With a city population of 163,000, Syracuse draws from a metropolitan region of 836,000. It is about equidistant from New York City and Montreal, and easily accessible by car, airplane, train, and bus. Syracuse offers a wealth of cultural activities, including the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Syracuse Opera Company, and Syracuse Stage. The city is home to the Everson Museum of Art, designed by I.M. Pei, the Milton J. Rubinstein Museum of Science and Technology, and a portion of the Erie Canal. The Central New York Region Located near the center of New York State, Syracuse is surrounded by much open land and numerous lakes and parks.
Many opportunities exist for boating, skiing, fishing, hunting, hiking, and mountain biking.
The Erie Canal ran through downtown Syracuse, and salt from natural salt springs transported on the canal led to the early prosperity of the city. The terrain of the region includes rolling hills, drumlins, plains, lakes, and streams. Woods and farmland lie just beyond the city limits. The rugged and piney Adirondack mountains lie just a few hours to the east. Seasonal changes are significant, with cold winters, changeable spring and fall seasons, and comfortably warm summers.