Wet pants rule at Thunder Island Amusement Park, and guests are invited to "come wet yours" at this family-owned entertainment facility, featuring water slides, go-karts, mini-golf and on-site dining. Seasoned water sliders will "slip out" for Thunder Rush, an extreme body sliding experience available at only a few sites around the world.
Thunder Island Family Entertainment Park
21 Wilcox Road
Fulton, NY 13069
315-598-8016
thunder-island.com
Celebrating its 10th year of operation in 2010, the Finger Lakes Scenic Railway is a nostalgic nod to 1950s rail travel and a beautiful way to see the landscape and small towns of the Finger Lakes region. Based out of Geneva, New York, some of the railway's excursions leave from communities closer to Syracuse. Most trips are 20 to 30 miles and last one to three hours. The service operates from April to December. Trips generally range from $20 to $30 for adults as of October, 2010, and funds raised are used by local service and historical clubs to improve community life.
Finger Lakes Railway Corp.
68 Border City Road
Geneva, NY 14456
315-374-1570
fingerlakesscenicrailway.com
Located in Auburn, New York, a Finger Lakes community located less than 45 minutes from Syracuse, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse produces six, large-scale Broadway-style musical shows every summer and fall. The nationally-recognized theater began in 1958 and continues to grow in popularity. Past shows include "Grease," "West Side Story," "Evita," "Nunsense" and "The Full Monty."
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
6877 East Lake Road
Auburn, NY 13021
800-457-8897
merry-go-round.com
A key ingredient in the success of Syracuse was salt--but to learn about the role this once-precious commodity played in the development of the city, you have to travel to nearby Liverpool, New York, home of The Salt Museum. Check out the equipment and processes that turned brine into bucks. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. The museum is open afternoons from May to October. Self-guided tours are available and admission is free.
The Salt Museum
106 Lake Drive
Liverpool, NY 13088
315-453-6715
onondagacountyparks.com
Skaneateles, a picturesque and historic town that takes its name from an Iroquois word meaning "long lake," hugs the shore of a lake of the same name. The town has a vibrant arts community and features an art walk on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. Connect with Finger Lakes-area artists and enjoy refreshments and music.
Skaneateles Artisans
11 Fennell St.
Skaneateles, NY 13152
315-685-8580
skaneatelesartisans.com
