Syracuse (NY)

About 29 years ago, give or take, Kris’s parents, Dave and Kathy, landed in Syracuse while Dave was learning Russian at the University as a member of the Air Force. Momentous things happened back then, including, of note, the birth of my wife-to-be. They were soon shipped off to Japan, however, well before the new addition to the family had developed any actual memories of the place. Kris had never gone back, and thus it was that Syracuse moved to the top of her list of places to go when we came out east. Syracuse and Niagara (below) are not so far apart, so we planned our four-day circuit to take in the best of both.

We arrived in Syracuse (October 14) fashionably after dark, which seems to be our thing when traveling. Kris navigated to the Jefferson Clinton Hotel downtown, which had some positive ratings online. It turned out to be the perfect spot and a great hub from which to explore a number of city sights. Our only regret was that we couldn’t stay another night.

A few highlights: We had a fantabulous dinner at Pastabilities—the best rigatoni I’ve ever had, wow. From there we ambled over to the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, a regional hotspot for live music and good grub. They call themselves a “honky tonk rib joint” and the moniker fits. A perfect after-dinner spot, a cut above a dive bar. A solo guitar player, accompanied by a drumming puppet, hammered out familiar rock classics and some original items of his own.

Dinosaur BBQ after a couple glasses of wine.

Next morning we enjoyed a complimentary omelet breakfast at the hotel, then wandered all over downtown (see photos). We worked our way toward some addresses Kris had for the apartments her parents lived in while stationed in Syracuse. One seemed to have devolved into a parking lot, but the other was still standing strong. Kris zapped a photo to her mom for confirmation. Yup, it was the place. We rambled through the university grounds and down the hill to the Erie Canal Museum, which was quite excellent. Another highlight was a large wading pool in a giant plaza where the Erie Canal once carried canal boats hundreds of miles through dozens of stone locks.

We still had a good six-hour drive ahead to get back to DC, but first made a final stop for a late lunch at Coleman’s, a famed and stylish Irish pub out in one of the neighborhoods. Then it was drive, drive, drive, and finally home in the pre-wee hours.

Language School at Syracuse University.

 

Skating on the Erie Canal.

Where'd my house go?

Nice digs.

Coleman's.

Note the leprechaun entrance.

On the road in Seneca Falls, NY.