How to Romanticize Syracuse
graphic by sophie sternkopf
Yes, Syracuse is not always the best time. The winters are tough, schoolwork is hard, and life can just suck sometimes. But, there is plenty of ~COVID safe~ things to do around the area. When it’s not pouring rain, the upstate NY fall can actually be the most beautiful time of year. Here are some places to go with your friends where you can pretend like Syracuse is the most aMAziNg and beAutiFul place on earth! Your Instagram will never look better!
Regional Farmers Market
This farmer’s market is one of the biggest in NY. One word: Vegetables. Not only can you get locally grown/made produce, honey, bread, or any food you can imagine, but you can also pretend like you’re a mysterious local bartering for those three avocados. Get some kombucha and crystals to complete the experience.
Skytop Quarry
The abandoned graffitied buildings are something to behold. The cans of paint, red bull, and beer bottles on the ground really add to the look. Jokes aside, the Skytop Quarry has some beautiful trails for walking or running. Check back in the spring for wildflowers to pick!
Clarke Reservation State Park
Like the quarry, but there’s a lake in the middle. Take cute pics with your SO. Or your dog. Or your Starbucks. All adorbs, nonetheless.
Beak and Skiff
Be careful guys - this place can get quite crowded. Tons of students come here to drink hard cider and pick pounds of apples they’re never gonna eat. The drive is almost as beautiful as the farm itself. Have yourself a day and enjoy an apple cider donut (while being socially distant of course).
Crazy Daisies
For all you succulent bitches. Come here for a good Instagram picture and some cute plants. The farm aesthetic is perfect for romanticizing Upstate NY. Nobody needs to know that the sun literally doesn’t exist in this city when you have pretty flowers. You can finally look like that Pinterest board you created!
The Sound Garden Syracuse
I don’t care if you have a record player or not. You can be the hipster kid you’ve always wanted to be, especially when you’re browsing a cool vinyl collection. This store shows some of the
~character~ that downtown Syracuse has beyond the sketchy alleyways and boarded up windows. There’s nothing quite like aimlessly roaming a store hoping that the cute cashier will notice you… Hey, we ALL do it.
Worst comes to worst, when you don’t have a car, a cute outfit, or the will to leave your bed - romanticize just being alive! Amidst the insanity of this semester, give yourself a break to just live. Drink one of those smoothies from the Barnes Center. Walk-through Walnut Park. Listen to the wack conversation your neighbors are having through the walls. Just live!