MEmama Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 (edited) DS will be racing for a few days in Syracuse later this summer and I'm looking for things to do in our extra time after races. I've been through and to the area a few times but not for years. If anyone is local, I'd love some ideas. Doesn't need to be kid stuff, just interesting things we shouldn't miss. Good pubs earn you extra points. :) Thanks! Edited May 29, 2016 by MEmama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 If you'll have kids with you, drive the hour to Rochester to go to the Strong Museum of Play- it's incredible! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 29, 2016 Author Share Posted May 29, 2016 Yeah...he's 13. :). The primary purpose of our trip is racing, but we'll have most of the afternoons and evenings to play and explore. We won't actually be in Syracuse proper but can drive in if there are things to do. It's the part of the country we usually drive straight through out of necessity so it will be nice to have some time there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 (edited) 1.5 hours to Cooperstown if you are into baseball. I hear there is an excellent pub or brewery there, though I am sure there are some closer. Edited May 30, 2016 by plansrme 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Gannon's Ice Cream The indoor ropes course at the Mall (so fun!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 We found the Erie Canal museum pretty cool, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 If you'll have kids with you, drive the hour to Rochester to go to the Strong Museum of Play- it's incredible! 100% agree. It's the best children's museum we've been to (and we've done a LOT!). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 100% agree. It's the best children's museum we've been to (and we've done a LOT!). There is a possibility I have a membership here and have been known to pull DS out of school for a day to go. I actually think there would be plenty to interest a 13-year-old. Destiny USA and the ropes course, both at the mall, are good. The Syracuse zoo is nice. Not so big to be overwhelming but large enough to spend a nice afternoon. You are also not super far from the Thousand Islands, which is my most favorite place ever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 The zoo is nice and worth a visit, if it is open when you are free. There are TONS of restaurants to visit. There is a university there, so a college part of town with all that fun stuff and funky shops etc. There is an absolutely huge mall there. I live about an hour away, but I've never been to the mall. I hear it is epic though. There is a downtown with lots of good brewpubs and restaurants. There are all those little suburbs around the city and they all have something. Some have cute downtowns, you can find a great restaurant hidden away etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 North Country meet up time. :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 North Country meet up time. :D Nah, Syracuse isn't the North Country. I grew up in the North Country, and it ain't Syracuse, lol. This would be central NY. (this is me making a NY joke. You can call it whatever you like...but not North of Albany. People take that sort of thing seriously there) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuzu822 Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 From Destiny, you could also shoot up the parkway to Onondaga Lake Park and go to Heid's for a hot dog. :D At the mall, there's lot of "entertainment" options: puzzle rooms, Wonderworks and the ropes course, go-kart racing, etc. Also down in Cooperstown is the Farmers Museum. You could go out to Auburn or Seneca Falls for the Harriet Tubman Home, William Seward House, and the Women's Rights Historical Park. Skaneateles is scenic and not too far. Sightseeing or dinner cruise, maybe. Dinosaur BBQ has a cruise on the Erie Canal, I discovered yesterday. Lol! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 Gannon's Ice Cream The indoor ropes course at the Mall (so fun!) Ah...great ice cream is important. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 We found the Erie Canal museum pretty cool, too. Oooh this sounds good. I'll check it out! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 The zoo is nice and worth a visit, if it is open when you are free. There are TONS of restaurants to visit. There is a university there, so a college part of town with all that fun stuff and funky shops etc. There is an absolutely huge mall there. I live about an hour away, but I've never been to the mall. I hear it is epic though. There is a downtown with lots of good brewpubs and restaurants. There are all those little suburbs around the city and they all have something. Some have cute downtowns, you can find a great restaurant hidden away etc. I'd forgotten there is a university there. We'll check that area out for sure. Good to know about downtown--they can be hit or miss. Sounds like there's plenty to check out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 From Destiny, you could also shoot up the parkway to Onondaga Lake Park and go to Heid's for a hot dog. :D At the mall, there's lot of "entertainment" options: puzzle rooms, Wonderworks and the ropes course, go-kart racing, etc. Also down in Cooperstown is the Farmers Museum. You could go out to Auburn or Seneca Falls for the Harriet Tubman Home, William Seward House, and the Women's Rights Historical Park. Skaneateles is scenic and not too far. Sightseeing or dinner cruise, maybe. Dinosaur BBQ has a cruise on the Erie Canal, I discovered yesterday. Lol! The history geek in me would love to check out all the historic sites. I'll have to see if there will be time. This gives me a good place to start. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Depending on your dates of travel, you might be able to make the Sterling Renaissance Festival (about an hour north of Syracuse.) Not exactly a pub, but they do have an Ale Fest weekend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 There is a possibility I have a membership here and have been known to pull DS out of school for a day to go. I actually think there would be plenty to interest a 13-year-old. Destiny USA and the ropes course, both at the mall, are good. The Syracuse zoo is nice. Not so big to be overwhelming but large enough to spend a nice afternoon. You are also not super far from the Thousand Islands, which is my most favorite place ever. We love the Thousand Islands! We might make it a longer road trip and spend some time there after. We haven't been to that area in years but used to go through frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Nah, Syracuse isn't the North Country. I grew up in the North Country, and it ain't Syracuse, lol. This would be central NY. (this is me making a NY joke. You can call it whatever you like...but not North of Albany. People take that sort of thing seriously there) Right you are but it's not far. :driving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 If you are there at the end of August, you might enjoy the NY State Fair. Thanks. It will be July, though. Does anyone know if there's a bike path along the Erie Canal? Or would it be deathly humid in July? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpyTheFrog Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Watkins Glen State Park Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 Watkins Glen State Park Ha! Yeah, DH and I camped there years ago--pre-DS. We still have running jokes from that part of the trip (not with the area--it's very pretty-- just with overheard conversations and other random things). DS would love the NASCAR--he's so jealous DH and I have been there--but we won't have time for that. Too bad... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyacinth Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 You won't be too far from Ithaca, which has plenty of outdoorsy options including hiking trails that lead to fantastic waterfalls. And the Ithaca Bakery is yum for lunch! Corning is 2 hours away, but the Corning Museum of Glass was a big hit for our family several years ago. The Finger Lakes are replete with wineries and just plain loveliness in the summer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Wow! The Strong museum does look like it would be a blast for older kids and teens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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