Judge Ben Wiles Mid-Lakes Navigation’s tour boat on Skaneateles Lake, Skaneateles, NY, Friday, July 6, 2018. (Scott Schild/Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.)
When your winters are like ours, you learn to appreciate the gifts summer brings.
We’ve compiled a list of classic ways to soak up those warm weather vibes. From roadside barbecues to canal cruises — some are more well known than others. But all are unique to our area, our history and true to the Central New York tradition of loving the outdoors when the weather turns sweet.
Even sweeter: Admission to many of these activities is free or under $10 per person.
Greet the morning in mountain pose
Shake up your wake up: Try sunrise yoga in downtown Syracuse. Meet at the Clinton Square fountain each Wednesday in July at 6:30 a.m. for an hour of yoga flow. Group workouts take place every summer, thanks to Metro Fitness and the Syracuse Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs.
These free community classes are built for every level of experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats, though some extras will be available. Parking on the street is free before 9 a.m.
Sunrise Yoga Metro Fitness’ free Sunrise Yoga class in Clinton Square, June 28, 2025, in Syracuse, N.Y. Free classes are offered every Wednesday in July from 6:30 AM-7:30 AM.
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com
(Scott Schild/Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) Stock up at a farmers market
Bring a straw tote for the Cazenovia Farmers Market. Find homegrown fruits and vegetables, locally made crafts and foods including baked goods, cheeses, honey, coffee, jams, eggs and meats, all from within 50 miles of Cazenovia. While you’re there, stroll the picturesque village’s sidewalks and check out the local shops or stay for lunch. Runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 24 at Memorial Park on Albany Street.
Looking closer to home? Fayetteville, Manlius, Baldwinsville, Camillus, Liverpool, Skaneateles, Syracuse and other municipalities host producers and vendors weekly, too.
Cazenovia Farmers Market The Cazenovia Farmers Market runs every Saturday from May through October at Memorial Park on Albany Street (Route 20). (Kathe Harrington/SYR) Shop local lakeside
The Skaneateles Curbstone Festival features great discounts on fashion, home goods, jewelry, artwork, plants and more from brick-and-mortar stores and pop-up shops in a charming lakeside village setting. Browse displays along Genesee and Jordan streets.
Strolling balloon artists will entertain children throughout the weekend and Skaneateles Library will host a huge book sale at the site of its future home Thursday to Sunday. Visit 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 11. It’s about as close to the Hamptons as you can get without a long drive.
Things to do Shoppers browse clothing at the Skaneateles Curbstone Festival. (Provided Photo/Provided Photo) Walk among nature for your well-being
Immerse yourself in nature with the Wellness Walking Group at Beaver Lake Nature Center. This self-guided morning walk encompasses a few miles on a variety of trails or three miles on the Lake Loop. Stay for coffee and socialize after the walk. Starts at 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. For a guided tour, try the Friday Evening Wildlife Walks with a naturalist; there are five dates this summer. Free with park admission, $5 per vehicle.
Beaver Lake Nature Center The Hidden Hills Primitive Trail at Beaver Lake Nature Center is 1.6 miles long. (Sunny Hernandez/Sunny Hernandez | ahernandez@nyup.com) Step into the past at a horse-and-carriage competition
The Lorenzo Driving Competition, celebrating 50 years, takes place Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19 at the Lorenzo State Historic Site in Cazenovia. The beautiful backdrop sets the stage for this horse-and-carriage showcase of driving, dress and style. Activities each day start around 9 a.m.
The free family-friendly event also features pop-up shops, food trucks, mini donkeys from the Haven at Skanda and a Kid’s Korral with crafts and activities. History lovers shouldn’t miss the authentic Circle C Chuck Wagon and the Cazenovia Blacksmith Project.
Friday evening, join the welcome reception — $10 at the door includes a souvenir glass with free refills, Syracuse Orchestra string quartet performance, carriage rides and a spirited hat contest — and tour the 19th-century mansion.
Lorenzo Driving Competition Susan Smith drives her horse, Wilbur LBF, in the Novice Whip Small & Large Ponies – Turnout event during the Lorenzo Driving Competition in Cazenovia, N.Y., Sunday, July 21, 2013. (Kevin Rivoli/SYR) Cycle around Onondaga Lake
Rent a brightly colored bicycle or quadricycle and pedal around Onondaga Lake Park. McKie Sports’ Cuse Cycle rental shop is next to the Griffin Visitor Center at the south end of the park. Bicycle rentals range from $12-$25 per hour, a two-pedal surrey bike is $25 per hour, while a four-pedal bike is $35 per hour. Finish the day with a hot dog and ice cream from Heid’s across the street.
A warm afternoon brought people out to Onondaga Lake Park A warm afternoon brought people out to Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool, N.Y., Tuesday July 19, 2022. (Scott Schild)
(Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com/Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) Have a picnic dinner with a side of theater
For a classic Shakespearean outdoor theater experience in a beautiful setting unique to Syracuse, don’t miss Syracuse Shakespeare-in-the-Park at Thornden Park Amphitheater. This season’s productions are “King Lear” in June and “Taming of the Shrew” in August; each show runs for two weekends. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs, or spring for premium seating, which includes a lawn chair, $10 food voucher, water bottle and ice cream token. General admission is free, donations are welcome.
Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park The mechanicals’ antics from David Hitchcock, Peter Andres, Chris Best (hidden), Basil Allen, Jacob Garofalo and Tone Merrick, gave us hundreds of laughs at Thornden Park. (Royce Burgess photo) (Royce Burgess) Vote for the vessel that floats your boat
This year marks the 48th annual Antique & Classic Boat Show, July 24, 25 and 26, at Clift Park in Skaneateles. With more than 80 antique and classic boats and motors on display in the water and on land, live music, a boat parade, a spectator cruise on the Judge Ben Wiles, children’s activities, demos, shopping, toy boat painting for kids and raffles. Awards are presented in 35 categories, including the coveted People’s Choice Award. Hours are 3 p.m. to dusk Friday, 9 a.m. to dusk Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Antique Boats Spectators look at antique boat tied to their slips on Skaneateles Lake on the last day of the Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show in 2017. The three day event drew thousands. In addition to the boats in the water were were boats in a land display at Clift Park. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.co, SYR (Dennis Nett/SYR) Ride horseback through rural terrain
Amble through the countryside of Georgetown, N.Y. in Madison County. Horseback rides from Highland Outfitters (formerly at Highland Forest in Fabius) take riders of any experience level on a peaceful trek along a forest trail. Rides are $45 per person and last about an hour. Guided trail rides are available through October, weather-permitting. For ages 5 and up, by appointment only, up to six people at a time. Call 315-289-3775 to make an appointment.
Highland Outfitters George Poole of Highland Outfitters leads Lara Makhoul her mother Mary and brother Julian through a cathedral of pine trees during their ride on the park trail, July 31, 2014. Highland Outfitters now leads rides in Georgetown, N.Y. (David Lassman/SYR) Dig in at a roadside barbecue
Drive out to Homer’s roadside hotspot Bob’s Barbecue and eat at one of the stand’s covered picnic tables or take it home. People come from miles around for their brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken and Hoffman Hots.
Dinners are served with a choice of two sides, which include (when available) baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, macaroni salad, sweet corn and salt potatoes. The dessert options are homemade brownies, assorted cookies, cheesecake, cakes and assorted homemade pies. This year, they added Wednesdays and Thursdays, so you don’t have to wait for the weekend to get a little messy.
Bob’s Barbecue Bob’s Barbecue in Homer, N.Y. opens seasonally from April to October. (Syracuse.com/Bob’s Barbecue) Take a short hike to a waterfall
Pratt’s Falls Park in Manlius is a relatively easy jaunt that features an overlook at the top and a trail to the base of the falls. This 137-foot drop is a stellar sight a mere 16 miles from Syracuse. With picnic benches, grills, restrooms, fishing and an archery area (bring your own equipment and target), you can make a day of it. Plus, there are longer trails to hike from 1.2 to 2.6 miles. The park is open 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Pay $2 to park.
Pratt’s Falls There is no public access to the bottom of the gorge, though this viewing point provides the perfect spot for photos. (Kathe Harrington/SYR) Cruise the historic Erie Canal
Go back in CNY history with a canal boat cruise at Camillus Erie Canal Park. The only boat ride in New York state on the historic Erie Canal, this narrated tour runs 45 minutes round-trip and goes over the restored 1842 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct. Public rides take place Wednesdays and Sundays at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children 4-12, or a $15 nuclear family maximum (parents and children or grandparents plus grandchildren); ages 3 and under free. Tickets can be purchased day-of at the Sims Store Museum, which is open Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Towpath Day at Camillus Erie Canal Park Towpath Day at the Camillus Erie Canal Park, Sat. Aug. 8, 2015. Boats take visitors along the canal.
David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com SYR (David Lassman/SYR) Immerse yourself in the natural world
Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus boasts more than 180 acres of field and stream with more than six miles of trails open daily. With day camps for kids, tours and unique interactive and immersive programs, the center aims to bring people and nature closer together. Activities like a nature sketching session and a telescope workshop are already on the calendar, but the center, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, is planning a variety of upcoming celebrations and events. Check the website for updates.
Baltimore Woods Nature Center An adult ecological workshop led by a naturalist at the Baltimore Woods Nature Center. (Special to nyup.com)