Syracuse Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Clinton Square featuring heritage architecture, a park and a city
Syracuse featuring flowers and a city
Landmark Theatre featuring heritage elements and interior views
Syracuse showing modern architecture
Syracuse which includes a city and heritage architecture

This city in Central New York’s Finger Lakes region offers college sports, summer sunshine and plentiful winter snow for year-round indoor and outdoor activities.

Enjoy fun-filled days of outdoor activities, shopping and cultural pursuits in the geographic heart of New York State. Syracuse has old roots as the primary supplier of salt for the United States. The modern presence of Syracuse University and numerous attractions give it a youthful vigor.

Kick-start your visit with outdoor activities at local parks. Spend half a day or more at Onondaga Lake Park. Walk along 7 miles (11 kilometers) of shoreline, rent a boat, visit the butterfly garden and play ball games on the sports fields. While you’re there, investigate the Salt Museum on the lake’s eastern shore to learn about the industry that built Syracuse.

Delve into the past at the Erie Canal Museum to learn about New York canals’ important role in American history. See how the 363-mile (584-kilometer) Erie route was built by hand.

Fill your shopping bags at Destiny USA, a massive six-story mall with more than 250 outlets. It also has attractions such as a mirror maze and the Canyon Climb Adventure, a suspended indoor climbing course.

Buy tickets in advance for an NCAA Division I college sports event inside the Syracuse University Carrier Dome. Join the college crowd to celebrate afterward at the Armory Square neighborhood.

Treat children to a visit to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park it houses more than 700 animals, including elephants, tigers, bears and wolves. If you’re in the city in August go to the Great New York State Fair, with 12 days of rides, exhibits and entertainment. Check the fairgrounds website to see what events are happening at other times of the year.

Syracuse is 160 miles (257 kilometers) from Niagara Falls and 246 miles (396 kilometers) from New York City, with bus service from both locations. It has its own airport. Lake Ontario and the waterfalls, parks, hiking trails and ski slopes of the Finger Lakes region are about an hour away, offering swimming, skiing, hiking, fishing and autumn leaf-peeping.

Where to stay in Syracuse

Clinton Square featuring heritage architecture, a park and a city

Downtown Syracuse

3/5(1 area review)

Downtown Syracuse is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Landmark Theatre and Clinton Square while you're in town.

Downtown Syracuse
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Lakefront

If you're spending some time in Lakefront, Destiny USA and NBT Bank Stadium are top sights worth seeing.

Lakefront
Carrier Dome showing modern architecture

Eastside

While visiting Eastside, you might make a stop by sights like JMA Wireless Dome and Syracuse Stage.

Eastside
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Westside

When in Westside, you can plan a visit to Rosamond Gifford Zoo and Armory Square, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westside
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Southside

While Southside isn't home to many top sights, Rosamond Gifford Zoo and Museum of Science and Technology are some notable places to visit nearby.

Southside
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Northside

If you're spending some time in Northside, ArtRage Gallery and Museum of International Masks and Puppets are top sights worth seeing.

Northside
LivAway Suites- Syracuse

LivAway Suites- Syracuse

2 out of 5
6595 Thompson Rd, Syracuse, NY
The price is AU$142 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$142
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Syracuse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Destiny USA and JMA Wireless Dome are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (411 reviews)
"Liked the full size fridge and counter space. Kitchenette was nice. Room was clean. We liked the security."

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

LivAway Suites- Syracuse
Comfort Inn & Suites Syracuse-Carrier Circle

Comfort Inn & Suites Syracuse-Carrier Circle

2.5 out of 5
6491 Thompson Rd, Syracuse, NY
The price is AU$182 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$182
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Syracuse. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (937 reviews)
Comfortable corner of the world
"The staff were helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Syracuse-Carrier Circle
Marriott Syracuse Downtown

Marriott Syracuse Downtown

4 out of 5
100 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$227 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$227
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Syracuse. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The staff was very helpful and courteous. The room was very spacious and clean."

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Marriott Syracuse Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Golf, Outdoor Bar, Restaurant - The Tranquil Cabin

Golf, Outdoor Bar, Restaurant - The Tranquil Cabin

Tully
Stay at this cabin in Tully. Enjoy patios, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Vesper Hills Golf Club and Song Mountain Resort ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
The Tranquil Cabin
"Great place to stay with the family for a few nights over the 4th of July. The room was clean, modern and very spacious. I won't hesitate to stay here again for our next visit!"

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Golf, Outdoor Bar, Restaurant - The Tranquil Cabin
Historic Downtown Seneca Falls Apartment

Historic Downtown Seneca Falls Apartment

Seneca Falls
Stay at this apartment in Seneca Falls. Enjoy free WiFi, a sauna, and a garden. Popular attractions It's A Wonderful Life Museum and Seneca Museum of Waterways ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
Mini vacation
"Apartment is beautifully furnished and clean. Love the restoration of this old home. Pictures and descriptions are accurate. A fun and charming town very close by."

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

Historic Downtown Seneca Falls Apartment
New King Guest Suite with Hot Tub, Fire Table & Private Deck!

New King Guest Suite with Hot Tub, Fire Table & Private Deck!

Fayetteville
Stay at this condo in Fayetteville. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions JMA Wireless Dome and Towne Center Mall are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Perfection
"The Lola is such a lovely, cozy suite! The amenities and features were amazing, especially the bathroom, hot tub, bed, lighting fixtures, and fireplace. The only thing I wished is if check-in was a couple hours earlier to give more time to enjoy our stay! If you’re looking for a perfect spot to relax ..."

Reviewed on 11 May 2025

New King Guest Suite with Hot Tub, Fire Table & Private Deck!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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