A visit to Syracuse, New York brings you to the heart of Central New York. With a population of nearly 150,000 Syracuse is the snowiest large city in the world. If you like snow, Syracuse gets plenty of it. On average, you can expect to see over 114 inches of snow each year. Like any city that is located in a snow area, Syracuse knows how to cope with the accumulation. The tall metal rods attached to the fire hydrants are there to guide snow plow operators away from the hydrants and fire crews to them.
Conventions and fairs are big in Syracuse. Due to its position in the hub of transportation Syracuse brings people from all over the state and country to attend meetings, trade shows and fairs. The downtown convention complex and the Empire Expo Center are abuzz with visitors all year long. The Empire Expo Center is the home to the annual New York State Fair.
For the past two hundred years, Syracuse has served as a transportation center. The Erie Canal, railroads and now Interstate highways have been the means by which Syracuse has gained importance as a leader in New York's economy. Interstate 81 and Interstate 90 intersect in Syracuse. Amtrak provides passenger service while Greyound, Maple Leaf and Trailways provide long distance bus service to the city. Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) provides flights to major cities throughout the country.
The Mohawk Nation made the area around modern day Syracuse their home for centuries. When explorers and settlers began to move into the area, the Native Americans were resistant to their presence. It was not until after the American Revolution that settlement in the area began to be a more permanent fixture. Salt was the natural resource that drove the economy in the very early days of the area's history. By 1820, the Village of Syracuse was officially incorporated, followed closely by the building of the Erie Canal.
Syracuse University was chartered in 1870 as a Methodist-Episcopal institution; it has grown from a few classrooms located in downtown Syracuse into a major research institution. There are nearly 19,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at this major university. Aside from Syracuse University there are a number of colleges that call the town their home. In the area around Syracuse there are many other colleges, including the Ivy League Cornell University.
World War II sparked significant industrial expansion in the area: specialty steel, fasteners, custom machining. Syracuse was headquarters for Carrier Air Conditioning and Crouse-Hinds traffic signal manufacturing, and General Electric had its main television manufacturing plant at Electronics Parkway in Syracuse.
The city is seen as the northeast gateway to the Finger Lakes Region. The city has many vibrant neighborhoods which were originally various villages that joined the city over the years. Although the central part of Syracuse is flat, many of its neighborhoods are located on small hills such as University Hill and Tipperary Hill. Land to the north of Syracuse is generally flat while land to the south is hilly.
Befitting a town with a mojor university presences, ther are many opportunities for cultural events. The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and the Syracuse Opera Company are popular in upstate New York. The Everson Museum of Art features works of American artists from the 18th century to the present, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, photography, and video. The museum was designed I.M. Pei and opened in 1968.
At one time, Syracuse was home to a major league basketball team known as the Syracuse Nationals. The 24 second shot clock was developed and initially deployed in Syracuse. Today, Syracuse is home to the SkyChiefs, a AAA affliate of the Toronto BlueJays baseball team. Hockey fans follow the Crunch, an American hockey league affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
There have been a large number of well-known people who came from Syracuse. The best known is probably actor Tom Cruise. Wolf Blitzer, Bobcat Goldthwait, Rod Serling, Richard Gere and John Walsh are native to Syracuse and its surrounding area. Well known alumni of Syracuse University include Jim Brown, Marv Albert, Bob Costas, Donovan McNabb, Vanessa Williams and Carmelo Anthony.
When visitng Syrcause, plan on stopping at Marshall Street to enjoy the many shops, restaurants and cafes. Tipperary Hill is interesting for its Green on top stop lights. The Irish residents of the area forced the change from Red on top by repeatedly breaking the lights. The Erie Canal Museum is a worthwhile trip to learn about the great impact the canal had on the economic development of the country.
Whatever brings you to Syracuse, you will find many things to engage your interests regardless of the season. Enjoy your visit!