Thornden Park playground

Honestly, the playground itself is pretty basic, but the reason people keep coming back is everything around it — Thornden Park is one of Syracuse’s best-kept secrets and the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting. The rose garden is legitimately gorgeous in season, and the old amphitheater gives the whole place a character you won’t find at your average city park. It’s the kind of spot where kids can run around while adults actually enjoy being outside, which isn’t always easy to pull off. If you’re on the Syracuse university hill side of town, this is your go-to for a low-key family afternoon.