Syracuse, New York

Syracuse

Most travelers heading from the west to the Northeast have passed through Syracuse, New York, at some point. Four major interstates—90, 690, 481 and 81—merge in or near this easternmost Finger Lakes city.

Yet locals and return visitors know that Syracuse is a destination in its own right, with natural beauty, cool museums, great nightlife and an enormous mall (the sixth largest in the U.S., to be precise). Syracuse is also the home of The Great New York State Fair, held nearly every year since 1841.

Just northwest of Syracuse is Beaver Lake Nature Center, where visitors find an outdoor haven, with nine miles of trails that showcase myriad species of flora and fauna. Visitors can take guided…