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For the love of Syracuse

02/01/2009

Source: Connections Magazine

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What defines a romantic getaway? To some, it could mean staring longingly into each others' eyes over a candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant. To others, it could mean hiking through natural wonders or relaxing at a spa. But one thing is certain during these uncertain economic times; romantic getaways need to be budget friendly.

When you're deciding where to go this Valentine's Day or spring, one city that offers affordable choices for every type of romantic is Syracuse, NY.

Relax in Luxury
For a romantic getaway complete with a luxurious hotel room, massages, and fine dining there are many special packages offered by local businesses in Syracuse. The Romeo & Juliet Syracuse Opera vacation package features overnight accommodations, a complimentary breakfast buffet, and a bottle of champagne at the Jefferson Clinton Hotel in Historic Armory Square and two tickets to the Syracuse Opera's performance of Charles Gounod's "Romeo & Juliet" on either March 6 or March 8. Mirbeau Inn & Spa, located in the picturesque village of Skaneateles, is offering a Romantic Getaway Package with overnight accommodations, a 50-minute couple's fireside massage, four-course wine pairing dinner, and breakfast at the hotel's Giverny restaurant. SpaZend, an Asian-inspired day-spa in Downtown Syracuse, also offers an Indulgence Anniversary Package featuring a halfday of relaxation with Thai Poultice Massages and a couple's Javanese Banana Leaf Foot Treatment. Some of the finest accommodations in the region can be found in and around Syracuse, including The Genesee Grande Hotel in the heart of Syracuse's University Hill neighborhood and surrounded by vibrant businesses, shops, and attractions; and the Sherwood Inn, featuring twenty-four antique appointed guest rooms in Skaneateles. Also consider dining and staying at The Craftsman Inn in the suburb of Fayetteville, N.Y. Comfortable and gracious, each room is individually decorated with Stickley furniture. When looking for dining options, try Pastabilities in Historic Armory Square, which offers live jazz, the fine French cuisine at Joelle's French Bistro in Skaneateles or Scotch N' Sirloin, a classic steakhouse with a romantic fireplace in the suburb of DeWitt. For an extra romantic treat, visit one of two drive-in
movie theaters each about forty minutes fromSyracuse's city-center. They are open from April through September. Also, be sure to check out the Darling Hill Observatory in Tully, NY, featuring a nine-foot-long telescope that delivers stunning views of the planets, moon, galaxies, and star clusters.

Natural Beauty
Syracuse and Central New York are surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural treasures in the Northeast, including the Finger Lakes, a series of eleven pristine lakes commonly enjoyed for boating, fishing, and swimming. Three of the Finger Lakes are lined with more than 100 vineyards as part of the Finger Lakes wine region, all within a short drive from Syracuse. Take a chauffeured tour of wine country to see the beautiful scenery, taste the unique flavors of award-winning Finger Lakes wine, and dine at some of the wineries' elegant dining rooms. Central New York is also home to a 167-foot waterfall at Chittenango Falls State Park, located just twenty miles from Syracuse, and a 137-foot waterfall at Pratt's Falls Park in Manlius. Combine these waterfalls with more than fifty county, state, and city parks, and many nature centers, and the romantic in every outdoorsman can be satisfied. If you are looking for other outdoor activities, try Highland Forest County Park, which offers horse drawn sleigh and hay rides, or day and evening skating at Clinton Square's outdoor ice skating rink in Downtown Syracuse through early spring. Syracuse also hosts a year-round regional market with the tastes of the region. Beginning in the spring, Skaneateles opens the Greener Bean Market, featuring organic foods made throughout Central New York. To feel closer to nature, be sure to also stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts around Syracuse, including Ophelia's Garden Inn, an English Country Estate that sits on three acres of lawn and gardens. Also consider The Red Mill Inn with its tranquil serenity provided by the waters of the nearby New York Erie Canal; Fox Ridge Bed & Breakfast, nestled in a quiet woodland setting just thirty minutes west of Syracuse with 120 acres of gardens, open meadows, forested hills, and meandering brooks; and The Arbor House Inn in the village of Skaneateles, an elegant, old fashioned inn with the modern amenities of hotel lodging.

Here are some other reasons to visit the Salt City:
• World-Class Entertainment: World-renowned violinist and composer Andre Rieu will perform at Syracuse's Oncenter Complex on April 20.
• Broadway on Montgomery Street: The Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series will bring "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Sweeney Todd" to the Civic Center at the Oncenter March 24 - 26 and April 14 - 16, respectively. "The Diary of Anne Frank" will also be performed by Syracuse Stage March 31 - May 1.
• Celebrating Cinema: The Syracuse International Film Festival will bring filmmakers from all over the globe to showcase their art April 23 - May 5 at venues across the city.

In Syracuse, the peaceful countryside meets the buzz of a mid-sized city with lots of places to see and things to do. For more information, go to www.VisitSyracuse.org.