If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, stop in Syracuse, New York. Located at the northeast corner of the Finger Lake region, Syracuse offers plenty of year-round activities. From hiking in the summer to cross-country skiing in the winter, you’ll always find something to do in Syracuse.
Onondaga Park
Called the Central Park of Central New York, Onondaga County Park stretches 7.5 miles and offers hiking trails, waterfront picnic areas, and many other activities. Here you’ll find a 16,000-square-foot skate park and areas for archery, boating, biking, and fishing. This park is also a favorite spot for cross-country skiing, as Syracuse gets an average of 115 inches of snow every year. No matter what time of year you visit, you can easily find hotels within walking distance of Onondaga Park.
Don’t worry about bringing your own equipment either. Rent just about anything from bikes and canoes to ski equipment and snowshoes. You might catch the Syracuse University Chargers rowing team practicing during the season. You can also cross the Long Branch Bridge to the west side of the lake and enjoy the many ethnic festivals throughout the year. Onondaga Park even offers a dog park for your furry family members.
Green Lakes State Park
This beautiful area surrounds Round and Green Lakes. Both lakes, formed at the end of the last ice age as glaciers melted, offer evidence of ancient plant and animal life. At Green Lakes State Park, winter visitors enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing across 15 miles of trails. Once the snow melts, guests enjoy playing the 18-hole Green Lakes State Park Golf Course. Hippocampe Beach even has a new all-terrain wheelchair available free of charge.
Canalway Trails
Hop on a bike and enjoy the 300 miles of multi-use trails across upstate New York. The Canalway Trails follow the Erie Canal with adjacent abandoned rail corridors converted for cycling, offering you an unequaled experience. Once called the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Erie Canal remains an engineering marvel as it breaks through rocky hills and swamps to link the Hudson River to Lake Erie. Ride through both modern and historic sites all along the Canalway Trails.
Beaver Lake
Yet another beautiful park surrounds Beaver Lake, home to over 200 species of birds and 800 varieties of plants. Another glacier-formed lake, this area features 9 miles of winding trails plus canoeing and kayaking in warm weather. In the winter, enjoy the 7 miles of cross-country ski trails. Take advantage of the many nature programs offered at the park, including guided bird walks, classes on tree identification, and canoe tours.
Mid-Lake Tours
Journey to nearby Skaneateles, New York, for a cruise on the Skaneateles Lake and Erie Canal. Mid-Lakes Navigation Company is a short drive from Syracuse and sails from early May through early October. Whether you choose a lunch or a dinner cruise, this is a fantastic way to wind up a trip to upstate New York.
No matter what time of year you visit, there’s a world of adventure awaiting in Syracuse. Plan your trip and enjoy the variety of outdoor adventures awaiting you.