It's officially summer time and it's time to take some day trips. But where to?

Oswego has had many additions over the last seven years, some projects funded by Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds.

Sheldon Beach Park has transformed after a $100,000 project, with the ribbon cut earlier this month. Now the park has a paved parking lot, picnic tables and a waterfront trail. There’s also green space, trash cans and a reinforced shoreline. Mayor Billy Barlow says it used to be a dangerous area to visit.

Now it’s a great place to swim and hang out for college students, locals or visitors.

“Now it's accessible, it's much more safe, much more beautiful than it was before versus just a gravel empty parking lot. We soon will be converting a building that’s already out there to public restrooms,” said Barlow.

A long-awaited project in Oswego just opened last week — the Splash Indoor Water Park.

“The water park brings a new unique amenity that’s all year-round here for Oswego residents. It’ll also be a great unique attraction for people from outside Oswego. I expect people from all over Central New York to come in to experience the indoor water park,” said Barlow.

The new business includes a splash pad and dump bucket for young kids under three and a half feet tall, and two adult sized water slides. Upstairs is a full arcade, plus, a grill and bar with eight beers on tap, wine and frozen drinks.

“It helps complete the entire package and truly adds to our ability to market Oswego as an all-day-long or certainly a weekend destination city,” said Barlow.

Tickets for Splash can be bought online or in person, as a day pass or bundled with a hotel stay.

Rotary Park just cut the ribbon last week on a new playground. With outdoor musical instruments and a train to play in, this is a must stop for families with young kids. This playground was especially designed for kids age 3 to 7. The city says the playgrounds currently in the city are all designed for older kids.

About $200,000 went into making this new play space that used to be a gravel lot. Families can find this fun structure on East 1st Street in Rotary Park.

“You know my pitch is if you haven’t visited Oswego, even if you live near here or a couple hours away, it may be a place worth checking out because it's not the Oswego you experience or remember some seven to ten years ago,” said Barlow.

There have been several more outdoor additions in recent years like a dog park, skate park and enhancements to the play area in Breitbeck Park. Of course, there are new restaurants in the city too.

There are some big events coming up this summer like the city’s Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, July 2. Harborfest is July 27-30.