At one time, the Erie Canal was the main travel route between the east and west portions of New York State.  Syracuse was a major port on the canal, and Old Erie Canal State Historic Park bears witness to that history. Opportunities for hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, bicycling, canoeing, fishing, and snowmobiling means  that you can enjoy the area any time of the year. Museums charting those historic times are located in Rome ( NY), Canastota and Chittenango.