The Atlas Obscura Guide To Syracuse

6 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Syracuse, New York

Updated January 24, 2023

Unusual Attractions in Syracuse

Syracuse, New York

Tree of 40 Fruit

A Frankenstein blend of science and art allows one tree to produce 40 different types of stone fruit.

View from one of Green Lake’s limestone reefs

Fayetteville, New York

Green Lakes State Park

Surprisingly aquamarine waters fill deep lakes formed at the end of the last ice age.

Syracuse, New York

Niagara Mohawk Building

This Art Deco fortress in upstate New York gives Manhattan's vaunted examples of the style a run for their money.

Syracuse, New York

Upside-Down Traffic Signal

A reversed traffic signal that was once violently misinterpreted as a statement on British-Irish relations.

Syracuse, New York

24-Second Shot Clock Monument

This monument pays tribute to the city’s contribution to basketball history.

Syracuse, New York

World Reclamation Art Project

In DeWitt, New York, a blanket-wrapped gas station makes a creative statement on global dependence on oil.

Are we missing something unusual?

Add it!

Jamesville, New York

Skytop Quarry

Abandoned rock quarry now a haven for mountain bikers and hikers.

3 miles from Syracuse

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Syracuse

Syracuse, New York

Tree of 40 Fruit

A Frankenstein blend of science and art allows one tree to produce 40 different types of stone fruit.

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Syracuse, New York

Outsider Art 1

Science 1

Architecture 1

Flora 1

Art 1

Public 1

Politics 1

Trees 1

Universities 1

Food 1

Electricity 1

Architectural Oddities 1

Outsider Architecture 1

Art Deco 1

Day Of Rivals 1

Plants 1

Fruit 1

Rivals Week 1

Conservation 1

Syracuse Leaderboard

Places Added

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Syracuse.

Places Edited

Join the Ranks!

Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

Join the Ranks!

Visit a place in Syracuse.

Recent Syracuse Activity

grizloch

wants to go to Upside-Down Traffic Signal
Liz D

wants to go to World Reclamation Art Project
janeaugust

has been to Upside-Down Traffic Signal
Liz D

wants to go to Niagara Mohawk Building
newmy51

has been to Niagara Mohawk Building

Stories About Syracuse

Local historian Robert Searing poses with the new plaque and period actors.

Locally Famous Foods Are Now Getting Plaques Like Historical Sites

Syracuse got one for salt potatoes—could your hometown be next?

by Luke Fater

July 19, 2021

The rooftop house, pictured here on the left, goes way back.

For Sale: A Sprawling Carriage Factory and the House on Its Roof

A Syracuse rooftop still holds some pretty puzzling real estate.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

February 19, 2020

Popular Destinations

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Syracuse

6 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Syracuse, New York

Unusual Attractions in Syracuse

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Syracuse

Plan Your Trip

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Syracuse Activity

Stories About Syracuse

Locally Famous Foods Are Now Getting Plaques Like Historical Sites

For Sale: A Sprawling Carriage Factory and the House on Its Roof

Become an Atlas Obscura Member