Check out Syracuse Scenic Tours before you attempt to make your way around Syracuse on your own. Whether you are up for a motor-coach tour or a walking tour of the city on your own, Syracuse Scenic Tours can equip you with suggestions and maps that will make your visit far more pleasant than wandering aimlessly on your own. Its tours include stops at places like Syracuse University, the Museum of Science and Technology and the Erie Canal Museum.
Enjoy rich cultural experiences when you visit the Hanover Square area in downtown Syracuse. It is said that Broadway (yes, THE Broadway in New York City) got its start in Syracuse, right in Hanover Square. The square also boasts some of the oldest buildings in the city, which are listed on the National Historic Register.
Clinton Square, also in downtown Syracuse, is home to Jazz Fest, the largest free jazz festival located in the Northeastern United States.
Columbus Circle features a monument to Christopher Columbus that was carved in Italy. In addition, Columbus Circle is home to dozens of juried arts and crafts shows each year.
Enjoy the nightclub scene in Armory Square. This portion of downtown Syracuse has been compared with SoHo because of the large number of bars, restaurants and clubs, as well as galleries and specialty shops. It also has an IMAX theater. It is considered the entertainment hub of Syracuse.
Seek your thrills at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse from late August through the first week in September. The dates for 2009 will be Aug. 27-Sept. 9. The Great New York State Fair is the oldest operating fair in the United States.
Enjoy the great outdoors at Onondaga Lake Park in Syracuse. It features five miles of lake shoreline as well as a marina and a boat launch. Rent a boat for fishing or touring and enjoy the beautiful views along the lake. Tram rides will take you along the five-mile stretch where you can also tour the Salt Museum. Here you'll find numerous local artifacts including a replica of a salt-boiling block.
Talk to the animals in Syracuse at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. More than 600 animals grace the grounds and buildings, including tropical species as well as native animals. If it's music or theater you crave, check out the Landmark Theater and the Syracuse Opera House. Both have been in existence for decades and feature multiple scheduled performances each year.
Whether you visit Syracuse on business or come to see a college student away from home, there will be something for everyone in this diverse city. From nightlife to serene lakeside views, Syracuse will leave you wishing you had far more time to spend within its boundaries.
