Syracuse (New York)

By bus/train

William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center, located at 131 NBT Bank Parkway just north of downtown, is the city's central rail and long-distance bus hub.

• Amtrak. Syracuse is served twice daily in each direction by the Empire Service (New York City to Niagara Falls), once daily in each direction by the Maple Leaf (New York City to Toronto, following the route of the Empire Service up to Niagara Falls), and once daily in each direction by the Lake Shore Limited (New York City or Boston to Chicago, following the route of the Empire Service up to Buffalo-Depew).
• Greyhound. Bus service from New York City (via Scranton, Binghamton, and Cortland), Boston (via Worcester, Springfield, Albany, Schenectady, and Utica), and Cleveland (via Erie, Buffalo, and Rochester). Very limited service to Ottawa, Fri/Sun only.
• Trailways of New York. Service from Buffalo (via Rochester) and New York City (via Scranton, Binghamton, and Cortland). A bus runs to Massena via Watertown and various points on US11.
• Megabus. Service from New York City, Rochester, Buffalo, and Toronto.

By plane

• Syracuse Hancock International Airport

  phone: +1 315 454-4330 (Airport Information), +1 315 454-3263 (City of Syracuse Department of Aviation)
  address: 1000 Colonel Eileen Collins Boulevard
  Mostly served by Delta Air Lines/Delta Connection, United Express, and American Airlines. Limited service from JetBlue. Although an international airport, the only international service offered is Air Canada to/from Toronto International.

By car

Travel from the four cardinal directions is served by two Interstate highways.

• I-90 (New York State Thruway) from locations east (Albany, Boston) and west (Rochester, Buffalo), with service to downtown Syracuse via I-690
• I-81 from locations north (Watertown, Ottawa) and south (Binghamton, Scranton)

By car

A car is probably the best way to get around Syracuse, especially if you are going to places away from downtown. Thanks to its many Interstate highways (I-90, I-81, I-481, and I-690), nearly everywhere in the Syracuse area can be reached within a 20-minute drive. Make sure you have a map and pay attention to the street signs. There are some streets in the downtown area that go from being two-way to one-way, which is not always clear on a map.

On foot

You can walk to most of the destinations in downtown Syracuse from a parking lot or the Centro bus terminal.

By bicycle

Most of the downtown area is relatively flat, but keep in mind that the Syracuse University area has many steep hills and the residential areas surrounding downtown have quite a few hills as well. What some people will do is catch a ride on the bus downtown, placing their bike on the bike rack on the front of the bus and then use their bike once they reach downtown, thus avoiding the steep hills. E-bike rentals are available throughout the downtown area via Sync Bike Share.

By bus

The Centro Bus System provides a fair alternative to driving to most locations, with a fare of $2 within Syracuse and additional fares to outlying suburbs, such as to Auburn for $4 and to Oswego for $5. Buses can come sporadically, especially if you plan to ride the bus outside of Downtown Syracuse, so check the bus schedule online in advance. If you have to transfer to another bus, be sure to ask the bus driver for a transfer card so that you don't get stuck paying double fares for the same trip. Centro offers discounts for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and children. The buses are accessible to people with disabilities and the bus drivers are instructed to let a person with a physical disability on before letting other passengers on.

• Centro Transit Hub

  address: 599 S. Salina St
  The central hub for all Centro bus routes, located right in Downtown Syracuse. Offers public restrooms, bicycle racks, and an information booth.

By taxi

There are several taxi services listed in the Syracuse phone book that you can choose from. It will usually take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes for a taxi to come pick you up but it can be useful if you missed the last bus of the day. At the airport there is usually no wait, as there is a well-frequented taxi stand at the end of Terminal A. Ride-hailing services including Lyft and Uber are also available.

Up-to-date information about happenings in Syracuse can most easily be found in the weekly Syracuse New Times, available for a fee at supermarkets and convenience stores. Syracuse's only major print newspaper, The Post-Standard, publishes a Weekend section in its Thursday edition containing upcoming events in the Central New York area.
Online calendars of upcoming events are offered by local media groups:

• Syracuse.com Events
• Syracuse New Times Calendar
• WRVO Public Media Community Calendar

Museums

• Everson Museum of Art

  phone: +1 315 474-6064
  address: 401 Harrison St
  Houses 11,000 works of American art, with an excellent permanent collection of ceramics, in a building designed by architect I.M. Pei.

• Erie Canal Museum

  phone: +1 315 471-0593
  address: 318 Erie Blvd E
  The canal no longer passes through downtown Syracuse, but this museum celebrates its history. Features the last standing weighlock on the canal, a replica of an old canal freighter, and a number of historical exhibits.

• Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology

  address: 500 S Franklin St
  A kid-friendly science museum and learning center, equipped with an interactive rock-climbing wall, geologic cave, flight simulator, and a giant, multi-level indoor playhouse, among other exhibits. Also includes a domed IMAX theater and planetarium.

• Onondaga Historical Museum

  address: 321 Montgomery St
  Permanent and temporary exhibits on local history.

• Skä•noñh - Great Law of Peace Center

  address: 6680 Onondaga Lake Pkwy
  Heritage center describing the history of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Native Americans from Central New York.

• Salt Museum

  phone: +1 315 453-6715
  address: 106 Lake Dr
  Small museum featuring exhibits and artifacts on Syracuse's historical salt industry.

• ArtRage Gallery

  phone: +1 315 218-5711
  address: 505 Hawley Ave
  Small gallery exhibiting the work of artists creating art promoting social justice and activism.

• Community Folk Art Center

  phone: +1 315 442-2230
  address: 805 E. Genesee Street
  An artistic and cultural center promoting artists of the African Diaspora. Run by Syracuse University's College of Arts & Sciences.

Parks and outdoors

• Green Lakes State Park

  phone: +1 315 637-6111
  address: 7900 Green Lakes Rd, Fayetteville
  Two glacial lakes, offering kayak rentals and swimming during the summer, surrounded by upland forest, an 18-hole golf course, cabins and campsites, nature trails, and 15 miles of cross-country ski trails & snowshoeing in the winter.

• Erie Canal TrailCanalway Trail for biking, walking and jogging. Although the historic waterway's route through the city was long ago filled in, access points exist in the neighboring Towns of Camillus in the west and DeWitt in the east.

• Beaver Lake Nature Center

  phone: +1 315 638-2519
  address: 8477 East Mud Lake Rd, Baldwinsville
  Contains of winding trails for year-round usage, more than 200 species of birds, over 800 varieties of plants, and a 200-acre glacial lake – a migratory stop for thousands of Canada geese.

• Onondaga Lake Park

  address: 106 Lake Dr, Liverpool
  A waterside park offering 4 vehicle-free trails along the Onondaga Lake shore, a boat launch and marina, skate park, playground, dog park, the Salt Museum (see above), boat and bicycle rental, and archery.

• Rosamond Gifford Zoo

  phone: +1 315 435-8511
  address: 1 Conservation Pl
  A small but well-populated zoo at the top of a hill in Burnet Park with everything from reindeer, lions, tigers, penguins, and a herd of Asian elephants to sand cats, flamingos, peacocks, and fossas. Fast food and souvenir shop in main building.

• Clark Reservation State Park

  phone: +1 315 492-1756
  address: 6105 E Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville
  A 377-acre nature park encircling a glacial lake. Offers 5 hiking trails – including one with a 175-foot ledge overlook – and guided nature walks.

• Sky Zone Syracuse

  phone: +1 315 928-3737
  address: 3179 Erie Blvd E
  Indoor trampoline park and obstacle course chain.

Live theater and music

• Landmark Theatre

  phone: +1 315 475-7979
  address: 362 S Salina St
  Opened in 1928, this extravagant Roaring Twenties-era performing arts theater hosts many live musical & theatrical productions throughout the year. Offers nearly 3,000 seats surrounded with golden decor.

• The Redhouse

  address: 400 S Salina St
  Arts center displaying year-round theatrical productions.

• Syracuse Stage

  phone: +1 315 443-3275 (box office), +1 315 443-4008 (administration)
  address: 820 E Genesee St
  Professional theater hosting plays and musicals.

• Symphoria

  phone: +1 315 299-5598
  address: 234 Harrison St
  Musicians from the Syracuse Symphony, a half-century-old ensemble bankrupted in 2011, formed Symphoria, Syracuse's musician-led symphony orchestra. Offers more than 50 annual concerts in the Crouse-Hinds Theater and throughout the local community.

• The Westcott Theater

  phone: +1 315 299-8886
  address: 524 Westcott St
  One of the most popular live music venues in the city.

• St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview

  phone: +1 315 435-5100
  address: 490 Restoration Way
  Outdoor venue hosting big-name acts. Near the New York State Fairgrounds (see below).

Sports

• Syracuse OrangeThe city's highest-profile sports institutions are the teams representing Syracuse University in seven men's sports and 11 women's sports. The Orange, members of the Atlantic Coast Conference along with 14 other schools in the eastern half of the country, are perennial national powers in men's basketball and men's lacrosse, and also have a rich football tradition. The main athletic facilities are all on campus, with the best-known being the Carrier Dome, home to the football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. The Dome, seating over 49,000 for football and lacrosse and over 33,000 for basketball, is by far the largest domed stadium on a U.S. university campus, and the world's largest facility by capacity regularly used for basketball.

• Carrier Dome

  phone: +1 315 443-2121
  address: 900 Irving Ave
  Lacrosse, soccer, basketball and football for Syracuse University.

• Syracuse Mets

  address: NBT Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr.
  Syracuse's minor league baseball team, the AAA team for the New York Mets. You can see from all seats in the house!

• Syracuse Crunch

  address: War Memorial at OnCenter, 800 S. State St.
  AHL minor league hockey team is the highest affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

Festivals

Syracuse has gained the nickname "the City of Festivals" for good reason. There are numerous festivals year round. The following are just a few of the festivals that are held in and around the City of Syracuse:

• Jazz in the Square This jazz festival is seen as a downtown replacement for the M&T Jazz Fest which has moved to the Onondaga Community College campus.
• Latin American Festival

February

• Syracuse Winterfest

March

• The Syracuse St. Patrick's ParadeIt was founded by an honored local journalist, Nancy Duffy. The parade has been celebrating St. Patrick's Day since the early 1980s.

June

• Taste of SyracuseA festival with several streets of booths containing samples of menu items from the variety of restaurants in the Syracuse area.

• M&T Jazz Fest at OCCOriginally hosted in Downtown Syracuse in Hanover Square and Clinton Square, it moved to the Onondaga Community College campus when Clinton Square was renovated and has stayed there ever since.

• Polish Fest

• Juneteenth CelebrationOne of the largest of its kind in Central New York, the occasion celebrates African American history and culture.

• St. Sophia Greek Cultural FestivalDancing, music, food and shopping are the order of the day. Enjoy the food, music and dancing outside and then wander inside to find the shops, pastries and coffee. Guided tours, lectures, displays and a visual tour of the Greek Islands can also be found inside.

July

• Syracuse Middle Eastern Festival

• New York State Blues Fest

• Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival

• Syracuse Nationals Car ShowClaiming to be one of the largest car shows on the East Coast, this massive car show held at the New York State Fairgrounds features thousands of antique cars, hot rods, motorcycles, race cars and just about anything else with wheels and a motor. Common events held each year are the tractor pull, burnout competitions and music concerts.

August

• Shakespeare-In-The-Park

  address: Thornden Park Amphitheater
  Live performance of one of Shakespeare's plays.

• Central New York Scottish Games and Celtic Festival

  phone: +1 315 463-8876
  address: Long Branch Park, Liverpool
  Celtic and Scottish music, dancing, demonstrations, exhibits, and athletics.

• The Great New York State Fair

  address: 581 State Fair Blvd, Geddes
  The oldest state fair in the U.S., and still one of the largest. Dozens of free concerts from national touring acts populate the 12-day schedule, along with the expected midway rides, art exhibits, and livestock competitions. State agriculture is on display in the form of the annual butter sculpture, 25-cent cups of milk, and demonstration booths for everything from honey bees to hand-tooled wood work. During the fair, Amtrak adds a stop right outside the fair's gates, making it easy to get to from Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany even without a car.

• The Great Syracuse Oktoberfest

September

• La Festa Italiana

• The Syracuse Irish Festival

• Sound Garden

  address: 310 W. Jefferson St
  Independent music shop, used and new, with CD players to listen to any open album for as long as you want. Movie selection on second floor. Open late.

• Ra-Lin's

  address: 625 Burnet Ave
  Camera supplies

Souvenirs, gifts, novelties

• Balloons Over Syracuse

  address: 441 S Salina St
  Bx 350.

• Enchanted Bazaar

  address: 118 W Jefferson St

• Way Off the Beaten Path

  address: 136 Walton St

Shopping areas and malls

• Armory SquareFranklin St., Walton St., Clinton St., A collection of shops and restaurants in the heart of downtown Syracuse near the Museum of Science and Technology (the MOST).

• Destiny USA

  phone: +1 315 466-6000
  address: 9090 Destiny USA Dr
  The largest shopping mall in the Central New York Area, its former Carousel Center name came from the restored fully functional carousel that is its center piece in the food court. Has department stores, restaurants, arcades, and movie theaters.

• Downtown Farmers' Market

  address: Clinton Square

• Great Northern Mall

  address: 4155 Route 31, Clay
  Department stores, restaurants, arcade, and movie theaters.

• City MarketAntiques and local crafts are sold at this open air market behind the Everson Museum of art in Downtown Syracuse.

• CNY Regional Market

  phone: +1 315 422-8647
  address: 2100 Park Street

General retail opportunities like supermarkets, big-box stores, and casual dining can be found in Syracuse’s immediate suburbs on commercial strips including:
To the west: West Genesee St in Camillus.
To the north: US 11 (Brewerton Rd) in Salina, West of the Syracuse Airport.
To the east: NY 5 (Erie Blvd E) in DeWitt.

Diner

• Modern Malt

  phone: +1 315 471-6258
  address: 325 S Clinton Street

• Stella's Diner

  phone: +1 315 425-0353
  address: 110 Wolf St

Budget

• The Brooklyn Pickle

  address: 1600 West Genesee Street
  The biggest deli sandwiches around and a friendly mom and pop feel have created an almost cult following to this little sandwich shop.

• Varsity Pizza

  address: 802 S Crouse Ave

• Heid's

  address: 305 Oswego St, Liverpool
  Heid's is known for two things: long lines and the hot dogs that are responsible for those long lines. Ordering is simple: anything that isn't a hot dog or a coney gets ordered first after you get in the door, including their delicious grilled cheeses and super-thick milk shakes; at the end, once you get to the cash register, you simply order how many hot dogs and coneys you'd like. If the retro-style of the restaurant isn't to your liking, you can always cross the street and sit by Onondaga Lake.

Mid-range

• Alto Cinco

  phone: +1 315 422-6399
  address: 526 Westcott St

• Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub

  phone: +1 315 476-1933
  address: 100 South Lowell Ave
  An authentic Irish pub with a leprechaun door next to the regular door. It holds an appeal for all ages. This place has a full menu as well as a bar. It is known for its participation in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities. If you are in Syracuse on St. Patrick’s Day be sure to come here and try the green beer. It is in the Tipperary Hill neighborhood near the only inverted street light in the country with the green light at the top and red at the bottom.

• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

  address: 246 W. Willow St
  This is the original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que restaurant. This restaurant is famous for its BBQ sauce and pulled pork sandwiches. Despite its popularity this restaurant maintains a certain small time charm. This is also a popular place for Blues concerts.

• Redfield's Restaurant

  address: 701 E Genesee St
  An American bistro setting.

• Syracuse Suds Factory

  phone: +1 315 471-AALE
  address: 320 S. Clinton St
  Established in 1991 this well known micro-brewery and restaurant has several micro-brews but also an extensive list of other beers and a full dinner menu. Be on the lookout for live entertainment at this popular venue.

• The Fish Friar

  phone: +1 315 468-3474
  address: 239 E. Genesee St.
  In the historic Courier Building next to City Hall. It offers Maine caught seafood.

Splurge

• Lemon Grass Restaurant

  phone: +1 315 475-1111
  address: 238 W Jefferson St
  Great Thai food in a formal but not snobbish atmosphere. Pad Thai is fantastic as is the green curry.

• Pastabilities

  phone: +1 315 474-1153
  address: 311 South Franklin Street
  Nice and original Italian food, great wine list, and friendly service. Can be a bit expensive but worth every cent.

• Scotch 'N Sirloin

  phone: +1 315 446-1771
  address: 3687 Erie Boulevard E

Syracuse has two major nightlife districts. The largest is Armory Square downtown, followed by Marshall Street on University Hill.

• Blue Tusk

  address: 165 Walton St

• Clark's Ale House

  phone: +1 315 479-9859
  address: 100 E Washington St

• Faegan's Cafe & Pub

  address: 734 S. Crouse Ave
  A common hangout place for students at Syracuse University, usually not quite as hectic as some of the other bars near campus, this place has more of a relaxed sit down atmosphere.

• J. Ryans Pub

  address: 253 East Water Street
  69 beers on draft at all times, an always changing selection. Full menu all day as well as $2 beer specials from open to close.

Coffeeshops & cafes

• Cafe Kubal

  phone: +1 315 440-6441
  address: 401 S Salina St

• Freedom of Espresso

  address: 115 Solar St

• Recess Coffee

  phone: +1 315 410-0090
  address: 110 Harvard Pl

• Strong Hearts

  phone: +1 315 478-0000
  address: 719 E Genesee St
  All vegan cafe.

• Roji Tea Lounge

  phone: +1 315 428-0844
  address: 108 E. Washington St.
  Has a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, bubble tea, small meals and Japanese desserts in a laid-back atmosphere.

Airport

• Best Western Syracuse Airport Inn

  address: 900 Colonel Eileen Collins Blvd
  Located on the grounds of Hancock International Airport.

• Comfort Inn & Suites Airport

  address: 6701 Buckley Rd
  Stay and Fly packages and free airport transportation service available.

• Econo Lodge Airport

  address: 5396 South Bay Rd

• Red Carpet Inn

  address: 2914 Brewerton Rd
  Budget priced motel.

Downtown

• Courtyard Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square

  address: 300 West Fayette St
  Located in the Armory Square retail district.

• Econo Lodge Downtown

  address: 454 James St

• Jefferson Clinton

  address: 416 South Clinton St
  Located in the Armory Square retail district.

• Hostelling International Syracuse

  phone: +1 315 472-5788
  address: 535 Oak St
  The only hostel in Syracuse. Only open during the summer months.

• Marriott Syracuse Downtown

  phone: +1 315 474-2424
  address: 100 East Onondaga St

University Hill

The University Hill neighborhood is directly adjacent to Downtown Syracuse and is home to Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, and SUNY College of Environmental Studies and Forestry.

• Crowne Plaza Syracuse Hotel

  phone: +1 315 479-7000
  address: 701 E Genesee St
  Offers 276 rooms and 3 luxury suites.

• Genesee Grande Hotel

  address: 1060 E Genesee St

• Parkview Hotel

  address: 713 E Genesee St

• Sheraton University Hotel & Conference Center

  address: 801 University Ave
  Owned and operated by the university.

Suburbs

There are several hotels near Carrier Circle in DeWitt, directly accessible from the New York State Thruway's Exit 35, and 15-minute drive to/from Downtown Syracuse during non-peak hours.

• Best Western Fairgrounds

  address: 670 State Fair Boulevard

• Candlewood Suites

  address: 6550 Baptist Way

• Candlewood Suites

  address: 5414 South Bay Road

• Comfort Inn Carrier Circle

  address: 6491 Thompson Rd

• Econo Lodge

  address: 3400 Erie Boulevard East, DeWitt

• Holiday Inn

  address: Farrell Rd at I-90 & I-690

• Quality Inn

  address: 6611 Old Collamer Rd

• Residence Inn Syracuse

  address: 6420 Yorktown Circle
  Extended stay hotel.

• Homewood Suites by Syracuse - Carrier Circle

  phone: +1 315 433-1009
  address: 6006 Fair Lakes Rd
  Off NSU Thruway I-90. Free shuttle to local restaurants. In-suite kitchend. WiFi and breakfast included.

Radio

Radio stations serving the Syracuse area include:

• News/talk: WAER 88.3 FM (NPR), WRVD 90.3 FM (NPR), WSYR 570 AM/106.9 FM (conservative)

Television

Major television stations serving Syracuse include:

• WSTM Channel 3: NBC
• WTVH Channel 5: CBS
• WSYR Channel 9: ABC
• WCNY Channel 24: PBS
• WSYT Channel 68: Fox

Libraries are your best bet for public Internet access, unless you can find a Wi-Fi hot spot elsewhere. Fortunately, the city and its suburbs have an excellent network of libraries, the Onondaga County Public Library System. There are eleven library branches in the city, and more than twenty in the suburbs.

• Central Library

  phone: +1 315 435-1900
  address: 447 S Salina St
  This is the main library for the county, and the biggest of the branches. It's in a large glass building called The Galleries.