If you ever find yourself in the Syracuse area, your list of things to do is going to be long – so whether it’s a day trip or a weekend visit, there will always be more to see and more to do! Syracuse keeps you coming back!

Syracuse is mostly known for its great New York state fair, the amazing lakes and hiking available, and most recently its mini mall of America – Destiny USA. There’s plenty to do for everyone, whether it outdoors, indoors, downtown or out in the country– Syracuse has got it all.

Here's just a glimmer of what Syracuse has to offer:

Destiny USA – or to us locals, the Carousel – this mall has so much to offer, with more than 260 retailers and over 2.4 million square feet, there’s something for everyone here. Your kids can go play at Billy Bees, you can race your friends in go carts or glow in the dark putt-putt, have a drink and ride a mechanical bull, watch some live comedy, see the latest flicks, or simply shop until you drop. The only down side of the mall is there lack of parking, while it’s not impossible to find a spot, just know you’ll be doing some walking.

Don’t feel like spending your life in the mall? Well hey; Syracuse has the perfect solution – go walk around Onondaga Lake. Or drive to one of the many surrounding lakes and walk around there. The great thing about living in this region is all of the lakes and parks. Some are pet friendly, others are not, but there’s always a park that will cater to your needs. Want to ride a bike? No problem, go try out the new bike path around Onondaga Lake. Want to swim – head on over to Green Lakes. Want to bird watch? Well Beaver Lake is pretty good for that – I just saw a pileated woodpecker the other day – holy cannoli!

Feel like roaming around downtown? From cute little shops, like the Sound Garden, to some mighty tasty eats like Pastabilities (Guy Fieri ate here in 2008), downtown offers something for everyone. Looking for something to entertain yourself? Why not check out the Everson Museum or the MOST. Hungry for some local favs? Try Dinosaur Bar-B-Que or cute little cafes like Freedom of Espresso or Strong Hearts Cafe. Or if you’re looking to paint the town red, there’s no lack of bars – try Trexx or Clinton Street Pub. If you're in the area in the naer future don't forget to stop by Clinton Square and see the beautiful Christmas tree!

Syracuse is a lively place. Though many of us locals poke fun at Syracuse, it’s a pretty great place to live. We're lucky to have such a vibrant city surrounded by some of the most gorgeous lakes and parks. There’s so much to do and see, you just need to go out there and find it.