Anyone live in Syracuse, NY?? I have questions!!

[jenny2]

I’m planning a mini-meet for a group of friends who all have little kids (anywhere from 1 yo – 5 yo). We’re planning to meet in Syracuse, NY because it’s central to all of us. However, none of us live there… so…

I have lots of questions! What sections of town would you recommend? Any hotel recommendations? What activities does Syracuse have? Zoos? Parks? I’ve looked online, but I’d really like to get opinions from people who live there and really know Syracuse.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[mtemm]

We just moved to Syracuse last October, so am still getting to know the area, but let me see what I can do. I have a 15 month old and am going to a playgroup this morning, so I'll ask the mom's there for ideas, too.

Syracuse does have a zoo, which I'm ashamed to say we have yet to get to. It seems like its been raining here every day for a month! LOL! I know it hasn't but it feels that way. Next nice day we are there! My neighbor's have told me its not terribly impressive, but I think at this age the kids won't care. My son would be facinated by dogs, let alone anything more exotic.

When are you planning on coming?

Daniel just woke up from his nap, so I have to run. Will get back to you this afternoon.

Marcia

 

[jenny2]

We'll be there in August, so hopefully the weather will cooperate. We're a bunch of moms who met online when we were pregnant in 1999 and had our babies in May/June of 2000. We chat daily and a few of us are here in the northeast.

I hear you on the rain, lol! It hasn't been much better in Mass. We're not looking for anything too involved. We'll only be there 2 nights and we're meeting basically just to see each other and be able to actually talk, lol! A hotel near a nice park where we can sit and chat while the kids play would be wonderful

Thanks for asking the other moms for me! I knew I could get great information here

 

[caitycaity]

i grew up in syracuse, and lived there for 15 years. syracuse does have a zoo, and the last time i went (admittedly about 7 years ago) it was pretty nice.

there is also the MOST (museum of science and technology) which is great for kids.

 

[jenny2]

 

[bambii]

there was a small town east of there called Oneida and to the north of that is a lake and on the lake is a place called sylvan beach and on the beach is an amusement park.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Never lived there, but BIL and SIL have for 20 years, so we visit often.

Barnett Zoo is great - not the San Diego Zoo, but nice.

There are several hotels on Carrier Circe that are nice - Avoic the Hotel Syracuse downtime (it used to be nice, but is a 'faded lady' at this point) They just built some brand new Homewood Suites downtown (ina restored building) which you might want to check out. The Craftsmen Inn in Fayetteville (a suburb) is very nice and has some mini-suites. And, it's across the street from Target!

There is a Carousel Mall - it's huge, and has a theatre for rainy days, and several hundred stores.

There are some museums (including an Erie Canal museum). Downtown is small, but nice enough to walk around in. The Armory Square area has some nice restaurants. There's A Speghetti Warehouse restaurant off route 81 that's great for kids. Plus, every national chain (Friday's, Chili's, Applebees, etc) you can think of.

Hope this helps.

 

[jimmybop]

Originally posted by bambii
there was a small town east of there called Oneida and to the north of that is a lake and on the lake is a place called sylvan beach and on the beach is an amusement park.

just had to reply cuz someone said Oneida

Sylvan Beach is nice for kids (its no disney/six flags/etc. But they got some fun little rides, and some great places to eat there too. There is a nice little beach there if its warm out, the kids can play in the sand.

Its easy to find on a map, just look for Oneida Lake (just east of Syracuse) and it is on the east shore.

 

[jenny2]

 

[oldkicker]

I'm a Syracuse native.

I'll second some of the things said already. Avoid the Hotel Syracuse, it's really the pits these days. The Residence Inn just off of Carrier Circle (Exit 35 of the Thruway) is pretty good and they do run special weekend rates.

The zoo is pretty good, and the MOST is very good - there's an IMAX theater there too - they usually have several features running at once. The MOST is downtown, right in the middle of Armory Square. There are a lot of very good restaurants there, ranging from pizza to some of the best barbeque you'll find! You could also walk over to the Erie Canal Museum - there is a full-sized canal barge there that's pretty good fun to explore. I'm pretty sure you can take a tour of the Carrier Dome too, if you're so inclined. There's a train that runs from Armory Square to Syracuse University. It lets you off a couple of blocks from the Dome. The same train, going in the opposite direction, goes to Carousel Center too. There is a big food court there along with some sit-in restaurants.

There are quite a few parks, some of them along the Erie Canal, in and around Syracuse.

There are also a lot of activities that are planned for downtown throughout the summer. If you'd like, let me know exactly when you;re coming and I'll see what's going on then!

BTW - Carrier Circle is about 10-15 minutes from downtown. You can get from anywhere to anywhere in town in about 20 minutes!

Have fun!

 

[Scottwdw]

Another native Central New Yorker here.

The Beaver Lake Nature Center (about 25 minutes west of Syracuse) is very nice. Onondaga Lake Park, in Liverpool, just west of Syracuse (5 minutes from the Carousel Mall) has picnic and playground facilities.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnett Park is one of the best small zoos in the country. And, yes, there's a park next to the zoo for a picnic with playgrounds plus a pool. Here's the link: http://rosamondgiffordzoo.com/

Let us know when you are coming!

 

[jenny2]

Thanks so much for the info everyone!! We've decided to go to the zoo... all the kids love going to zoos. We'll probably hang out at the park first, to let the kids all meet and get to know each other. Hopefully the weather will cooperate!

I feel so much better about this trip now that I'm armed with info... thanks again!!

 

[mazzarafe]

We are taking a trip mid July all the girls(me, my 2 girls, MIL , Nonnie and DH Aunt) to go visit my DH's Aunt who lives in Auburn which is about a half hour west of Syracuse.

Our last trip 2 summers ago we went to the zoo and the girls loved it. They had pony/horse rides that you could purchase for about $1 each that they already have me pinned for this trip. They are looking forward to going back.

We have also been several times to the Carousel Mall as the ride is a must each time. Also in the mall they have a restuaraunt called Big Kahuna's that is similar to the Rain Forest Cafe. Instead of having a storm every 25 minutes the servers all line up and sing and do a line type dance in front of their big wall fountain. We went there last trip and I'm hoping to go again this time.

There are also alot of places to go to see waterfalls too. We went last time to a place called Buttermilk Falls. Not exactly sure which way it was cause DH's uncle drove my van for me. You can try looking around online to see if there are any near there, they have alot of lakes and parks around.

Good luck with your trip.