What to do in Syracuse with a teenager.

December 27, 2015 6:43 PM

Because I'm an awesome mom, I'm driving from RI to Syracuse in March so my daughter can go to a concert. We're going up the day before the show, and I've never been to Syracuse, so I don't know how to spend our free time.

We'll be arriving Saturday 03/05/16 for a Sunday night show at Oncenter. Kid Ruki will be 14, and we're seeing Fall Out Boy, so that should give an idea of what she's like. I'm looking at staying at the Crown Plaza because it's reasonably priced and seems to be within walking distance. We'll have Saturday night and Sunday to do stuff. Ideas for things to do and places to eat will be greatly appreciated.

posted by Ruki to Society & Culture (7 answers total)

Maybe ice skating in Clinton Square if it's still open? The museum of science and technology is supposed to be fun too and relatively local to you, although I haven't been in a while. There will likely be a good snow cover by then too so if you're interested in venturing out of downtown, there are places you could rent cross country skis or snowshoes.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 7:23 PM on December 27, 2015

If you're interested in art, particularly ceramics, the Everson Museum of Art is pretty cool.
posted by PussKillian at 7:52 PM on December 27, 2015

Best answer: Downtown Syracuse is bouncing back from a long decline and there is actually a lot of fun stuff to check out. You'll be right near the Everson Museum and the MOST, mentioned above is pretty cool too, although 14 might be pushing it age-wise on some of the exhibits. On Jefferson St., there is Vintage Love, a vintage clothing shop that just opened, Better skateshop, and Voltage Video, a great video game store and then a little further down you have Gannon's ice cream and Cafe Kubal and Recess coffee are both good hot beverage spots for March. Good window shopping in Armory Square as well, including eats. I recommend Lofo, but the 14 year old palate may not be as into it - better choice is Funk n' Waffles, where you can get waffles of all variety and good tunes playing (as featured on the Food Network!).

If you drive just a short way (or don't mind a little bit of a walk), you can head up to the Westcott neighborhood for more vintage clothing and other funky stuff.

Happy to offer further suggestions if necessary and if there is anything specific you might be looking to do!
posted by stefnet at 7:57 PM on December 27, 2015 [1 favorite]

If she happens to be the kind of kid who loves used bookstores (or is a dweeb for old vinyl), Books & Melodies on James St can swallow up hours of time.
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 9:38 PM on December 27, 2015 [1 favorite]

The Erie Canal museum if she likes history.
Dinosaur BBQ if you eat meat.
posted by brujita at 12:09 AM on December 28, 2015

If you're into baseball, Cooperstown is a day trip from Syracuse.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:26 AM on December 28, 2015

Stefnet has good suggestions.

I'd also add soy milkshakes from Strong Hearts right next door to your hotel and/or tea from Roji on Washington Street.

There's also Clark's Ale House on the corner of Salina and Washington which is a British Pub that is very family-friendly and has great roast beef sandwiches.

Westcott has a fun little funky business district and the bookstores in Eastwood are great. We also have a lot of great little ethnic food markets, which will require some driving.

If you or she are into the arts, I'd see what's playing at the Red House Theater, CNY Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, Landmark Theatre, and Manlius Art Cinema while you'll be here.

Lastly, there's the zoo and the giant mall (fortress of commercialism), if that's your thing.
posted by JimBJ9 at 1:42 PM on December 28, 2015