{"id":32383,"date":"2012-10-05T12:13:01","date_gmt":"2012-10-05T16:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=32383"},"modified":"2025-09-02T02:58:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T06:58:07","slug":"things-to-do-in-syracuse-ny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/32383\/things-to-do-in-syracuse-ny\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Things to Do in Syracuse, NY"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve got the Finger Lakes for a wine weekend; the Hudson Valley for a day in the mountains; and enough surf between Montauk and Rockaway to keep you bound near New York year round. But what about when you don\u2019t need to get out of the <\/em>city, so much as get out of this <\/em>city?
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\nSyracuse may not be your dream destination (heck, it\u2019s probably not even on your radar), but sometimes the best break from the big city is a trip to a smaller city. Syracuse may have a few high rises in its midst, but mostly the city feels like one big town. Filled with approachable art, laid back cafes, local brews and plenty of waterside walking, Syracuse deserves a spot on your fall getaway list.<\/p>\n

Where to see art
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\"syracuse

\"Westcott

How to get around
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\"Steve

Outdoor adventures
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Syracuse and its suburbs have more than enough crowd-free green to leave you feeling genuinely refreshed. A walk through the 76-acre Thorden Park, home to a community pool and rose garden, will talk you from University grounds to the heart of Westcott, Syracuse\u2019s beloved bohemian neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Follow the Creekwalk for a gentle ride or walk from shopping\/dining hotspot Armory Square to the southern shore of Onondaga Lake. It\u2019ll be hard to miss the sprawling building by the lake: Destiny USA, newly crowned the sixth largest mall in the country. From there, you can explore Onondaga Lake Park<\/a>, the \u201cCentral Park of Central NY.\u201d Along the park\u2019s seven miles of shoreline are bocce courts, picnic spots, a skate park and the 35,000-square-foot Wegman\u2019s Playground. We hear this is no water for swimming, but rowboats and kayaks are available for rent. The Creekwalk is a work in progress. Once finished, it will extend past Armory Square to Kirk Park, which runs right into Upper Onondaga Park (not to be confused with Onondaga Lake Park; this one sits on the smaller Hiawatha Lake).<\/p>\n

\"Green

History<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cThis town is full of history. More than people realize,\u201d said shuttle driver and\u00a0proud lifelong Syracuse resident, “Bruce from the \u2018cuse.” Indeed, from Erie Boulevard to the old buildings that seem to pop up in the oddest of places (in the shadow of a highway overpass), Syracuse\u2019s history is palpable.<\/p>\n

Give yourself a walking tour of the charming Hanover Square and Clinton Square, the city\u2019s grand gathering space. Bruce informed us that The Mission Restaurant, formerly the Wesleyan Chapel, was once an important stop along the Underground Railroad. Carvings in the chapel basement\/Mission wine cellar suggest freedom seekers used the space for shelter. You can also follow the Freedom Trail<\/a> throughout the city (click on \u201cStops in Syracuse on UGRR\u201d), and learn more about the city\u2019s place in the anti-slavery movement at the Onondaga Historical Association Museum<\/a> (admission is free), where the Wesleyan Chapel face carvings are now on display.<\/p>\n

Study up on Syracuse\u2019s water-centric history at the Erie Canal Museum<\/a>, which doubles as a visitor\u2019s center, and Onondaga Lake Park\u2019s Salt Museum<\/a>. Admission is free to both, though there is a $5 suggested donation at the Erie Canal Museum.<\/p>\n

Where to eat and drink<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Recess

Grab a local snack at the Saturday Central New York Farmers\u2019 Market<\/a>, adjacent to the bus station, or the Downtown Farmers\u2019 Market<\/a> in Clinton Square, should you be in town on Tuesday. For a more indulgent bite, pop into the Kandied Kernel. Though wacky flavors like PB&J and chocolate covered banana may beckon, don\u2019t overlook the classic caramel.<\/p>\n

\"Pastabilities\"

If you\u2019re still thirsty after Empire, find your way to more local brews around the corner at the Syracuse Suds Factory. Across the street, the swanky yet casual Al\u2019s Wine and Whiskey Lounge<\/a> boasts an incredible, ladder-accessible wall of booze\u2013quite possibly the country\u2019s largest selection. British beer lovers would be wise to walk the half-mile from Armory Square for handcrafted, Medieval style beer at Middle Ages Brewing Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where to sleep<\/strong>
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