THINGS TO DO DURING CONVENTION

Many people find it challenging to navigate a new city or county, especially when it comes to finding local attractions. You may be eager to explore beyond your hotel, but the thought of figuring out transportation can be daunting. We understand this, and we’re here to make it easier for you.

We’ve got you covered. Leave the hassle of navigating the city and county to us.

We have Legionnaires dedicated to your enjoyment, arranging extracurricular activities, and transportation.

They have curated a list of activities for you to consider. We’ll be here to answer your questions and guide you to the most convenient transportation options.

Have you ever considered visiting a local Post but are unsure where to find it? How about a unique shopping experience in an eclectic downtown neighborhood or a huge regional mall? Where’s the closest bodega for your lottery tickets? You could join us at a Pub crawl. Sorry, we meant POST crawl, where we’ll bus to a handful of Posts that are eager to say hi and offer refreshments! The options are diverse and yours to explore.

We aim to provide free transportation from the respective hotels to these destinations (subject to availability), all operated by skilled, safe drivers, ensuring your safety and comfort.

Visit Syracuse!

Visit Syracuse is the official site for Syracuse and our surrounding communities. If you’re looking to explore a little bit while you’re here, this is the spot you want to check out! Events, shows, local attractions, etc.

OUTSIDE CONVENTION ACTIVITIES!

Syracuse and Onondaga County Post Crawls!

UPDATE: April 22nd, 2026

As of April 22^nd, we are running one 24 person mini-bus per event. As of today’s date, we have have four openings on the Thursday bus and thirteen on the Friday bus. Depending on how many more requests we get, we’ll look at adding a second bus where appropriate. So, if you’d like to go, just drop us a line at onondagavets@gmail.com. Only those 21 and over will be allowed to attend.

Thursday the 16^th, 2026

2:00 pm – Depart from the Warren Street side of the Marriott.

Robert J. Hydon Post 239, 1 Wainwright Dr., Skaneateles NY 13152
Valentine Meyer Post 317, 4572 Jordan Rd., Skaneateles Falls, NY 13152
General Pulaski Post 1650, 1604 Burnet Ave., Syracuse NY 13206
Eastwood American Legion Post 1276, 3701 James St., Syracuse NY 13206
Mattydale VFW Post 3146, 2000 Lemoyne Ave., Syracuse NY 13206
9:00 pm Concludes back at Marriott.

Friday the 18^th, 2026

2:00 pm – Depart from the Warren Street side of the Marriott.

Tipperary Hill Post 1361, 1951 W. Fayette St., Syracuse NY
Mattydale American Legion Post 1832, 2718 Lemoyne Ave, Mattydale NY 13211
Arthur Butler Post 359, 139 W. Manlius St., East Syracuse NY 13057
Manlius Archie Van Patten Post 141, 109 Fayette St., Syracuse NY 13104

8:00 pm Concludes at Marriott

As a reminder, Post Crawls are Free Of Charge on behalf of the Convention Committee as a thank you for allowing us to serve you!

Thursday, July 16th, 2026 Depart Hotel at 2:00 pm.

Friday, July 17th, 2026 Depart Hotel at 2:00 pm.

Click this text to RSVP. Just specify what day and how many in your party.

No cost, no driving, no worries. We’ve got it covered.

As our guest, you’ll have free transportation for an afternoon and early evening tour of several Legion Posts in Syracuse and Onondaga County. Some local VFWs have also invited us to visit, and we’re happy to accept.

Enjoy drink and food specials, pull tabs, swag, or simply a handshake and hello from our Syracuse and Onondaga County Legionnaires. This event was a big hit last year.

The first Crawl will take place on Thursday afternoon and evening, July 16, 2026, leaving from the Warren Street side of the hotel at about 2:00 pm. A Bus Captain from the Convention Committee will be on board to help everyone stay on schedule and make sure no one is left behind. We plan to stop at five locations and return to the hotel around 9:00 pm.

The second Crawl will take place on Friday afternoon and evening, July 17, 2026, once again leaving from the Warren Street side of the hotel at about 2:00 pm. A Bus Captain from the Convention Committee will again be on board to help everyone stay on schedule and make sure no one is left behind. We plan to stop at four locations and return to the hotel around 8:00 pm.

Space is limited, so please RSVP for one or both events as soon as possible. Email us your name, the number of people in your group, their names, and which event you’d like to attend. If there’s still room, you can also sign up at registration, but spots are first-come, first-served. You can reach us through the CONTACT US tab on this website or by emailing onondagavets@gmail.com.

Boat Tour Skaneatales Lake, along with a

Reception at American Legion Post 239!

Click this text to RSVP for FREE Bus Transportation

In a partnership between Skaneateles Robert Hydon Post 239 and Mid Lakes Navigation, 100 conventioneers will participate in a FREE, 50-minute sightseeing tour around historic Skaneateles Lake DONATED BY MID LAKES NAVIGATION!

From the Mid-Lakes Transportation website, “Join us for a relaxing journey along Skaneateles Lake, featuring narrated highlights of the area’s history and natural beauty. The route takes you approximately 3 miles down the East side of the lake before looping back along the West side. A full-service cash bar and light snacks are available onboard. Dogs are welcome on board with a leash.”

This unique opportunity is limited to 100 people. Please have your CONVENTION BADGE with you for identification as a conventioneer. The boat will leave the dock at 3:00 p.m. sharp and return at 4:00 p.m.

Skaneateles American Legion Post 239 will be hosting a reception for all State Convention attendees who are interested in visiting our Post from 4:30 pm to around 7:30 pm. at 1 Wainwright Drive, Skaneateles, NY 13152.

Convention attendees will be provided with food and a beverage “on the house”. There will be a live band and available games such as shuffleboard, darts, horseshoes and cornhole. For the adventurous, a Cigar and Bourbon soiree will be available to our Conventioneers. We look forward to seeing you at POST 239 ! Thank you for your service !

Again, the Convention Committee will provide transportation on a 24 person mini-bus, from the Marriott Hotel to the Pier, then to Post 239 and back to the Marriott. If you wish to drive yourself, a map will be provided at registration.

The Lake Tour is limited to 100 people. And will be taken on a first come, first served basis. We would appreciate if you would RSVP indicating you would like to participate to better handle our transportation and allow Post 239 to plan appropriately.

Please email the Convention at onondagavets@gmail.com to RSVP or reach us through the CONTACT US link on this site.

Wednesday through Friday

SHUTTLE to Syracuse's Armory Square Shopping District and the famous Destiny USA Mall!

Make arrangments in the Command Post located by the Conference Rooms.

ARMORY SQUARE – A major hub of Downtown life, Armory Square hosts dozens of favorite restaurants, bars, coffee houses, boutiques and nightclubs. Check out the Shot Clock Monument as you make your way through this charming neighborhood, and connect to many other Downtown areas via the multi-use Onondaga Creekwalk. (from VisitSyracuse)

DESTINY USA – UNEXPECTED, MAGICAL, WOW! These are words used by real visitors to describe their Destiny USA experience. Visitors can marvel at the iconic carousel no. 18, shop at brand name retailers and exclusive outlets including Apple, Coach, Nordstrom Rack, Lululemon and more.

We anticipate Daily shuttle runs at scheduled times. Check in with the Command Post located in the Canadice Room, across from Convention Registration at the Marriott.

We are a 911 municipality, so always call 911 first in an emergency.