SHIT YOU DON’T WANT TO DO IN SYRACUSE, NY
There simply isn’t a proper source of good info on things to do in Syracuse. There are however, plenty of people who “participate” by complaining, comparing and contrasting our city to other cities with the hope someone will come along to do all the work for them. That is a lot of wasted time and energy, in my opinion. Sure there’s a handful of organizations that mean well, but in the end they all work parallel to each other, preventing real advancement.
Truth is there aren’t right or wrong choices when it comes to how we want to spend our time. There’s just what’s right for you, what’s right for me and the possibility of us each experiencing something new.
Here’s the thing: stop doing shit you don’t like. And Stop saying, “There’s nothing do to around here.”
Whenever you hear a local naysayer or curious visitor say that phrase bust out your phone and show them this list! Maybe they’ll learn something from its tongue-in-cheek delivery and you can encourage them to speak positively about our city after their experiences. Call me crazy, but I love to see people happy and telling other people why they enjoy our city.
101 to 91: #
101 - DON’T RUN A MARATHON - Don’t jog. Listen to all the reports that claim it will permanently injure your knees. Don’t get healthy and meet people with similar goals and interests. #
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Head over to FLEET FEET and check out their RUNNER’S CALENDAR (named one of the TOP 50 best running stores in America 10 years in a row, since it’s inception in 2006) to sign-up for training classes, half/full marathons or even a 5k. Stop by their shop for every imaginable running accessory you could ask for, and join one of the largest growing communities in CNY.
FLEET FEET
100 - DON’T GET CULTURED - I mean who cares about ART, MUSIC, or HISTORY anyways? It’s not like Syracuse has any museums that were designed by an internationally acclaimed architect, who also created the single most recognized structure at a museum in the entire world. Or that they have a massive collection of artifacts from our entire county’s history assembled in the former largest Telephone Directory building downtown. Hell, it would be unheard of that we lay claim to having the ONLY building of its kind that is dedicated to teaching you about one of the longest navigable water routes ever attempted. #
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Head to the EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART for their new exhibit featuring the world’s largest collection of pottery. While you’re at it, you might as well get lost in I.M. Pei’s “work of art to house works of art.” You can day dream of visiting some of his other works around the world like the Glass pyramid at the entrance to the Louvre in Paris.
Talk a stroll down Montgomery Street and visit OHA (the Onondaga Historical association), to take a stroll down memory lane. That is literally stroll through exhibits about the history of our county including artifacts, interactive displays and rotating curations of CNY curiosities! Learn about the IRON PIER that once covered the shores of Onondaga Lake with resorts and every end, or Syracuse’s crucial involvement in the Underground Railroad.
OHA
Stay on the path, the towpath that is, and you’ll find yourself at a small group of humans committed to preserving the only existing weighlock building in the United States. The Erie Canal Museum stands as a monument to the Erie Canal’s transformative role in the history of America. It’s exhibits show off Canal-inspired inventions and the waterway’s role in our country’s social and economic development.
ERIE CANAL MUSEUM
99 - I GOT 99 PROBLEMS, BUT A PUB AIN’T ONE - Don’t even think about asking someone where the nearest pub is. It’s not like Syracuse has a tradition of quality alehouses and an illustrious brewing history. Not that there’s enough (GREEN) beer to share with visitors anyways. Forget pub crawls. Forget Sunday Fundays. Forget trivia nights. #
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Consider visiting Tipp Hill, a Syracuse neighborhood largely settled by immigrants from Ireland. It’s a place full of bars and homegrown hospitality. Visit the only green-over-red, upside-down traffic light in the world and learn the folklore behind it. Enjoy some of the most sought after pub fare this side of the pond at The Blarney Stone and watch wee folk try to enter the Leprechaun door at Coleman’s lively, long-running tavern.
98 - DON’T PRETEND YOU CAN COOK - Just because you turn on the Food Network and watch Guy Fieri doesn’t make you America’s Next Top Chef. I see you on Pinterest and Instagram searching the #foodporn, while searching youtube for HOW-TO cooking tutorials. Just order take-out already. #
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Check out the monthly culinary demonstration and group dining experience FARM TO FORK 101 and learn from local area chefs as they use all local ingredients to cook you a multiple course meal. Enjoy a sustainable experience that reconnects the farmer with the consumer. A way to teach individuals how to eat and cook locally and this series of events at rotating local eateries.
FARM TO FORK 101
Oh let’s not forget to mention that Guy Feiri came to town and featured numerous Syracuse area eateries a few years back. If you’re in Armory Square you can visit five out of the six in a single block! There’s also a progressive food tour that guides you from appetizer to dessert through all six as-seen-on-TV spots. BOOK YOUR TOUR
97 - DON’T ENJOY THE OUTDOORS! I mean go ahead and be afraid of the polar vortex. Let precipitation ruin your plans. Stay at home and play pitch with your cat. #
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Take advantage of the fact that we are centrally located between the Adirondaks, Leatherstocking and Finger Lakes Regions and have plenty of outdoor activities throughout the winter. Explore fields of untouched snow at Beaver Lake Nature Center by SNOWSHOEING
Feeling romantic? Take a horse-drawn carriage ride at HIGHLAND FORREST want to get your aerobics on? Cross-country skiing at GREEN LAKES STATE PARK
Or even skate in the shadow of the 52ft. Tall Norwegian Spruce in CLINTON SQUARE
96 - DEFINITELY WATCH NETFLIX INSTEAD OF SEEING AN OFF BROADWAY PRODUCTION! - Why see Rent, when you can rent movies on Vudu or binge watch “Making A Murderer”? It’s not like we have one of eight theaters that’s part of grant that allows actual Broadway productions to tech out their shows for a month here in our city before returning to tour! #
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Get tickets to one or more of the Famous Artists performances coming to the majestic Landmark (part of said grant) or nearly 3,000 seat Crouse-Hinds Theater:
January
MAMMA MIA!
February
RIVERDANCE
March
WICKED
April
BEAUTIFUL
May
MOTOWN
TIX
95 - DON’T GET FUNKY - Because you apparently love napster so much that Lars Ulrich from Metallica has been sending you hate mail since Y2K. You should probably leave your college dorm and head out into the world without your Beats by Dre. #
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You could visit one of the many locations that feature live music outside the major venues in town. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Funk ‘N Waffles downtown offer live music every night of the week, Otro and Alto Cinco have late night jam sessions and a Reggae brunch on Sundays. Open mic nights at Shifty’s and Maxwells have grown into eclectic compilations of local artist showcases. There’s more live music than ever in the city, and all you gotta do is follow the sound.
94 - TELL EVERYONE THAT THERE’S NO UNIQUE SHOPS! It’s not like we have a bourgeoning small business alliance or a kinship amongst boutique owners that offer everything from custom kicks to vintage apparel and bohemian chic wares to a diverse collection of contemporary jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, metal and fiber made exclusively by American artists. #
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We totally have all that and more! From Ambition Upstate on North Salina with limited edition kicks that Yeezy himself would cop to Vintage Love on S. Warren St., featuring both vintage womenswear and accessories by Maeflowers Vintage and home goods curated by Driftwood and Glitter under one roof. Midnight Sun in Armory Square on Franklin St. features an ever evolving array of products: clothing, house wares, jewelry, textiles, candles, blankets, books and everything bohemian. Eureka Co. in Armory on Walton St. Is a brick & mortar shop of all things beautiful and handmade in the USA. And that’s just a selection of the boutiques offering unique gifts and goods all year round!
93 - DO NOT ATTEND A ROUSING SPORTING EVENT AT THE WAR MEMORIAL! Fast-paced indoor American football? Hard-hitting ice hockey with vicious upstate rivalries? No thanks, but I’ll stay at home and play FIFA 97 or Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey on Nintendo64 and dream of having good seats at the arena. #
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You could attend one of the Syracuse Silver Knights professional indoor soccer team matches as they take on teams from all over the East Coast. And then return to the same arena when the turf is gone and the ice is set for the battle of 81 as the Utica Comets, Binghampton Senators and Syracuse Crunch check, skate and slap shot their way into the Calder Cup Finals!
92 - DON’T TRY SOMETHING NEW! As Syracuse fan Jimmy Fallon would say, “New is ew!” Don’t take a class or workshop or lesson those are for people who like to learn new skills and meet people. #
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You could bridge the gap between cultures through dance one step at a time, with La Familia de Salsa lessons. La Familia offers a variety of Latin dance classes at locations throughout Central New York (and they rotate partners in every class, so, there is NO partner necessary)!
LEARN TO SALSA
Ish Guitars has private guitar lessons in their whisper room by Jay Lock who studied at the Berklee School of Music and can be seen on stage with Skunk City Funk locally.
LEARN TO SHRED
Not musically inclined? How about learning how to scuba dive on Erie Blvd. National Aquatic Services offers a variety of scuba specialty courses to further your dive education and help you br ready for your next scuba adventure!
LEARN TO SCUBA
91 - DON’T WAIT FOR THE REST OF THIS LIST TO BE PUBLISHED. We don’t want your suggestions or feedback or shares on social media. #
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If you read these ten suggestions on SHIT YOU DON’T WANT TO DO IN SYRACUSE: first of all thanks; and secondly, you’re probably out enjoying life in the Salt City, and you don’t have any suggestions for us, and you probably also aren’t quivering in anticipation for the next parts of this list. Unless you are, in which case we’d love to hear from you. NOW CARPE THAT DIEM!
HOLY SHIT IT’S COLD OUT!
SHIT YOU SHOULDN’T DO IN WINTER IN SYRACUSE, NY
90 - DON’T GO OUTSIDE! I believe it was Dr. Evil while speaking to his cat that once said, “It’s frickin’ freezing in here Mr. Bigglesworth!” #
I’m pretty sure he was talking about everyplace in Syracuse. Why go outside when the wind-shield factor could have you looking like Anorld in Batman & Robin.
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You could dress in layers players! Go outside, enjoy (Christopher) Waking in a Winter Wonderland and take advantage by building a real life frosty look-a-like or waving your arms to create a snow angel. No better time of year to embrace the fluffy stuff. We suggest you find a nice newly fallen patch of snow and build a snow igloo then get direct TV for it!
89 - DON’T TRY TO BE GRACEFUL - Sliding across the newly zambonied ice, while you try to aim a giant weighed hockey puck with a handle into a bullseye zone sounds like a good way to spend a Tuesday night…not. #
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Forget Netflix and Chill this Winter, Come Curl! Travel an hour and meet up with the Utica Curling Club, who invites you to join them for an evening to learn how to curl. This is a great way to get on the ice to learn the basics of curling. If getting on the ice isn’t your idea of fun, you can still stop by, and grab a drink at the bar Perhaps your next Netflix movie will be about curling!
Recommended: king of curling + Men with brooms!
88 - DON’T RECITE VANILLA ICE LYRICS #
If Ice, Ice baby didn’t pop into your head immediately upon reading that, we can’t be friends. But seriously Ice is Nice if you aren’t being hip checked!
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Get your ONO on and consider joining the [Syracuse Speed Skating Club](www.syracusespeedskating.org)
Get your Nancy Kerrigan on at the [Syracuse Figure Skating Club](www.skatesyracuse.com)
Got lil Great One wannabes? the Onondaga Youth Hockey Association offers teams for all age and skill levels. Learn more at [OYHA](www.oyha.org)
87 - DON’T GO TO THE MOST MUSEUM - I mean who wants to learn about science or watch amazing IMAX films? Not me! #
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You could visit the kid friendly Museum if Science and Technology to see The Polar Express @ the Bristol IMAX Omnitheater throughout the month of December, based on children’s author Chris Van Allsburg’s book of the same name, The Polar Express revolves around a boy who finds it difficult to believe in Santa as he gets older. This all changes on Christmas Eve, when a mysterious train whisks him away in the middle of the night to take him to the North Pole. The train’s conductor and other passengers help turn his crisis of faith into a journey of self-discovery.
86 - DO NOT TAKE THE POLAR PLUNGE - Here’s an idea, why don’t we jump in frigid water with not much on while it’s below freezing out!!! Hypothermia included… #
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Speaking of Polar, why not wear your swim suit in below freezing weather and take the plunge for charity?!
2017 B'ville Big Chill
Noon to 3 pm, Saturday, January 21
Mercer Park - One North Street, Baldwinsville, NY
The 2017 B'ville Big Chill is a zany winter event, showcasing the people and businesses of Baldwinsville. The event includes a Best in Bowl competition featuring local eateries, music, and teams of people plunging into the icy Seneca River to raise money for our community and local charities.
At the Best in Bowl competition, for just $5 per person you can sample food from area restaurants and eateries: Participants will be posted as they are confirmed.
Signup at THE BIG CHILL
85 - FORGET SLEIGH RIDES - horse drawn rides are for simplefolk who don’t know about modern technology and fear electricity. You’re not in Quentin Tarintinos Hateful Eight and the closest you’ll get to a wagon is your Wells Fargo savings account. #
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You could Enjoy a 20 minute horsedrawn sleighride (or wagon rides) through the wintery woods at Highland Forest. No reservations needed. First come, first served. All rides will take place weather permitting. The park recommends calling the office ahead of time to check on the schedule. Here’s their number: 315-683-5550
84 - DON’T BE A DENTIST - Rudolph’s pal Hermey the elf wanted to be a dentist and so should you! #
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Get your fix of sweets ? at #lical shops like The Speach Family Candy Shop featuring the Best candy selection around. Both in what they custom make as well as carrying the “old time” candies of yester-years. We could all use a lil more sweet on our life!
83 - DON’T VOLUNTEER - Buy yourself presents, cut people in line, tell kids there’s no such thing as Santa while you’re at it! #
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Meals on Wheels of Syracuse needs volunteers to help prepare, serve and deliver food from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31.
300 Burt St., Syracuse. Contact: Sarah Parton, (315) 478-5948, ext. 213, or volunteer@meals.org
Kitchen volunteers and needed to help prepare and package meals for homebound clients before and after the holidays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31.
Contact: Jennifer Stone, (315) 478-5948, ext. 210 or jstone@meals.org
82 - DON’T GO ON A HOT COCCOA CRAWL! Who likes that Choco-powder space dried marshmallows nuked in the microwave anyways?! #
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You could get out your winter boots and travel from shop to shop downtown and try different gourmet hot cocoas, mochas, chocolate teas and chocolate shakes!
Suggestions -
Sweet Praxis, Recess Coffee Co., Café Kubal, Roji Tea Lounge, OG, Funk N waffles, Freedom of Espresso!
81 - DO NOT SLED IN SYRACUSE! Though it may seem like harmless fun, sledding injuries send thousands of kids and teens to hospital emergency rooms each year. So don’t do it - it’s also illegal in the city of Syracuse there is a legit ban on sledding! #
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You could use some #sleducation in your life:
USETHE RIGHT GEAR!
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SLOPES!
SLED CORRECTLY AND SAFELY, SO EVERYONE CAN HAVE SOME GOOD OLD FASHION WINTER FUN!
Here is the definitive list created by locals for the BEST spots to sled in the Syracuse area:
The pit in North Syracuse
Thordan Park
Westcott Reservoir
Woodland Reservoir in Strathmore
Dead Mans run behind Nottingham Highschool
Schiller Park
Burnett Park
Happy Trails to you and yours!