Columbus Circle + Convention District

Neighborhood vibes

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. The annual Arts & Crafts Festival takes place in Columbus Circle every summer, and sightseers can take in the monumental beauty of old Gothic churches and the Onondaga County Court House. 

This district is also home to the expansive Oncenter complex, a three-city-block facility offering Syracuse Crunch AHL hockey games, national concerts and entertainment, ballet, opera, conventions and so much more.

Eat

Best breakfasts + brunch spots
  • Try out the breakfast banana split, crunchy French toast or massive breakfast buffet at the beautiful Eleven Waters restaurant in the historic Marriott Syracuse Downtown hotel. 
  • Enjoy a casual breakfast (or lunch) at Panini's in the Convention District Downtown. Try a bagel sandwich or fresh and hot breakfast panini to tide you over 'til lunch time.
Best place for bites + beverages
  • On the cusp of Columbus Circle is Luna Loca, a vibrant and new Tex-Mex restaurant located in the historic Wesleyan Methodist Church which was also a 19th-century way-station on the Underground Railroad. Gather with friends for Churro French Toast, Piña Colada Pancakes and Blood Orange Mimosas at their Saturday Brunch or enjoy burritos and brews for lunch or dinner.
  • Serving up lunch and dinner, 317 @ Montgomery Street offers refined New American fare in an elegant atmosphere. Experience fine upscale dining with their wide selection of wines and chef dishesnjoy a wide selection of wines and chef selections all while savoring this upscale dining experience.
  • Fill up your cup at one of the two nearby Café Kubal locations on South Salina Street and in the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, both perfect spots for some of the best coffee in Syracuse.
Best place for pizza + pints
  • If you're from Syracuse, you know that Pavone's means good pizza. A block west from Columbus Circle on Warren Street, this Central New York favorite is the place to grab some of the best pizza in the city.
  • Voted best burger in New York State several years in a row, the Ale 'n' Angus Pub is where the beef and beers are. Conveniently located near the convention centers, this pub is the ultimate when it comes to satisfying your patty palate with a pint or two.
Best late night lounges
  • End the night with a drink at Shaughnessy's Pub at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. This Irish sports bar features cold craft beers on tap, a signature cocktail list, comfort food sized to share, access to all the games, and SU sports games shuttles.

Play

Best way to get outdoors
  • Check out Firefighter's Memorial Park to savor the city's history among in memoriam monuments and a beautiful fountain area. This Downtown park is also the sight of renowned abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass' 1843 address.

Best places for family fun
  • The convention district is loaded with kid-friendly activities, including the Everson Museum of Art, where the entire family can take in nearly 11,000 works of American modern and contemporary art, including paintings, ceramics, sculpture, videos, photographs, works on paper, and decorative arts.
  • Take the kids out to The Oncenter War Memorial for a Syracuse Crunch hockey game — the place to be for front-row on-the-ice action.
  • Take some time to revel in the impressive collections at the Onondaga Historical Association on Montgomery Street — a must-see for anyone interested in the city's long and illustrious history.
  • Save a seat at Symphoria, Syracuse's professional symphony orchestra. Enjoy a night of music with this musician-led cooperative organization (bonus: admission for children under 18 is always free!).
Best place for pizza + pints
  • If you're from Syracuse, you know that Pavone's means good pizza. A block west from Columbus Circle on Warren Street, this Central New York favorite is the place to grab some of the best pizza in city.
  • Voted best burger in New York State several years in a row, the Ale 'n' Angus Pub is where the beef and beers are. Conveniently located near the convention centers, this pub is the ultimate when it comes to satisfying your patty palate with a pint or two.

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