Syracuse's Thornden Park offers a little something for everyone. If you are ready to either watch or be a part of the big football game, the park features an impressive multipurpose athletic field that's perfectly suited for football, soccer or lacrosse. There are also four tennis courts and a swimming pool. The smaller kids will love the more traditional swings, slides, seesaws and climbing bars. Or, if you prefer, you can just sit outdoors and admire the beautifully maintained rose garden.
The Community Folk Art Gallery is unique for many reasons. While it strives to present the work of African-American artists as well as other under represented ethnic groups in Central New York, it also features a striking common thread among the pieces that are on display. That theme is one of constant struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds that was no doubt the inspiration for many of the art works that are collected here. It's a museum filled with a curious balance of drama and triumph that will prove to be great conversation-starters when you make this museum the site of your romantic date.
Nature and history intertwine to create something special at the Camillus Erie Canal Park. This 300-acre park is located between Albany and Buffalo, at the midpoint of the Erie Canal. The expansive area features seven miles of trails that are used for hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding in the warmer months of the year and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. Also, don't miss the chance to stop into Sim's Store Museum which is a replica of an actual canal-side store that can be found in the center of the park.
Just because you're a nature lover doesn't mean that the sun has to be shining in order for you to appreciate the world's beauty. Actually, when the sun goes down, it's the perfect time to look heavenward and admire the natural beauty of the stars and planets. Happily, you won't have to strain your neck when you look up to admire all that celestial beauty when you visit the Silverman Planetarium. The facility offers various programs and presentations that allow you to take in the beauty and majesty of the final frontier.