Southside - Syracuse, NY Area Guide

The houses on Syracuse's Southside tell a history all their own. From the tiny and rustic Elmwood to Brighton's gothic structures and from Southwest's gorgeous Queen Anne homes to Strathmore's mid-20th century charm, the Southside is as different as it is historic. These neighborhoods reflect the growth of the city itself.

Around 1600, the Onondaga Nation invited French missionaries to establish a mission in the area that is now Syracuse. The missionaries named their settlement Saint Marie Among the Iroquois and it was located on the northeastern side of Onondaga Lake. The missionaries would return home and tell tales of the salty lake and its springs. After a treaty was reached, salt production began, lasting from the 1700s until the early 1900s. It was during this time that Syracuse earned the title, "Salt City." The city was named after Syracuse, Sicily -- a 2,700-year-old city known for its salt mining and as the ancient home of Archimedes.

The Erie Canal Museum tells the story of Syracuse's part in the area's canal history. The museums stand within the Weighlock building in downtown Syracuse, itself on the National Register of Historic Places.

Residents from all sides of Syracuse come to the north side for the annual Great New York State Fair. Held at the end of each summer, it lets Syracusians enjoy carnival-style foods as they take in free concerts and meet local celebrities.

Wings Over Syracuse fills residents' need for wings. Five different heat levels appease anyone craving hot wings. The flavors run from Wimpy up to Jet Fuel, topping out at Afterburner. Children love the fun, boneless varieties in smooth flavors, such as sweet chili and mustard ranch. Those with late-night fried-food cravings love that the restaurant stays open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Nearby Swallow's Restaurant on South Avenue doubles as a neighborhood bar. To show that you belong, enter through the back door, and walk through the kitchen into the bar. Still, the bar welcomes anyone who enters, front door notwithstanding. The wings draw locals here, and some claim the salt and pepper variety rivals those made famous in Buffalo. Come on Monday night when you get these acclaimed wings for only 25 cents.

Dinosaur Barbecue ranks as the number one restaurant in Syracuse. Central New Yorkers love the style of southern, slow-roasted meats. Beautifully plated racks of ribs, up to 12 at a time, decorate large platters served by smiling waitresses. Drinks include 21 different beers on tap after a full bar was added in 1991. Vegetarians don't feel left out, as the smoked Portobello sandwich mixes vegetables, such as zucchini and peppers, with melted Swiss cheese and a healthy helping of barbecue sauce.

If you're walking, head to the Southside's Pfohl's Tavern. This small neighborhood bar provides a nice place to relax at the end of the day. For a little more excitement, take the bus to Armory Square's Blue Tusk Pub & Wine Bar. Expect to find international offerings as well as 69 beers on tap. The 100-percent blue agave tequila imports directly from Mexico.

Bike lanes down South Salina Street make it possible to pedal from Interstate 81 all the way down to the 5800 block of South Salina. Buses and cars share this busy stretch of road. Uber doesn't service upstate New York, but taxi services, such as Syracuse Taxi, help out those who don't have a car. Syracuse residents utilize the bus service -- Centro's Sy 26 and Sy 50 buses service the Southside area, connecting residents with downtown Syracuse.

Onondaga, Kirkwood, and Elmwood Parks provide recreation for Southside residents, each with distinctive amenities. Onondaga Lake, a local protected site, houses the Hiawatha Lake and a picturesque gazebo, the sight for many wedding photos. A swimming pool and playground make this a popular spot for children during summer months. Marks on the Monday Mile Trail make it easy to see just how many miles you've jogged or power-walked. The park also has eight tennis courts and three basketball courts.

The Kirk Park Colts use Kirkwood park for Pop Warner games. When not in use, this field can accommodate impromptu sporting events, since it has bleachers and a press box. A paved skating pavilion keeps kids entertained when they aren't playing on colorful play structures.

Picturesque Elmwood Park has fewer amenities but much more natural scenery. From a gushing waterfall to man-made lakes, this park contains 65 acres of astounding, unaffected beauty.

The low cost of living on Syracuse's Southside makes it a great choice. Rent on a one-bedroom apartment in Southside averages about $600, and a beer at local tavern costs about $6. The number 10 bus runs up and down South Salina Street day and night for only $2. Those with cars pay a little more for gas, as the price stands 11 percent above average.

Destiny U.S.A., with its 2.4 million square feet of shopping space, can be a bit much to handle if you don't have an entire day to devote to shopping. Visit Chrissy's Antique Mall on Grant Boulevard, a mere seven miles from the shopping mall. Knowledgeable merchants can locate just the antique sideboard or steampunk wall clock that you seek. A cooperative of dealers bring together hundreds of years worth of vintage merchandise.

Dunk & Bright Furniture has been on Syracuse's Southside for generations. With the largest furniture showroom in New York State, this establishment offers a huge store of merchandise. Be sure to visit on a holiday, as the staffers love to dress up for special days. Smaller retailers, such as Percy Jones and T&G Furniture, sell gently used furniture at a discount.

Visit CitiTrends and Suit U Now on South Salina Street to pick up just the right sweater dress or pair of distressed jeans to go with your footwear.

Local chain Tops Friendly Market and independent Deb's Convenience Market provide groceries for residents without having to travel outside of the neighborhood. Closer to Nedrow but still part of the Southside neighborhood, Green Hills Farms provides fresh produce and personable service. In the summertime, visit the parking lot to shop for organic fruits and vegetables. Before closing in October, the market also hosts a fun harvest fest, selling pumpkins and showing off fall produce.