223. Rachel Lyn Ice Cream

This is one of those very secret things here in Syracuse.

Have you ever gone to get ice cream at the Red Caboose?

The flavors, the serving sizes, the options..it feels incredibly endless.

On hot summer nights this is my favorite place to go to grab some ice cream with my folks or some friends. It’s super cheap, and you can even make your own flavor combos! And they’ve got 30+ flavor combos they can mix up for ya!

It looks like a red caboose right in front of the baseball fields on Downer Street…right off 690 for all you fellow city dwellers. This makes you feel like a quiet life is the perfect life.

It’s open during the summer months, and closed down in the winter time.

Tip: TRY THE BACON FLAVORED ICE CREAM!

location: 2289 Downer Street, Baldwinsville

215. Blue Water Grill

This entire summer we’ve spent doing fun things, whether it’s going to a festival, an outdoor movie, a water park you name it…

When looking for the perfect place to dine in the summer you want a few things. One thing in particular, that I am always looking for, is the option to eat outside….big big plus. Second, is the menu…obviously and third is the accessibility.

Blue Water Grill in Skaneateles has it all…it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat if you’re up in Skaneateles which, if you haven’t gone yet you might as well drop what you’re doing and take the nice drive out of the city straight there. It’s the quaintest little town…it attracts a lot of people and it’s got a beautiful lake.

See what I mean?

Blue Water has an extensive menu of American-ish fare. They even do breakfast everyday from 8-11 and they’ve got sushi too! Even if you’re not that hungry, you should still consider going there for the atmosphere. The views of the lake are beautiful. East Coast summers are my favorites and Skaneateles Lake is just proof that there’s beauty all around us!

Tip: You might need to make reservations on the weekends, try calling to check availability.

location: 11 West Genesse St, Skaneateles NY

209. Thunder Island

The hottest days of summer might be behind us, but summer itself is certainly not over.

Sometimes, all you need is a cold beer, a music festival, an outdoor movie, a patio… and sometimes all you need is a water park.

Located just 20 minutes outside of Syracuse we’ve got a small water park that covers all the bases. Thunder Island has water slides, pools, and fun outdoor games. It’s perfect for a few hours, especially if you’re just dying to get in the water!

Rounding out the weekend of Oswego’ish fun and events, we’ve got Thunder Island. It might not be a Top Tier water park, but it’s definitely suitable for a day of fun in the sun. It’s kind of cool to think that we’ve got a water park so close…who would’a thought, right!?

Thunder Island is open throughout the summer every single day. Their daily rates can’t be beat with just $15 for an adult water park pass. They’ve also got very affordable season pass options if you like to ride water slides on the reg. I say it’s worth checking out! Especially on those hot, hazy & humid summer days!

Tip: You can get coupons and discount tickets at Wegmans, Nice & Easy and Taco Bell!

location

202. Renaissance Festival

I’m sure you all knew this one was coming…

I love the Renaissance Festival..and even though it’s all the way out in Sterling (about 45 minutes outside of Syracuse).

The Renaissance Festival is for everyone. You like food? They’ve got great food. You like comedy? They’ve got great comedy. You like riding elephants?! They’ve got that too! Everything you can imagine…transport yourself into a time of no technology (but don’t forget to instagram a few photos while you’re there). Enjoy some brews, some muddy scenery and most importantly the costumes!

I’m a huge fan, and you can bet I’ll be going.

It runs all summer from July 6-Aug 18th rain or shine.

Admission is about $26 per adult and $16 for children.

Tip: Really feel like getting in the spirit? You can rent costumes while you’re there!

location 15385 Farden Rd Sterling, NY 13156

189. Country Jam

Not many people associate Upstate NY with fans of country music. Even the music itself is not written about those winters and humid summers… but, that hasn’t stopped the people of Syracuse from being huge country music fans.

This is one of those events where it’s not taboo to be wearing cowboy boots in Syracuse, and lots of people embrace the opportunity to dress up a little.

Country Jam is this weekend at the NY State Fair, the first of many concert series to be held at the fair this summer, and it’s bringing in big names! They’ve got Uncle Kracker, Billy Currington, Kellie Pickler and more! Click here for more information about the great acts performing.

This is a great weekend of fun, music, friends and hopefully the weather is nice too!

Tip: Need tickets? Click here to purchase!

181. Jazz Fest

More Jazz, please!

Woohoo!

The 31st annual Jazz Fest is next weekend, July 4, 5 & 6th. What a great way to celebrate my favorite holiday! Heading to the Jazz Fest at Jamesville Beach!

Jazz Fest is awesome, it’s really unique. They bring in tons of local and national acts, this year’s big ticket is The Doobie Brothers (!!!!)

This is a fantastic way to spend the 4th of July holiday weekend, especially if you’re currently sitting around wondering, “what the heck am I going to do next weekend?!” This is it guys!

You can bring a cooler, some chairs, a blanket…or you can buy all your food & drinks at the Jazz fest from some of the vendors they’ll have there. You’ll be able to enjoy some live jazz music, catch up with friends, and peruse the various local artisans at the festival.

This is free to attend!! (Parking is not free though…)\

Tip: Bring some cash, there’s no free parking around.

location: Jamesville Beach

180. Film Under the Stars

Alongside Flicks on the Crick, there’s also a series presented by the Everson Museum throughout the months of July & August.

Film Under the Stars is an event held outside at the Everson Museum of Art.  A movie is projected onto the side of the building. Pretty spectacular.

First of all, this is awesome.

Second of all, you can never have enough outdoor activities.

Once the snow is gone and the rain has subsided, Syracuse comes alive. We do everything we can to do as much as we can outdoors before we get stuck back inside.

The first screening was Wednesday –so we’ve missed it…but for the rest of July, and through August the movies are outside on Friday evenings. How awesome is this? How great to be able to enjoy a movie outdoors before headed to dinner in Armory Square, or even before! Dinner & a movie. This is a great great event!

The movie line-up is fantastic. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my all-time favorite flicks, and you can absolutely guarantee I will be there. Who wants to come with me?! Did I mention this is free?!

Friday July 12: Breakfast At Tiffany’s
Friday July 26: Toy Story
Friday August 15: The Blob

Like the Everson Museum on facebook, in case of rain they will update from there!

Tip: Bring lawn chairs and blankets and food with you to enjoy during the movies!

177. Dewitt Concerts In The Park

Whether you live closer to Liverpool or Baldwinsville, Downtown or Dewitt there will be a summer concert series just for you this summer.

The Town of Dewitt has their own Concerts in the Park series starting July 11th. Each Thursday through the months of July & August pack up the car and head to the park, because the music is going to be awesome.

They’re held at Ryder Park from 6:30-8:30 and they’re free of charge!

Concert lineup is a good one!

July 11: Stroke
July 18: Tom Gilbo & The Blue Suedes
July 25: Thunder Canyon Band
August 1: Dan Elliott & the Monterays
August 8: Maria DeSantis Band with Special Guests

Head down to Dewitt, Thursdays in July & August for some awesome entertainment! They’ll even have some concessions served by Applebees!

Tip: Bring some lawn chairs or blankets to spread out and enjoy the music!

Location: Ryder Park (across from the Dewitt Town Hall)

163. U-Pick at Abbott Farms

The great thing about Syracuse, besides it’s sports teams, restaurants, bars, activities…is the fact that about 10 miles out of the heart of downtown there are communities that farm local produce. Much of this produce goes straight to the regional markets and grocery stores…the farm-to-table initiative thrives here.

One of my favorite things to do when I was younger, and still now, is strawberry picking.

Fortunately, there are plenty of farms in the area that offer this adventure, but my favorite to go to is at Abbott Farms.

Abbott Farms offers a variety of picking options throughout the year. From strawberries and cherries in the summer to apples and pumpkins in the fall, you can basically pick your own fruit from here until Halloween.

The berries are sold by the pound on a first come first serve basis, and judging by the strawberries I ate this morning for breakfast, they’re in season right now and they’re delicious! The farm opens at 10am and stays open until 6 Monday – Saturday.

Do yourself the service of learning first hand the reward of really working for your food! Here are a few tips when picking your strawberries.

Tip: No need to bring your own container, they have wax boxes available for all fruit.

location: Abbott Farm

 

162. Wednesdays On Walton

Tons of concert series are popping up all over Syracuse this summer. You’ll have the chance to listen to live music almost every night of the week!….maybe we are becoming more like Austin!

On the 2nd Wednesday of every month (starting tomorrow June 12th) through September 11th, AmeriCU will host The Wednesdays on Walton concert event.

Walton Street will be closed starting at 3pm and people will flock in droves downtown to listen to the live music — concerts start at 5:30. While they’re at it, music fans will end up checking out local restaurants, see lots of local arts and entertainment and enjoy the fresh summer air! This is going to be so exciting.

The line-up is awesome too, these bands are kickass and you should definitely stop downtown to see them.

Tip: This is a free event!

location: Walton Street