Visiting a new city, we generally have expectations. San Francisco will be hilly...very hilly. Chicago will be windy. New Yorkers will be mean. Everything is bigger in Texas. Parisians hate Americans. Whether those expectations are realistic or not is irrelevant. The fact is that we typically have some idea of what to expect when we go somewhere new. My trip to Syracuse, however, was impromptu and because this city was never on my radar to visit, I had zero expectations. It was a refreshing experience, kind of like San Antonio because my mind was open to whatever Syracuse had to offer.

Of course, like anywhere else in the world, Syracuse had a few unexpected personality traits that took me by surprise. It’s hilly terrain by far being the biggest surprise. I wouldn’t describe Syracuse as a pretty city because its age is obvious. It is one with lots of character though making it a unique and interesting city. The old buildings, the random cobblestone and brick pavement, and the old houses give the city a unique personality that’s unmistakable. So if you’re lucky enough to visit this rare gem, here are five things to know.

1 - There are intense hills, many of them like those of San Francisco. Bring comfortable walking shoes. Forget being stylish, leave the heels at home. If you want to survive the intense hills that are rather unexpected, you need comfortable walking shoes. Your thighs will burn, your butt will burn, but it’s always worth it to explore a destination on foot rather than by car. The hills aren’t everywhere but they are frequent enough to provide a nice workout on a daily basis. Another important thing to note about the hills, when it gets wet, they are particularly slick. Gravity will not be a friend if you start sliding downhill.

2 - The city is split into two parts: the university and the city. This isn’t meant to be taken literally. The city of Syracuse actually has several different neighborhoods and areas to explore. But downtown Syracuse might as well be split into these two parts. On one side, you have Syracuse University which is large and expansive and absolutely gorgeous. On the other side is the downtown portion of the city with a thriving art community, lots of great restaurants, lounges and clubs, stores, and more. Both are worth exploring but if there’s not much time and you need to break up the schedule, these two parts are a good starting point to cover.

3 - The food scene is surprisingly top-notch. I never expect bad food anywhere I visit. However, I can be surprised at the amount of fun and delicious places to eat. Syracuse not only has plenty of diverse cuisines, but Guy Fieri has also been to six different restaurants for Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Plus, the coffee scene is off the charts. One of the most disappointing things about traveling for me is that I cannot possibly consume the amount of coffee or food that I want to try on any given trip. I would need a second body to digest and handle the caffeine. Food is something I could sit here and write about for days so we’ll save a more intense look at the food scene for another. Rest assured though, you will not go hungry visiting Syracuse. That is, unless you find it impossible to make a decision on where to eat.

Kubal Coffee Roaster makes a mean latte. It’s a great spot to pick up The Daily Orange and catch up on local news.

4 - The university campus is 100% worth exploring, including at night. Touring a college campus might not sound enticing but Syracuse University deserves consideration. Founded in 1870, the university has been around for a while which is evident thanks to many of the buildings. Many of them have been around for decades, several even over a century like the Hall of Languages which was built in 1873. Five other buildings were built before the turn of the century including Crouse College and Holden Observatory. A dozen more were built in the first two decades of the 20th century and many more soon afterward. There’s something about old buildings that draws me in. While a daytime tour of the campus is necessary, make sure you head back at night to see the Hall of Languages lit up. The view is almost magical and the photos that you’ll get out of it are Instagram gold.

The Hall of Languages at Syracuse University lit up at night.

5 - There are a lot of historic buildings and art worth seeing. So I guess this is a repetition to #4 but there are plenty of historic buildings not on campus worth seeing as well. The Landmark Theatre, The Westcott and Gridley Building are just a few. Besides historical spots to see, there’s also a lot of public art displays. Syracuse has a large community of artists. Murals are sporadically throughout the city for an unexpected treat when you happen to find them. The bottom line? Walk around and take in all the different things the city has to offer. They might have a few rough edges because of age but that’s where the beauty lies...in the story they tell of years past.

A stamp (?) in the cement on a sidewalk in downtown Syracuse from 1887. I thought this was a neat find.

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