Sick of Newhouse? Here’s What to Do in Syracuse This Summer.
There’s nothing quite like Central New York in summer. With beautiful scenery, great food and tons of events, there’s always something to do on your downtime at Newhouse. While much of your summer may be spent in the labs on campus, it’s important to take time to relax and unwind — and in Syracuse, there’s no shortage of ways to do that. Here are 5 things to do before your summer in Syracuse ends.
1. Go on a Hike
While you may not be able to hike a mountain in Downtown Syracuse, one of the best parts about the city’s location is it’s proximity to some of the best hiking in New York. Whether it’s a short (but challenging) hike at Chittenango Falls State Park, a trip to take a dip in the water at Buttermilk Falls State Park or a walk down the Cascadilla Gorge Trail, there’s no shortage of places to explore the area’s incredible scenery. Plus, don’t forget to take a walk, run or bike ride around Onondaga Lake, located less than 10 minutes from Destiny USA.
2. Check out a Festival
When you live in Syracuse, it seems like there’s a festival happening every weekend. And guess what? There usually is. There’s the NYS Blues Festival in Clinton Square, the Finger Lakes Lavender Festival in Skaneateles and let’s not forget, the Great New York State Fair in August. None of those catch your eye? Well luckily, there are tons of other festivals for you to check out this summer, like the Middle Eastern Festival just outside of Syracuse in early July.
3. Watch a Concert Lakeside at the Amphitheater
One of the area’s newer, but greatest, summer treasures is the Lakeview Amphitheater, which opened in September 2015. Located on Onondaga Lake, the venue seats over 17,000 people, and boasts a huge lawn for a classic summer concert feel. Pro tip: spring for the lawn tickets — they’re cheap and you’ll still enjoy the show. This summer’s performers include big names like Lady Antebellum, INCUBUS, Luke Bryan, John Mayer, Future and many more.
4. Visit A Brewery, Distillery or Winery
Fun Fact: People in Central New York love their alcohol. Seriously, there are breweries, distilleries and wineries all over the area with some of the best liquor, beer and wine in the country. Try the 1911 Tasting Room, where you can get a tasting of 1911’s hard cider and gin or vodka for just $4, or the Empire Farm Brewery in Cazenovia, an expansion of the company’s downtown location that features a full-service restaurant and lawn with amazing views. Or, take a trip to the Finger Lakes to check out more than 100 wineries — just please don’t do it all in one day.
5. Get a Taste of Syracuse
Big cities like New York and Los Angeles might be known for their food scenes, but Syracuse is a pretty tough competitor when it comes to amazing and diverse food. There’s Syracuse legends like Pastabilities, Funk ‘N Waffles and Dinosaur BBQ, along with some newcomers like Original Grain, Sugar&Co Wine Bar, and With Love, Syracuse (which changes it’s cuisine every few months). But let’s be real — we’re not even scratching the surface. Syracuse has amazing cuisine, with everything from tapas to sushi to pho to burritos. If there’s something you’re craving, it’s here. Want to cook yourself? Check out the Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market every Tuesday or the Regional Market Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Still looking for things to do? Check out this calendar for even more.
