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15 free things to do in Syracuse
Activities in (and near) the City of Syracuse that won't cost you money.
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Dick Blume
Onondaga Creekwalk
The Creekwalk extends 2.6 miles from Armory Square in downtown Syracuse to the shore of Onondaga Lake. It follows the course of Onondaga Creek to the Syracuse Inner Harbor, then on to the lake. Future plans are to extend the creek south through the city and to build a viewing platform at the lakeshore terminus.
Learn more about the Creekwalk here.
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David Lassman
Webster Pond
Webster Pond is a 95-acre sanctuary in the Valley neighborhood, off the 2000 block of Valley Drive. Open daily, it's a popular spot to unwind or feed the ducks. The Anglers Association of Onondaga, a non-profit group, is based at the pond through a long-term lease with the City of Syracuse. The association offers a variety of programs, including fishing instruction for kids and adults.
The land originally belonged to Revolutionary War veteran Ephraim Webster, reputedly the first white settler in Onondaga County. Wildlife common to the area include ducks, Canada geese, heron, purple marten, deer, fox, mink, raccoon, squirrel, woodchuck, opossum and turtles. More info here.
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Ellen M. Blalock
Destiny USA
OK, you're bound to spend money here, but in theory you could just walk around the region's largest shopping mall. You won't be alone. With more than 250 retail and entertainment venues, Destiny USAgets 26 million visitors per year.
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Tim Knauss | tknauss@syracuse.com
E.M. Mills Memorial Rose Garden
The Mills rose garden, at the southwest corner of Thornden Park, is beautiful any time of year, but especially in late spring and early summer. The garden includes more than3,000 rose bushesand offers many unique varieties. Artists and photographers are a common sight.
The garden is maintained by volunteers from the Syracuse Rose Societyevery Wednesday morning from April until November. Volunteers are welcome to help between 8 a.m. and noon on Wednesdays. No gardening experience is necessary.
Thornden Park also includes a 50-meter outdoor pool, an amphitheater, a multi-purpose athletic field, tennis courts and basketball courts, and a playground for children.
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Michael Greenlar
Onondaga County Public Library main branch
It's not your grandfather's library. With an $8.7 million renovation well under way, the main branch of the Onondaga County Public Library at the Galleries is being transformed into a 21st century resource.
Among the biggest changes is a street-level presence. The library formerly occupied the second, third, fourth and fifth floors of the Galleries. It has now taken over the first floor and will give up space on floors four and five.
The ground floor addition will feature a "maker space" where people can learn, create and build. The space will include a music recording studio, a 3-D printer, sewing machines and other tools for those who wish to use them. Never fear, you traditionalists: The library still has books, too.
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Michelle Gabel
Armory Square
Boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and other attractions grace the most popular area of downtown Syracuse. Don't forget to check out the 24-second shot clock at the corner of Walton and Franklin streets, which pays tribute to Syracuse native Danny Biasone as the inventor of that game-changing pro basketball innovation.
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Tim Knauss | tknauss@syracuse.com
Clinton Square festivals
Many weekends during the summer include free festivals in Clinton Square, including the Crawfish Festival (pictured) each May. Here are a few of the upcoming 2016 events:
Salt City BBQ Festival, May 21-22
Taste of Syracuse, June 3-5
2016 Polish Festival, June 10-12
NYS Blues Fest 2016, July 8-9
Check for the latest schedule here.
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Mike Greenlar
Onondaga Lake trails
There aremore than nine miles of public trails along the shore of Onondaga Lake. The longest is the West Shore Trail whichmeanders through 4.5 miles of woodlands and open areas. A recently opened extension of the trail offers spectacular lake and city views and runs through the new Lakeview Amphitheater. Several shelters and benches can be found along the trail. Visit the Onondaga County Parks websitefor directions and more information.
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Dennis Nett
Community Folk Art Center
The Community Folk Art Center was founded in 1972 to provide ashowcase for African Diasporan artists. The center offersexhibitions, film screenings, gallery talks, workshops and courses in studio and performing arts.
Address: 805 E. Genesee St.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.
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Kate Collins
Central New York Regional Market
This venerable institution on the city's North Side offers a variety of attractions, from hip hop concerts to wholesale vegetables. The Saturday Farmers Market is probably the biggest draw.
Address: 2100 Park St.
Saturday Farmers Market: 7am-2pm year round
Sunday Flea Market: 7am-2pm year round
Thursday Farmers Market: 7am-2pm May-November
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Ellen M. Blalock
Onondaga Historical Association
The Onondaga Historical Associationhas a museum with permanent displays on the Underground Railroad, Syracuse China and Onondaga County, plus temporary exhibits. The association's research center also is open to the public.
Address: 321 Montgomery St.
Museum hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed-Fri; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat-Sun.
Research center hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wed-Fri; 11 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Sat.
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Salt Museum
You have to go here at least once. Syracuse is the Salt City, for crying out loud. Learn how our forbears turned brine (salt water) into what was then considered one of the country's most precious commodities, salt. See the kettles, wooden barrels and other equipment from the salt industry, which died out in the 1920s.
The museum on the shore of Onondaga Lake is ccnstructed from timbers taken from actual salt warehouses.
Address:106 Lake Drive,Liverpool (off Onondaga Lake Parkway)
2016 hours: 1 to 6 p.m. Sat-Sun, May 7 through Oct. 9
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Gary Walts
Downtown Farmers Market
Open Tuesdays, the downtown market in Clinton Square hostsabout 50 farmers and dealers selling fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, plants, handcrafted items and more. Some weeks, the market hosts live entertainment.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays
2016 season: June 14 to Oct. 11
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David Lassman
Erie Canal Museum
Technically, this museum is not free, but it's nearly so. A donation is requested from visitors. ($5 is the suggested amount.) Located in the only remainingweighlock building in the United States, the Erie Canal Museum collects and displays material from the canal that made Central New York what it is. (A weigh lock was used to weigh canal boats to determine the toll.)
Address: 318 Erie Blvd. East
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
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David Lassman
More about Syracuse on NYUP
Find out what's going on in Syracuse:
»7 brainy bars to play trivia around Syracuse
»Upstate New York's most unique places to enjoy a beer
»Syracuse from above: Best places to enjoy the skyline, sunsets, fireworks
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