Summer is just around the corner! Spending the summer in Syracuse offers plenty of things to do, from brunch, to hiking, to seeing a movie. Read on for five things to do if you’re planning on spending your summer in the Syracuse area!
Hike at Chimney Bluffs State Park
There are so many great places to hike in Central New York! If you’re up for a day trip and amazing views, consider heading to Chimney Bluffs State Park. The land and water create one of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in Central New York! There are five trails to choose from that range from 0.2-1.3 miles long, so you can really customize your hiking experience! But if you want to get a close look at the earthen spires that make this park so unique, be sure to use the Bluff or Drumlin trails! Not feeling like a hike? There are plenty of places to hang by the water and have a picnic.
Have Dinner in Armory Square
Armory Square is the home of many restaurants that offer outdoor seating in the summer. Feeling a modern, New York City vibe restaurant for dinner? Happy Hour at The York offers dollar oysters, dinner and drink specials. In the mood for Thai food? Lemon Grass offers a great menu with lots of variety. Craving Italian food? Apizza Regionale is a great place to dine for the night!
Enjoy Dollar Thursdays at the Syracuse Mets
Thursday nights are always a great time to get outside, spend time with friends and celebrate that the weekend’s almost here. Plan a group outing to a Syracuse Mets home game to enjoy their Dollar Thursday deals! You can get fountain Coca-Cola drinks for $1, hot dogs for $2, and a special $1 souvenir from the Team Store. Thursday nights don’t work for you? The Mets have special deals and theme nights throughout the entire baseball season, so you’re in for a fun time no matter when you go. Head to the park, watch a great baseball game and have a blast with your friends!
See a Drive-In Movie
Located about 40 minutes from the University campus, the Midway Drive-in Theatre shows movies after dark on the weekends for only $9. The drive-in plays a mix of brand-new blockbusters and older classics, so make sure to check out the movie schedule on their website to see what you’ll be viewing! Midway typically opens for the season in early May and closes sometime in the fall, so you have ample opportunity to catch a movie or two. Grab some friends, blankets and snacks, and prepare for a fun night outside!
Treat Yourself to Sunday Brunch
Sunday brunch is a great way to enjoy a summer morning and grab a tasty meal with friends. Syracuse has a variety of restaurants that serve brunch and offer both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s also a great time of year to plan a brunch outing; with so many students away for the summer, you won’t be competing with as many people for a table! Downtown restaurant Le Melange is open for brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a menu of French toast, eggs, croissants and more. Rise N Shine on Westcott Street has a full brunch menu that includes unique twists on eggs, pancakes, coffee, milkshakes and so much more. Open till 5 p.m. on Sundays, Rise N Shine is a great place to try something new! There are also several other delicious brunch spots to try out around town, like Modern Malt, Funk N Waffles, and Oh My Darling. Make sure to check one (or all of them) out this summer!
Summer is when Syracuse blooms, so make sure to take advantage of the sun and get outside! Summers in Syracuse are where it’s at!
Written by Tessa Hodinger G’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
This list is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.