335. Gingerbread Gallery at the Erie Canal Museum

There’s nothing more comforting than the sweet scents of the holidays. The smells of cocoa and cinnamon, fir and pine trees…I always love this time of year, it’s so cozy!

Something I love about the holidays would be the fun activities that are associated with it. I always have fun decorating the house and going to lights on the lake… This year, however, I am really excited about the Gingerbread Gallery at the Erie Canal Museum!

You can walk along the more than 40 gingerbread creations at the museum and get a first hand look at the intricacy of gingerbread houses as an art form!

I’m pretty excited about it! It’s open every day from 10-5pm

Tip: Admission is $5 for adults

334. Potters Tree Farm

In the spirit of the holidays it’s time to start considering some Christmas trees.

Potters tree farm, one of the best spots to get a christmas tree in CNY!

They’ve got big trees, little trees, medium trees…everything you can imagine, they’ve got it!

Tip: PB & J’s lunchbox will be there from 8:30-4pm today!

location:1229 Kingdom Rd Baldwinsville New York

327. Change of Pace

With Syracuse football playing Pittsburgh today, the SU hill is bound to be crazy. There are places all over the city where you could watch the game. Chuck’s, The Saltine Warrior, Cobblestone…

A place where a lot of people head to to watch the games, both football and basketball is Change of Pace.

It’s a quaint bar over on Grant Blvd that shows tons of sports games and is known for their wings.

Sounds pretty legit to me. With kickoff at 12:30 today, you’ve only got a few hours to make a decision about where to watch the game! Head to Change of Pace and see what it’s all about!

Tip: It’s kind of hard to miss if you’re passing by

location: 1802 Grant Blvd, Syracuse NY

318. Guess the score

Thursday night football…also known as God’s midweek gift.

Every year I participate in a football picks pool. And every year I’ve outsourced consultants to help me pick the game, and every year I always lose…nothing works! Sometimes it feels like a giant failure, but somehow I keep coming back for more. It might just be because I love the socialization aspect of a great Thursday night game.

This week I wanted to mix it up a bit; with it being beer week and all…

Tonight at The Saltine Warrior Pub they’ve got a challenge going on. Everyone loves a good challenge!

If you can guess who will score the first points at the Thursday night game you win a free Stella or Bud light! Seriously?! That’s all it takes???

Head on down to the Saltine Warrior Pub before kickoff to participate!

Tip: You must get there before kickoff at 8:25pm.

location; 214 W Water St, Syracuse, NY 13224

314. Syracuse Beer Week

Beer!

This week, starting today & running through November 16th there will be beer events all over Syracuse!

Some events to consider checking out are

The Tipp Hill Hoppy hours at Rosies, Nibsy’s and Colemans

The Bells’ Beer dinner at Kitty Hoynes – Nov 11th from 6-9pm

West Coast Breweries Sampling

The Brooklyn Sampling (I love brooklyn brewery!) – Nov 12th from 4:30-6:30pm

The Rare and Extreme Beer Tasting at J Ryans – November 12 from 8-10pm

The State of NY Craft Beer Expo at the Erie Canal Museum – Nov 12 from 6-8pm

Great Lakes Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at Blue Tusk – Nov 13 5-9pm

Brewers Happy Hour at Empire – Nov 15 from 4-7pm

just to name a few! There are TONS of events going on throughout the week. Check here for the full listing!

Tip: Like Syracuse Beer Week on Facebook for up to the minute details on events throughout the week!

Location: Various locations throughout Syracuse

311. The Burn Run

It’s nearing that time of year where runners have to either decide that they want to endure the cold and run outside or join a gym and get on that treadmill.

Something I’ve noticed about this area is that despite the cold, sleet, rain, snow, sleet-rain-snow, runners can’t be stopped.

The 5k or 10k is This Sunday, November 10th. Participants can sign up here. After 11/1/13 registration is $25, day of race is $30.

The Burn Run is one of those runs that is not only for a great cause (proceeds from the run benefit the Clark Burn Center Burn Foundation of Upstate University Hospital). But it’s also going to have tons of activities!

Bull & Bear will be offering food for the runners post-race, Aspen Athletic Clubs will be offering free-trial memberships for all runners, and 105.9 The REBEL will be there live broadcasting!

If you haven’t signed up for this 5k .

Tip: If you can’t make the run this year but still want to donate, you can make donations here.

location

305. Belfer Audio Archive at 50

You might be asking, “What the heck is a Belfer Audio Archive!?”

Well…good question.

The Belfer Audio Archive is a collection of over 340,000 sound recordings and related items. Read about it here! It’s REALLY fascinating.

Starting yesterday, there will be a 3 day long event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Belfer Audio Archive. The events feature distinguished speakers and artists who will explore aspects of music, music technologies and film music, aiming to bring together and promote the many different aspects of music that are taught across the SU campus. There will also be a tour of the archive on Sunday November 2nd…also, VERY cool!

This is really fascinating. And to think,  right here in our own city we’ve got one of the largest collections of sound recordings in NORTH AMERICA! We really are makin’ it, Syracuse!

It’s free to attend, and all events are listed on the website. Check it out! It’s going to be really fun!

I am especially excited for this evening, the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra will be performing at 8pm at the Setnor Auditorium at Crouse College.

Tip: For most events, free and accessible concert parking is available on campus in the Q-1 lot, located behind Crouse College. Additional parking is available in Irving Garage. Campus parking availability is subject to change, so please call 315-443-2191 for current information.

location:  Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave

300. Critz Farms

Did anyone notice there are only 65 days left in 2013? Not like I’m counting or anything…

This weekend has been very bleak. The weather has really reminded us that winter is coming.

BUT…and that’s a big BUT. Now is the time to embrace the non-snowy roads, the still somewhat colorful leaves on the trees and some sunshine…and even though it’s been kind of raining and gloomy you gotta make the best of it.

Which is why Critz farms is where you should go to get your last minute halloween pumpkin. Remember that blueberry jam?

One of my favorite things to snack on is Pumpkin Seeds. Roasted pumpkin seeds are delicious…and if you go to critz farms, prepare to bring home a pumpkin that’s huge & has lots and lots of seeds in it!

For me, it’s between Tims Pumpkin Patch & Critz Farms for the best place to pick your pumpkin in CNY.

They’re open on the weekends from 10am-5/6pm. There’s a corn maze, a cafe, a gift shop, cider making demonstrations, a cidery (!!!), and live music on the weekends. It’s truly a fun place to go! Gather your friends or your family (or both!) and get your pumpkin before it’s too late!

Tip: This is their final weekend

Location

292. Zombie Ball

Fright week is coming to a close, and what better than to have a ball to celebrate!

The Zombie Ball is next weekend, October 26th at 8:30pm. Hosted by K-Rock, it’ll be a great evening full of fun, dancing and drinks!

They’ll have live music, a dance party, zombie trivia, costume contests, and more!

Tip: Tickets are $32 and can be purchased here

Location: Landmark Theater

288. Trail of Terror

Fright Week is here, and it’s in full swing! So many frightening things to do in October, not enough time!

The Trail of Terror is exactly that…terrifying. You could be walking on the “trail” and someone might jump out at you, and you might pee your pants with fear…I’m just sayin…

When you see a sign that says “Enter at Your Own Risk” you know they mean business. Like, you can’t go if you’re pregnant!

It’s held at the Syracuse Kickball Park, right by Sharkey’s on Route 57.

Questions? Check out their website for more information.

Open Fridays 7-11pm
Open Saturdays & Sundays 7-10pm

Tip: It’s $7 per person, CASH ONLY.

location: Syracuse kickball park  7192 Oswego Road