Cruisin’ to Caz
Happy hump day! We are almost through the first full week of classes and I know many of us are already looking forward to the weekend. The sunny weekend ahead offers the perfect opportunity for a day trip. This week’s day trip recommendation is a little town about 40 minutes east of Syracuse called Cazenovia, New York. With a population of about 3,000, this quaint village makes for a picturesque visit.
Upon arrival in Caz, begin the day by grabbing coffee at Dave’s Diner, and maybe even trying their granola and yogurt (I promise you will have leftovers for a snack later). After Dave’s, stroll down Albany Street to explore various shops such as Cazenovia Artisans which features talented artists and crafters from the surrounding area. If you are lucky, it will be Saturday morning and Albany Street will be filled with vendors for the weekly Farmers Market. Follow Albany away from the village and you will soon see Lakeland Park; a perfect place to picnic or spend a few hours by the water. Rent kayaks or paddleboards from the Outdoor Discovery School and truly enjoy a day on the lake. If all of this outdoor activity makes you hungry, enjoy a light lunch at the Pewter Spoon Café (try their Vanilla Chai Milkshake and you will be hooked!)
The latter part of this day journey will take you to the outskirts of Cazenovia and give a taste of the beautiful CNY landscape. The Stone Quarry Hill Art Park is 104 acres of land and trails located just outside the village. Pulling in you will be welcomed by The Third Iteration, an exhibit of recycled lamp posts and flags that creates a breathtaking sculpture. Wander the many trails through the park and be sure to find the secret garden! Ten minutes away from the Art Park, in the neighboring town of Chittenango, the Chittenango Falls State Park is home to a breathtaking 167 foot waterfall and miles of trails. This is a must see, and can even make for a separate day trip.
Finish the day by enjoying dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants in Cazenovia. Sit outside at the Brae Loch Inn and listen to live music by the lake. Or travel further up East Lake Road to Owera Vineyards to enjoy a wine tasting and watch while they make your pizza in a brick oven.
There are endless opportunities for a memorable day trip in Cazenovia, and if you go once, I can almost guarantee you will be back for more. If you want to venture further past Cazenovia and see more of CNY, this article offers some additional ideas – enjoy!
