Syracuse bleeds Orange
The Syracuse Orange will take the field in the JMA Wireless Dome this football season and once again a sea of orange clad fans will be there to support them.
Other than a game, what should fans do when they are in Syracuse? Well we’ve got three ideas.
Eat at The Varsity
When you think about a college town you often picture that iconic restaurant on, or just at the edge of campus. At Syracuse, it’s The Varsity. A place where much has remained the same for decades. It’s obviously a spot before and after home games — especially when football wins and the Pride of the Orange heads down to flip the opponent’s banner upside down.
It’s also a place where you could walk in for lunch and find a Syracuse legend sitting at the next table enjoying a slice. As a lot of small businesses get pushed out for chains, places like The Varsity are important to support as they are a comfort for alums who return to a campus that is changing.
Stroll through Downtown
Syracuse isn’t a major city, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find great ways to spend time pre or post-game.
If you’re bringing the family to town, spend an afternoon at The MOST or checking out the Erie Canal Museum. Don’t forget to stop at Scholars and Champs for some vintage Orange gear. As you stroll through Armory Square be sure to stop at the Shot Clock monument, a tribute to Syracuse being the birthplace of the 24-second clock.
If you want to enjoy a meal or drink, you’ve got more options than a service academy offense. You’ve probably heard broadcasters mention Dinosaur Bar-B-Que or Pastabilities, but there’s plenty more in a very walkable Downtown area. No matter where you decide to eat, leave time to catch some music at Kitty Hoyne’s.
Finger Lakes
Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images
Not far from Syracuse you can explore the Finger Lakes region. Plenty of wineries are waiting for your visit, there’s a lot of places to hike, or you can just take your time driving along the lakes checking out the fall foliage.
Visitors to Seneca Lake can walk Watkins Glen State Park or catch a race at Watkins Glen International. You can then take a short trip to Ithaca where there are a series of waterfalls, the gorges at Cornell and stunning views of Cayuga Lake from the campus of Ithaca College.
Skaneateles offers the opportunity to try and catch a glimpse of some celebrities who own homes in the area- maybe you’ll get a shot to spot former Syracuse men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim.
The Finger Lakes region also offers visitors options to learn about the region’s connection to the Underground Railroad. After being in the city, you’ll want to get out and appreciate what Central New York has to offer.