MUSIC, MURALS, MIDWAYS + MORE

Immerse yourself in Syracuse’s stories of community and culture. Take a self-guided tour through the concrete canvases covering Downtown. Sing along with the casts of Broadway touring shows. Move and groove to live music with star-studded line-ups from the biggest names in the industry. Engage with exhibits at art galleries and museums. Whatever your vibe, embrace it with our vibrant arts and entertainment scene.

Wonder walls . Some of the best artwork is free to see throughout Onondaga County. Syracuse’s city street art has exploded over the past few years thanks to dozens of local and national artists. Check out city street art and interactive murals to get a real taste of our community and history — scan the QR code to view the map of Syracuse city murals and find other unexpected gems along the way.

lights, camera, syracuse

Syracuse Shakespeare-in-the-Park welcomes its 20th season of outdoor summer theater. Catch a Broadway show at the historic Landmark Theatre in downtown Syracuse. Syracuse Stage is a premiere professional theater on Syracuse University’s campus, offering an array of classic and modernized shows throughout the year. Redhouse Arts Center is an independent arts complex presenting year-round film, music, fine arts and theater to the Central New York region. Catch a show at the Manlius Cinema, a quaint art theatre in operation for over 104 years and counting.

Amp Up The Fun

St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview invites big names, national acts, and award-winning artists to perform on the shores of Onondaga Lake. Terrific views, brews, foods and tunes are waiting for you. Chris Stapleton, Shania Twain, Foreigner and others are all headed to The Amp for the 2023 summer season.

Musical Memories

Paper Mill Island overlooks Seneca River in Baldwinsville and offers groovy tunes, cover bands and local artists — on an island! Kegs Canalside in Jordan welcomes Academy-Award-winning country names with both indoor and outdoor venue options.

Captivating Culture

Symphoria, one of only two musician-led cooperative orchestras in the country, transforms string music into an experience of a lifetime. Many professional musicians travel from all over the world to celebrate their passion for the classics in CNY. Skaneateles Festival is a 4-week festival showcasing sounds of string, classics and vocals overlooking scenic Skaneateles Lake. Experience the timeless beauty of the human singing voice through the spectacle of live theatre with Syracuse Opera. Fully-staged performances delight audiences with both world-class singers and local talent, traditional productions, imaginative new interpretations and innovative contemporary works.

Fair Game

Come August, Syracuse shows its New York pride as we host the great New York State Fair through Labor Day Weekend. This 13-day celebration stretches across 365 acres, offering fun for every person. Fabulous food, delicious drinks, magnificent Midway carnival rides, sculptures made from butter…can you see it all in just one day?

brunch + brinner

Searching for that perfect blend of brunch and board? Hit up Board & Bar Charcuterie on Water Street next to Clinton Square, where you can sample everyone’s favorite brunch flavors — a Griddle Board complete with pancakes, waffles, French toast and other faves, the Breakfast Poutine Board with all the ingredients to make the perfect brunchy poutine, or the ultimate Chicken & Waffler Board, loaded with chicken thighs, sweet potato waffles and all the fixings.

For those who crave a more confectionary start to the day, scope out Modern Malt downtown or in Cicero. Serving up Bacon & Banana Pancakes, B.B. King Blueberry Bourbon pancakes, and their notorious Barney Rubble Fruity Pebble-crusted French toast. Rise N’ Shine Diner in the Westcott district is also known for their breakthe-internet breakfast indulgences and boozy brunch beverages.

Nothing says brunch like Huevos Nach-cheros, breakfast burritos and bottomless mimosas, and that’s exactly what you’ll find every Saturday from 11:30a - 3p at XO Taco. Try a breakfast burrito or breakfast taco too and pair it with your favorite Mexican-style craft cocktail.

@risenshinediner

rise n’ shine diner

hidden b’fast gem

Touted as one of Syracuse’s best kept brunch secrets, the Wolf’s Den is an LGBTQ-friendly bar and restaurant serving up what customers call “the best hidden brunch in the city,” with mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, specialty cocktails and a menu made entirely from scratch. BONUS : Locals rave about the desserts so be sure to save room for the sweets.

For even more food + drink, scan here

Top Sweets Spots

Pork + Knife is downtown’s new kid on the block, with a farm-to-table lunch menu incorporating house-cured meats by classically-trained chefs. If you’re looking to grab something fast without compromising quality, hit up Darwin on Clinton downtown. Ingenius combinations stack up in every sandwich, and their soups and sides are equally inventive. Located on historic South Salina Street, Epicuse offers fresh heat & eat meals, deli items, baked goods, cheese & charcuterie, produce and groceries. If Mexican is your jam, you’re in luck because Ponchito’s Taqueria not only has two locations (downtown + Eastwood), but they serve up the biggest and the best burritos you’ll ever have. New to the Westcott neighborhood’s culinary scene is Lobster Babe, where patrons can taste unique lobster roll flavors such as pumpkin honey, kimchi and Calabrian chili.

Lunch Dinner

Brand new to Syracuse’s upscale dining scene, Lalalu is an enchanting dining experience featuring an innovative Italian menu and incredibly photogenic dishes. Conveniently located in East Syracuse next to Interstate-90 (I-90) , Lalalu offers everything from antipasto to seafood, Italian street tacos, pizza, and of course, all the pasta. Enjoy a romantic dinner under twinkling city lights at Francesca’s in Little Italy. This charming spot features its famous outdoor patio in the warmer months, which is an exerience in itself, in addition to an incredible Italian menu. In the heart of the Westcott neighborhood is Saint Urban, where patrons will find an upscale wine and food menu guided by the seasons and classic wine regions, all while incorporating the freshest ingredients with new menus every month. If you’re with the kids and looking for an affordable and delicious meal, try Spaghetti Warehouse near Destiny USA, or Tully’s Good Times with multiple locations throughout the Syracuse area and home to the Best Chicken Tenders on Earth® (that’s right, so good they’re a registered trademark).

Drinks

Middle Ages Brewing Company is Syracuse’s oldest craft brewery featuring British-style and American ales. Their taproom is open seven days a week with at least 24 beers on tap and lots of live music and food trucks. New this year, Middle Ages opened up a large upstairs event space with an occupancy of 400, full service bar and incredible live music stage. Offering panoramic views of the lake, Anyela’s Vineyards in Skaneateles is a wonderful place to kick-off or wrap-up the weekend with a glass of savory Finger Lakes wine and vineyard views. Just north of the city, Full Boar Craft Brewery & Tap Room proudly brews their own creative craft beers and supports local by selling New York State ciders, wines and pre-mixed cocktails. Drink among the flaura and fauna and ferns at Hot House Brewing at Barone Gardens in Cicero, featuring American style ales and a full-service bistro for small bites, sandwiches and more.

For over 100 years, Hercules Candy & Chocolate Shop has specialized in chocolate-covered goodies, brittles, hard candy and filled ribbon candy — they’re a must-stop when in the city. With over 50K views on on average per video, even their YouTube viewers know what’s up. And the Chocolate Pizza Company is where you go to sample a sweet slice of Syracuse. Whether sending a taste of home to friends or savoring for yourself, this is the ultimate when it comes to hands-down good choclate.

Hidden Nightcap Gems

An old standby for premium steaks and one of the best bar areas in the area, especially during the colder months, the Scotch N’ Sirloin is where you go to grab a pint or a glass of fine wine while sitting around the massive copper-domed indoor firepit. BONUS: Looking for some Key West vibes in Central New York this summer? Check out The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina in Baldwinsville — their Tiki Island Bar & Grill is known to have the best Jimmy Buffett vibes in the area.

lobster babe, westcott