Syracuse Travel Guide

Located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, Syracuse is one of the busiest areas in the state and the snowiest large city in America. With the nickname ‘City of Festivals’ and winner many times over of the Golden Snowball award, Syracuse has plenty to offer tourists including a whole host of recreational activities.

Syracuse New York takes its name from the original Syracuse on the eastern coast of Sicily, although it bears little in resemblance. The town is an important rail hub and crossroads between Erie Canal and its branches, and is today fed by two major interstate highways - 90 and 81.

Downtown is a bustling area and features the Carousel Center shopping mall and several interesting museums. There are also many convention sites in town and some popular beaches in suburban Syracuse. Of the many festivals that Syracuse hosts, the Latin American Festival and the Guinness Irish Festival are the most popular.

Syracuse attractions

The Everson Museum of Art: features a massive pottery collection as well as works of American art spanning from the 18th to today.

International Mask and Puppet Museum: this curious museum displays numerous colorful masks and puppets, and can be found in the Little Italy area of town.

Big Don’s Wild River Mini Golf: situated in north Syracuse, Big Don’s is great for the kids, with mini golf, gemstone panning, a maze, Treasure Big Boxes and rock climbing.

Oneida Shores: also in the northern suburbs of Syracuse on the largest inland lake in the state, this fine county park offers many types of adventure activities.

Erie Canal Museum: covering the building of the canal, designed to link New York City and the Great Lakes, is documented in a former canal weighing station.