Visiting Syracuse for NCAA tournament, need advice
Mar 21st, 2002 | 02:53 PM
#1
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Visiting Syracuse for NCAA tournament, need advice
My husband and teenage sons are going to Syracuse for the NCAA tournament this weekend. On a previous post, we got some dining suggestions but more would be welcome. The only hotel we could find was the Red Roof Inn, Carrier Circle, everything else was booked. There are no games on Saturday. Need suggestions on where to go to watch the other Regional games. Are there any sports themed bar/restaurants where teens are allowed? Also, since Saturday is a free day with no games, what's there to do and see in Syracuse? Thanks for your help.
Mar 21st, 2002 | 05:54 PM
#2
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Hi Kathy,
The Red-Roof is basic, but you should be fine. Take advantage of the shuttle bus that will run between the hotels on Carrier Circle and Armory Square & the OnCenter. Try not to drive into downtown Syracuse, it will be congested and parking will be difficult. On your "free day" I'd take the shuttle to Armory Square, go to the Museum of Science of Technology (MOST) and see the IMAX films (there is a basketball movie this weekend) and do some shopping (Frog Alley Toys, Sweet on Chocolate, Nancy's Coffee, Petals & Paws, Town & Country Rugs, Eureka Crafts, Marguerite's pour la Table, Raspberry's, Armory Outlet Clothing, etc.) there are some wonderful restaurants there too, and I have to admit, they are ALL good! For Italian I would try Pastabilities (Dante's is very good too, but a little more expensive) for sandwiches, salads & burgers there is Blue Tusk Pub, PJ Dorsey's Pub & Steakhouse, or for a full menu options try Empire Brewery or Phantom Club (great decor). There is also brick-oven pizza at Movino's, and pizza at Biscotti's. Outside of Armory square (but still downtown) you could try Brick Alley Grill House a few blocks over on Montgomery Street. Have dessert at "Happy Endings". Most of the bars have separate seating areas so the teens would be welcome and pubs such as Mulrooney's have large-screen TVs to watch the games. In addition to the TVs in the pubs, the OnCenter will offer a jumbo TV so people can watch the games. If you want to go up to the Dome, take the shuttle to Armory Square and then catch the train up to the Carrier Dome. Your hotel should have information on the transportation options. We have had a very mild winter, but of course this weekend snow & cold are predicted; dress warm! There is a also a large mall - Carousel Center, which is nice but. . . it is "a mall" - go to historic Armory Square for a better "taste of Syracuse". There are other restaurants on Erie Boulevard that are close to your hotel, but they are mostly "chains" - Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. Not to sound like a broken record, but go downtown for something "different". The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra is playing Friday & Saturday evening (tickets start at $15 and are available on the internet) your kids might think is boring but they are playing Ravel's Bolero and special guest is Nexus. There are also several theater productions playing. When you get here, pick up a copy of the "Syracuse New Times" and the Friday edition of the local paper has a "Weekend" section with info on restaurants, theater, movies, the NCAA events and more. There is a TON of stuff to do here, enjoy your weekend!
The Red-Roof is basic, but you should be fine. Take advantage of the shuttle bus that will run between the hotels on Carrier Circle and Armory Square & the OnCenter. Try not to drive into downtown Syracuse, it will be congested and parking will be difficult. On your "free day" I'd take the shuttle to Armory Square, go to the Museum of Science of Technology (MOST) and see the IMAX films (there is a basketball movie this weekend) and do some shopping (Frog Alley Toys, Sweet on Chocolate, Nancy's Coffee, Petals & Paws, Town & Country Rugs, Eureka Crafts, Marguerite's pour la Table, Raspberry's, Armory Outlet Clothing, etc.) there are some wonderful restaurants there too, and I have to admit, they are ALL good! For Italian I would try Pastabilities (Dante's is very good too, but a little more expensive) for sandwiches, salads & burgers there is Blue Tusk Pub, PJ Dorsey's Pub & Steakhouse, or for a full menu options try Empire Brewery or Phantom Club (great decor). There is also brick-oven pizza at Movino's, and pizza at Biscotti's. Outside of Armory square (but still downtown) you could try Brick Alley Grill House a few blocks over on Montgomery Street. Have dessert at "Happy Endings". Most of the bars have separate seating areas so the teens would be welcome and pubs such as Mulrooney's have large-screen TVs to watch the games. In addition to the TVs in the pubs, the OnCenter will offer a jumbo TV so people can watch the games. If you want to go up to the Dome, take the shuttle to Armory Square and then catch the train up to the Carrier Dome. Your hotel should have information on the transportation options. We have had a very mild winter, but of course this weekend snow & cold are predicted; dress warm! There is a also a large mall - Carousel Center, which is nice but. . . it is "a mall" - go to historic Armory Square for a better "taste of Syracuse". There are other restaurants on Erie Boulevard that are close to your hotel, but they are mostly "chains" - Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. Not to sound like a broken record, but go downtown for something "different". The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra is playing Friday & Saturday evening (tickets start at $15 and are available on the internet) your kids might think is boring but they are playing Ravel's Bolero and special guest is Nexus. There are also several theater productions playing. When you get here, pick up a copy of the "Syracuse New Times" and the Friday edition of the local paper has a "Weekend" section with info on restaurants, theater, movies, the NCAA events and more. There is a TON of stuff to do here, enjoy your weekend!
Mar 22nd, 2002 | 04:19 AM
#4
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The On Center is the convention center about 3 or 4 blocks from Armory Square. It's an easy walk and you can cut thru the Atrium building (where the main library and a small foodcourt is located) for part of it. The weather is pretty bad today and is predicted to be cold and snowy for the weekend, so I'm guessing that the On Center will have lots going on for all the NCAA visitors. Many of the outdoor activities planned for the Armory Square area will probably move indoors to the On Center.
It's a mile or so hike to the Dome from the Armory & OnCenter. I would take the train ($3 roundtrip), but be forewarned that the train stop is at the bottom of the SU hill - it's 2 blocks steep uphill to the dome!
There is a hockey game (Syracuse Crunch) Saturday evening, too. Downtown at the war memorial, directly across the street from the On Center.
It's a mile or so hike to the Dome from the Armory & OnCenter. I would take the train ($3 roundtrip), but be forewarned that the train stop is at the bottom of the SU hill - it's 2 blocks steep uphill to the dome!
There is a hockey game (Syracuse Crunch) Saturday evening, too. Downtown at the war memorial, directly across the street from the On Center.
Mar 22nd, 2002 | 04:26 AM
#5
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Don't forget about the Everson Museum (also downtown and within walking distance to Armory Square & the OnCenter) Nice exhibit space (including a Stickley exhibit), you can go through the museum in a few hours and there is a nice cafe for lunch/snack. The Onondaga historical association has a great Franklin Car exhibit and one on Syracuse China and is near Brick Alley Grill House on Montgomery St.
Mar 22nd, 2002 | 05:14 AM
#6
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I'll add just a few items...
Sports bar/restaurant where you can take teens is Tully's on Erie Blvd. near Thompson Rd. They have food similar to an Applebee's type menu and a totally sports oriented them with lots of TV's - suitable for a family with teens. In Armory Square I'll steer you to Freedom of Espresso for coffee rather than Nancy's because they have better coffee drinks and they are locally owned (not a chain). Around the corner on S. Clinton is happy Endings Coffeehouse - it's very popular with teens and folks in their early 20's - kind of a funky atmosphere. If you have a chance on Saturdayu you might drive up to Westcott Street (about 1 1/2 miles from downtown going east) and try Alto Cinco restaurant. It's a NYC style bistro (very small) and has phenomenal very authentic mexican influenced food. The Automobile History Museum is a good suggestion. There is a Syracuse businessman who ois the world's foremost dealer in literature, ephemera and advertising products for classic and antique cars. He has a huge personal collection and started/funded a museum to display these to the public. There are no cars in the collection but it's supposed to be fascinating and if your teenage boys like cars as many do, they will enjoy it. IMAX is a good suggestions and if you do choose to take in a movie, the theatre at the Carousel Mall si the place to go. The Everson is a nice regional museum, particularly their excellent ceramics collection, but it may have limited interest for most teens.
Sports bar/restaurant where you can take teens is Tully's on Erie Blvd. near Thompson Rd. They have food similar to an Applebee's type menu and a totally sports oriented them with lots of TV's - suitable for a family with teens. In Armory Square I'll steer you to Freedom of Espresso for coffee rather than Nancy's because they have better coffee drinks and they are locally owned (not a chain). Around the corner on S. Clinton is happy Endings Coffeehouse - it's very popular with teens and folks in their early 20's - kind of a funky atmosphere. If you have a chance on Saturdayu you might drive up to Westcott Street (about 1 1/2 miles from downtown going east) and try Alto Cinco restaurant. It's a NYC style bistro (very small) and has phenomenal very authentic mexican influenced food. The Automobile History Museum is a good suggestion. There is a Syracuse businessman who ois the world's foremost dealer in literature, ephemera and advertising products for classic and antique cars. He has a huge personal collection and started/funded a museum to display these to the public. There are no cars in the collection but it's supposed to be fascinating and if your teenage boys like cars as many do, they will enjoy it. IMAX is a good suggestions and if you do choose to take in a movie, the theatre at the Carousel Mall si the place to go. The Everson is a nice regional museum, particularly their excellent ceramics collection, but it may have limited interest for most teens.
Mar 26th, 2002 | 02:53 PM
#9
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If it's not too late to respond- there are some neat ben and breakfast (I had a sim. situation last year and found 4 at bedandbreakfast.com) I lived in Syracuse 2 decades ago, and was surprised - the campus is very easy to get around - def. switch hotels, not good area, not good hotel! walk around Marshall street for local fare, King Davids is still the best for Turkish foods, down town has really come together and there are a few good options near the old Syracuse hOTEL -
