90. Syrathon

Spring has sprung, Syracuse is on their way to the Final Four in Atlanta and all is well!

Something I’ve noticed about Syracuse is the abundance of activities outside. We’re always trying to utilize the area, from Snow Tubing & Skiing in the winter to running and biking in the spring, to swimming in the summer…the list goes on…

With that being said, I recently discovered a great challenge here in Syracuse. With 1/2 marathons and marathons becoming popular throughout the country, not everyone can run 26.2 miles consecutively…. I sure know I can’t.

However, there’s still a chance to fulfill the 26.2…just not all at once…which, I don’t know about you…is ideal for a lot of people.

The Syrathon is a combination of races throughout the year that you can sign up for, ending in 26.2 miles run…same as a marathon! This is a personal marathon, something that will be difficult, but fun at the same time. I honestly think this is such a great idea…which is why I’ve signed up to be a Syrathoner, and you should too!

It’s quite simple…sign up for the races, sign your official Syrathon registration visit the Syrathon booth on race day, and lastly; run the races!

You’ve got a bunch of races to sign up for, and it’s not too late!

The first race was the 4 mile Tipp Hill Run, followed by the Mountain Goat, Paige’s Butterfly Run, Valley Nature In The City Run, The Inner Harbor 5k, Strathmore Parks Run, Run for their Life, and lastly the Eastwood Park-to-Park Autumn Run. You’ve got a little push and pull with the mileage there, so if you haven’t run the Tipp Hill race, you can still complete the Syrathon, don’t let that discourage you!

Let’s promise to be more active in 2013!

Tip: Check out the Fleet Feet website for more information on events and runs scheduled throughout the city!

89. Michael Jordan to the Max

March Madness is in full swing, the Orangemen are on their way to the Elite 8 and you can feel the buzz all around this city.

With March being the month of Basketball, today is a special day. Today, playing on the IMAX is the documentary, Michael Jordan to the MAX.

An IMAX experience is exciting. The screen being so big and with the volume being so loud it makes for a one of a kind type of experience. Never will you watch a movie on the IMAX and wish it could be become a better experience. It feels like you’re right there…courtside.

Showing today only at 5pm, tickets are $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for children (2-11) and seniors (65+). This is a great early evening activity to do with family or friends…it’s definitely an interesting movie, and Basketball is all the rage these days!

Tip: The MOST is open from 10am-5pm with extended hours for Saturday evening showtimes! 

location: 500 South Franklin Street

88. Clam Bar

Keeping up with the theme of Fish Fry Friday’s, I’ve chosen my favorite seafood restaurant in Syracuse to feature on this last friday of Lent. Clam Bar is my favorite local seafood place. It’s local, it’s awesome, the food is great…I could go on….

I recently took a trip to Clam Bar on a Friday with my family and we were so thankful to have made a reservation. If the wait had been more than 45 minutes, my Dad would have made us go somewhere else…and my heart was set on Clam Chowder….kind of like always. Thankfully, we got in right away…all was well!

My suggestion, call ahead. Weekends for Clam Bar are tough to get in, it’s always packed…mainly because it’s awesome.

Their menu is huge. It’s hard to pick just one thing to eat…we ordered a bunch of stuff…clams — steamed & raw, clam chowder (obviously) and then the main course of crab legs. Someone at our table ordered the Fried Haddock but I was not paying attention. At the end of our meal, I’m surprised they didn’t have to roll us out of there because we were pleasantly stuffed. Everyone could not rave enough about the meals we had just had. The service was great, they were accommodating to our needs and wants (more beer please!)

It’s always nice to come across a restaurant that is local and quaint and has amazing food. Here in Syracuse we’re lucky because we’ve got so many options…which I plan to keep exploring.

Clam Bar is the place to go tonight (or at least some time this weekend…) for dinner.

Tip: Call ahead to make a reservation. (315)458-1662

Like them on Facebook to learn about their daily specials!

location

87. CNY Scrabble

Smartphone users alike have all heard of or played the (free) app Words With Friends. Where you basically match up against friends and try to beat them at a game of scrabble. The games go round after round, and every time you’re dealt new tiles you think of all those spelling tests you took in 3rd grade, your acquired knowledge and terminology throughout the years and you try to beat your friend with a double word score.

But, how many of you have physically played a game of scrabble? I can honestly say, I haven’t.

The CNY Scrabble club is for people looking to hone their skill at scrabble or just play a game of scrabble with some people who are also into the game itself. It’s a great way to meet new friends, check out a new hobby and put your knowledge to the test. The ages of the players range from 9-90, meaning…all types of personalities, skill levels, life experiences…it sounds like A LOT of fun!

The club is always looking for new players of every ability to join their games, games are played at the Dewitt Library every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month from 1:30-4:30pm and Recess Coffee and Roastery Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30. And the best part about it, this is another free event! Although, it is recommended if you have a board to bring it, just in case they need extra!

Tip: There are also competitive Scrabble tournaments in the area too! Click here for more details.

If you’re interested in joining and have more questions join their facebook group to learn more information.

86. Middle Ages Brewing Company

Now that we’re (possibly…but not positively) on our way to nicer weather, a lot of people want to start doing things outside, downtown, with friends, etc… Enough of this hibernation, let’s get out and dance or run or enjoy this city!

Something that was a big indicator of Spring when I was in college in Fort Collins was grabbing a group of friends and heading to the numerous breweries in town. Here in Syracuse, Middle Ages Brewing Company is on tap at almost every single bar, they’re present at every single festival, and they do a lot for the community. But, did you know that you can go right to the source and taste all of the beers they offer, for free?!

Free seems to be an underlying theme these past few days…

At the actual brewery, which is a former Ice Cream factory (…uh, awesome!!), there’s a comfortable and middle-age’s-like feel to it; with a knight standing in the corner & everything!

They’re open 11:30-6 throughout the week and 11:30-5 on Saturdays, and 12-5 on Sundays. During that time you can head inside, test out the beers, buy some merchandise from t-shirts, to your favorite brew, to signs, etc…

This is a really fun activity to do with your friends, it’s something that is a lot of fun. Then afterwards you can head downtown to lunch to any of the various awesome restaurants in Armory Square or Hanover Square.

Tip: My personal favorite Middle Ages brew is the Impaled Ale.

location: 120 Wilkinson Street Syracuse, NY 13204

(Must be 21+ to enjoy tasting the beers)

85. Salsa Dance Social at Twist Lounge

Here’s something exciting that I just learned about Syracuse…the dance scene here is crazy! I had no idea!

Any night of the week you can take lessons from ballroom to swing to salsa.

I think it’s kind of cool to explore different cultures through dance, even if I was born with two left feet and prefer standing against the wall instead of tearing up the dance floor…but I do enjoy watching it!

Every Thursday starting somewhere around 10pm, Twist Lounge downtown has Salsa Dancing for everyone, for free! Hosted by the famous CNY Salseros, get a chance to embrace culture, meet new people, and spin around the dance floor with lessons from 9:30-10:30 and then open dance until 2am!

Tip: If you’re looking for something a little more private, CNY Salseros offer lessons too. Click here for more info!

Location: Twist – Ultra Lounge & Dance, 252 West Genessee Street, Syracuse, NY, 13204

For more information contact: David Sorensen II at 315-496-1760

84. Girls Night Out at the Erie Canal Museum

Every once in a while it’s always nice to grab your girlfriends and have a night on the town.

Mark your calendars!!! The Erie Canal Museum is hosting a Girls Night Out fundraiser on April 2nd from 5-9pm that everyone should consider attending!

There will be food, drinks, shopping and pampering…all key components for a successful Girls Night Out.

Sponsors include local favorites like Anthony’s, J Ryan’s, GSM Jewelry and more! Click here for more information.

Tip: Tickets are $25 for a single, or $90 for a group of 4! Tickets can be purchased here.

Location: 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse, NY 13202

83. Funk N Waffles

Funk ‘n Waffles is one of those places in Syracuse that has an aura of mystery to it. I have to admit, the first time I went I was a bit intimidated. It seemed like everyone knew what they were doing, like they had been there 100 times before. I on the other hand, have lived here for almost my entire life and I somehow had just heard of it recently. Upon arriving, you walk down the ally by Chucks and down some steps, into what looks like a seedy basement. It was at first very off-putting, I have to admit…I was a little scared. But when you walk in, you’re greeted with a comforting cafe style restaurant with a lot of art and character smushed into the confines of the small space.

On the weekends, the line will be wrapped around the restuarant with people waiting to get a famous waffle. The waffles come in a variety of options. You can get a sandwich, you can get one plain, you can get savory toppings or meaty toppings. Their menu is diverse in flavors and size. When I went I had an egg sandwich, and let me tell you… I have not stopped dreaming about that since I had it. It was so good.

BUT. The really COOL thing about Funk N Waffles, besides their food, is the local talent that comes in and out of there. It’s rare you find a place that many people associate with breakfast having live music throughout the week, or being open late night. Their hours are a little weird…they’re closed on Monday’s & Tuesday’s, but if you follow them on facebook you’ll get the inside scoop on what their hours are and what events they have going on throughout the week.

Every day they have something different, they have an open mic night, live music, charity events, art shows (they just revealed a new mural!), and so much more. I really dig the diversity Funk N Waffles brings to Syracuse.  The atmosphere is very laid back, it’s really refreshing to go there.

Tip: Ordering goes really fast, so have an idea of what you want before you get there.

location: 727 S. Crouse Ave

82. Pancake Breakfast at Beaver Lake

Have you ever tried fresh maple syrup?

If you haven’t…or if you have and you really love it (because who doesn’t? amiright?!), head to Beaver Lake today (3/23/13) to indulge in a pancake breakfast with fresh maple syrup tapped right from the trees at the park!

From 9am-12pm every Saturday in March, Beaver Lake hosts a pancake breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage, fresh coffee & juice, and fresh maple syrup (for your pancakes and/or sausage) from $3-$5!

Before you have any pancakes you should check out the Maple Sugaring demonstrations first. They are every Saturday from 10am-2pm throughout Maple Syrup March! The demonstration introduces visitors to the heritage and production of Maple Syrup, followed by a taste on a homemade panacke at brunch!

It’s a first come first serve basis, and boy does it fill up quick!

Tip: Like Beaver Lake on facebook to learn of more events happening throughout the year!

Location: 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville, NY.

81. Fish Cove

In honor of fish fry Friday’s,  today’s feature is one of those local goodies that has been around forever.

Fish Cove.

Located in Westvale (and a franchise in North Syracuse and Liverpool), this tiny little fish shop was one of the first stores to occupy the Westvale Plaza and has stood the test of time for 60+ years in the Syracuse area.

They’ve got tons of variety on their menu and have daily specials as well. As a firm lover of seafood, the variety in this town is great.  Which, for someone who went to school in Colorado…a fish fry was hard to come by! Embrace it, Cuse….embrace it.

Tip: Wednesday’s they’ve got homemade clam chowder!

Westvale: Location Hours are Monday – Thursday  9:00 am – 6:30 pm, Friday  9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 am – 6:30 pm

Liverpool Location: 7608 Oswego Road (Bayberry Plaza) Hours are Wed – Thu: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Fri: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm, Sat: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

North Syracuse Location: 456 S Main St # 1. Hours are Wed – Thu: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Fri: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm, Sat: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm