This Is CNY

CNY's vegan community gathered at Harvey's Garden in Syracuse for the 2nd annual Vegtoberfest on Saturday. The festive event celebrated plant-based living with vegan food, live music, tarot readings and information about sustainability and food production. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/TcO1K2

Costumed mischief will be in full effect this week with dozens of parties and events to celebrate Halloween. There are also quieter ways to enjoy the last week of October. See nearly 50 events things to do: this-is-cny.visitlink.me/CUt2Y2

Relatively new DeWitt restaurant Yummy Thai has a tight menu, handcrafted Thai tea and coffee, flavorful soups and curries, and a bustling to-go business. Or you can dine in, as critic @jacobpucci.bsky.social did. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/HNG572

If you're looking to cap off spooky season with an eerie outing or day trip, check out these 10 Upstate NY locations. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/uVLYoa

For nearly 50 years, Vahram Agababian and his family ran Babian's Market in the Hawley-Green neighborhood of Syracuse. A recent story about the restoration of the building that housed Babian's brought memories and recognition of the shop and Agababian. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/PLHkmo

After two years of serious plays, Fayetteville-Manlius High School and Thespian Troupe 98 is taking on comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It's the first time in 11 years that the school has staged a play by William Shakespeare. The play will run Nov. 5-7. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/ueQzXa

“Science!” This week at Syracuse's Landmark Theatre, @neildegrassetyson.com gave an occasionally digressive, often humorous, but always engaging lecture organized around the topic of cosmic collisions. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/AdmSRs

After moving to a new, bigger location for the second time, Second Chance Diner owner Eddie DePalma thought he was done moving. He's not moving this winter, but he is expanding with a second location in Clay. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/Pk3NLs

A new golf simulator sports bar and restaurant opened across the street from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. The Bunker will be a destination for groups to play and party over food and drinks. It’s also family friendly, owner Troy Miller said. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/1GhTou

For most of 2026, Charlie Miller has been on the hunt for delicious sandwiches at Syracuse-area restaurants and bars. Some are top sellers, some are lesser-known. If you've missed any of the stories (39 and counting), Charlie's compiled them all in one place. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/eZ7UyK

Family-owned Springside Farm in Pompey welcomed two young Highland cows to its expanded animal barn and introduced other interactive features this season. Springside is open Friday-Sunday until Oct. 25 for its fall harvest activities. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/fRKug1

Rise N Shine, the Syracuse diner known for Instagram-ready breakfasts, elaborate milkshakes and a menu that turns brunch into a spectacle, is expanding into Clay. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/tvvcNi

Mayor Sharon Owens announced Syracuse has hired its first nightlife coordinator, Dre’chir Whitfield. Whitfield's work is expected to extend beyond the city's bars and restaurants. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/Nt027Q

CNY Playhouse's “We Are The Tigers” is a mash-up of teen comedies like “Mean Girls” and slasher films like “Scream.” Satire and flashes of farce are tempered with glimpses of angst, jealousies and friendships that may move into romance, critic Len Fonte said. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/4T2Mlm

Critic @lindalowen.bsky.social raves about Covey Theater's "Congressman Cassidy Brown," from its tight, flawless script, unforgettable characters and onstage relationships to the staging and acting. There are only three performances left. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/BYomiv

Four hip-hop stars take the stage this week and spooky season continues with several events. Bring your earplugs to Monster Jam, get tickets for excellent community theater productions, join the all-vegan food festival and more. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/FVMbnc

Critic @jaredpaventi.com loves a good dive bar. As a spot for burgers or wings and a beer, The Nest in Tully delivers with serious value, innovative flavors and the type of atmosphere that breeds a loyal following, he found. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/cmqi0l

Hundreds of colorful fish are swimming, eating and growing in a handful of big blue tubs on the top floor of the new Harborview Aquarium, which is scheduled to open later this year. Assistant curator Meeghan Byrne is excited to inspire the next generation. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/D1nYRR

If you were waiting for the perfect week to go leaf peeping in Upstate New York, this could be it. Take a drive to see peak and near-peak autumnal hues of bronze, mahogany, turmeric, pumpkin, cerise, raspberry, cranberry and banana. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/wOmhue

Upstate New Yorkers have just two more weeks to hike the iconic Watkins Glen Gorge Trail before it closes for the season. Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes said the two-mile trail, which winds past 19 waterfalls, is expected to close on Oct. 25. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/Pt4av_

Three generations of the Santangelo family have worked at and stewarded their Liverpool restaurant, which celebrates 40 years in 2026. Some days, five or six Santangelos can be found in the kitchen at once. The family shared their story with Eliana Rosen: this-is-cny.visitlink.me/dXr20M

Three sharks arrived at Syracuse's Crouse Health Harborview Aquarium yesterday. The sandbar sharks had a big journey to Central New York, traveling by truck from Florida to Syracuse. Only @syracuse.com & This is CNY were there to see the sharks arrive. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/ifbxfM

Oneida Community Mansion House has planned an immersive, inventive fundraiser Oct. 17 to support its preservation and restoration of the historic landmark, the former home of the utopian Oneida Community. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/3peC67

The food at Sam's Chicken Land was so good it convinced Charlie Miller to start a 'Hidden Gems' series a few years ago. He headed back there for a chicken cheesesteak as part of his 2026 Syracuse Sandwiches series. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/HoxqX_

On Oct. 18, Syracuse Police and Vera House will co-host a self-protection workshop for women, with physical defense techniques and practical information about patterns of abuse, safety tips and preventative measures. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/hPnmtg

Scientists at @syracuseu.bsky.social have made a breakthrough discovery, disproving a scientific norm held since 1972 about organisms that live in harsh or extreme environments. www.thisiscny.com/living/2026/...

Joey Salvagni and Dan Hamon want to enhance the small-town feel in Solvay, giving residents more places to gather and spend time. Salvagni's latest project, Pressed Caffe and Roastery, is now open on Milton Avenue; he opened Joey's Ice Cream this summer. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/DRqziW

Inspired by the Central New York landscape as well as the mythological story of Sisyphus, artists Sydney Schultz and Laura Reeder are collaborating on an art installation in a Syracuse city park. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/dGaA4L

From a crossword competition, toy & comic book show and vinyl record sale to an adults-only pumpkin hunt, Zoo Boo and other fun activities in between, let us help you plan your week in Central New York. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/bMUCTf

Good news and service journalism is an important part of our work, so we're big fans of the First Amendment. Our social media intern, Jenna, went to a recent reenactment in Syracuse of a landmark freedom of the press trial. 📰

Fields Restaurant in Skaneateles received high-profile recognition last month for its culinary talent and its wine program. Dining critic @jacobpucci.bsky.social went there recently to put the kitchen to the test. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/NF2izV

Auditions will be held Oct. 14 for the 32nd edition of Dickens Christmas, the classic street theater production that brings “A Christmas Carol” to life in Skaneateles. Available roles include pickpockets, apple sellers, match girls and finishing school girls. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/mgRnkf

Planning ahead for the holiday season? These 8 excursions will let you ride the rails around Upstate NY for some holiday magic starting late next month and running through December. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/WcueP0

Witty Wicks candle company's 'I Am Jane Doe' candle, created in response to the Cornell Rape case, has already generated more than $7,300 for Vera House, a Syracuse agency which serves sexual and domestic abuse victims. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/5h9JAd

After a half-billion-dollar cleanup over the past two decades, Onondaga Lake has experienced quite a turnaround. Now the lake people avoided is the second-most popular bass fishing spot in New York state, with anglers praising it as 'awesome' and 'a jewel.' this-is-cny.visitlink.me/x4aj4Z

The LaFayette Apple Festival returns this weekend for its 53rd year with a new stage for local musicians and a crafter count back to pre-pandemic numbers. The event runs all day Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, and typically draws around 30,000 visitors. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/iEKQoU

Across the Hall Cafe in downtown Syracuse makes hefty sandwiches that have earned a reputation. Charlie Miller recommends clearing your afternoon schedule before heading over for lunch. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/wvd_L0

A historic Syracuse temple, which once housed the ninth oldest Jewish congregation in the U.S., is now The Concord Club, a place for residents of adjacent apartment building The Standard to relax, study or socialize. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/gdwLea

Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, a history buff or a romantic, here are nine different ways to experience a Central New York fall and its beautiful scenery. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/n2aSSS

A handmade trinket trading box on Westcott Street is bringing joy and whimsy to the neighborhood. Visitors take or leave friendship bracelets, stickers, figurines, pins or other small items and the reaction has been greater than the box's creators expected. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/SSsa_Z

Yahoo! Travel went looking for the New York state restaurant with the biggest "cult following" and found Eva's European Sweets on Milton Avenue in Syracuse. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/MMv07y

This week in CNY: learn a new skill, appreciate the beauty of ballet and experience new plays, plus Halloween events for young families and adults, an LGBTQ+ job & resource fair, live music, the LaFayette Apple Festival, a Bert Kreischer show and more. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/xLFypu

Ally Walker, an artist known for her vibrant public work, is painting two new murals downtown Syracuse, next to Salt City Market. “I work towards creating art that makes you look twice at an area you overlook, then want to visit for a closer look,” she said. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/xuvryH

Bob Searing from the Onondaga Historical Association revisits a key moment in Central New York's abolitionist history which took place in October 1851. www.thisiscny.com/living/2026/...

Unique flavor combinations are a staple of the state fair (an event which @jaredpaventi.com is not a fan of). He found the sausage, onions and peppers he's been missing and other creative combos at Manlius beer and pizza pub A.W. Wander. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/U9L3PK

Were you lucky enough to have grown up trick-or-treating in Central New York between the 1980s and 2010s? @katrinatulloch.bsky.social takes us back to the heyday of Switz's and Dougherty's Masquerade. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/neYve3

A 5-year-old boy, following his family's example, is a certified yoga teacher. Yoga — an ancient practice that combines movement, breathing and meditation — is central to the Regmi family. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/zeX6av

This week, Apizza Alimentari in Fayetteville extended its service to dinner. The menu features selections from across Italy's regions and will change seasonally. The starters, drinks and desserts are equally enticing. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/tx0NoM

How did the 2026 New York State Fair stack up? See the highlights from livestock entries to $1 baked potatoes consumed. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/mm-Qf6

Local favorite Oompa Loompyas food truck is award winning, and not just here in CNY. Owner Azella “Zell” Alvarez comes alive when she cooks and her business gives her a way to honor her late son, Justin. this-is-cny.visitlink.me/8UQ6D6