This is CNY

Jamesville Beach Park Jamesville Beach Park Jamesville, N.Y. - Onondaga County Park beaches will be freeas Central New York continues to get hit with the hottest temperatures it has felt so far this year. The beaches at Jamesville Beach Park and Oneida Shores Park will be free today through Sunday, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced Thursday. Admission is normally $7 a vehicle. The parks are open from noon to 6 p.m. today, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Syracuse pool improvements Children participate in a swim lesson in August 2024 at Thornden Park Pool in Syracuse. (File photo) Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse has opened seven of its eight outdoor pools, just in time for an intense heat wave that’s hitting the region this week. The city’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs on Monday opened pools at Thornden Park, Upper Onondaga Park, Schiller Park, Lincoln Park, Kirk Park, McKinley Park and Burnet Park.

Summer nights in CNY Fireworks at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse. Major festivals take a back seat this weekend to Fourth of July celebrations, but there’s a lot to do leading up to the holiday. National recording acts The Church, Godsmack, Stone Temple Pilots, Skilla Baby and Buckcherry will be in town, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy regional artists covering classical, patriotic, Latin jazz and rock music.

Dining Out: Better Burger Outside Better Burger, 920 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool. Dining Out: Better Burger The front counter where orders are placed at Better Burger, 920 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool. Dining Out: Better Burger The classic cheeseburger from Better Burger, 920 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool. Dining Out: Better Burger Oreo milkshake from Better Burger, 920 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool.

Syracuse skate rink Syracuse opened a roller skate rink this week in Clinton Square. Skaters enjoy the rink during lunchtime on June 24, 2026. It’s lunchtime on a sunny midweek afternoon in downtown Syracuse. I’ve got two choices: grab a gyro from the food truck on Salina Street or break my neck roller skating. I choose roller skating, broken neck optional. Earlier this week the city laid down 17,000 interlocking plastic tiles in the middle of Clinton Square to create SYR Skate, a 15,000 sq. ft.

Scoops Ice Cream Shoppe Joey Salvagni is opening Scoops Ice Cream Shoppe Thursday in Solvay. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (In First Look, we visit a new restaurant or bar in Central New York to give readers an idea of what to expect. If you know of a new place, email me at cmiller@syracuse.com or call/text me at 315-382-1984. If I take your suggestion, I just might buy you a meal.) **** Solvay, N.Y. — An ice cream cone is just the beginning.

Roller skating in Clinton Square Syracuse Parks and Recreation employees install the plastic panels for the roller skating rink in Clinton Square June 23 to 27, 2026. Roller skating in Clinton Square Syracuse Parks and Recreation employees install the plastic panels for the roller skating rink in Clinton Square June 23 to 27, 2026. Roller skating in Clinton Square Syracuse Parks and Recreation employees install the plastic panels for the roller skating rink in Clinton Square June 23 to 27, 2026.

2025 Syracuse Middle Eastern Festival Khader Fashho prepares the beef shawarma at the annual St. Elias Middle Eastern Festival. This year's event began Thursday evening. It runs through Sunday. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) 2025 Syracuse Middle Eastern Festival The annual St. Elias Middle Eastern Festival began Thursday evening. It runs through Sunday.

Villa Estate Vineyards Villa Estate Vineyards will open in Cazenovia this summer in the former home to Owera Vineyards. (Provided photo) Cazenovia, N.Y. — After two years of uncertainty, the former Owera Vineyards property in Cazenovia is reopening under new ownership, with some of Central New York’s best-known restaurateurs taking over the kitchen. The 57-acre estate overlooking Cazenovia Lake has been purchased by the Zazzara family, who have renamed it The Villa Estate Vineyards.

Syracuse Sandwiches: Noble Cellar Nicholas Eddy presents the Nick's Brunch Burger at Noble Cellar in downtown Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (We all have our go-to order. This series is about shaking that up. Each week, I’ll spotlight one sandwich at a Central New York restaurant worth trying — and explain why it ended up on my plate. Got a suggestion? Text me at 315-382-1984.