5 Things to Do in Syracuse New York

Syracuse is the hub of Central New York and the largest city in the area. It is about five hours driving distance from all major cities in the North East United States and Canada. Syracuse is four hours 23 minutes from New York City, five hours 13 minutes from Boston, four hours 50 minutes from Toronto and three hours 28 minutes from Niagara Falls Canada.

Between 1840 and 1940, Syracuse grew in population and wealth because of the city’s location to the Erie Canal, the manufacturing industry and the influx of hard working immigrants from Europe.

It’s a four seasons travel destination. The bountiful snowfall of winter allows visitors ample locations for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and skiing. The surrounding hills and gardens come alive with the production of fresh fruits and vegetables for a farm to table experience and when it gets warmer or too cold to be outside, visitors can head indoors to learn about the history of the area.

Here are five things to do in Syracuse for all seasons:

One: Erie Canal Museum
According to Erie Canal Museum, Americans followed Europe into the field of canal construction when they saw the feasibility of inland waterway transportation. The Erie Canal was 363 miles of inland waterway between Buffalo and Albany and was connected to New York City via Hudson River and to the Great Lakes. It was an extensive and main transportation system that allowed the expansion of the distribution of goods and services.

The Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse houses the only remaining weighlock building in America. Inside you will discover a full-size replica canal boat with crew quarters, cargo and passenger areas, old postcards from passengers, history of commerce and lifestyle during the canal era represented by replicas of a ceramic workshop, tavern, grocery store and theatre.

Information: Erie Canal Museum

Two: The Everson Museum of Art
For a feast of art and architectural designs, check out The Everson Museum of Art. The Everson Museum was I.M. Pei’s first museum designs. He is the architect behind the famous addition to The Louvre Museum in Paris.

Here you will find over 4,000 pieces of ceramics including those from 1,000 AD, re-Colombian Ecuador, Mexico, China, Japan, Germany and England. It also accommodates the most significant American ceramics in the United States.

Information: The Everson Museum of Art

Three: WonderWorks Destiny
One of Syracuse’s top attractions is the WonderWorks Destiny located in the sixth largest shopping mall in America. Enjoy over 100 interactive exhibits at WonderWorks. There is the Hurricane Shack with 84 miles per hour wind, anti-gravity chamber where water travels from floor to ceiling, Xtreme 360 Bikes where visitors will pedal on the tandem bikes and generate enough power to complete a full loop over the top and back to the original position, Bed of Nails and more.

The ultimate thrill at the WonderWorks is Canyon Climb Adventure Ropes Challenge Course. This is the World’s Largest Suspended Indoor Ropes Course standing 70 feet high and visitors can explore three levels of ropes and 81 different obstacles and activities including single ropes, swinging steps, lily pads and a tremor bridge.

Information: WonderWorks Destiny

Four: Historical Auburn
Auburn is located 28 miles from Syracuse. It is a unique and historical town where American heroes like Harriet Tubman and William H. Seward lived while helping lead slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Today the main employer in the city is the Auburn Correctional Facility New York with Copper John, the statue of an American Revolutionary War Soldier is still standing tall on top of the building.

Some of the important historical sites in Auburn are Willard Memorial Chapel with Tiffany glass, Case Research Lab – the birthplace of talking films, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center- a contemporary art and quilt show museum and The Merry Go Round Museum.

Information: Tour Auburn NY

Five: Skaneateles
A 31-minute drive will take you to the picturesque village of Skaneateles by the cleanest lake in the world – Lake Skaneateles.
Skaneateles is a picture perfect historical village with small antique shops, cafés, restaurants and arts and crafts centers. It is also the go-to village for those seeking rejuvenation of the body and mind.

The Mirbeau Inn and Spa is located in Skaneateles village. It is a four-diamond inn and spa with 34 guest rooms, award winning dining room and 14,000 square foot luxury spa facility.

Information: Mirbeau

Are you looking for a destination to getaway for the weekend or for a road trip to the North East? Syracuse New York is the perfect addition to your list of must-see places in the United States.

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