Lovers of the outdoors will not want to miss the chance to experience Beaver Lake Nature Center. Located a short 15-minute drive northwest of Syracuse in Baldwinsville, the center features 9 miles of trails that offer the opportunity to see over 200 species of birds and over 800 varieties of plants. Also, the 200-acre glacial lake is a true wonder to behold. During the warmer months, you can choose to get a closer look at the lake's natural beauty by exploring from a canoe.
Fans of fun and recreation on the water will most definitely want to splash in to Onondaga Lake for some wet and wild fun. This includes fishing, swimming, jet skiing, paddle boating and other water sports. Several seasonal events take place around the lake every year.
The Erie Canal Museum traces history back to the mid-1800s when “weigh-lock” buildings were located along the length of the canal, and used to determine the toll that passing boats had to pay to get through the area between Albany and Buffalo. This museum is a National Register Landmark weigh lock building that features several interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations as well as actual artifacts that all tell the detailed story of how tolls were originally calculated.
Fans of all different tastes convene in Syracuse to treat their taste buds to a truly unforgettable experience with the Taste of Syracuse. This is the largest downtown festival in Central New York as it draws over 150,000 people who are searching for something with which to please their palate. This is a two day event that features great live entertainment, a family zone that the kids will love, and of course, some of the best food from local, area and national restaurants and food vendors. This tasteful confab is scheduled every year in the early summer.