Hello, fellow Local Guides! I recently travelled to Upstate NY and truly enjoyed the trip. The terrain is covered with green, rolling mountains, sparkling lakes and rivers and a great mix of small towns and larger cities. I chose to focus on a day spent in Syracuse, NY for this post and will do my best to share that day with all of you. 
My morning started with breakfast at our hotel- Tru by Hilton Syracuse North Airport Area
They offer a large continental breakfast, with eggs, sausage, pancakes, yogurt, breads and much more. There’s also plenty of coffee and juice. Their rooms are very spacious and they have an indoor pool for relaxing after a full day!
I passed the airport as I began my day and noticed that the Goodyear Blimp was in town and looked quite “frosty,” so I had to take a picture!
My first stop of the day was a POI that I wanted to grab a menu from (for later in the day) and a few photos to post on Maps. Upon entering Mi Casita, I was warmly greeted by not only the worker behind the counter, but also the incredible aromas of slow cooked meats, warm, rich seasonings and deep fried goodness!
Parking is on the street and as I was making my way back to my vehicle, I noticed Dilauro’s Bakery across the corner. There seemed to be a steady flow in and out the doors, so I decided to take a look… So glad that I did!
By this time, my stomach had resorted to screaming and begging. I relented and indulged in a slice of cheese pizza. It was DELICIOUS! Cheesy. Buttery. Garlicky. A soft, thin crust that had just the right amount of crunch. I also purchased a loaf of traditional Italian bread and a loaf of pan bread, because you can never have too much fresh bread 
With my hunger appeased, I was now ready to begin exploring the city. I was making my way downtown, when my eyes were immediately drawn to a beautiful 40 ft. tall woman in a purple dress - Francesca!
I loved this mural so much, that I added it to Maps - it’s already been viewed by 280 people! The subject of this mural is Francesca and she was the grandmother of the founder of the restaurant, that now shares her name - Francesca’s Cucina.
I didn’t have to travel far to find another place of interest, as a bright yellow fence across the street caught my gaze. The front lawn of Ngoc Duyen Temple was perfectly maintained and filled with ornate stone statuary and lined with vibrant roses.
After strolling through this area, I got back in my vehicle and continued to Downtown. The first POI on my list was the Niagara Mohawk building - A truly stunning example of Art Deco architecture.
I find this building to be one of the most beautiful, that I’ve seen. There’s so much detail and a flawless use of materials. I imagine how truly impressive it must have been when it was constructed 90 years ago?! Clearly, I’m a fan.
I continued my exploration of Downtown by walking towards the Town Square area. I passed the Saltine Warrior on the way and liked it’s outdoor space, so I snapped a photo. A very inviting patio that I could see myself having a drink on, so I saved it to a Maps List for my next visit.
I rounded the corner and was greeted by a proper town center - Clinton Square. A historical gathering place with tall buildings, fountains, monuments and an open space that was being converted to a seasonal ice rink.
I really enjoyed the detailed sculpting of the Jerry Rescue as much as I did reading the history behind it. It’s quite the story.
It’s also home to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument (1911) - a granite Beaux Arts monument dedicated to the 12,265 men of Onondaga County who served in the Civil War.
I completed my initial loop of this part of downtown by walking back a different route and photographing some POI for my Google Maps profile. I found some very interesting places!
Apizza Regionale has a great patio and serves locally sourced pizza and pasta.
La Melange is new to the area and offers chic decor with a Downtown Syracuse touch and highly rated dishes.
The Hops Spot is a funky space that offers beers, cocktails and handmade burgers.
Funk N Waffles has sweet & savory waffles, sandwiches, coffee and offers live music.
Kitty Hoynes is an Old-world style Irish pub that offers hearty cuisine and a selection of whiskeys.
The interior is very ornate, with an antique bar and offers live folk and rock music.
MOST - The Museum of Science and Technology is a children’s oriented learning center that offers exhibits and an IMAX theater.
With a pretty thorough walking tour of downtown sights, bars and eateries completed, I decided to take a drive up the hill and check out the campus of Syracuse University. It’s a large metropolitan university and takes up a large section of the city. I discovered this impressive mural located within a school parking lot. It’s so creative and colorful,I had to take a photo and felt it deserved to be added to Google Maps - so, I did!
Be Yourself mural shining bright and inspiring all that see it.
All this walking had made me hungry again, so now it was time to revisit Mi Casita and order some empanadas. I must say - These were without a doubt the largest empanadas I’ve EVER had! I ordered two and was full from one.
A delicious beef and cheese empanada that’s almost as large as my hand!
Next up was a stop to pickup my girlfriend and grab some of the best popcorn you’ll ever have at the Million Air FBO. I was too full to eat any at the time, but it’s just as good the next day!
After a stop at the hotel to freshen up, we went out to take some more photos for Maps while there was still daylight and before we went to dinner.
I felt like this Dollar Tree was unique and worthy of a photo and a visit! It was huge, the largest I’ve been t to. They had items for every season and holiday, in stock daily!
The round portion of this Dollar Tree used to be a hamburger joint, the other portion was built onto the existing structure.
We were also fortunate enough to witness a glorious sunset, that evening.
A cotton candy sunset over a Syracuse gas station.
After some discussion, we decided on our dinner restaurant - Dark Horse Tavern. They are a neighborhood pub and were rated 4.6 from almost 600 reviews, so we were excited to check out it. They did not disappoint! My entree was the honey glazed salmon special and it was prepared perfectly.
@Mikeinthefalls review of Dark Horse Tavern
The House made Long Island ice teas were also excellent and a refreshing way to relax after a long, full day.
That’s my day in Syracuse, NY! Have you been there before? Do you live in the area! If so, please share your photos or suggest locations I might have missed and should check out next time!
Thanks to all that have taken the time to read. I hope this post was informative.
Happy New Year and best to you all in 2023. 
