Born and raised in Syracuse and lived here most of my life. Even though a lot of people say they wouldn’t come here in the winter, downtown looks pretty amazing around Christmas time with the tree and lights and ice skating rink.
Same here, I live in North Carolina now, I always tell people downtown gives off that wonderland look in the winter especially with the lights. It feels like you're in a christmas movie
Born and raised here. Good job highlighting some of the downtown stuff that most residents don't even notice. That rough neighborhood you were in is an oasis compared to the other side of town, which houses the poorest neighborhood in the country. The canal was routed through Oneida lake, and you're right, they really should have left it where it was. Our outdoor ice rink in the winter would be more like Ottawa than just the small pool you saw in its place.
A few years back before Craigslist was changed, there were hilarious posts in Syracuse Rants and Raves about Ed Phatzo Thayer, the king of Wolf Street.
So glad you visited Syracuse. I hope we treated you well. A couple of things: the county name is pronounced On-on-dah-gah. It's named for the Onondaga native people, one of tribes of the Iroquois Nation, many of whom live on Nation territory just south of the city. The reason the canal was diverted outside of town is that it was enlarged and couldn't maintain its original route without tearing down the buildings that had grown up around it. We would have lost the Syracuse Savings Bank Building and the Gridley Building, two of the buildings you featured. Interestingly, if you look at the buildings that ran along the canal, their front facades are much fancier than the sides that faced the canal. That's because the canal side was considered the working side. The reflecting pool that sits on the site of the canal is intended to harken back to the canal. It is turned into a skating rink in the winter. I'm glad you had some Irish food, but am sorry that you didn't sample our Italian cuisine - we have some of the best Italian food you'll find anywhere. Also, the next time you're in town you should check out Syracuse University and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Fun Fact, if you look down into the square, fenced structures toward the end of the reflection pool you'll see the original stone walls of the canal. They snuck that in there when they did the facelift back in the day.
Hey, syracuse native here, loved the video and hearing about our city history. i highly suggest you visiting some of the towns of the finger lakes, skaneateles and auburn in particular. they are so beautiful!
Skaneateles and Auburn ain't Syracuse. Let's be authentic. If I want to see Syracuse, it is all about emptiness, political corruption, high taxes on the few who actually work and no real direction. It is about serious violent crime and an abundance of DEI.
I’ve got a mule her name is Sal. 15 miles on the Erie canal! She’s hauled some barges in her day filled with lumber, coal and hay. And every inch of the way, she knows, from Albany to Buffalo.
Right on! We used to sing that song in elementary school music class in Waterford, NY, ma’am. I remember it well, & you just brought back some fond memories. God bless you, & I hope that you have a great day.
As an Upstater I just wanted to say thank you for this upload, I'm watching this two thousand miles away from my family and hometown and it filled me with warmth to see such beautiful filmography of one of the cities I spent so much time with my family. Hopefully you can show some of the other Upstate NY locations! Ps you got my subscription 😀
I lived in Houstin, TX, for 43 years. I love HEB. I have a camp on one of the Finger Lakes for 22 years. I have visited Wegman's stores in Syracuse, Auburn, and Ithaca. HEB can learn a lot from Wegman's markets.
I grew up in Syracuse. Dad used to take us fishing on Whites Bridge on a still existing section of the Erie Canal. We used to catch small fish. My brother caught a snapping turtle and I caught my Dad in the back and our dog in the tail while learning to cast. My folks are gone now and we haven't been back for a few years. Syracuse is a gritty town but the area; Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, Adirondack Mountains and Thousand Islands are all natural wonders. We used to go camping in the Adirondacks in the summer. Invariably someone from a neighboring camp site would talk about how beautiful New York is and they never knew how different from New York City. I hope to get back this summer.
Come back! I’m on Seneca Lake. New York is one of the most beautiful states in the nation for its scenery! And Syracuse is on the upswing, a good city in its bones.
@@dianamanwaring4794 You are wrong, Syracuse is beautiful. The beautification efforts in the downtown are reaping benefits. It's just that there are bad sections just like every city in the US.
Very fair overview of the city. My grandfather used to be the President of Syracuse Savings Bank! I have lots of family history there. I hope you enjoyed you stay.
Looks like downtown Syracuse has reinvented itself in the past 15 years ! We drove around the city around 2006 and I'm very pleased to see how nice the city centre now is ! We were doing one of our USA/Canada road trips, which included the Finger Lakes and the Adirondack Mountains. A lot of upstate New York in those days was going through transition as businesses came and went, but it looks nice now. Good to see.
We're trying to make it nicer, although it's kind of an uphill battle when your city is poor. Like many other rustbelt cities, when highways were built in the 1960s through primarily Black neighborhoods, white city residents moved to the suburbs and took their tax dollars with them. City revenue plummeted as the median income of city residents declined and population declined. The irony is that property taxes are generally higher in cities than they are in suburbs, which means property taxes from cities subsidize suburbs. So with every new housing development being built in places outside Syracuse, new sewage lines and power lines and roads have to be constructed across more square acreage than those same services would cover in the city. That gets expensive, and who foots the bill? City residents. But I could go on for hours about how suburban sprawl and car-dependent infrastructure is making Americans poorer.
Well, as mentioned in my comment, it’s good to see how nice the centre of Syracuse has now become. We’ve done a lot of road trips around Canada and the USA and it’s always good to see and hear about real progress. We have similar issues in the UK I’m sorry to report. Well done.
My son and I had the pleasure of visiting downtown Syracuse while being here as a Traveling Medical employee at upstate University Hospital from Florida. We’ve been here on a seven month contract and I must say the downtown area is really beautiful .
Yes, it does look like nice downtown area, ma’am. I’m originally from Upstate NY, & my family visited Syracuse when I was very young, but I don’t remember going to the downtown area, though. But yeah, after seeing this video, I think I might want to check it out. Thanks, & I hope that you have a blessed day.
Have fallen off a bit keeping up with your videos, much to my loss. When I saw the subject was Syracuse, being a lifelong Bostonian with my prejudices, I wasn't terribly enthusiastic to watch it; but turns out I was wrong. Your camera production of the opening scene regarding the traffic light was of professional quality-and the story was great. The city has more than its share of magnificent buildings. I also learned that the Erie Canal was actually routed right through Syracuse's center. Both places you ate and imbibed at sure looked to me like genuine Irish-American pubs. I'm back on board your viewer list.
Beautiful city! It would be cool if the canal still ran through the streets. The architecture in Syracuse is amazing! Love the story about the traffic light. Great museum and the food looked delicious! Looking forward to seeing Vermont.
agree 100% beautiful ! I wonder if the canal was damaging to the buildings along side it-foundation infrastructure problem perhaps, so diversion was necessary.?
While the canal doesn't run through the city, there are lots of places around the state, many of them just outside of Syrscuse, that the canal does still run. There's the museum in the city, but then there's another museum in Camillus on part of the canal that still runs, and they have one of the OG boats. I don't know if you can still ride on it, but when I was a kid, we went there for a field trip and rode on the boat. It was pulled by 3 horses, by which we were taught the beginning of the term "horsepower." They also have a country store and a little museum area with olden time candy and such. On the opposite side of the canal from the buildings is a nice little trail people can walk (which was technically one of the trails originally worn by horses.) As many things as I dislike about things around here, we do have some really cool history and natural history. You should look up Green Lakes. It's got its own microbiome and micro-ecology. It's fascinating and gorgeous!
Great video!...I moved up here from NC back in 2001; right before 9/11...my boyfriend at the time (who I met in NC) is from here and needed to move back due to family obligations. So we broke up a year later in 2002, and I stayed because in my opinion Syracuse is a perfectly sized city. It is so gorgeous downtown and in the neighborhoods. When you talked about how one could be in the hood, and a few blocks away you'd be in a rich, historic area with big yards containg beautiful gardens on the property! I love the winters too; the city doesn't shut down even for 25 inches of snow that can fall in one day! They have all the equipment they need to keep the roads clear. The wind can be quite brutal but as long as you dress properly you will never get cold!
The only thing I don't particularly like about Syracuse is the high real estate taxes. The houses are relatively inexpensive, but the taxes are too high for the service they provide. The governor should invest a whole lot more in a city with such rich history! I hope she is listening.
My great-great grandparents left Ireland in the 1870s and lived in Syracuse for a few years before continuing on to Nebraska to farm. Great video. Your dinner and Guinness looked awesome!
I live in Syracuse and the architecture is beautiful. There are some Victorian painted ladies on the south west side of the city that are gorgeous and I'm shocked you missed the old Niagra Mohawk building! Built in an art deco style it looks like it belongs in Gotham City. Next time you come through you should stop at Dinosaur Barbeque. Friendliest biker joint around and great food!
I went to Dinosaur Barbecue in Syracuse around 16 years ago when visiting friends. It was okay but it certainly didn't live up to the hype. Very crowded and terrible service. Ribs were about a 7 out of 10. Back in the day Bobby Rubino Ribs down in South Florida were much better. The last location closed a few years ago.
What’s the best cannabis shop in town? I’ll be flying into Syracuse next month to visit a close friend who lives near the Finger Lakes. I definitely want to stock up before our camping trip in the Adirondacks! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. 😎✌🏻
I was born in Upstate NY and have lived here for 30 of my 35 years (I live out closer to the Rochester area than to the Syracuse area,) and I've never once heard anything about this upside-down traffic light. I'm so glad you didn't just point out a weird and unique light, and instead learned and presented us with the backstory and conveyed to us a fun bit of history (it's fun to me because of my Irish heritage lol.) What a great story!
@@Chronic-ASAP105-cx4gm Upstate depends who you talk to - can be anywhere from everywhere north of the City, to everywhere north of the Catskills, to just the North Country. (To me, having grown up in Oswego, "upstate" has always meant the counties around and north of the I-90.)
@NickC_222 True story: THAT traffic light is HOW my ex found out that he was somewhat color blind!!!! He was born and raised here in Syracuse, had gotten a job with Fleischmann's Furniture and was driving the delivery truck...My ex couldn't "see" the GREEN..he was just always used to the green being on the bottom and he almost went thru the red light & hit someone!! His coworker in the passenger seat stopped it!! Annnnd, my ex NEVER knew about that light EITHER!!! LOL PS: Next time you are in Syracuse, give Kitty Hoyne's a try...it really IS DELISH Irish food!
You did Syracuse good. You should have also reviewed the Niagara Mohawk Building just a couple of blocks north of where you had lunch at Kitty Hoynes. One of the best looking art deco buildings in North America. Other than that you did excellent.
I am 54. Born and raised here. Syracuse used to vibrant, with a great downtown. Once the big manufacturing jobs went, so did the economy. Carrier, Syracuse China, General Motors. So many others. I work for a non-profit, the poverty is heartbreaking. Lots of corruption over the years, with "big" companies. Telergy, Bennett companies. Ponzi schemes. But things are starting to look up. Micron is coming and hopefully that will attract more companies.
It will attract more companies, but it won't address the soft on crime issue or the dismal quality of life in the city with daily disturbances of the peace.
I'm glad you showcased our architecture. It's an old but beautiful city that has seen better days. My mom worked downtown at the newspaper for 25 years till digital media took over. I was born in Syracuse and grew up a half an hour outside of the city. Never heard that traffic light story till now. Cool video!
Syracuse is so dear to my heart. My maternal grandmother's parents moved their family of six there in the 1910's from the tiny upstate town of Croghan, NY. Not long after the move my grandfather died in the hospital you highlighted here. He was a Catholic as were one of his daughters and his son. The other two daughters, including my grandmother, (who was born in the Amish/Mennonite home of their grandfather) followed their mother in the Protestant Church. That one sadly closed now. So half the family went to the Catholic church. The other half went across the street to the Baptist services. My grandmother earned her BA and MA at Syracuse University earning duel majors in Education and English. (First in her entire family to even finish high school!) She then moved to Central Vermont to get married, joined the Methodist church there and taught English for over thirty years. She lived to 102 and is buried in the magnificent Hope Cemetery in Barre. Where someday, I will join her, my grandfather and mother when my time comes. The rest of my grandmother's family remained near Syracuse. The father, son and one daughter are buried in the Syracuse Catholic cemetery. The mother and the youngest daughter and her daughters are buried in the Protestant Cemetary nearby. I visited the city in the '80's to visit all the grave sights part of a genealogy course in University. And My mom and grandmother showed me around Syracuse University where my mother also recieved her BA in Education. Syracuse was quite a prosperous and growing city back in the day. Even in the '80's when I was there. It's sad to see it following so many cities falling into the ills of poverty because of the downward trend our economy has faced really since the millennium. I wish I had the answer to leveling out the wealth in this Country. A robust growing middle class, the poorer class being able to afford decent housing and income security with a fulltime job that pays a living minimum wage. I'd love to see far fewer Super rich who now hoard an unfair amount of the wealth in Syracuse and holding back the city's potential for renewed prosperity. Thank you for this video. You show those old enough to remember how such a beautiful city still has the remnants of the hope that was there and potentially can be found again. If we can fix what is causing it to fail, before it's too late.
I’m from Upstate NY and have quite a bit of family in and around Croghan. Not very familiar with them, as unfortunately we didn’t get to spend much time there growing up. Thank you for sharing your story and point of view, it intrigued me and always enjoy listening to /reading about people’s family history. I think due to the fact I’m in lack of so many details of my own. Most the people in my family that knew have passed away now, causing the family to further drift apart. My grandma Elliott( maiden name Keeler) used to tell me stories and I wish I’d thought to document them because my memory isn’t that great especially considering I’m only in my mid 30’s.
@@zm4202 Maybe we're distant cousins? Croghan is a small town. Seems everyone is related in some way. I've always been fascinated with genealogy. Real people, real family units that gave me my life generations later. Now I'm the grandmother and my kids and now grandkids are continuing to form families of their own. Yet we will always be connected. If I could make a suggestion if you are interested in trying to remember your family stories. I'm betting you remember more than you think. When something reminds you of a conversation you had with a relative, write down a quick note to yourself about it. Just a phrase or two. Then whenever you have a chance to think about it more, pull out the note and give yourself a moment to remember the time you talked. Then write down what you recall. Don't force it. Revisit the conversation when you feel like it. Memory is weird. Often it comes in bits a pieces. One snippet adding to another. Almost like putting together a puzzle. Pretty soon you'll be surprised how much you can remember. At least that's how it is for me. I too wish I asked my mother and grandmother more questions about their lives when I still had them here. I think a lot of people do. I did join Ancestry and did the DNA. If your interested in really exploring your heritage I highly recommend! A few years ago I actually found a half sister no one knew about, including our father as she was put up for adoption at birth with no father listed! (My dad gave me many half siblings, several I've never met ) Nice chatting with you. All the best!
@@karenfitzpatrick6256 Maybe, it is a small town but it’s a tight knit community. That’s an excellent idea and I will definitely try to remember to give it a try and write it down as you suggested. I’d like to organize and compile all the information I can about my families. I have thought about and would like to utilize Ancestry with DNA. Did it cost an arm and a leg? Did it take long for you to get results after submitting the sample? Do you have to collect the data and put it together or do they provide you with a “report” that contains all the information. You might be an angel or a saint, I’m struggling with depression and then I stumbled upon your comment and it made me smile as I was indulging in your story…for a brief moment it silenced my intrusive thoughts and allowed me to forget my girlfriend of nearly 12 years and I just split up. Thanks again for sharing your story and for your response I appreciate it.
Elvis was supposed to play again in Syracuse after that but never made it. His memorial service was held in the War Memorial on the day he was supposed to have performed there.
@@karenfitzpatrick6256 My grandparents lived in Croghan, but I'm from Mennonite stock. Croghan's Mennonite, Catholic with a bit of other, like Baptist or non-denominational.
Really enjoying this road trip, incidentally a lot of the residential houses remind me of where I was born in the UK, in 1917 the Austin Village was built with 200 Cedar wood homes imported from the Aladdin Co, Bay City, Michigan USA, to house war workers at the Austin Motor Works in Birmingham, England. Wikipedia has more details and photos.
Born (1968) and raised in Syracuse, I lived most of my life on Lodi and Butternut Streets. My parents were immigrants and we fell into poverty when they divorced. We'd go trick or treating on those streets you switched over to bc they gave out the good candy, maybe even a full sized bar! A grade school teacher back in the 70s or 80s, told me Butternut St used to be lined with Butternut trees years before we came to live there. It was def going downhill when I graduated from high school in the mid 80's. I left in 87, crack was already a big problem. Downtown had a revival I heard, but without decent paying jobs, locals don't have the money to spend. I remember the cool buildings downtown but you couldn't be there at night. Places like Kress Drugs, Mr Peanut (?) and Grants Dept Store were the nicer shops long ago but Sibley's , Dey Bros, even Ames and Two Guys all shut down. The city was very segregated back then. South side had the black folks. MLK Elementary School that we got bused to and from I guess as a failed experiment. North side was mostly Italians, you showed the Irish neighborhood but there were also many Geeks, Ukraines, Germans and other minority areas. Used to be a Festival of Nations every year where we'd visit other country's booths, try their food, watch their folk dances. Carrier Dome was popular when first built, great for games in the winter. My hs band played there for some games. Archbold Stadium is where I saw my first baseball game. Onondaga Lake and prob some others were so polluted there was an advisory to not eat any fish you caught there. Local factories were dumping their waste. Burnet Park Zoo had a tiny, dark cage for an Indian elephant named Sir that always made me sad. Seems Syracuse been failing for a long time. When corporations have all the power, and control the government, people suffer. I hope to see it all turn around someday. 💙
My home town, Windsor ontario, has a mixed nationality,mostly Scottish English Irish and German or Ukrainians and french and Italians ,so we had a festival of nations! Started back around 78,80,but as the younger generation who's parents attended these festivals,grew up,they lost interest in there family culture perhaps ,but didn't go to the fedtivals I suppose,but as the years rolled by,I think the interest faded away! We had the autoplants,but our local union gave out bumper stickers,back in 80 "Unemployment made in Japan," referring to Japanese imports. Ironic ,because the Dodge Charger and Challenger were just those tiny Mitsubishi cars relabeled at our assembly plant,by putting the emblem on the front to qualify as a Canadian built or American built car! Out transmission plant ,upholstery, and other plants are gone! We have just 2 engine plants and the Chrysler assembly plant (now operated as Stillantis),where both Canadian and US cars are assembled! We are losing our industry to a country that lives on less than 10 a day ,rice ,yet charges us at our former economic value system,which is gone! 50$ @ hour jobs are going...gone! The boom years of the Pioneer days and war are over. When I grew up,it was " made in japan" on most imported items! Now it's: Made in China! Hello kraft dinner!which is getting expensive!
I think you mean Greeks not Geeks. The Geeks didn't arrive until much later during the computer revolution. I suffered through Syracuse 6 years before you.
Syracuse Native here. The canal was four feet deep. The canal was no longer useful after railroads were introduced and was falling into disrepair. They ended up filling in large portions of it. The street you were looking down, where the canal used to run, is Now Erie Blvd.
Looks like a beautiful city. The canal is something. I am Irish and I have distance relations there. Probably left Ireland sometime after the famine. I know one family used own a pub in downtown Syracuse called Renehans. Pub still there but different name and owners. Really enjoyed this video and the Irish food! Looks a lot better than you would get in Dublin. Well maybe the hearty Irish breakfast is good in some places.
I did my undergrad at Syracuse but haven't been back since 1998. Thanks for treating the city fairly and pointing out all the wonderful architecture, especially downtown. Awesome that you led with the traffic light on Tipperary Hill! When I graduated (1994) I'd been there for three of the four snowiest winters in Syracuse history, including the one that's still #1, the winter of 1992-93.
I don't miss the snow. Those early to mid 90s winters were horrible. It was bad in 2010 as well. We had over 200 inches of snow. The past few years have been great!
Been living near Syracuse for 14 years now. It's not a bad town. The suburbs are nicer - but without the architectural gems that you find in the city. There is a lot of challenges with the city itself... much of it as to do with, as you pointed out, the decline of industry in the city, generational poverty, etc. Local gov't / politics / bad public policy and soft on crime laws has also played a role in the city's decline. Our current President (Biden) went to Syracuse University and lived in the area for a while. He still visits his first wife's family up here (Hunter's mom) from time to time and has stayed close to them (she was from Auburn - about a 1/2 hour away). Rerouting the canal was a State of New York decision... the city had no say - they canalized rivers and made Oneida Lake part of the canal as barges were now propelled by mechanical means - so the tow path was no longer needed. Some remnants of the original canal exist as linear parks east and west of Syracuse. But there are some nice towns along the path of the original Erie Canal (now enlarged and deepened) in Western NY (i.e., Brockport, Spencerport, Fairport, Pittsford, etc... - Fairport being the best one, IMHO). Overall, the Syracuse area isn't a bad place to live.
Don't forget the taxation and high cost of living. NY State has brutal taxation, regulation, and fees. I can drive from South Texas through Pennsylvania, with low gas prices and never paying a penny to use the roads. Hit NY State, and they immediately charge you just to drive the Thruway (Tolls were supposed to stop in the mid-70s, but they never did) and the gas prices shoot to the moon (NY taxes the heck out of gasoline). Some of the reasons many of us left upstate NY and ended up in places like Texas.
@@libertarian4323 True, partially. Thruway tolls were supposed to end in the mid -90's. Don't forget there are toll roads elsewhere - PA Turnpike, for example. NJ, Florida and California have toll roads everywhere. Gas is much cheaper in Syracuse than it is in other parts of the state for some odd reason. But cost of living here compared to Long Island is much lower too.
@@lesterawilson3 NY isn't the only state with tolls, but it's one of the few (NJ is another) where all of the most of the important interstates are all "pay to play." It's a regressive form of effective taxation that hurts the working class people who can least afford it. I drove interstates from San Antonio, TX thru Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and PA without ever paying a toll. Hit the NY border, and immediately you get hit with tolls on the two most important interstates in NY (I-90 and I-87). It's another of the many things NY does that is unfriendly to both people and business. NY's economic problems are largely self inflicted- there is no reason upstate NY couldn't be prosperous again- if the government in NY would just stop shooting itself in the foot!
@@libertarian4323 It's a misguided approach to making people pay for what they use and not passing that cost on to others via taxes. I mean why should someone who only rides a bicycle subsidize the Thruway, right? But the reality is that a truck on the Thruway is where the bike shop gets its stock from - and those tolls are passed on to the bike shop's customers. Point being is the Thruway supports the region's economy - so it's misguided to charge tolls only to the people who actually use it. Even more so for the bridges and tunnels in NYC. But so long as people in NY keep voting for the same politicians, nothing will ever change. And it'll keep getting worse (i.e., "congestion tolls" to drive in Manhattan).
california does not have toll roads im from there. they have bridge tolls thoughout there aint that many bridges outside of the bay area where im from@@lesterawilson3
Kitty Hoynes is my go-to lunch spot. Glad to see you enjoyed your visit and caught the cool architecture. You were a block away from the Niagara Mohawk building though! Give it a Google to check it out.
I live in the area you were in driving around. I completely agree with you sir…. Butternut street is a pretty rough street. I live about 8 blocks from butternut. My street is no better if not worse. Syracuse is a pretty rough place to live . Don’t get me wrong i love living here. A lot of people over here will give you the shirt off their back. It’s also super dangerous. I have been living over here for 24 year’s. I raised all 4 of my kid’s over here. Even though this is a rough side of town all my kid’s turned out successful. I personally think i am pretty lucky.
I love when you do these types of videos. Where you guys visit the local museums. Our imaginations can run free. The food looks delish. Syracuse is a beautiful city. Thanks guys for taking us along with you. Happy travels and God bless.
Beautiful narration with a lot of interesting facts. Make me watch these videos whole day and being nostalgic of my days in Usa and whether I should go back. Decisions.
I didn't grow up in Syracuse but I moved here 36 years ago and have been here ever since. When I saw the title I thought this was going to be a video about how bad it is here. I was glad to see that you posted more about the good parts. The canal was filled-in in 1924 partly because it was considered a "Menace to Public Health" having collapsed and flooded the area with filthy water, and partly due to the pending railroad and automobile traffic. If you come back to this region, you might do a Finger Lakes tour or even stop in some of the canal towns that remain. I've stayed here mostly because of the waterways and lakes. Upstate NY has two of the cleanest lakes in the country, Skaneateles Lake and Lake George. I sent your video link to some friends and family so they have a good appreciation for what it's like in Syracuse proper. Thanks for making it. I subscribed :-)
Miss my old stomping grounds, I used to live right around the corner from the fountain downtown where you filmed in a beautiful loft above the best bagel shop in syracuse, The water street bagel company on the 3rd floor in a renovated factory building and compared to where I live in Phoenix AZ now a place like I had I would have to pay like 3500-5k a month compared to the 1600 I was paying there..... Hopefully you made it over to Liverpool too so you could check out Onondaga lake park... awesome dog walking place and just a nice peaceful setting
Wow! Looks as though the builders in Syracuse had a vigorous contest to see who could erect the most flamboyant stone buildings. What a stunning downtown! If anyone is interested: Erie canal, 363 miles long. Panama canal, 51 miles long.
Built at the same time for the same cost, paid for the NYS taxpayers after they had voted for the bond issue to pay for it. They did it to provide competition for the railroad who had opposed it. Connections to North Country and the Hudson Valley. But love all of NY
This is my opinion having grown up in Cuse and having many family members still residing in CNY: I was born in the “affluent” South Valley area of Syracuse, south of routes171/172 - aka Seneca Turnpike… lived there 23 yrs, through my graduation at Syracuse University…. upon which, I moved to NYC and never looked back… even back in the 60’s, downtown SYR was gross and south of the city, straight south down Salina street, initially till you got to Ballentyne Rd/Valley Plaza area, it was the hood - my dad owned multiple multi-family houses up through the Brighton Ave/University Campus/Westcott areas and I recall the times, as a preteen, I’d ride w/ him and his partners, the 1st Saturday/weekend of every month, to pick up the “cash rent payments” from those renter that wouldn’t/couldn’t pay by ck/mail… his partners were PD and FD members and they all had conceal carry permits, b/c in some areas they’d literally get the local thugs paying them close attention… after graduating from Syracuse SD Corcoran HS, in the affluent Strathmore section of Cuse, my parents saw the writing on the wall and moved to to the JD-FM eastern burbs…. Loved the life I had growing up in the near-country South Valley area, w/ a dairy farm literally just out back from my 1/2 acre yard and the Meachem elementary school just 4 houses away, w/ Clary middle school just 1/2 mile walk each way… but times change and so do places… I’d likely move back to CNY, but only to the eastern burbs or the northern burbs in proximity to where Micron is building their $100billion chip fabrication campus… Central NY will have a brighter future, but the city of Syracuse is losing its residential property tax base and even w/ the removal of the elevated RT81 monstrosity through the core of the urban burbs, it’s gonna take a long time for things to flip to a sustainable upside potential…
I've enjoyed your work in the deep South, as I've been fortunate to live the past 35 years of my 53 year old life(MS, AL, TN, NC, SC) however, now I find myself going directly to your "restaurant segment, etc"! ;-)
I lived in the yellow building to the left of your opening shot… corner of Milton and Tompkins…. Used to be Krause glass in between the yellow building and the bar “StoneThrowers” on the upper corner. Coleman’s is down the street. Old stomping grounds
The beginning story about the traffic light was great! The truth is,around 1997 I worked in Pougkeepsie N.Y. installing new traffic lights thru the whole city. One of the old lights that we removed was reversed just like this one! The funny thing is..there were many Irish families in the area. I wonder if that light had the same story?
The canal was only about 7 feet deep and full of garbage and other detritis. It smelled, and folks were worried about illness. When they filled it in, it improved the town very much.
@@catew The canal has come along pretty far since they stopped polluting and started caring about conservation. The Old historical section of the canal now supports a wide variety of wildlife and has turned into a productive fishery. Filling it in wasn't the best option for the trash and worry of "illness". Conservation and not being terrible stewards of the land would've been cool.
@@chilloutdude3617They built the Barge Canal System which can accommodate vessels as long as 300 feet and draft 9 to replace it. Also, by filling it in many cities, it also became important as utilities and stormwater right of way as well as valuable real estate.
@@spuds6423 I know but I'm not talking about preserving it's usage as a barge canal. I'm talking about the amazing fishery it has become. The historic section still supports a WIDE variety of wildlife. And would do MUCH better if they didn't let the water get so low. For the record My other channel is a fishing channel (the outdoor dude). I live on Chittenango creek. I also fish the canal at least 100 days a year.
@@chilloutdude3617 While it is a state park, the practice is called "bottoming out" which what they did back before it was abandoned for navigation. This allows for maintenance during the late fall and winter. Also, if it is left full in certain areas, it could lead to flooding, especially during snowmelt and thaws
As a person born & raised in The City of Syracuse, I was excited to see you make this video. I'm think you did a great job exploring and explaining a lotta the finer details of Syracuse. It's a strange little city. Has an enormous amount of trees, a rich architecture, some of the worst poverty to be found and an anemic downtown. I moved away many times and somehow always found my way back. Not this time...... off grid in Chenango Co. now 😀 Great content, keep em comin!
What an absolutely gorgeous city. The architecture is stunning. I went to Syracuse mall way back in 2002 and it was a lot of fun. I never got to see this downtown area though. Thank you for showing us around. Very sad to hear about such a high poverty rate there. I am shocked. The wealth gap in America is getting bigger. It's honestly so sad to see all of this.
Ya and the more that enhances are gone the bigger it will be,because when the money is gone, it will be gone for ever , because the family farms will be gone, welll most are gone now, and no business, America is not going to be such a great place in the next 10 years or less, and I say it's all by design!!! The fare left wako's have wanted this country to be a 3rd world country for a long time !!!! They all most have !!! And it's so sad 😔 😢 and NO damn resone for it !!!!! Just say'n !!!😊❤
@@heatherfulmore3412Republican president Nixon opened up trade with China and business moved overseas for cheaper labor costs to compete with China, we lost our middle class and have become a two class country instead of three .
Syracuse used to have a fantastic Jazz Fest downtown. I've seen huge names like Chic Corea, The Count Basie Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, Chuck Mangione, Geroge Benson, The Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, and many more there. They moved it to Onodoga Community College then it shut down. I believe they started it up again. I haven't lived in Syracuse for a good number of years. Downtown Syracuse also has a beautiful old 1920s Lowes theater called The Landmark. Coleman's is an Irish restaurant located on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse. The home of the green light on top. Peter Coleman, the owner, would be the grand Marshall for Syracuses Saint Paddy's Day parade. The last time I saw Peter was in his Oswego NY restaurant many years ago. I enjoy your personalized approach to visiting these cities. Subbed and belled ya. Have you ever read the book called Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon? It's a masterpiece on American Travel. I think you would enjoy it.
@@edythesmith5894 Ahhh, Herbie and his Headhunters. Most of been fantastic. I miss Heid's of Liverpool and those Hoffman hotdogs. You have the NY State Fair coming up. Love the pizza freets and Twin Trees pizza at the fair. The Indian Village was fun. Mmm, Sals Fish Fry in North Syracuse. Columbus Bakerys near downtown. Weber's German Food on The North Side. If you don't know Syracuse and its surrounding areas, just ask. Skaneateles Lake is close by and it's one of the finger lakes. It has Doug's Fish Fry along with higher-end places to eat. Wine country etc.For a bit Syracuse ost its Jazz Fest.
Unfortunately Pete passed a couple years back. To say he was vital to what Tipperary Hill became would be an understatement. Coleman's is still in his family as last I heard his son Dennis, also a great guy, runs it now.
Bring the Jazz back & I will visit Syracuse more often! I thought about moving there because the price of housing is right, but the real estate taxes are just too high. Since my son lives there I do get to visit now & then. It's a city that deserves to be invested in!
l was born and raised in Syracuse, NY and moved away 35 years ago. Sad to see how bad economically it has become. Other than snowy winters, Syracuse was a great town to live in most of the year
@@francesguinta8614 LOL the Destiny USA that mall is sad. Used to be amazing back in the 90's, and the expansion isn't that bad. However the original part of the mall is just sad. Oh plus the shootings and the stabbings that take place at it almost weekly.
@@FadedHero636 I live in Syracuse. Get your facts straight, while this year has seen problems at Destiny Mall, they certainly are not weekly, not even close.
As a city resident of nearly 40 years, I respectfully disagree. Quality of life issues in the city are dismal. We are losing stable neighborhood folks in droves because of crime and the noise ordinance not being enforced. Armory Square is NOT a representative neighborhood of Syracuse. We're a gang-infested city, and they're starting to show up downtown as well. Several recent murders downtown. To pretend otherwise is suspicious. @@francesguinta8614
The crime at Destiny has been going on for a long time (as has the crime at SU). The crime at Destiny was mostly folks getting robbed in the parking lots (on a weekly basis). Now we hear about it because it's also happening inside where folks catch it on their phones and post it. But it's nothing new, sadly. l@@FadedHero636
Great video. I'm glad to see you focused on what nice about the city. I've been here for 10 years, it's a nice place to live! I wish you showed the Marriott (hotel Syracuse) tho!
21:57 Before the days of plumbing and electricity, guest’s invited to mansions or very sprawling large homes would be provided a wash basin and waste pot in sleeping quarters/bedrooms. After using the facilities: AKA: bed pan’s, the’d tuck it out of the way; under the bed. The chambermaids would make the rounds to dump/wash them, probably 1-2x/day? Very Interesting, informative and FUN video! Looking forward to seeing the rest of your epic road trip!
Hi Joe & Nic Greeting from the other side of the world. I have been watching your channel for sometime and you are really doing good job introducing USA to the world.. I want to congrats and thank you for all the effort and the great historical information in your videos.. and also the relaxing time you are giving to your spectators.. wish you gyes all the best.
... and you can now bike the length of the Erie Canal, from Albany to Buffalo. The best part of living in Syracuse is to drive 1-2 hours in any direction: mountains, lakes, waterfalls, cute Upstate NY towns, great festivals, amazing state parks, and Canada!
Had to respond to your Wegmans comment. I lived in Houston, 10yrs, and I remember fondly of Wegmans (from when I lived in Buffalo). Wegmans is one of the top rated supermarket in the US, and has been for awhile. Depending on the list HEB and Wegmans interchange #1 and #2
I am a Syracusan and I loved this video. Makes me proud of my city. Yet, there is much poverty and crime also. You did not visit the areas with the most poverty and crime. I wish the cycle could be broken somehow. I'm sure drugs are a big part, as in much of America right now. Also much of the problem is the large businesses that moved out of the area causing the lack of decent paying jobs. Thank you for sharing
Yea I didn't think they covered the REAL residential neighborhoods. Beautiful architecture here for sure.. wonderful video... BUT not an accurate depiction of Syracuse overall.
Don't forget when there was a riot that destroyed Voltage Videogames in downtown! It got absolutely pillaged and whatever wasn't stolen, they made sure to break it all.
graduated from Liverpool outside of Syracuse in 1977 and have been in Dallas since 1980 - late 70s & 80s the economy in CNY went down the tubes. My last year there - terrible winter - I don't miss the snow
So interesting, as always. The downtown area is lovely, with so many beautiful buildings. It's a shame they diverted the canal, it would have been so pretty, like Venice. I love the traffic light story, very creative of them !! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, always enjoyable.😊💚
@@sj9410 What are the police department doing about the crime? A friend of mine child is going to attend SU. They have been told it's a safe city with very little crime taking place. If possible give me the full rundown thanks.
Hi. I visited Syracuse this summer and was quite surprised how quiet the downtown area was, both with people walking and vehicles, much like your video. Some very beautiful old buildings.
Pretty little town for sure. Lots of Irish pride going on especially with that one light being upside down. lol How fun to see the different lifestyles of people across the nation. Thanks for sharing and you have a great day and safe travels
I live right here in downtown . Thankyou for sharing that yummy desert on the video, I wasn't aware they had that with the funnel cake fries, now ill have to definitely go !
I grew up in Central NY, just north of Syracuse. Spent many a late night street racing on 690 and Northern Blvd in the early 70's (always will remember "Country Joe" and his orange Hemi Cuda as well as "Bissy" and his big block Camaro, Al Parsons FI'd 57 chevy wagon, etc.) and downtown Syracuse was on its way downhill back then. In case you didn't notice when you were there, the street were the Erie canal once was is now Erie Boulevard. The canal wasn't diverted so much as it was "filled in". The NYS Barge canal took over water traffic after a bit and is still in operation today. There is another "museum" dedicated to the Erie Canal just east of Syracuse in Rome NY. They had a whole village from the 1890s era where at one time you could ride a packet boat for about a mile up and down a small section of the old Erie canal. Not sure if it is still in operation though. A bit surprised you were up on Tipperary Hill and didn't go to Coleman's for some Irish food. Top notch stuff there!! Another choice for food would be Pastabilities where you should try the chicken riggies!! Nothing like that in TX! Too bad you don't like poutine - just north of the border in Canada they have super large poutine festivals where you can get poutine with everything from lobster to pulled pork on your fries! I lived in Texas twice during my military days, and in my opinion Texas BBQ is the only food in TX worth the visit.
The traffic light at the intersection of Tipp Hill! My eldest daughter lives a block or two from there and my son lived right up the street from that light. I lived over near Tipp Hill on the West End for about 10 years. Tipperary Hill is the Irish section of the city and has a very proud heritage. Come dine at our landmark Coleman's Restaurant where the green beer is delivered around St. Patrick's Day and we have a huge parade/gathering when the truck comes rolling up every year. Fun for all! ☘ I grew up in Baldwinsville, NY...a small village about 20 minutes northwest of Syracuse but have lived in Syracuse since 1991. All my children have grown up and gone to school here. It has its rough neighborhoods, as does any city, but we are a proud lot, with a diverse amount of culture, a distinguished University and a lot of unique and interesting attractions. Come visit us!
The county is pronounced as On-ah-dog-ah. I lived there from 0-3 years old starting in 1950. We used to visit there until the relatives died off. As an adult I remember the Irish Hill traffic light. That's cool that you started the video with that.
Mm... almost 😄 We locals say ON-an-DAH-gah. The Onondagas are one of the five tribes of the Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee) nation. Many Americans are more familiar with the name the European gave them: Iroquois.
Thanks for this video. Two of our kids went to school at the University so we spent a lot of time there. The downtown is nice. Too bad you did not check out the University as it is a very pretty campus and you will never see so much orange clothing. Have wonderful memories of going up in the winter and seeing a basketball game at the Dome. A great Div 1 NCAA experience. That place rocks. Thanks again.
Loved your video I spent many Saturday's at the Erie Canal museum while my mom worked across the street at family restaurant...the Erie Canal wasn’t diverted as much as closed off I’m areas but there’s plenty of Erie Canal in other parts of city and suburbs
My best friend grew up in Syracuse (Liverpool). I shared this video with him. Will be going up to Malone? You would go through Watertown and Potsdam to get there. It’s about 15 minutes from canada near the top of NY. Best friend’s wife grew up there.
My grandfather was James M. Coffey... he was a Stone Thrower. One of 12 neighborhood boys who smashed the light. A block in the other direction, away from the church, is his street Coffey ln.
Great video. Onion domes of this type are seen and most common all over Ukraine, Russia, Poland and many other Eastern European countries. Many different religions use them in the architecture for their churches and temples. They likely originated in Syria but are different from the old Syrian style.
Great video my father grew up In Syracuse my mom grew up in the south side on Randall Ave then she moved out to Marcellus in 79, I grew up however in the outskirts of Syracuse by the way we have a Polish neighborhood if you head further down
Hope you enjoyed your visit here. Nicely done video! Though you really missed out by not walking by the NIMO building (now National Grid). It is an amazing building and fabulous example of Art Deco style. Next time you are in Central New York you should check it out! You can see part of it from your final shot of the video.
It's On -- nun -- dag -- a ( last two a's are short ''a'' pronunciation ) Just fyi. Love your channel, btw. Best travel type channel on the tube, imao.
I grew up in Syracuse and loved it, there was so much going on it was a diverse community. The Erie Canal ran down what is now Erie Blvd., Little Italy on the north side where you found many first and second generation Italians. We had GE's Electronics Park, Crouse Hinds made most of the street lights with local labor, Carrier is still a leader in heating and air conditioners but they all went looking for the cheap labor and the good jobs disappeared. But I could walk from one end of that city to other and unlike today I never lived in fear of going to school or the grocery store I walked to school came home for lunch never found the doors locked or fences. No one had guns except the police, hunters had rifles it is sad to see what we have become. We had lots of snow in the winter I remember the blizzard of 1966 seeing the snowmobiles on Burnet Ave.
I would like to inform you back in the day on the canal when you lifted the toilet seat you got see the Erie Canal up close and I remembered when you rode behind a steamer and went to relieve yourself, looked down you got to see every railroad tie on the railroad. BTW I believe the Crouse-Hinds Company was the largest producer of traffic lights in the world. Lived in Syracuse in the mid 40's-mid 50's and it was a thriving city to grow up in.
Great way to start your video about the traffic light. Funny story. I think those Irish Pubs come the closest to the "real" fish and chips, but I thought your choices looked awesome. May have been one of your best videos yet. All our downtowns should look like that!
Hey Joe & Nic! Wonderful video as always! I'm still 'liking' all of them. I can't tell you how much your vids help- as I'm still searching out different areas, and came across this one, saying YAY! Just because I had seen a few fixer uppers so cheap. Now I know why, haha! But it is amazing how not even a quarter of a mile away it looks like a paradise. But actually, we had that at the Jersey shore too (a decade or so ago) before they worked on so many areas here. I have to agree, the architecture is so awesome! Thanks so much for all you do so we can be a passenger (hehe) to get see all these parts of the US.... !!! Love & big hugs to you both~💞🤗🤗😍
Yes, overall this area wasn't hit as hard by the housing crisis as other parts of the country. The price of housing in this area is still relatively inexpensive. Lots of snowbirds that own homes here and travel south to their condo's in the winter.
Born and raised in Syracuse and lived here most of my life. Even though a lot of people say they wouldn’t come here in the winter, downtown looks pretty amazing around Christmas time with the tree and lights and ice skating rink.
Same here, I live in North Carolina now, I always tell people downtown gives off that wonderland look in the winter especially with the lights. It feels like you're in a christmas movie
Same here! It sure does!
Naw it's not homeless people coming up to you asking for money
I know you 😎
Hey, Vegan Zombie! You're awesome! 😎
My daughter graduated from Syracuse University, I’m enjoying your commentary…it’s a beautiful downtown. I miss Syracuse, forever a special place.
Elvis played in Syracuse NY, a beloved city where he sang in 1976 a year before his passing, thanks for this video.
Was that a tour stop before the Hawaii concert
Born and raised here. Good job highlighting some of the downtown stuff that most residents don't even notice. That rough neighborhood you were in is an oasis compared to the other side of town, which houses the poorest neighborhood in the country. The canal was routed through Oneida lake, and you're right, they really should have left it where it was. Our outdoor ice rink in the winter would be more like Ottawa than just the small pool you saw in its place.
I'm from Syracuse...I remember when the entire south side was really nice...been a long time since those days.
left in place, the canal could bring the Venice vibe to Syracuse.
A few years back before Craigslist was changed, there were hilarious posts in Syracuse Rants and Raves about Ed Phatzo Thayer, the king of Wolf Street.
Same here! ❤
@@denniskoller5662, it was a lot nicer before they built that stupid highway right through the 15th Ward in the 1960s.
So glad you visited Syracuse. I hope we treated you well. A couple of things: the county name is pronounced On-on-dah-gah. It's named for the Onondaga native people, one of tribes of the Iroquois Nation, many of whom live on Nation territory just south of the city. The reason the canal was diverted outside of town is that it was enlarged and couldn't maintain its original route without tearing down the buildings that had grown up around it. We would have lost the Syracuse Savings Bank Building and the Gridley Building, two of the buildings you featured. Interestingly, if you look at the buildings that ran along the canal, their front facades are much fancier than the sides that faced the canal. That's because the canal side was considered the working side. The reflecting pool that sits on the site of the canal is intended to harken back to the canal. It is turned into a skating rink in the winter. I'm glad you had some Irish food, but am sorry that you didn't sample our Italian cuisine - we have some of the best Italian food you'll find anywhere. Also, the next time you're in town you should check out Syracuse University and its surrounding neighborhoods.
I would say don't visit again because your not missing anything unless your looking for drugs or crime avoid cuse
@@slimbuckinyou are hanging around the wrong neighborhood.
Fun Fact, if you look down into the square, fenced structures toward the end of the reflection pool you'll see the original stone walls of the canal. They snuck that in there when they did the facelift back in the day.
The entire city is a dump. Only junkies like Syracuse.
@@Mountainrock70 No she's not, it's everywhere. Even people I used to work with in Cicero are now are addicts under the bridge. It's everywhere.
Hey, syracuse native here, loved the video and hearing about our city history. i highly suggest you visiting some of the towns of the finger lakes, skaneateles and auburn in particular. they are so beautiful!
I lived in Auburn for 30 years. On the whole, I love the 'Burn. 315!
yes visit Auburn!
Skaneateles and Auburn ain't Syracuse. Let's be authentic. If I want to see Syracuse, it is all about emptiness, political corruption, high taxes on the few who actually work and no real direction. It is about serious violent crime and an abundance of DEI.
I’ve got a mule her name is Sal. 15 miles on the Erie canal! She’s hauled some barges in her day filled with lumber, coal and hay. And every inch of the way, she knows, from Albany to Buffalo.
Right on! We used to sing that song in elementary school music class in Waterford, NY, ma’am. I remember it well, & you just brought back some fond memories. God bless you, & I hope that you have a great day.
As an Upstater I just wanted to say thank you for this upload, I'm watching this two thousand miles away from my family and hometown and it filled me with warmth to see such beautiful filmography of one of the cities I spent so much time with my family. Hopefully you can show some of the other Upstate NY locations! Ps you got my subscription 😀
Where you at now ?
I lived in Houstin, TX, for 43 years. I love HEB. I have a camp on one of the Finger Lakes for 22 years. I have visited Wegman's stores in Syracuse, Auburn, and Ithaca. HEB can learn a lot from Wegman's markets.
I live in buffalo and love Wegmans!! Especially as a non meat eater, they have a huge variety of options.
HEB is the best! Lol
Uncle Danny does it right.
Wegmans is upscale compared to the rest. Wegmans beats almost every other grocery store.. not even close.
🙌
I grew up in Syracuse. Dad used to take us fishing on Whites Bridge on a still existing section of the Erie Canal. We used to catch small fish. My brother caught a snapping turtle and I caught my Dad in the back and our dog in the tail while learning to cast. My folks are gone now and we haven't been back for a few years. Syracuse is a gritty town but the area; Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, Adirondack Mountains and Thousand Islands are all natural wonders. We used to go camping in the Adirondacks in the summer. Invariably someone from a neighboring camp site would talk about how beautiful New York is and they never knew how different from New York City. I hope to get back this summer.
Come back! I’m on Seneca Lake. New York is one of the most beautiful states in the nation for its scenery! And Syracuse is on the upswing, a good city in its bones.
Syracuse has such a beautiful downtown now. When I used to visit in the 80s, Syracuse was a total dump. Nice to see it rebound!
It still is. Everyone you see is a junkie.
Actually it still is a dump.
@@dianamanwaring4794 You are wrong, Syracuse is beautiful. The beautification efforts in the downtown are reaping benefits. It's just that there are bad sections just like every city in the US.
@@dianamanwaring4794 Lol It's not nearly as bad as it used to be.
Rebound?? I've lived here 48 yrs and it's always been a dump
Very fair overview of the city. My grandfather used to be the President of Syracuse Savings Bank! I have lots of family history there. I hope you enjoyed you stay.
The city where I was born. I lived here until I was 12. My biggest memory-snow baby, snow!
yes, I was stationed in FT DRUM, not just the snow....when that temp drops, OH BOY!!!
@Bogieking..you made me laugh (snow baby snow) & brought back memories..thx☃⛸🏒🎄I imagine pretty downtown decorated for Christmas.
I still live here, there’s some beautiful things here :)
Oh yes I love the snow like the good new Yorker I am or was I moved lol
I love Syracuse
Looks like downtown Syracuse has reinvented itself in the past 15 years ! We drove around the city around 2006 and I'm very pleased to see how nice the city centre now is ! We were doing one of our USA/Canada road trips, which included the Finger Lakes and the Adirondack Mountains. A lot of upstate New York in those days was going through transition as businesses came and went, but it looks nice now. Good to see.
We're trying to make it nicer, although it's kind of an uphill battle when your city is poor. Like many other rustbelt cities, when highways were built in the 1960s through primarily Black neighborhoods, white city residents moved to the suburbs and took their tax dollars with them. City revenue plummeted as the median income of city residents declined and population declined. The irony is that property taxes are generally higher in cities than they are in suburbs, which means property taxes from cities subsidize suburbs. So with every new housing development being built in places outside Syracuse, new sewage lines and power lines and roads have to be constructed across more square acreage than those same services would cover in the city. That gets expensive, and who foots the bill? City residents. But I could go on for hours about how suburban sprawl and car-dependent infrastructure is making Americans poorer.
Well, as mentioned in my comment, it’s good to see how nice the centre of Syracuse has now become. We’ve done a lot of road trips around Canada and the USA and it’s always good to see and hear about real progress. We have similar issues in the UK I’m sorry to report. Well done.
@@davidphoenix5352, oh, agreed. Sorry if it sounded like I was arguing with you. I was very passionately agreeing. lol
My son and I had the pleasure of visiting downtown Syracuse while being here as a Traveling Medical employee at upstate University Hospital from Florida. We’ve been here on a seven month contract and I must say the downtown area is really beautiful .
Thank you for bringing your talent here for our hospitals!
Yes, it does look like nice downtown area, ma’am. I’m originally from Upstate NY, & my family visited Syracuse when I was very young, but I don’t remember going to the downtown area, though. But yeah, after seeing this video, I think I might want to check it out. Thanks, & I hope that you have a blessed day.
Have fallen off a bit keeping up with your videos, much to my loss. When I saw the subject was Syracuse, being a lifelong Bostonian with my prejudices, I wasn't terribly enthusiastic to watch it; but turns out I was wrong.
Your camera production of the opening scene regarding the traffic light was of professional quality-and the story was great.
The city has more than its share of magnificent buildings. I also learned that the Erie Canal was actually routed right through Syracuse's center.
Both places you ate and imbibed at sure looked to me like genuine Irish-American pubs.
I'm back on board your viewer list.
Beautiful city! It would be cool if the canal still ran through the streets. The architecture in Syracuse is amazing! Love the story about the traffic light. Great museum and the food looked delicious! Looking forward to seeing Vermont.
agree 100% beautiful ! I wonder if the canal was damaging to the buildings along side it-foundation infrastructure problem perhaps, so diversion was necessary.?
While the canal doesn't run through the city, there are lots of places around the state, many of them just outside of Syrscuse, that the canal does still run. There's the museum in the city, but then there's another museum in Camillus on part of the canal that still runs, and they have one of the OG boats. I don't know if you can still ride on it, but when I was a kid, we went there for a field trip and rode on the boat. It was pulled by 3 horses, by which we were taught the beginning of the term "horsepower." They also have a country store and a little museum area with olden time candy and such. On the opposite side of the canal from the buildings is a nice little trail people can walk (which was technically one of the trails originally worn by horses.) As many things as I dislike about things around here, we do have some really cool history and natural history. You should look up Green Lakes. It's got its own microbiome and micro-ecology. It's fascinating and gorgeous!
Compare Rutland to Burlington.
Great video!...I moved up here from NC back in 2001; right before 9/11...my boyfriend at the time (who I met in NC) is from here and needed to move back due to family obligations. So we broke up a year later in 2002, and I stayed because in my opinion Syracuse is a perfectly sized city. It is so gorgeous downtown and in the neighborhoods. When you talked about how one could be in the hood, and a few blocks away you'd be in a rich, historic area with big yards containg beautiful gardens on the property! I love the winters too; the city doesn't shut down even for 25 inches of snow that can fall in one day! They have all the equipment they need to keep the roads clear. The wind can be quite brutal but as long as you dress properly you will never get cold!
The only thing I don't particularly like about Syracuse is the high real estate taxes. The houses are relatively inexpensive, but the taxes are too high for the service they provide. The governor should invest a whole lot more in a city with such rich history! I hope she is listening.
My great-great grandparents left Ireland in the 1870s and lived in Syracuse for a few years before continuing on to Nebraska to farm. Great video. Your dinner and Guinness looked awesome!
I've never seen a bad-looking Guinness.
I live in Syracuse and the architecture is beautiful. There are some Victorian painted ladies on the south west side of the city that are gorgeous and I'm shocked you missed the old Niagra Mohawk building! Built in an art deco style it looks like it belongs in Gotham City. Next time you come through you should stop at Dinosaur Barbeque. Friendliest biker joint around and great food!
The best building in downtown in my opinion! I love that building.
Dinosaur is legit! The location in Troy is pretty good, too.
I went to Dinosaur Barbecue in Syracuse around 16 years ago when visiting friends. It was okay but it certainly didn't live up to the hype. Very crowded and terrible service. Ribs were about a 7 out of 10. Back in the day Bobby Rubino Ribs down in South Florida were much better. The last location closed a few years ago.
What’s the best cannabis shop in town? I’ll be flying into Syracuse next month to visit a close friend who lives near the Finger Lakes. I definitely want to stock up before our camping trip in the Adirondacks! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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I was born in Upstate NY and have lived here for 30 of my 35 years (I live out closer to the Rochester area than to the Syracuse area,) and I've never once heard anything about this upside-down traffic light. I'm so glad you didn't just point out a weird and unique light, and instead learned and presented us with the backstory and conveyed to us a fun bit of history (it's fun to me because of my Irish heritage lol.) What a great story!
That is western New York region. Upstate is generally consisted of Adirondacks region.
@@Chronic-ASAP105-cx4gm Upstate depends who you talk to - can be anywhere from everywhere north of the City, to everywhere north of the Catskills, to just the North Country. (To me, having grown up in Oswego, "upstate" has always meant the counties around and north of the I-90.)
@NickC_222 True story: THAT traffic light is HOW my ex found out that he was somewhat color blind!!!! He was born and raised here in Syracuse, had gotten a job with Fleischmann's Furniture and was driving the delivery truck...My ex couldn't "see" the GREEN..he was just always used to the green being on the bottom and he almost went thru the red light & hit someone!! His coworker in the passenger seat stopped it!! Annnnd, my ex NEVER knew about that light EITHER!!! LOL PS: Next time you are in Syracuse, give Kitty Hoyne's a try...it really IS DELISH Irish food!
You did Syracuse good. You should have also reviewed the Niagara Mohawk Building just a couple of blocks north of where you had lunch at Kitty Hoynes. One of the best looking art deco buildings in North America. Other than that you did excellent.
Isn't that an amazing specimen? Quite a landmark!
I am 54. Born and raised here. Syracuse used to vibrant, with a great downtown. Once the big manufacturing jobs went, so did the economy. Carrier, Syracuse China, General Motors. So many others. I work for a non-profit, the poverty is heartbreaking. Lots of corruption over the years, with "big" companies. Telergy, Bennett companies. Ponzi schemes. But things are starting to look up. Micron is coming and hopefully that will attract more companies.
It will attract more companies, but it won't address the soft on crime issue or the dismal quality of life in the city with daily disturbances of the peace.
@@dowth3 We will see.
You don't live here, so you don't know the good things.
@@michellelilljack5514 Wrong. I've lived in the city of Syracuse for nearly 40yrs. I love my city and what it's turned into is heartbreaking.
@@dowth3 Serious attitude and righteousness.
I'm glad you showcased our architecture. It's an old but beautiful city that has seen better days. My mom worked downtown at the newspaper for 25 years till digital media took over. I was born in Syracuse and grew up a half an hour outside of the city. Never heard that traffic light story till now. Cool video!
I really enjoyed this video and I enjoyed you two people doing the video. Thank you! I'm from Syracuse, born and raised and continue to live here.
Syracuse is so dear to my heart. My maternal grandmother's parents moved their family of six there in the 1910's from the tiny upstate town of Croghan, NY.
Not long after the move my grandfather died in the hospital you highlighted here. He was a Catholic as were one of his daughters and his son.
The other two daughters, including my grandmother, (who was born in the Amish/Mennonite home of their grandfather) followed their mother in the Protestant Church. That one sadly closed now. So half the family went to the Catholic church. The other half went across the street to the Baptist services.
My grandmother earned her BA and MA at Syracuse University earning duel majors in Education and English. (First in her entire family to even finish high school!)
She then moved to Central Vermont to get married, joined the Methodist church there and taught English for over thirty years. She lived to 102 and is buried in the magnificent Hope Cemetery in Barre. Where someday, I will join her, my grandfather and mother when my time comes.
The rest of my grandmother's family remained near Syracuse. The father, son and one daughter are buried in the Syracuse Catholic cemetery. The mother and the youngest daughter and her daughters are buried in the Protestant Cemetary nearby.
I visited the city in the '80's to visit all the grave sights part of a genealogy course in University. And My mom and grandmother showed me around Syracuse University where my mother also recieved her BA in Education.
Syracuse was quite a prosperous and growing city back in the day. Even in the '80's when I was there. It's sad to see it following so many cities falling into the ills of poverty because of the downward trend our economy has faced really since the millennium.
I wish I had the answer to leveling out the wealth in this Country. A robust growing middle class, the poorer class being able to afford decent housing and income security with a fulltime job that pays a living minimum wage.
I'd love to see far fewer Super rich who now hoard an unfair amount of the wealth in Syracuse and holding back the city's potential for renewed prosperity.
Thank you for this video. You show those old enough to remember how such a beautiful city still has the remnants of the hope that was there and potentially can be found again. If we can fix what is causing it to fail, before it's too late.
I’m from Upstate NY and have quite a bit of family in and around Croghan. Not very familiar with them, as unfortunately we didn’t get to spend much time there growing up. Thank you for sharing your story and point of view, it intrigued me and always enjoy listening to /reading about people’s family history. I think due to the fact I’m in lack of so many details of my own. Most the people in my family that knew have passed away now, causing the family to further drift apart. My grandma Elliott( maiden name Keeler) used to tell me stories and I wish I’d thought to document them because my memory isn’t that great especially considering I’m only in my mid 30’s.
@@zm4202 Maybe we're distant cousins? Croghan is a small town. Seems everyone is related in some way. I've always been fascinated with genealogy. Real people, real family units that gave me my life generations later.
Now I'm the grandmother and my kids and now grandkids are continuing to form families of their own. Yet we will always be connected.
If I could make a suggestion if you are interested in trying to remember your family stories. I'm betting you remember more than you think. When something reminds you of a conversation you had with a relative, write down a quick note to yourself about it. Just a phrase or two.
Then whenever you have a chance to think about it more, pull out the note and give yourself a moment to remember the time you talked. Then write down what you recall. Don't force it. Revisit the conversation when you feel like it.
Memory is weird. Often it comes in bits a pieces. One snippet adding to another. Almost like putting together a puzzle. Pretty soon you'll be surprised how much you can remember.
At least that's how it is for me. I too wish I asked my mother and grandmother more questions about their lives when I still had them here. I think a lot of people do.
I did join Ancestry and did the DNA. If your interested in really exploring your heritage I highly recommend! A few years ago I actually found a half sister no one knew about, including our father as she was put up for adoption at birth with no father listed! (My dad gave me many half siblings, several I've never met )
Nice chatting with you. All the best!
@@karenfitzpatrick6256 Maybe, it is a small town but it’s a tight knit community.
That’s an excellent idea and I will definitely try to remember to give it a try and write it down as you suggested. I’d like to organize and compile all the information I can about my families. I have thought about and would like to utilize Ancestry with DNA. Did it cost an arm and a leg? Did it take long for you to get results after submitting the sample? Do you have to collect the data and put it together or do they provide you with a “report” that contains all the information.
You might be an angel or a saint, I’m struggling with depression and then I stumbled upon your comment and it made me smile as I was indulging in your story…for a brief moment it silenced my intrusive thoughts and allowed me to forget my girlfriend of nearly 12 years and I just split up. Thanks again for sharing your story and for your response I appreciate it.
Elvis was supposed to play again in Syracuse after that but never made it. His memorial service was held in the War Memorial on the day he was supposed to have performed there.
@@karenfitzpatrick6256 My grandparents lived in Croghan, but I'm from Mennonite stock. Croghan's Mennonite, Catholic with a bit of other, like Baptist or non-denominational.
Really enjoying this road trip, incidentally a lot of the residential houses remind me of where I was born in the UK, in 1917 the Austin Village was built with 200 Cedar wood homes imported from the Aladdin Co, Bay City, Michigan USA, to house war workers at the Austin Motor Works in Birmingham, England. Wikipedia has more details and photos.
That was an amazing start of the video, the traffic light story is something I will never forget. Thanks for the wonderful video.
Awesome!
This Video Was Everything Thanks For Taking Us Along It’s Soo Amazing How Much Time You Put Into Every Video For Us
Born (1968) and raised in Syracuse, I lived most of my life on Lodi and Butternut Streets. My parents were immigrants and we fell into poverty when they divorced. We'd go trick or treating on those streets you switched over to bc they gave out the good candy, maybe even a full sized bar! A grade school teacher back in the 70s or 80s, told me Butternut St used to be lined with Butternut trees years before we came to live there. It was def going downhill when I graduated from high school in the mid 80's. I left in 87, crack was already a big problem. Downtown had a revival I heard, but without decent paying jobs, locals don't have the money to spend. I remember the cool buildings downtown but you couldn't be there at night. Places like Kress Drugs, Mr Peanut (?) and Grants Dept Store were the nicer shops long ago but Sibley's , Dey Bros, even Ames and Two Guys all shut down. The city was very segregated back then. South side had the black folks. MLK Elementary School that we got bused to and from I guess as a failed experiment. North side was mostly Italians, you showed the Irish neighborhood but there were also many Geeks, Ukraines, Germans and other minority areas. Used to be a Festival of Nations every year where we'd visit other country's booths, try their food, watch their folk dances. Carrier Dome was popular when first built, great for games in the winter. My hs band played there for some games. Archbold Stadium is where I saw my first baseball game. Onondaga Lake and prob some others were so polluted there was an advisory to not eat any fish you caught there. Local factories were dumping their waste. Burnet Park Zoo had a tiny, dark cage for an Indian elephant named Sir that always made me sad. Seems Syracuse been failing for a long time. When corporations have all the power, and control the government, people suffer. I hope to see it all turn around someday. 💙
I loved the Festival of Nations! Why did it discontinue, anyway?
My home town, Windsor ontario, has a mixed nationality,mostly Scottish English Irish and German or Ukrainians and french and Italians
,so we had a festival of nations! Started back around 78,80,but as the younger generation who's parents attended these festivals,grew up,they lost interest in there family culture perhaps ,but didn't go to the fedtivals I suppose,but as the years rolled by,I think the interest faded away!
We had the autoplants,but our local union gave out bumper stickers,back in 80 "Unemployment made in Japan," referring to Japanese imports.
Ironic ,because the Dodge Charger and Challenger were just those tiny Mitsubishi cars relabeled at our assembly plant,by putting the emblem on the front to qualify as a Canadian built or American built car!
Out transmission plant ,upholstery, and other plants are gone! We have just 2 engine plants and the Chrysler assembly plant (now operated as Stillantis),where both Canadian and US cars are assembled!
We are losing our industry to a country that lives on less than 10 a day ,rice ,yet charges us at our former economic value system,which is gone! 50$ @ hour jobs are going...gone! The boom years of the Pioneer days and war are over.
When I grew up,it was " made in japan" on most imported items! Now it's:
Made in China!
Hello kraft dinner!which is getting expensive!
Supposedly they’re getting a big microchip plant in Clay so maybe things are turning around
The real estate market is certainly acting like it
I think you mean Greeks not Geeks. The Geeks didn't arrive until much later during the computer revolution. I suffered through Syracuse 6 years before you.
@melektaus2906 Have you noticed the same idiots who complain that "corporations are the bad guy" are suddenly happy that Micron is arriving.
Syracuse Native here. The canal was four feet deep. The canal was no longer useful after railroads were introduced and was falling into disrepair. They ended up filling in large portions of it. The street you were looking down, where the canal used to run, is Now Erie Blvd.
Yes & the canal was not diverted it was filled in - sadly very short sighted
Really enjoyed your little storytelling at the beginning about the Irish traffic light :) Thanks for the tour.
Awesome! :)
Looks like a beautiful city. The canal is something. I am Irish and I have distance relations there. Probably left Ireland sometime after the famine. I know one family used own a pub in downtown Syracuse called Renehans. Pub still there but different name and owners. Really enjoyed this video and the Irish food! Looks a lot better than you would get in Dublin. Well maybe the hearty Irish breakfast is good in some places.
I did my undergrad at Syracuse but haven't been back since 1998. Thanks for treating the city fairly and pointing out all the wonderful architecture, especially downtown. Awesome that you led with the traffic light on Tipperary Hill!
When I graduated (1994) I'd been there for three of the four snowiest winters in Syracuse history, including the one that's still #1, the winter of 1992-93.
Maybe it's global warming but since 2000 the winters have had half the snow that we had back then.
I don't miss the snow. Those early to mid 90s winters were horrible. It was bad in 2010 as well. We had over 200 inches of snow. The past few years have been great!
@@reidwhitton6248 Fact check. Syracuse's snowiest winter was 1992-1993 when 192.1 inches of snow fell
I was at SU the year it snowed on Mother’s Day/Graduation…May! Just brought my kids back to the campus this summer to walk around 😊
@@karinmcdermott8443 It's beautiful in the summer! I did summer classes in 1993 and it was straight-up gorgeous.
Been living near Syracuse for 14 years now. It's not a bad town. The suburbs are nicer - but without the architectural gems that you find in the city. There is a lot of challenges with the city itself... much of it as to do with, as you pointed out, the decline of industry in the city, generational poverty, etc. Local gov't / politics / bad public policy and soft on crime laws has also played a role in the city's decline.
Our current President (Biden) went to Syracuse University and lived in the area for a while. He still visits his first wife's family up here (Hunter's mom) from time to time and has stayed close to them (she was from Auburn - about a 1/2 hour away).
Rerouting the canal was a State of New York decision... the city had no say - they canalized rivers and made Oneida Lake part of the canal as barges were now propelled by mechanical means - so the tow path was no longer needed. Some remnants of the original canal exist as linear parks east and west of Syracuse. But there are some nice towns along the path of the original Erie Canal (now enlarged and deepened) in Western NY (i.e., Brockport, Spencerport, Fairport, Pittsford, etc... - Fairport being the best one, IMHO).
Overall, the Syracuse area isn't a bad place to live.
Don't forget the taxation and high cost of living. NY State has brutal taxation, regulation, and fees. I can drive from South Texas through Pennsylvania, with low gas prices and never paying a penny to use the roads. Hit NY State, and they immediately charge you just to drive the Thruway (Tolls were supposed to stop in the mid-70s, but they never did) and the gas prices shoot to the moon (NY taxes the heck out of gasoline). Some of the reasons many of us left upstate NY and ended up in places like Texas.
@@libertarian4323 True, partially. Thruway tolls were supposed to end in the mid -90's. Don't forget there are toll roads elsewhere - PA Turnpike, for example. NJ, Florida and California have toll roads everywhere. Gas is much cheaper in Syracuse than it is in other parts of the state for some odd reason. But cost of living here compared to Long Island is much lower too.
@@lesterawilson3 NY isn't the only state with tolls, but it's one of the few (NJ is another) where all of the most of the important interstates are all "pay to play." It's a regressive form of effective taxation that hurts the working class people who can least afford it. I drove interstates from San Antonio, TX thru Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and PA without ever paying a toll. Hit the NY border, and immediately you get hit with tolls on the two most important interstates in NY (I-90 and I-87). It's another of the many things NY does that is unfriendly to both people and business. NY's economic problems are largely self inflicted- there is no reason upstate NY couldn't be prosperous again- if the government in NY would just stop shooting itself in the foot!
@@libertarian4323 It's a misguided approach to making people pay for what they use and not passing that cost on to others via taxes. I mean why should someone who only rides a bicycle subsidize the Thruway, right? But the reality is that a truck on the Thruway is where the bike shop gets its stock from - and those tolls are passed on to the bike shop's customers. Point being is the Thruway supports the region's economy - so it's misguided to charge tolls only to the people who actually use it. Even more so for the bridges and tunnels in NYC.
But so long as people in NY keep voting for the same politicians, nothing will ever change. And it'll keep getting worse (i.e., "congestion tolls" to drive in Manhattan).
california does not have toll roads im from there. they have bridge tolls thoughout there aint that many bridges outside of the bay area where im from@@lesterawilson3
what a fantastic little town - looks like it was warm for you too, Nicole getting around in a delightful summer dress!
Kitty Hoynes is my go-to lunch spot. Glad to see you enjoyed your visit and caught the cool architecture. You were a block away from the Niagara Mohawk building though! Give it a Google to check it out.
I live in the area you were in driving around. I completely agree with you sir…. Butternut street is a pretty rough street. I live about 8 blocks from butternut. My street is no better if not worse. Syracuse is a pretty rough place to live . Don’t get me wrong i love living here. A lot of people over here will give you the shirt off their back. It’s also super dangerous. I have been living over here for 24 year’s. I raised all 4 of my kid’s over here. Even though this is a rough side of town all my kid’s turned out successful. I personally think i am pretty lucky.
Cuse is not a rough place. Only if you live a bad area.
I love when you do these types of videos. Where you guys visit the local museums. Our imaginations can run free. The food looks delish. Syracuse is a beautiful city. Thanks guys for taking us along with you. Happy travels and God bless.
Thank you!
I was laughing at the porto-potty clearner..."Do you want that job honey?" Well..if it paid well enough" lol@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip you're welcome.
Beautiful narration with a lot of interesting facts. Make me watch these videos whole day and being nostalgic of my days in Usa and whether I should go back. Decisions.
Awesome, used to go watch the motorcycle races at the famous Syracuse mile back in the 80's.
I didn't grow up in Syracuse but I moved here 36 years ago and have been here ever since. When I saw the title I thought this was going to be a video about how bad it is here. I was glad to see that you posted more about the good parts. The canal was filled-in in 1924 partly because it was considered a "Menace to Public Health" having collapsed and flooded the area with filthy water, and partly due to the pending railroad and automobile traffic. If you come back to this region, you might do a Finger Lakes tour or even stop in some of the canal towns that remain. I've stayed here mostly because of the waterways and lakes. Upstate NY has two of the cleanest lakes in the country, Skaneateles Lake and Lake George. I sent your video link to some friends and family so they have a good appreciation for what it's like in Syracuse proper. Thanks for making it. I subscribed :-)
Thats a neat story about the traffic light thank you for sharing!
Miss my old stomping grounds, I used to live right around the corner from the fountain downtown where you filmed in a beautiful loft above the best bagel shop in syracuse, The water street bagel company on the 3rd floor in a renovated factory building and compared to where I live in Phoenix AZ now a place like I had I would have to pay like 3500-5k a month compared to the 1600 I was paying there..... Hopefully you made it over to Liverpool too so you could check out Onondaga lake park... awesome dog walking place and just a nice peaceful setting
Wow! Looks as though the builders in Syracuse had a vigorous contest to see who could erect the most flamboyant stone buildings. What a stunning downtown!
If anyone is interested: Erie canal, 363 miles long. Panama canal, 51 miles long.
Built at the same time for the same cost, paid for the NYS taxpayers after they had voted for the bond issue to pay for it. They did it to provide competition for the railroad who had opposed it. Connections to North Country and the Hudson Valley. But love all of NY
This is my opinion having grown up in Cuse and having many family members still residing in CNY:
I was born in the “affluent” South Valley area of Syracuse, south of routes171/172 - aka Seneca Turnpike… lived there 23 yrs, through my graduation at Syracuse University…. upon which, I moved to NYC and never looked back… even back in the 60’s, downtown SYR was gross and south of the city, straight south down Salina street, initially till you got to Ballentyne Rd/Valley Plaza area, it was the hood - my dad owned multiple multi-family houses up through the Brighton Ave/University Campus/Westcott areas and I recall the times, as a preteen, I’d ride w/ him and his partners, the 1st Saturday/weekend of every month, to pick up the “cash rent payments” from those renter that wouldn’t/couldn’t pay by ck/mail… his partners were PD and FD members and they all had conceal carry permits, b/c in some areas they’d literally get the local thugs paying them close attention… after graduating from Syracuse SD Corcoran HS, in the affluent Strathmore section of Cuse, my parents saw the writing on the wall and moved to to the JD-FM eastern burbs…. Loved the life I had growing up in the near-country South Valley area, w/ a dairy farm literally just out back from my 1/2 acre yard and the Meachem elementary school just 4 houses away, w/ Clary middle school just 1/2 mile walk each way… but times change and so do places… I’d likely move back to CNY, but only to the eastern burbs or the northern burbs in proximity to where Micron is building their $100billion chip fabrication campus… Central NY will have a brighter future, but the city of Syracuse is losing its residential property tax base and even w/ the removal of the elevated RT81 monstrosity through the core of the urban burbs, it’s gonna take a long time for things to flip to a sustainable upside potential…
I've enjoyed your work in the deep South, as I've been fortunate to live the past 35 years of my 53 year old life(MS, AL, TN, NC, SC) however, now I find myself going directly to your "restaurant segment, etc"! ;-)
The Irish place's menu looks so good.
I wanted to tell Nicole that her nails look very nice, especially that half flower accent. Really lovely.
Another excellent travelogue from you guys. Little bits of history brought to us, who would other-wise never have known. Keep it up.
I lived in the yellow building to the left of your opening shot… corner of Milton and Tompkins…. Used to be Krause glass in between the yellow building and the bar “StoneThrowers” on the upper corner. Coleman’s is down the street.
Old stomping grounds
The beginning story about the traffic light was great! The truth is,around 1997 I worked in Pougkeepsie N.Y. installing new traffic lights thru the whole city. One of the old lights that we removed was reversed just like this one! The funny thing is..there were many Irish families in the area. I wonder if that light had the same story?
The canal was only about 7 feet deep and full of garbage and other detritis. It smelled, and folks were worried about illness. When they filled it in, it improved the town very much.
Also, Syracuse Savings Bank had one of the first drive through (boat through) banking windows.
@@catew The canal has come along pretty far since they stopped polluting and started caring about conservation. The Old historical section of the canal now supports a wide variety of wildlife and has turned into a productive fishery. Filling it in wasn't the best option for the trash and worry of "illness". Conservation and not being terrible stewards of the land would've been cool.
@@chilloutdude3617They built the Barge Canal System which can accommodate vessels as long as 300 feet and draft 9 to replace it. Also, by filling it in many cities, it also became important as utilities and stormwater right of way as well as valuable real estate.
@@spuds6423 I know but I'm not talking about preserving it's usage as a barge canal. I'm talking about the amazing fishery it has become. The historic section still supports a WIDE variety of wildlife. And would do MUCH better if they didn't let the water get so low. For the record My other channel is a fishing channel (the outdoor dude). I live on Chittenango creek. I also fish the canal at least 100 days a year.
@@chilloutdude3617 While it is a state park, the practice is called "bottoming out" which what they did back before it was abandoned for navigation. This allows for maintenance during the late fall and winter. Also, if it is left full in certain areas, it could lead to flooding, especially during snowmelt and thaws
As a person born & raised in The City of Syracuse, I was excited to see you make this video. I'm think you did a great job exploring and explaining a lotta the finer details of Syracuse.
It's a strange little city. Has an enormous amount of trees, a rich architecture, some of the worst poverty to be found and an anemic downtown. I moved away many times and somehow always found my way back. Not this time...... off grid in Chenango Co. now 😀
Great content, keep em comin!
Wow, thank you!
That's a very good story about the traffic lights, thank you so much for charing with us, greetings from Belgium 😅
What an absolutely gorgeous city. The architecture is stunning. I went to Syracuse mall way back in 2002 and it was a lot of fun. I never got to see this downtown area though. Thank you for showing us around. Very sad to hear about such a high poverty rate there. I am shocked. The wealth gap in America is getting bigger. It's honestly so sad to see all of this.
The greedy unions ran all those factories, and the companies closed and moved to messico then chinna. So, GAME OVER
Well look how wealthy Syracuse was so what happened?
Ya and the more that enhances are gone the bigger it will be,because when the money is gone, it will be gone for ever , because the family farms will be gone, welll most are gone now, and no business, America is not going to be such a great place in the next 10 years or less, and I say it's all by design!!! The fare left wako's have wanted this country to be a 3rd world country for a long time !!!! They all most have !!! And it's so sad 😔 😢 and NO damn resone for it !!!!! Just say'n !!!😊❤
That's why Americans are moving out off the country.
@@heatherfulmore3412Republican president Nixon opened up trade with China and business moved overseas for cheaper labor costs to compete with China, we lost our middle class and have become a two class country instead of three .
Syracuse used to have a fantastic Jazz Fest downtown. I've seen huge names like Chic Corea, The Count Basie Orchestra,
Sonny Rollins, Chuck Mangione, Geroge Benson, The Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, and many more there.
They moved it to Onodoga Community College then it shut down. I believe they started it up again. I haven't lived in Syracuse for a good number of years. Downtown Syracuse also has a beautiful old 1920s Lowes theater called The Landmark.
Coleman's is an Irish restaurant located on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse. The home of the green light on top.
Peter Coleman, the owner, would be the grand Marshall for Syracuses Saint Paddy's Day parade.
The last time I saw Peter was in his Oswego NY restaurant many years ago.
I enjoy your personalized approach to visiting these cities. Subbed and belled ya.
Have you ever read the book called Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon?
It's a masterpiece on American Travel. I think you would enjoy it.
I moved to Syracuse 2 years ago, the Jazz Fest is still a thing. This year I went for the first time and saw Herbie Hancock.
@@edythesmith5894 Ahhh, Herbie and his Headhunters. Most of been fantastic. I miss Heid's of Liverpool and those Hoffman hotdogs. You have the NY State Fair coming up. Love the pizza freets and Twin Trees pizza at the fair. The Indian Village was fun. Mmm, Sals Fish Fry in North Syracuse. Columbus Bakerys near downtown. Weber's German Food on The North Side. If you don't know Syracuse and its surrounding areas, just ask. Skaneateles Lake is close by and it's one of the finger lakes. It has Doug's Fish Fry along with higher-end places to eat. Wine country etc.For a bit Syracuse ost its Jazz Fest.
Unfortunately Pete passed a couple years back. To say he was vital to what Tipperary Hill became would be an understatement. Coleman's is still in his family as last I heard his son Dennis, also a great guy, runs it now.
@@mdhsyracuse Sorry to hear about Peter.He was a friend to the family. It's good to hear the Colemans is being well taken care of.
Bring the Jazz back & I will visit Syracuse more often! I thought about moving there because the price of housing is right, but the real estate taxes are just too high. Since my son lives there I do get to visit now & then. It's a city that deserves to be invested in!
WoW what a story of the traffic light!! Amazing!! I'm from upstate NY but Way upstate by Lake Champlain
Loved The Erie Canal series, especially Syracuse. Looking forward to your take on the most eastern states, as I live in Nova Scotia.
l was born and raised in Syracuse, NY and moved away 35 years ago. Sad to see how bad economically it has become. Other than snowy winters, Syracuse was a great town to live in most of the year
Actually, Syracuse has been having an urban revival for the past decade. There’s nothing sad about Syracuse anymore.
@@francesguinta8614 LOL the Destiny USA that mall is sad. Used to be amazing back in the 90's, and the expansion isn't that bad. However the original part of the mall is just sad. Oh plus the shootings and the stabbings that take place at it almost weekly.
@@FadedHero636 I live in Syracuse. Get your facts straight, while this year has seen problems at Destiny Mall, they certainly are not weekly, not even close.
As a city resident of nearly 40 years, I respectfully disagree. Quality of life issues in the city are dismal. We are losing stable neighborhood folks in droves because of crime and the noise ordinance not being enforced. Armory Square is NOT a representative neighborhood of Syracuse. We're a gang-infested city, and they're starting to show up downtown as well. Several recent murders downtown. To pretend otherwise is suspicious. @@francesguinta8614
The crime at Destiny has been going on for a long time (as has the crime at SU). The crime at Destiny was mostly folks getting robbed in the parking lots (on a weekly basis). Now we hear about it because it's also happening inside where folks catch it on their phones and post it. But it's nothing new, sadly. l@@FadedHero636
Graduated CNS high school. 1984. Lived in North Syracuse and Liverpool. I remember tons of snow and awesome sledding hills
They ran a train through the center of town right in the area you wish was still water. All the buildings were covered in soot for years.
Good to watch, Joe and Nic. The Erie canal is now on my places to visit list.
Cool!
Great video.
I'm glad to see you focused on what nice about the city. I've been here for 10 years, it's a nice place to live!
I wish you showed the Marriott (hotel Syracuse) tho!
I did video the Hotel Syracuse but the light wasn't good. It is a beautiful building.
21:57 Before the days of plumbing and electricity, guest’s invited to mansions or very sprawling large homes would be provided a wash basin and waste pot in sleeping quarters/bedrooms. After using the facilities: AKA: bed pan’s, the’d tuck it out of the way; under the bed. The chambermaids would make the rounds to dump/wash them, probably 1-2x/day? Very Interesting, informative and FUN video! Looking forward to seeing the rest of your epic road trip!
History major?
@@s.j.5850 No history major here, just too much (PBS) TV , hahaha, JK
Hi Joe & Nic
Greeting from the other side of the world.
I have been watching your channel for sometime and you are really doing good job introducing USA to the world.. I want to congrats and thank you for all the effort and the great historical information in your videos.. and also the relaxing time you are giving to your spectators.. wish you gyes all the best.
Thank you!
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip 💓💓💓
Love your videos. I grew up in Liverpool, a suburb, used to take the bus every Saturday to downtown, lots of shopping stores. Miss those days!
Part of the original Erie Canal still exists in the Syracuse suburbs and thextowpath is recreational for running, walking, biking.
... and you can now bike the length of the Erie Canal, from Albany to Buffalo. The best part of living in Syracuse is to drive 1-2 hours in any direction: mountains, lakes, waterfalls, cute Upstate NY towns, great festivals, amazing state parks, and Canada!
Had to respond to your Wegmans comment. I lived in Houston, 10yrs, and I remember fondly of Wegmans (from when I lived in Buffalo). Wegmans is one of the top rated supermarket in the US, and has been for awhile. Depending on the list HEB and Wegmans interchange #1 and #2
I am a Syracusan and I loved this video. Makes me proud of my city. Yet, there is much poverty and crime also. You did not visit the areas with the most poverty and crime. I wish the cycle could be broken somehow. I'm sure drugs are a big part, as in much of America right now. Also much of the problem is the large businesses that moved out of the area causing the lack of decent paying jobs. Thank you for sharing
Yea I didn't think they covered the REAL residential neighborhoods. Beautiful architecture here for sure.. wonderful video... BUT not an accurate depiction of Syracuse overall.
I watch Nick Johnson, he travels all over the US where the poverty it’s rampant and these places are very sad to live there.
Agreed, and the gangs!
Don't forget when there was a riot that destroyed Voltage Videogames in downtown! It got absolutely pillaged and whatever wasn't stolen, they made sure to break it all.
And the Father's Day Riot where a police officer was viciously attacked and beaten. Yep, we've quite an issue here. @@humbughumbughumbug
My apartment is a right near Clinton Square. You forget the Niagra Mohawk building downtown. Hope you enjoyed Syracuse.
Always enjoy the travel vlogs and facts and statistics. thank you sir, good day to you.
Thank you!!
graduated from Liverpool outside of Syracuse in 1977 and have been in Dallas since 1980 - late 70s & 80s the economy in CNY went down the tubes.
My last year there - terrible winter - I don't miss the snow
So interesting, as always. The downtown area is lovely, with so many beautiful buildings. It's a shame they diverted the canal, it would have been so pretty, like Venice. I love the traffic light story, very creative of them !! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, always enjoyable.😊💚
The canal was a trash filled scar that divided the city. Residents cheered when it was filled.
Thanks, CL!!
Lol stabbings and shootings happen all the time in the "lovely" downtown 😂
@@sj9410 What are the police department doing about the crime? A friend of mine child is going to attend SU. They have been told it's a safe city with very little crime taking place. If possible give me the full rundown thanks.
@@sj9410 no it doesn't, downtown is one of the safer neighborhoods
Hi. I visited Syracuse this summer and was quite surprised how quiet the downtown area was, both with people walking and vehicles, much like your video. Some very beautiful old buildings.
Pretty little town for sure. Lots of Irish pride going on especially with that one light being upside down. lol How fun to see the different lifestyles of people across the nation. Thanks for sharing and you have a great day and safe travels
My friend is the grandson of one of the Irish kids in the original story, it's a great story and the family is in the st Patty's day parade every year
Big Irish Pride! CNY native here!
I live right here in downtown . Thankyou for sharing that yummy desert on the video, I wasn't aware they had that with the funnel cake fries, now ill have to definitely go !
I grew up in Central NY, just north of Syracuse. Spent many a late night street racing on 690 and Northern Blvd in the early 70's (always will remember "Country Joe" and his orange Hemi Cuda as well as "Bissy" and his big block Camaro, Al Parsons FI'd 57 chevy wagon, etc.) and downtown Syracuse was on its way downhill back then. In case you didn't notice when you were there, the street were the Erie canal once was is now Erie Boulevard. The canal wasn't diverted so much as it was "filled in". The NYS Barge canal took over water traffic after a bit and is still in operation today. There is another "museum" dedicated to the Erie Canal just east of Syracuse in Rome NY. They had a whole village from the 1890s era where at one time you could ride a packet boat for about a mile up and down a small section of the old Erie canal. Not sure if it is still in operation though. A bit surprised you were up on Tipperary Hill and didn't go to Coleman's for some Irish food. Top notch stuff there!! Another choice for food would be Pastabilities where you should try the chicken riggies!! Nothing like that in TX! Too bad you don't like poutine - just north of the border in Canada they have super large poutine festivals where you can get poutine with everything from lobster to pulled pork on your fries! I lived in Texas twice during my military days, and in my opinion Texas BBQ is the only food in TX worth the visit.
Another great video Joe. That shuttered church could make an awesome apartments conversion, what a location.
The traffic light at the intersection of Tipp Hill! My eldest daughter lives a block or two from there and my son lived right up the street from that light. I lived over near Tipp Hill on the West End for about 10 years. Tipperary Hill is the Irish section of the city and has a very proud heritage. Come dine at our landmark Coleman's Restaurant where the green beer is delivered around St. Patrick's Day and we have a huge parade/gathering when the truck comes rolling up every year. Fun for all! ☘
I grew up in Baldwinsville, NY...a small village about 20 minutes northwest of Syracuse but have lived in Syracuse since 1991. All my children have grown up and gone to school here. It has its rough neighborhoods, as does any city, but we are a proud lot, with a diverse amount of culture, a distinguished University and a lot of unique and interesting attractions. Come visit us!
Have another place I Need to visit. Family is from Tipperary Ireland.
Really amazing that you came from so far to go to a city so close to me. Awesome video and history!
The county is pronounced as On-ah-dog-ah. I lived there from 0-3 years old starting in 1950. We used to visit there until the relatives died off. As an adult I remember the Irish Hill traffic light. That's cool that you started the video with that.
Mm... almost 😄 We locals say ON-an-DAH-gah. The Onondagas are one of the five tribes of the Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee) nation. Many Americans are more familiar with the name the European gave them: Iroquois.
@@susanjmb Many thanks! It's been a while since I've lived there (70 years) :)
Probably how you pronounced it as a little guy!🙂
Thanks for this video. Two of our kids went to school at the University so we spent a lot of time there. The downtown is nice. Too bad you did not check out the University as it is a very pretty campus and you will never see so much orange clothing. Have wonderful memories of going up in the winter and seeing a basketball game at the Dome. A great Div 1 NCAA experience. That place rocks. Thanks again.
Loved your video I spent many Saturday's at the Erie Canal museum while my mom worked across the street at family restaurant...the Erie Canal wasn’t diverted as much as closed off I’m areas but there’s plenty of Erie Canal in other parts of city and suburbs
Lived in Tipp Hill my whole life. Thnx Joe and Nick for appreciating our Irish lifestyle.
Hey, we’re both half Irish. 👍😀
If the Erie Canal interests you, I would highly suggest visiting Lockport, NY. Kind of a mini Syracuse.
My best friend grew up in Syracuse (Liverpool). I shared this video with him. Will be going up to Malone? You would go through Watertown and Potsdam to get there. It’s about 15 minutes from canada near the top of NY. Best friend’s wife grew up there.
The Erie canal running through Syracuse reminds me of The Rideau in Ottawa. No skating though I think..
Traffic lights in Ireland all have the green on top lol
My grandfather was James M. Coffey... he was a Stone Thrower. One of 12 neighborhood boys who smashed the light. A block in the other direction, away from the church, is his street Coffey ln.
Great video. Onion domes of this type are seen and most common all over Ukraine, Russia, Poland and many other Eastern European countries. Many different religions use them in the architecture for their churches and temples. They likely originated in Syria but are different from the old Syrian style.
Right-those onion domes are not "oriental". They are influenced by Turkish, Syrian and Russian styles of architecture.
Great video my father grew up In Syracuse my mom grew up in the south side on Randall Ave then she moved out to Marcellus in 79, I grew up however in the outskirts of Syracuse by the way we have a Polish neighborhood if you head further down
Also the author of The Wizard Of Oz, Richard Gere went to HS here, and the Baldwin’s mom 😊
Hope you enjoyed your visit here. Nicely done video! Though you really missed out by not walking by the NIMO building (now National Grid). It is an amazing building and fabulous example of Art Deco style. Next time you are in Central New York you should check it out! You can see part of it from your final shot of the video.
It's On -- nun -- dag -- a ( last two a's are short ''a'' pronunciation ) Just fyi. Love your channel, btw. Best travel type channel on the tube, imao.
Cool, thanks!
Lived here my whole life a you taught me a couple of things I didn’t even know. Fun video. Thanks for sharing 💥
I grew up in Syracuse and loved it, there was so much going on it was a diverse community. The Erie Canal ran down what is now Erie Blvd., Little Italy on the north side where you found many first and second generation Italians. We had GE's Electronics Park, Crouse Hinds made most of the street lights with local labor, Carrier is still a leader in heating and air conditioners but they all went looking for the cheap labor and the good jobs disappeared. But I could walk from one end of that city to other and unlike today I never lived in fear of going to school or the grocery store I walked to school came home for lunch never found the doors locked or fences. No one had guns except the police, hunters had rifles it is sad to see what we have become. We had lots of snow in the winter I remember the blizzard of 1966 seeing the snowmobiles on Burnet Ave.
I would like to inform you back in the day on the canal when you lifted the toilet seat you got see the Erie Canal up close and I remembered when you rode behind a steamer and went to relieve yourself, looked down you got to see every railroad tie on the railroad. BTW I believe the Crouse-Hinds Company was the largest producer of traffic lights in the world. Lived in Syracuse in the mid 40's-mid 50's and it was a thriving city to grow up in.
Thankyou for this, makes me want to visit Syracuse. Thankyou for mentioning poverty without making judgements
Enjoy the architecture when you visit - it's gorgeous! But be very mindful of your surroundings. Gang-related crime is rampant here.
Great way to start your video about the traffic light. Funny story. I think those Irish Pubs come the closest to the "real" fish and chips, but I thought your choices looked awesome. May have been one of your best videos yet. All our downtowns should look like that!
Hey Joe & Nic! Wonderful video as always! I'm still 'liking' all of them. I can't tell you how much your vids help- as I'm still searching out different areas, and came across this one, saying YAY! Just because I had seen a few fixer uppers so cheap. Now I know why, haha! But it is amazing how not even a quarter of a mile away it looks like a paradise. But actually, we had that at the Jersey shore too (a decade or so ago) before they worked on so many areas here. I have to agree, the architecture is so awesome! Thanks so much for all you do so we can be a passenger (hehe) to get see all these parts of the US.... !!! Love & big hugs to you both~💞🤗🤗😍
Thank you, Tina!
Yes, overall this area wasn't hit as hard by the housing crisis as other parts of the country. The price of housing in this area is still relatively inexpensive. Lots of snowbirds that own homes here and travel south to their condo's in the winter.