Recreation

By John Mariani / The Post-Standard

Syracuse, NY -- You want fun?

Forget Vegas. Ignore Orlando.

Think Syracuse.

The Syracuse metropolitan area, at No. 17, ranks ahead of those two cities on the Portfolio.com Fun Index of America's 100 biggest cities.

Las Vegas, the nation’s gaming capital, ranked No. 26, and Orlando, home of Walt Disney World and a plethora of other theme parks, came in at No. 42, according to the business magazine's web site.

Why Should I Volunteer?
You are helping to build a spirit of community while supporting the 40 Below Marketing Task Force!

Tips from events like this are key to raising funds to support efforts of 40 Below and it’s Task Forces. This year, Blues Festival coordinators have reserved BEER TENT #1 for 40 Below volunteers all day on Saturday, July 11th. This is a great opportunity for us to raise some much needed funds for future initiatives, but we certainly can’t do it without volunteers! So grab a friend (be gentle) to volunteer with you and follow the directions below on how to sign up!

By Kirk House
Story curtsey of The Syracuse Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau Magazine. Available online at http://www.visitsyracuse.org/media/VisitSyracuseMagazine.pdf

Nobody can say it – everybody loves it. Skan-ee-AT-las is the name… “Long Lake” in the local Iroquoian tongue. It’s just the right size for strolling from shop to shop to shop, and the lake itself makes a wonderful backdrop for the 19th-century shopping district.

Story curtsey of The Syracuse Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau Magazine. Available online at http://www.visitsyracuse.org/media/VisitSyracuseMagazine.pdf

One of the great things about living in Syracuse is the abundance of parks and recreation trails. When I plan my workout I have dozens of uniquely interesting places that are within a few minutes drive. One of my favorite routes is something few parks can claim; it used to be one of the most important trade routes in the country. The route I am talking about is of course, the Old Erie Canal.

When most people think of kayaking, they think of white waters rushing through as you slide down dangerous rivers. There is also another type of kayaking, which is great for the Central New York region, it is flat water kayaking. I myself just began to kayak this summer and I’ve paddled on the Seneca River, near Baldwinsville and on the Montezuma Wildlife Preserve, hoping on the Seneca River again, this time near Port Byron. It’s great exercise and a great time to be had with a friend with a kayak. It’s a bit of an investment for a kayak and your gear, but well worth it.

Location(s)

Every year I look forward to the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival, held this year Friday, July 6 through Sunday, July 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all days in historic Columbus Circle in downtown Syracuse. If you haven’t yet experienced the festival, you need to. If you have, I’ll see you there.

Come for the dozens of artists selling their distinctive pieces, for the great food, live music, street performers, great surrounding architecture and neat things for small kids and “big kids,” too.

Syracuse Youth Rugby Football Club:
Syracuse Silverbacks

For the first time in the Syracuse area, youth rugby has been established for all interested High School boys, 19 and under. The Syracuse Youth Rugby Football Club is part of the New York State Rugby Union. This spring season, the club team participates in a seven game schedule facing teams from Buffalo, Rochester and other areas of NY. They will also participate in an end of the year tournament. Practices are held 2-3 times per week at O'connor park (the corner of Velasko and Onondaga) and games are played on Sundays.

It’s springtime again, or at least by date it is, maybe not by weather yet. Time to get out an about and enjoy what central New York has to offer. If you enjoy running, take a quick run, lakeside around Green Lakes at Green Lakes Park which offers great road and trail running. If bike riding and rollerblading are more your style, check out Onondaga lake parkway for a quick jaunt.