Lakefront
The Lakefront area of Syracuse is home to several unique neighborhoods, many within walking distance of each other and each showcasing restaurants, bars, breweries, hotels, trails and shops.
Easily accessible from Downtown and major interstates, the up and coming Inner Harbor district is a sidewalk community within the former Barge Canal terminal and industrial quarter of the city.
Neighborhood Vibes
Embracing its waterfront history, the city's winding Creekwalk weaves through Lakefront, connecting Downtown to Onondaga Lake. Explore Franklin Square, a picturesque neighborhood covered in brick buildings, walkways and streets. The square is the perfect backdrop for year-round photos, and quaint cafes, bistros and coffee shops make it the perfect place to stop and spend some time.
At the east shore of Onondaga Lake sits Destiny USA, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Upstate New York. This over all quieter section of Syracuse allows visitors to take a break and enjoy a serene afternoon touring the old and new Syracuse in Lakefront.
Eat
Best Breakfasts + Brunch Spots
- Beers and Eggs Benedict for brunch, anyone? Take a step back in time at The Gem Diner, a local hot spot for hot cakes, comfort food and catching up with friends.
- Grab an old fashioned American breakfast at Stella's Diner, another local fave known for its massive portions and super friendly staff.
Best Place for Bites + Beverages
- So many sandwiches, so little time. Get a seriously tasty sammy at Boulangerie in Franklin Square, home to over 30 grinder and wrap menu options.
- Grab a cup of your afternoon pick-me-up across the street at Freedom of Espresso, a spacious coffee house serving up locally roasted beans and dozens of lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and more.
Best Place for Pizza + Pints
- Enjoy a slice, salads, sides, apps and more at The Preserve at 405 restaurant and bar in the Inner Harbor.
- Considered Downtown but close enough to Franklin Square and the Inner Harbor, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is a right of passage when visiting Syracuse. Load up on the best Southern BBQ and sample their savory sides like mac n' cheese, fancy fried green tomatoes or black beans and rice.
- And right next door is Apizza Regionale, a top-rated restaurant specializing in the freshest seasonal pies this side of the Mississippi.
Shop
Best Boutique
- Shop unique home goods, housewares, jewelry, gifts and more at Metro Home Style, an award-winning gift shop near Franklin Square. Bonus points if you bring Fido because pets are welcome.
Best Market
- Do as the locals do and experience the CNY Regional Market — a massive year-round farmer's market where you can get your fresh produce, meats, baked goods, plants, household items, gifts and more all while supporting local farmers, vendors and the community. The market is open every Saturday and Sunday year-round from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., and also Thursdays from May through November.
Best Vintage
- Open seven days a week, the Syracuse Antiques Exchange features four floors and 20,000 square feet of antique lighting, furniture, small items, estate jewelry and decorative arts from over 60 dealers.
Best Shopping Center
- Lakefront is one of Syracuse's best shopping districts, with upstate New York's largest shopping and entertainment complex on the eastern shore of Onondaga Lake. Destiny USA is home to hundreds of places to shop, dine and play. Enjoy retail and outlet brands Apple, Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack and much more.
Play
Best Way to Get Outdoors
- In the warmer months, plan to dock your boat or hop in your kayak on Onondaga Creek at the Inner Harbor. Known for its excellent trout and carp fishing, this is an ideal spot to navigate this urban tributary with a fishing pole in hand.
- Join family and friends at the annual Inner Harbor Wing Fest, a perfect way to kick off the summer season in Syracuse.
- Trek it creekside year-round on the Onondaga Creekwalk, where you can take in beautiful views of Downtown, Franklin Square and Onondaga Lake at the northern end of the trail.
Best Places for Family Fun
- Take the kiddos out to the ballgame and enjoy Minor League Baseball at NBT Bank Stadium with the Syracuse Mets.
- A 25,000 square foot indoor play park, Billy Beez at Destiny USA is another kid-friendly favorite in Syracuse.
- The Speach Family Candy Shoppe is a great place to swing by and pick up a sweet treat for your friends (or yourself).
- Grab dinner with the family at Spaghetti Warehouse, a popular Italian restaurant with a fun ambiance for the kids.
Best Places for a Pint
- Excellent farmhouse ales and sour beers galore at Buried Acorn Brewing Company, conveniently located near Routes 81 and 690 and welcoming of your favorite four-legged friends.
- Make a stop at Destiny USA for a couple rounds at World of Beer or Bullfinch Brewery.
Explore The Neighborhood
A lively business and commercial neighborhood in Downtown Syracuse, Armory Square, once began as a busy industrial area which is now home to a flourishing shopping, entertainment and nightlife district surrounding the city's former Syracuse Armory.
Historic Clinton Square in Downtown Syracuse, NY boasts a beautiful panoramic of architecture from the 19th & early 20th centuries.
If savoring beautiful architecture and the arts are your thing, Columbus Circle and the surrounding Convention District are your gateway to some of the Syracuse’s most impressive attractions.
Downtown Syracuse offers plenty of accommodations to stay and explore the city’s finest restaurants, bars, boutiques, shops and activities.
Dubbed "The Neighborhood Within the City," Eastwood is a charming residential district with lots of things to do, places to eat, parks to stroll and streets to walk.
Twinkling lights, brick walkways and roads, romantic dining and a bubbling fountain — charming, right?
Eclectic, colorful and all around cool — Hawley-Green is a smaller district with big personality.
Don't let the neighborhood name fool you — Little Italy is a unique district within the city of Syracuse offering cuisine inspired by Italy, Asia, Europe, and more.
Parks, pubs, and much-loved bodegas — the South Side of Syracuse boasts an impressive catalog of city parks, international cuisine, taverns, corner stores, and beautiful historic homes.
Largely settled by immigrants from Ireland, the Tipperary Hill Neighborhood proudly showcases its Irish roots still to this day.
Welcome to Westcott neighborhood, a vibrant and trendy community in the city of Syracuse.
From vibrant village centers to peaceful lakeside communities, discover the welcoming towns that give Onondaga County its unmistakable charm.