Syracuse is a city that has a lot to offer. From a lively college scene with championship athletics to a burgeoning downtown and rich cultural roots, this city offers something for everyone.
For sports fans, the Carrier Dome is a must-visit. Located on the campus of Syracuse University, this stadium is the largest domed stadium in upstate New York with seating for almost 50,000 people.
1. Carrier Dome
Carrier Dome is the largest domed sports stadium in the North-East region of the United States. It’s home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball and lacrosse teams.
The domed stadium has been a staple of the Syracuse University campus for decades, hosting major events and sporting tournaments. The arena also serves as a venue for concerts, performances and other activities.
When Syracuse’s home football team is playing, the fans fill up the Carrier Dome. They’re a passionate group of Orange fans, led by Otto’s Army, that helps make the dome one of the best college football environments in the country.
2. Everson Museum of Art
The Everson Museum of Art is one of Syracuse’s most celebrated attractions. It is a significant cultural institution that focuses on American art and is the first museum in the world to have devoted its entire collection to it.
A major part of its mission is to foster community engagement through its exhibitions and related public programs. The museum also houses one of the country’s largest ceramics collections and a pioneering art video collection.
The Everson Museum of Art was designed by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei and opened in 1968. Located in downtown Syracuse, it is a brutalist building that broke the mold on traditional museum design.
3. Webster Pond
If you love wildlife and nature, Webster Pond is a must-visit in Syracuse. It is a 95-acre sanctuary in the Valley neighborhood that is open daily.
The pond is operated by the Anglers Association of Onondaga, which offers fishing instruction and other events. It also features handicapped-accessible walkways and extended trails.
The pond is named after Revolutionary War veteran Ephraim Webster, who was reputed to be the first white settler in Onondaga County. It’s also home to many types of wildlife, including ducks, Canada geese, heron, purple marten, deer and fox.
4. Green Lakes State Park
Tucked in the Town of Manlius east of Syracuse, Green Lakes State Park is a popular vacation destination. It features two blue-green glacial lakes surrounded by old growth forests of hemlocks and tulip trees.
Both lakes are unusual in that they do not undergo the annual mixing of their deepest waters with their surface water. Instead, they are meromictic lakes, resulting in a lack of oxygen in the water and rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
The state park offers numerous facilities, including cabins and campsites, an 18-hole golf course, a playground for children, food concessions and a nature center. There are also hiking trails that wind through a gorge and across hills.
5. Armory Square
Armory Square, once a bustling industrial area, has now become a popular neighborhood with specialty restaurants and bars. It is also home to the IMAX theater at the MOST, a science and technology museum and several outdoor events.
If you're a sports fan, Armory Square is home to the Carrier Dome stadium, which is the largest domed venue in the Northeast. This 50,000-seat facility is the home of the Syracuse University Orange NCAA Division I football, basketball and lacrosse teams.
The area has seen a renaissance in the last thirty years and is a popular destination for locals and tourists. The streets are lined with trees and brick sidewalks and there are several parks.
6. Destiny USA
With over 250 stores and outlets, you'll find everything you need at Destiny USA. It's a shopping, dining and entertainment destination like no other.
It's New York's largest mall and is visited by over 26 million visitors a year! You'll find retail and outlet brands like Apple, Coach and Nordstrom Rack here.
You'll also find games and fun attractions like the world's largest suspended ropes course or a thrill-seeking go-kart track.
It's a fun destination for all ages! And it's a great place to shop for gifts.
