I'm going to upstate NY - syracuse area visiting some family out there for the weekend. Is there anything notable up there that I can see or do? Trip ideas? I'll only be there for 3 days!

When are you visiting, and what types of things do you like to do? Wineries? Shopping? Theater? Museums? Tours? Sports?

Right near Syracuse is the Turning Stone Resort and Casino (Verona)... Check out the Show schedule... there's also golf, a spa, gambling, dining and shopping...

Also, just south of the NY Thruway is RT 20... that can be a fun drive through villages, farms, antique shops, diners...

have fun...

I'm visiting in a couple of weeks (end of May). I'd like to do some outdoor activities - hiking, any sort of water activity that sort of thing. We'll Also be traveling to Sherrill, so anywhere on the way would be ideal, but i don't mind traveling.

Also, is Syracuse upstate or central?

Syracuse is Central New York

There are some beautiful state and county parks near by, check out the following:

Clarks Reservation State Park (Close to Syracuse)
http://syr-area.com/cny-parks/clark-reservation.html

Pratts Falls (Close to Syracuse)
http://syr-area.com/cny-parks/pratts-falls.html, and

Chittenango Falls (Close to Syracuse)
http://syr-area.com/cny-parks/chitte...tate-park.html

Highland Forest (Close to Syracuse)
http://onondagacountyparks.com/highland-forest

Letchworth State Park, it's 2 1/2 hours from Syracuse but worth the drive http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/79/details.aspx

Watkins Glen is also a nice place to visit, less than 2 hours away, you drive through some nice towns alone the way and maybe visit some of the wineries as you drive a long the lake. http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/142/maps.aspx

If you have time on Saturday, visit the farmer's market; 300+ vendors with fresh produce, cheese, baked goods, local wine, handmade soaps, and hand crafted items. Don't miss the retail building in the front of the market! http://cnyrma.com

>>

I still consider it upstate.

There is an excellent small museum, The Everson, near the municipal buildings in Syracuse. You can see parts of the Erie Canal, stroll Syracuse U campus.

If you live in NYC, evertything above the Bronx is upstate. But Syracuse is a 5 hour drive from NYC and that should qualify as upstate for anyone.

Adu & SF7307 you're thinking direction vs. location, and that's fine You drive north, so you say "upstate", you are going "upstate" but technically you are not IN Upstate New York. Think of it like you are on 125th st and are going to The MoMA in midtown - you are going downtown, but you are not going to "Downtown Manhattan" - make sense? And it doesn't matter but the drive to NYC from Syracuse does not take 5 hours, unless you are driving 50 miles an hour.

Syracuse is CNY (it's in the middle of the state of NY), there is more of NY State north of Syracuse including Postdam, Oswego, Messena, Watertown, Clayton, the Adirondaks etc. - that is Upstate NY.

There are a lot of great little museums in the area but since the OP asked about hiking, water sports etc. I recommended some nearby state parks. Adu you're right, the Everson is really an excellent facility, and there are some smaller independant galleries that are also very interesting.

sid_vic are you there over memorial day weekend?

We have been to Syracuse on many occassions. My oldest friend used to coach football at SU and we have cousins who live in a nearby suburb. I also have been to Turning Stone on business.

We have flown, driven, and taken the Megabus to Syracuse. It is upstate. In fact what is the hospital called in Syracuse-SUNY Upstate Medical Center and the one in Brooklyn-Downstate.

I live downtown in Manhattan and basically I say I am either going to crosswtown or uptown. It is more directional than location.

Everyone who lives in NYC thinks upstate starts somewhere in Westchester. If I said I was going to Central New York, they would think I did not the know the name of train station.

I grew up on Long Island. I went to college near Syracuse. It's upstate, both location and direction-wise. (Adu, I was going to mention Brooklyn-Downstate, but you saved me the trouble).

Let's say you're in Nevada and you meet someone and ask where they're from. Syracuse, they say. Where's that?, you ask. Somehow I think the answer is going to be "upstate New York", not "central New York State".

Oh dear, this is almost as sensitive a topic as bedbugs, Times Square and short term apartment rentals!

Well, I live in Syracuse; it is not Upstate NY, that geographically is a different region. But if it makes you feel better and you want to call it Upstate go ahead, which would then make Binghamton Central New York? And no, if I was in Nevada and someone hadn't heard of Syracuse I would not say it was in Upstate NY because it's not, I would say it was Central NY, because it is in the middle of the state. Local news website www.cnycentral.com, local magazine CNY/The Good Life, lifestyle section in the local paper is called CNY, the farmer's market I talked about is officially the Central New York Regional Market, etc., etc.

Well now that we have really derailed the OP's thread maybe we can get this into perspective and get back to actually being helpful? I am sure by now they are just thrilled they asked this question!

Sid_Vic you might also like Stone Quarry Art park with 5 miles of hiking trails, and on May 29 there is a Blues, Brews & Barbeque with Max Weinberg, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Coco Montoya, and more. It’s a free show at Chevy Court at the Fairgrounds. Today's paper (5/19) has the Summer Guide in it - have your family pick one up and you can see all the events that will be going on while you're here.

I would recommend Green Lakes State Park for a walk around Green Lake. At the end of May the park will also be open for swimming. The lake and surroundings are beautiful. There are actually 2 lakes in the park that you can walk around. Green lake being the most popular and Round Lake which is more secluded. You can also rent canoes out on the lake.

Beaver Lake Nature Center also has some hiking trails that are easy walks really. Very beautiful place to view the local wildlife. They have a nice gift shop.

As recommended above. The Everson Museum in Syracuse is worth a visit. If you decide to visit it include the Erie Canal Museum as well to learn about the history of Syracuse. Visit the Dinosaur Barbeque for dinner or lunch while there. Awesome food. They have blues bands nightly and no cover charge. Usually kicks off around 9:30PM. Armory Square is full of shops and nice restaurant / bars and the younger crowd loves this little niche. Little Italy is also becoming quite popular with the restaurant scene.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo has an awesome Tiger (Amur Tigers) Exhibit. The female just gave birth to 3 cubs this week. The Zoo is cool and makes for a nice half day adventure.

Love Chittenango Falls for a hike/ picnic.

Onieda Lake Shores State Park might have water sport rentals. It's a short drive north from Syracuse. Beautiful lake and check out the Waterfront Tavern for lunch / dinner.

The Turning Stone is a nice place don't get me wrong but I don't associate it with a visit to Syracuse. It's a 45 minute drive out toward Rome / Utica. It's mostly a casino. You can golf there and pamper in the spa / resort but to me it's not about a visit to Syracuse.

Syracuse is CNY. I also live in a suburb of Syracuse. You are coming at a really good time. All the parks will be open for swimming and you will see lots of people in them as they are heavily used. Have you seen a Great lake? Lake Ontario is close by and Fair Haven State Parks is close by. 45 minute drive from Syracuse. They should rent water craft as well.

Thank you guys for your input! and sorry I brought up a touchy subject!

I was thinking of Chittenango Falls and now that Blues, Brews & BBQ sounds amazing! thanks margo_chester

Hoffmans Coneys (hot dog) a must!

Yes! Heid's hotdogs with Hoffmann mustard are delicious. Heid's is a landmark in Liverpool NY. 5 minutes from downtown Syracuse.

We're all correct:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upstate_new_york

A note about Blues, Brews and BBQ at the NY State Fairgrounds. This is a very popular event here in Syracuse. It didn't start out at the Fairgrounds. It used to be a smaller venue held in a more ideal location and it was fun fun fun! It has outgrown those smaller spots and has moved to the fairgrounds. Expect people to be lined up at the stage hours in advance. Expect lots of drunk people. Expect lots of trash all over the place. If it's raining expect a lot of mud. Now if you can have fun with all that go and have fun. I am shocked that it is free this year. The past 2 years they had raised the ticket prices so much that my husband and I almost considered not going. I know that it will be well attended especially since it's free this year.
Personally - a night of blues at the Dinosaur BBQ after a great Dinosaur dinner would be a lot more fun.
JMVHO.

Here are a few photos taken at thw 2009 State Fair.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Aducham...StateFair2009#

annikany, I was surprised it was free this year too, it's too bad that the crowd has gotten so out of hand, maybe they can get a handle on that this time around . . . I like your suggestion of the Dinosaur!