When you arrive in Syracuse, the first thing you'll want to do is check your closet. If you don't own anything orange, get to a store. Syracuse University sports reign in this lively Upstate city, and you'll want to jump on the bandwagon right away, even if you don't have the basketball team's record memorized—yet. 'Cuse residents are a friendly bunch and will fill you in on everything you need to know in line at Wegmans or over a roast beef sandwich and a beer at Clark's. You just have to know to ask.

And of course, sports aren't all there is to do here. With the wine-filled Finger lakes to the west, the green peaks of the Adirondacks to the North, and miles of rolling hills and farmland to the south and east, Syracuse is ideally situated. The growing farm-to-table movement has filled surrounding country towns and villages with small markets and local breweries, and the region is home to a dazzling array of lakes, full of life during the humid summers.

If you're craving an evening in the city, treat yourself to a meal at Pastabilities downtown, see a show at the Landmark, or bring a cooler and a blanket to Lakeview Amphitheater and listen to music on the shores of Onondaga Lake. Whichever part of Syracuse you choose to call home, be sure you feel good about locking the door and heading out. Invest in an ADT monitored security system for some extra peace of mind.