Looking for ideas for overnight trips. Preferably no more than 3hr traveling time.Thanks!

Not sure what your interests are or what time of the year you're travelling, but how about Niagara on the Lake, Ontario or the Glen Iris Inn in Letchworth State Park? What are you looking to do on your overnight? Relax? Shop? Sightsee?

Lake Placid? Skaneateles? What do you like to do???

I was also going to suggest Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the Lake. Even in the winter, there is plenty to do. Plus, there are some excellent restaurants at the wineries (Peller Estate, Hillebrand, Inn on the Twenty) and NOTL has nice shopping.

Buffalo has lots to do as well, depending on your interests. I live just outside of the city in Williamsville, NY. There are so many great restaurants, beautiful architecture (including several Frank Lloyd Wright homes), an art gallery focusing on modern art, numerous city parks, eclectic shopping on Elmwood Ave and Allen St and antique shopping on Hertel Ave. If you visit during the summer, there is a festival practically every weekend - the Allentown Art Festival, Taste of Buffalo, Italian Festival etc.

Ottawa! It's a great city and an easy drive from Syracuse.

Another vote for Ottawa. Also Kingston.

When we lived in Syracuse we took a weekend trip to Montreal. Might have been more than 3 hours but I don't think it was more than 4. We drove up after work on a Friday evening. Well worth the drive!

If you're into baseball there's always Cooperstown.

If you are into trains:
Steamtown National Park at Scranton PA

Cooperstown also has Farmers Museum and Fenimore Cooper Museum/Gallery. It's a beautiful little town.

Saratoga Springs for another beautiful town. Or try the Berkshires.

absolutely, no question... Toronto...great, great city.

You didn't mention what time of year, but I agree with Ottawa. If not winter, spend some time around the Thousand Islands on the way.

Another vote for Toronto. It's about a 4.5 hr drive from Syracuse, or you can take the 2 hr ferry from Rochester.

The ferry is no longer in service, and unlikely to be revived again.

Just wanted to mention that the ferry from Rochester toToronto might not be an option anymore. (I'll see what I can find out on that) However I really enjoyed my stay in Toronto as well. Great city! My vote goes for Niagra Falls though!

Why would you ever want to leave Syracuse

I had no idea the ferry was out of service - All that hype for nothing. Did it even run for a year? Well, Toronto is still worth the drive...

It just occured to me that I assumed you meant drive time of 3 hours. NYC is only 45 minutes by plane. Jet Blue has been advertising great winter fares. Something like $49 each way to JFK. Just a thought.

Oh, I forgot about the Thousand Islands...not as much to do as Toronto, but still nice.