Syracuse, about 90 minutes east of Rochester, combines historic architecture, museums, public squares, and a diverse dining scene. Downtown neighborhoods such as Clinton Square, Hanover Square, and Armory Square reflect the city’s evolution from an Erie Canal boomtown to a modern regional center. Historic buildings, including City Hall and the Art Deco Niagara Mohawk Building, stand alongside restaurants, theaters, museums, and public gathering spaces. Many of Syracuse’s museums, restaurants, and historic sites are within a short drive of downtown.
Visit Clinton Square at Erie Boulevard, where a reflecting pool with fountains marks where the canal once ran through the heart of Syracuse. It’s the perfect spot to appreciate the city’s early history and start a self-guided Downtown Syracuse walking tour.
Plan Your Day Trip to Syracuse
Breakfast
As you drive into Syracuse, consider stopping at one of the city’s classic diners, such as The Gem, Stella’s Diner, Mother’s Cupboard, The Market Diner, or Nestico’s Too. If you want something sweet, stop at Glazed & Confused, a popular spot for handmade doughnuts, or the Rise N Shine Diner, known for its dessert-inspired pancakes.
Morning
Consider starting your adventure at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, 15 minutes east of Syracuse. The park is known for its turquoise glacial lakes and old-growth forest. It offers walking trails, clear-bottom tandem kayak rentals, and a swimming beach on Green Lake.
Lunch
Popular options in or near downtown include Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub, and Oh My Darling. If you’re in the Tipperary Hill neighborhood, visit Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub, which offers a special entrance and other amenities just for leprechauns.
Afternoon
Spend time exploring some of Syracuse’s museums. Consider visiting the Everson Museum of Art, which features a significant collection of American art and ceramics in a building designed by I. M. Pei.
If you’re interested in local history, the Erie Canal Museum features the only surviving weighlock from the seven that once operated on the canal. You’ll find replicas of a canal boat, a tavern, a general store, and a weighmaster’s office.
The Onondaga Historical Museum offers a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits covering everything from Syracuse China to the area’s role in the Underground Railroad.
For an interactive science experience, visit Armory Square’s Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST).
Or spend a few hours at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
On your way to dinner, drive through the intersection of Tompkins Street and Milton Avenue to see the inverted traffic signal with green at the top, symbolizing Irish pride and resilience.
Dinner
Reservations are recommended for Pastabilities, Francesca’s Cucina, Lemon Grass Restaurant, Apizza Regionale, Eden, Funk ’n Waffles, and the original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
Evening
If you’re visiting during the holiday season, take advantage of ice skating at Clinton Square and of Lights on the Lake, a drive-through Christmas lights display at Onondaga Lake Park. Alternatively, plan your day trip around a performance at the Landmark Theatre or a Syracuse Orange sporting event.
Signature Events
Taste of Syracuse in early June brings more than 70 food vendors and two dozen musical performances to Clinton Square during a free two-day festival. Food samples are available for purchase.
The New York State Blues Festival in mid-June celebrates the blues with three days of performances by local and national artists.
The Great New York State Fair from late August through Labor Day celebrates New York’s agricultural heritage with livestock competitions, concerts, demonstrations, exhibits, midway rides, and some of the state’s signature fair foods. Held annually since 1841, the fair opens on the third or fourth Wednesday in August.
The drive-through holiday Lights on the Lake show at Onondaga Lake Park features a two-mile route lined with towering displays, a fantasy forest, vibrant arches, and a magical fairy-tale ending.
Extraordinary Architecture
Look up, look down, look all around!
Take a close look at Syracuse City Hall. There are fossils embedded in the facade!
Contact Information
Apizza Regionale 260 W. Genesee St., (315) 802-2607, apizzaregionale.com
Clinton Square 2 Clinton Square, (315) 423-0129, syr.gov
Coleman’s Irish Pub 100 S. Lowell Ave., (315) 476-1933, colemansirishpub.com
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 246 W. Willow St., (315) 476-4937, dinosaurbarbque.com
Eden 118 E. Genesee St., (315) 991-8408, edencny.com
Erie Canal Museum 318 Erie Blvd. E., (315) 471-0593, eriecanalmuseum.org
Everson Museum of Art 401 Harrison St., (315) 474-6064, everson.org
Francesca’s Cucina 545 N. Salina St., (315) 425-1556, francescas-cucina.com
Funk ’n Waffles 307-13 S. Clinton St., (315) 474-1060, funknwaffles.square.site
The Gem Diner 832 Spencer St., (315) 314-7380, thegemdiner.com
Glazed & Confused 211 N. Clinton St., (315) 214-5544, glazedsyr.com
Green Lakes State Park 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, (315) 637-6111, parks.ny.gov
JMA Wireless Dome (Syracuse Orange) 900 Irving Ave., (315) 443-2121, cuse.com
Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub 301 W. Fayette St., (315) 424-1974, kittyhoynes.com
Landmark Theatre 362 S. Salina St., (315) 475-7979, landmarktheatre.org
Lemon Grass Restaurant 113 Walton St., (315) 475-1111, lemongrasscny.com
The Market Diner 2100 Park St., (315) 474-5247, themarketdiner.com
Mother’s Cupboard 3709 E. James St., (315) 432-0942
Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology 500 S. Franklin St., (315) 425-9068, most.org
Nestico’s Too 4105 W. Genesee St., (315) 487-5864, nesticostoo.net
Oh My Darling 321 S. Salina St., (315) 290-3330, darlingsyr.com
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery St., (315) 428-1864, cnyhistory.org
Onondaga Lake Park 106 Lake Drive, (315) 453-6712, onondagacountyparks.com
Pastabilities 311 S. Franklin St., (315) 474-1153, pastabilities.com
Rise N Shine Diner 500 Westcott St., (315) 907-3710, risenshinediner.com
Rosamond Gifford Zoo 1 Conservation Place, (315) 435-8511, rosamondgiffordzoo.org
Stella’s Diner 110 Wolf St., (315) 425-0353, stellasdinersyracuse.com
Explore More
🎡 New York State & County Fairs
State and county fairs, featuring agricultural-themed competitions, amusement, and entertainment, have been popular since the early 1800s.
Green Lakes State Park
Just 10 miles east of Syracuse, Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville is one of Central New York’s most striking natural landscapes.
Routes 5 and 20: A West-to-East Day Trip Guide
Routes 5 & 20, a 67-mile stretch where NY-5 and US-20 converge, is a gently rolling scenic highway passing through small cities and quaint villages.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Syracuse?
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
