Long-time residents occasionally complain about our traffic. Anyone who has also lived in LA, Atlanta, DC, or Boston laughs when they hear that. Driving a half-hour in any direction from University Hill puts you in the country almost any time of day or night.

The train to New York City ends at Penn Station in Manhattan, and is a lovely ride when the fall colors are bright.

Many Syracuse residents consider Old Forge (100 miles) to be their gateway to Adirondack National Park with its hundreds of lakes and hiking trails. Gore Mountain (150 miles) has a 2100 foot vertical drop for downhill skiers.

The Finger Lakes begin about 25 miles southwest of Syracuse, with Ithaca at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. Huge Seneca Lake is next to the west, then Keuka Lake. Dozens of small and large wineries surround these lakes. Don't miss lunch at the outdoor café of the Bully Hill winery near Keuka (90 miles) -- it's great on most summer days, but spectacular when the leaves turn color. Another great, underdiscovered spot for an early fall afternoon glass of wine is the golf clubhouse at Green Lakes State Park near Fayetteville (~10 miles).

Here are some links for maps that you may find useful:

• Yahoo's driving directions and detailed maps
• Syracuse University maps and directions
• SUNY Upstate maps and directions
• SUNY ESF maps and directions

For more detailed information about our area and its offerings, please select from the following:

• Student Life
• Life In and Around Syracuse
• Weather
• Housing and Living Costs