Niche. Its boys’ basketball team scored a championship in 2024, and the area’s high school hoops tournament is set to return to the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena, just east across the river, in 2025.

The streets of Southside East Binghamton, a primarily residential neighborhood, sprawl south of the Susquehanna River in central New York. Close to the South Mountain area, where homes cost significantly more, prices seldom exceed $250,000 and properties are almost exclusively situated along suburban streets across the river from downtown. Housing for those working at UHS Binghamton General Hospital, to the west on Mitchell Avenue, is a prevalent feature. “A lot of people move in the area because it’s a teaching hospital,” says Tara Cataldi, a real estate salesperson with EXIT Realty. “They will either buy or rent houses over there, and a lot of our traveling nurses live on the south side right now.” The proximity makes a short trip to the hospital possible, with some homes even within walking distance. Southwest of the neighborhood, the Ross Park Zoo houses endangered animals including red pandas, snow leopards and African penguins. It also offers a hands-on children’s museum with exhibits, activities and events. Across the Susquehanna, sports fans head to the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in the winter and early spring for Binghamton Black Bears, who won the Federal Prospects Hockey League championship in 2024. During the spring, summer and early fall, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies play in Minor League Baseball’s double-A Eastern League and are currently managed by former MLB player Reid Brignac. Cape Cod and ranch-style homes are some of the most common architectural styles in Southside East Binghamton, along with some split-levels and multi-family residences. “Southside East is a little more stereotypical, where the homes are closer together,” says Douglas Harrington, a licensed real estate salesperson with EXIT Realty, who adds that properties there aren’t as large as those in South Side West. “Southside East and the East Side are pretty similar, in that sense of the houses aren’t on top of each other but they’re pretty close together.” Properties are rarely priced for more than $250,000, typically selling for between $150,000 and $200,000. The neighborhood receives a CAP crime index score of 4 out of 10, equal to the national average. The eastern end of Southside Park meanders across the western edge of Southside East Binghamton, running along the river. Kayaking and some boating are the most common pastimes on the Susquehanna’s waters. Booth Field sits on the west side, where its baseball diamond has a pair of basketball courts beyond its outfield walls. Alfred Street Park and the Benjamin Franklin Playground both offer equipment for kids to clamber over, while Webster Street Park has a large swimming pool. If residents aren’t there cooling off in the water, they can take to the tennis or basketball courts. Farther east, there’s sports facilities and green space at Sandy Beach Park along the water. The Relief Pitcher is situated near the river and channels the area’s connection to baseball via its name and logo. The sports bar has TVs adorning its walls and a menu replete with burgers, salads, nachos and more. Farther west down Conklin Avenue, the Park Diner has riverside views for patrons, while towards the center of the neighborhood, the locally-owned Me-Ma’s Pizzeria serves up pies fresh out of the oven. A pair of Weis Markets are less than 2 miles away, one west and one north across the Susquehanna, while further shopping at Target, Walmart and Wegmans require a slightly longer drive away. All three store chains have locations between 5 and 7 miles west. Franklin Elementary School sits within the neighborhood and educates up through fifth grade, scoring a C with Niche. After graduation, most students move on to East Middle School, north of Franklin Elementary across the Susquehanna, which also garners a C rating. Enrollment then moves west, across the Chenango River, to Binghamton High School. Binghamton High receives a B and recently introduced the Patriots Aspiring to Succeed program, which helps ninth and 10th-grade students in the adjustment to high school learning. New York State Route 7 starts at the Pennsylvania state line south of Binghamton, running north through Southside East Binghamton and across the river into downtown. It then turns northeast, connecting with areas like Rotterdam and Schenectady. North of the neighborhood and downtown, Interstates 81 and 86 run concurrently and then part ways to the east; I-81 extends north to Canada and south to Tennessee, while I-86 is part of Route 17 running east-to-west. The Brandywine Highway, designated as Route 363, carves its way along the opposite side of the Susquehanna and meets with Route 7. UHS Binghamton General Hospital is under two miles west from central Southside East Binghamton. Broome County Transit buses run along numerous roads throughout the neighborhood, including Conklin Avenue.

Where the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers meet in southern central New York, Downtown Binghamton serves as the centerpiece of the city. The rivers bound the neighborhood on three sides, and residents in and around the downtown area don’t have far to go to dine out. More than a dozen restaurants are situated within a couple blocks’ orbit of Court Street, the area’s main thoroughfare. Locals head south to Confluence Park at the water’s edge for views of the rivers, north for interstate access and west for groceries. On weeknights early in the year, the Binghamton Black Bears take to the ice at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena, and during the spring, summer and early fall, baseball fans flock to Mirabito Stadium for Binghamton Rumble Ponies games. Most restaurants are concentrated south of Court Street in downtown around the Parlor City Commons , a small courtyard undergoing restoration, including Dillinger’s Celtic Pub & Eatery. “There’s a strong nightlife scene in downtown Binghamton,” Arnold says, adding that Dillinger’s has been a staple for nearly 20 years. Other eateries are scattered throughout downtown, and residents order drinks at the 205 Dry Speakeasy or breakfast at the Strange Brew Café. The Lost Dog Café & Lounge is one of the most popular destinations, offering a menu stocked with cocktails, brunch options, sandwiches and more. Northeast of the Lost Dog, Station 45 American Chop House opened in early 2024. “It opened up in the old railroad station, and it’s fabulous,” says Linda Kent, an independent broker with Linda Kent Real Estate, adding that the station played a large role in commerce when trains ran through it. “The railway station was very interesting, because it had service from Binghamton to New York City.” Grocery items require a run across either river, to a Wegmans and Walmart in Johnson City or a Target in Vestal, but none of those stores are more than 6 miles away. Mirabito Stadium is home to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the New York Mets’ double-A affiliate, which has had MLB stars like Pete Alonso and David Wright on its roster on their way to the big leagues. The Binghamton Black Bears’ home ice is at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena, and the team is a part of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. An annual Restaurant Week, usually held in the spring, spotlights participating area eateries , while the Luma Festival is a treat for the eyes each fall. “They have huge projectors and do digital art and project it onto the sides of these historic buildings in downtown Binghamton,” says Keith Arnold, a licensed real estate salesperson with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Confluence Park has a looping oval path and a lookout offering views of the spot where the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers meet. Off the park’s east side, the South Washington Street Parabolic Bridge is open to those on foot or riding bicycles, linking downtown with the southern banks of the Susquehanna. The Binghamton River Trail extends northward from Confluence Park, and the paved trail connects to the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade. Kennedy Park is a small green space near the center of Binghamton, and kayaking is popular in the river. “The variety of the aspects of living here, to me, are tremendous,” Kent says. “You have the natural beauty of the river, hills, parks and trails.” Single-family homes are scarce in Downtown Binghamton, with residential properties mostly consisting of duplexes, triplexes and some condos. Residential life is mostly concentrated in the southeastern corner of the neighborhood. Many homes date to the early 20th century, and investment properties are popular. Prices vary, but usually range between $100,000 and $200,000. Similar to the rest of the area, Binghamton University student housing is located within the neighborhood. The Binghamton University Downtown Center – College of Community and Public Affairs is a satellite of the college, and students live in the University Lofts in downtown. “It’s kind of been labeled as a college town,” Arnold says. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School is a quick drive north and enrolls students up through fifth grade . It scores a C-plus with Niche and ranks in the top 100 most diverse public elementary schools in the entire state, out of more than 2,600. East Middle School receives a C and offers a student-to-teacher ratio of 8-to-1, while Binghamton High School receives a B. The high school’s boys’ basketball team claimed the Section 4 Class AA championship at the end of the 2024 season, and the local tournament is set to return to the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in 2025. Court Street is the primary thoroughfare running through Downtown Binghamton, effectively splitting the neighborhood in half, and it’s serviced by BC Transit buses, which also run along several other streets in the area. Route 363, also known as the Brandywine Highway, travels along the river and extends northward, connecting to Interstates 81 and 86. Philadelphia and New York City are almost equidistant from Downtown Binghamton, each about 180 miles away.

On the banks of the Susquehanna River, the Far West Side is sandwiched between Johnson City and Binghamton, lying on the western edge of the latter. The neighborhood is largely residential, but residents aren't too far from visiting several parks, dining at locally-owned eateries and taking in a minor-league game or two. “There's a lot of nostalgia associated with the west side of Binghamton,” says Keith Arnold, a licensed real estate salesperson with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “Binghamton is an old industrial town. It started in the early 1700s. That's kind of like where a majority of everything started and spread out from there and formed the Triple Cities area.” That nostalgia is exemplified by its ties to CBS' famed television series "The Twilight Zone," its status as the "Carousel Capital of the World" and longtime restaurant staples, as well as the early-to-mid-20th century homes lining the Far West Side's streets. One of Binghamton’s most notable claims to fame is its numerous connections to the iconic television series "The Twilight Zone," as show creator Rod Serling grew up in Binghamton. George F. Johnson Recreation Park and its carousel are said to have influenced several aspects of the episode “Walking Distance,” commemorated by a plaque on the bandstand and paintings in the carousel. At the Bundy Museum of History and Art, an exhibit dedicated to Serling showcases some of his personal memorabilia, as well as props and items related to the iconic shows. The museum also hosts events, features other rotating exhibits and more. Less than two miles across the river, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies play minor-league baseball at Mirabito Field; notable players for the New York Mets’ AA affiliate have included David Wright, Jacob deGrom, Pete Alonso and Jose Reyes. The Binghamton Black Bears play in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, while the Binghamton Bulldogs compete in the American Basketball Association. Homes in the Far West Side span a wide variety of architecture. Some streets might be lined with American Foursquare properties, while other common styles include Victorians and Tudors. Still others play host to a mix of colonials, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, and there’s also some duplexes mixed into the streetscapes. Most houses in the Far West Side date to 1950 or earlier, and many of the older homes sit along Riverside Drive. “They have a lot of historical significance to the area,” Arnold says of the Victorian homes. “A lot of the founders of the Binghamton area had their housing in downtown Binghamton, so all of those original Victorian homes are still standing to this day.” Single-family homes are still the predominant housing style in the area and typically range between about $100,000 and $300,000. More expensive outliers have sold for between $350,000 and $500,000. Binghamton University, southward across the river, has heavily influenced the area by way of student housing. “The off-campus housing community is huge,” Arnold, an alumni of the college, says. “Ever since I graduated, they’ve about doubled in size.” At George F. Johnson Recreation Park, outdoor activities include swimming in its pool, making serves at a row of tennis courts and playing baseball at Sheehan Baseball Field or a Little League diamond. Paths radiate out from a bandstand on the north side, and a large, indoor carousel is the park’s most defining feature. West End Park has two ballfields, a trio of tennis courts and a pair of half-basketball courts. To the southeast, just across the Memorial Bridge, Confluence Park sits at the meeting point between the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers; from the park, visitors can look out over the water and roam its paths. To the south of the Far West Side, Crocker Island is a part of a series of small islands in the Susquehanna. Near the center of the neighborhood, Abel’s Pub is open into the wee hours of the morning and has a roster of regular customers. Besides the pub’s traditional fare and stocked bar, patrons can even get a fresh slice or pie delivered from Pizza Nia’s next door. "It was somebody's house, back when it was allowed to have a bar in your house," says Linda Kent, an independent broker with Linda Kent Real Estate, adding that the bar is on the bottom floor. "It's a draw for all the West Siders. When they leave and come back, they always go back over there to Abel's." Piccolo’s Café starts the day off with breakfast food on Main Street, while Sugar Lips Ice Cream Shop serves up frozen treats just west of the neighborhood. For groceries, residents stop in at the Price Chopper on Glenwood Avenue, peruse the locally-owned Banyan Grocers’ Indian fare or head to a Wegmans less than three miles northeast. Other stops include a Walmart Supercenter in Johnson City and a Target in Vestal, both under seven miles away. The eastern section of Interstate 86 runs to the north, stretching from Binghamton to Windsor. Via an interchange near the river, it’s partially concurrent with Interstate 81 north of downtown before the two highways separate. I-86 continues east to Windsor, morphing into Route 17, while 81 runs all the way north to the Canadian border and as far south as Tennessee. “This area, in and of itself, has always been a crossway from other major cities within a 120-mile radius,” Arnold says. “It’s why the area got started. It’s a thoroughfare to other major cities.” BC Transit buses run down Front Street, Riverside Drive and other roads, and New York City is just under a 200-mile drive to the southeast. For medical care, the Guthrie Lourdes Hospital campus sits near the banks of the Susquehanna. Thomas Jefferson Elementary School educates students up through fifth grade. It scores a B-minus with Niche, while West Middle School receives a C-plus and sits less than a mile away from Jefferson Elementary. Binghamton High School sits near the river, rating at a B with Niche and serving grades nine through 12 while also including pre-kindergarten. It’s ranked the 34th-most diverse high school statewide of more than 1,300, and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 10 to 1.

South Side West’s suburban streets branch out from the Vestal Parkway, which lines the Susquehanna River, on the opposite side of the river from downtown Binghamton. Part of the “Triple Cities” in southern central New York, the city is centered around the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers, whose confluence is just off the northeastern portion of the neighborhood. The Binghamton University campus is just west of the neighborhood, but its reach branches into South Side West, with student housing popular on the city’s west side. “Binghamton, especially the downtown and west side, are becoming more of a college town,” says Douglas Harrington, a licensed real estate salesperson with EXIT Realty, adding that the university has less of a presence on the east and south sides. Near the southeastern corner of the neighborhood, the Ross Park Zoo sprawls across 90 acres and is the fifth-oldest zoo in the country. Visitors observe animals like red wolves, snowy owls and tortoises; plan events or take part in programs like a “Sundae Safari” walk through the park; or visit the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, a children’s museum with hands-on activities. Northward across the Susquehanna, music from area bands and artists fills the air in the fall with Binghamton Porchfest. “A lot of the residents of the west side have the big Victorian-style homes that have these big porches,” Harrington says. “They get bands to come and play, and they use their porches as stages. You can just walk through the West Side and see all these bands.” Thirsty’s Tavern, which has served customers for nearly 50 years, is a local staple and institution. “That’s where all the local bands play,” says Tara Cataldi, a real estate salesperson with EXIT Realty. “They have a big stage in there, but they’re also known for their barbeque. They’ve always been there.” Manni’s Donuts is close to Thirsty’s, dishing out breakfast food as well as their trademark, namesake baked treats. The Park Bench’s menu has local deli fare, while Nip’s Park Avenue Saloon plays host to a pub atmosphere. A Weis Markets location along Pennsylvania Avenue fulfills grocery needs, and Target, Walmart and Wegmans are all about 5 miles west of the neighborhood. Architecture in South Side West covers a variety of styles, but primarily consists of ranch homes and Cape Cods. There are also some colonials, split-levels and Victorians scattered throughout. “In South Side West, you’re going to find larger properties, in my opinion,” Harrington says, adding that there’s more homes near the river than in Southside East Binghamton. “In the early 1900s, the people with money established along the West Side and the South Side West, there along that little strip.” Prices typically range from $150,000 to $200,000, with some outliers costing up to $500,000. Multi-family properties are also located in the neighborhood, typically ranging from $100,000 to $200,000. Southside Park, a linear green space lining the Susquehanna, sits along Conklin Avenue and has significant room for joggers, cyclists and dog-walkers. MacArthur Park, farther west, has several baseball fields, along with tennis courts, a playground and open space. The Corbett Avenue Community Garden rents out plots, while South Side Commons has benches. The Binghamton Greenway trailhead is located in South Side West, as well, and runs across and along the rivers northward for 3.5 miles. Kayaking is popular on the Susquehanna itself. The Vestal Parkway provides quick convenience to the road’s namesake city, roughly paralleling the river and passing Binghamton University on the way. Endicott and Johnson City aren’t far away, either, and downtown Binghamton is less than two miles across the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. Access to Interstates 81 and 86 are just north of the downtown area, each spanning much of New York in various directions. Buses via BC Transit provide public transportation, primarily along Vestal Avenue and James Street, and both New York City and Philadelphia are each just under 200 miles away. UHS Binghamton General Hospital is situated near the center of the neighborhood, meaning medical care is close by. MacArthur Elementary School ranks as one of the 200 most diverse public elementary schools statewide, of more than 2,600, and Niche awards it a C-plus rating. To the northwest, across the Susquehanna, West Middle School receives MacArthur graduates for grades six through eight and also is regarded highly in diversity; Niche ranks it 39th of nearly 1,400 public middle schools in New York and gives it a C-plus. Students stay on the west side of the Chenango for ninth through 12th grades, as Binghamton High School offers a student-to-teacher ratio of 10-to-1 and earns a B rating from Niche.

With the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers to its southeast, the West Side of Binghamton sits along the water and a bridge away from the city’s downtown. It’s dotted with locally-owned restaurants and consists mostly of residential streets, but those who live there aren’t short of things to do or places to go. "There's a lot on the west side of Binghamton,” says Keith Arnold, a licensed real estate salesperson with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “Recreation Park is probably the biggest thing. There's a hospital, a little plaza, a bar there and some shopping. It's a residential community with a few parks sprinkled here and there.” George F. Johnson Recreation Park is complemented by several other green spaces and trails, while the homes in the West Side are mostly older, historic properties. The Roberson Museum & Science Center and the Bundy Museum of History and Art offer exhibits that dive into the history of the area. That Coffee Place is a local favorite for residents to start their day with an espresso, French toast or other items on the menu. They can end the day at the Belmar Pub & Grill, less than half a mile up around the corner on Main Street. The bar prides itself on the “Belmar Burger” and offers delivery. Thai Time is closer to the river and serves up traditional fare. Shopping is primarily found outside of the West Side and Binghamton as a whole, with a Walmart in nearby Johnson City and a Target six miles away in Vestal. For grocery shoppers, Wegmans’ shelves sit roughly four miles northwest of the neighborhood, and more dining and shopping options are located across the river in downtown Binghamton. Within the West Side, the Roberson Museum & Science Center has exhibits permanent and temporary. Some permanent showcases highlight the Native American tribes of the area and various flora and fauna of the region, and there’s also a large model train display incorporating the “Triple Cities” into its layout. Farther west, the Bundy Museum of History and Art has a collection of memorabilia commemorating The Twilight Zone and its creator Rod Serling, who was a Binghamton native. The city also holds Restaurant Week, highlighting its local culinary creators and dining establishments, every year. To cheer on local sports teams, residents head to Mirabito Field to see the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the AA baseball affiliate of the New York Mets, play. Many homes in the West Side date to before 1925. The soaring roof peaks and turrets of Victorian homes are among the most common architecture in the neighborhood, though some American Foursquare and colonial houses sit on the streets of the West Side as well. Prices typically range from around $100,000 to $250,000. Binghamton University was founded nearly 80 years ago, and its expansion has impacted the residential landscape of the West Side. “A majority of the students that are off-campus tend to reside on the west side of Binghamton,” Arnold says, adding that recent changes to zoning laws have changed the area’s definition of what a family is: the changes mean four or more college students that aren’t related can’t live together in certain residential areas. The West Side sits between two of Binghamton’s most defining green spaces. To the west of the neighborhood, George F. Johnson Recreation Park has a pool, numerous tennis courts and two baseball diamonds, as well as a carousel and bandstand. To the east, across the Memorial Bridge, residents can take in river views at Confluence Park, which is located where the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers meet. The Binghamton River Walk, a paved trail, also runs up the eastern banks of the Chenango from Confluence Park. Within the neighborhood, Walnut Street Park has a looping path and playground on the north side, and nearby, the Mather Street Community Garden offers plot rentals. Near the eastern edge of West Side, Front Street heads up the banks of the Susquehanna and eventually links with an interchange to Interstate 81. Motorists head north to Syracuse or northeast to the Albany area from there or Interstate 88, or take the portion of I-81 concurrent with Interstate 86 eastward to New York City (also designated Route 17 once I-86 ends near Windsor). Westbound of Binghamton, Route 17 links Binghamton and Johnson City with Endicott, the third of the “Triple Cities” region. Guthrie Lourdes Hospital is nearby for medical care with a riverside view, while BC Transit buses chug along Front and Main Streets. New York City is less than a 200-mile drive away. Horace Mann Elementary School serves students up through fifth grade, which scores a C-plus with Niche. West Middle School follows, also receiving a C-plus rating and ranking in the top 40 most diverse middle schools statewide out of nearly 1,400. Binghamton High School garners a B rating, completing academic learning for Far West Side students. At Binghamton High, enrollment takes part in a host of clubs and organizations, and its dance team has taken home awards at national competitions.