Ten Things To Do In Central New York During The Month of March

March is my least favorite month of the year: cold, windy, and dirty is how I would describe March in Central New York. Instead of sitting around waiting for Spring's late arrival, here are ten things to do in or around Syracuse during the month of March that will keep you from getting cabin fever.

1. Go out to dinner at one of the new restaurants at Destiny USA.

The long anticipated wait for some of the most popular restaurants around is over! If you haven't tried any of them yet, then what are you waiting for? Gordon Biersch, P.F. Chang's, The Melting Pot, and Toby Keith's (among others) are all open now, and let me tell you--they are hopping. Go see what everyone is talking about.

2. Take in one of the local high school musicals.

Every year in early spring, high school students across Onondaga County take to the stage and show off their acting and singing prowess. You'll be amazed at the some of the local talent, and ticket prices are low and are well worth it.

3. Learn about maple sugaring.

March is maple sugaring time. You can learn about the heritage of sugaring at Beaver Lake Nature Center, and maybe get a taste of the sweet stuff too!

4. Go to a festival.

Festivals don't just happen in the summer--in Syracuse they happen all year long! Some of the festivals in March are The Greater Syracuse Antiques Festival,  a Vocal Jazz Fest at LeMoyne College, and Cinefest 2013 (a celebration of rarely seen classic films) to name a few.

5. Participate in (or attend) a race.

Whether you're looking for a 3k race/walk, a 5k, 10k, or half marathon, there are races nearly every weekend in March. Check out Fleet Feet's events calandar for dates, locations, and times.

6. Go to a Crunch game.

The Syracuse Crunch are heating up the ice in the War Memorial this March with a full schedule of action packed excitement. Don't miss out on the fun.

7. Two words: Spring Skiing.

Central New York ski centers are still open, and there is plenty of snow for skiing in March. The warmer temperatures make for some pretty nice oppurtunities for late season skiing, so check the local ski report for conditions, then head to the mountains.

8. Fish Fry Fridays are back.

One of the things Central New Yorkers look forward to in March is a good fish fry. Long lines of people at churches and fish markets this time of year attest to the popularity of a great and inexpensive fish dinner. Try out the offerings of St. Vincent De Paul on Burnet Ave in Syracuse, or St. Mary's in the village of Baldwinsville.

9. Check out the local music scene.

The weather may still be a bit nippy, but the CNY music scene sure is hot. The annual SAMMYs (Syracuse Area Music Awards) kicks off its two-day celebration every March and gets everyone in the mood for some good local music. You can find plenty of performances and all genres of music to satisfy anyone's taste all month long.

10. Take a stroll at an art gallery or exhibit.

There are many current exhibitions, as well as permanent collections at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, but that's not the only place in town where you can see great works of art. For something new, visit ArtRage Gallery on Hawley Ave, or Red House Arts Center on S. West Street. Westcott Community Art Gallery on Euclid Ave. and Edgewood Gallery on Tecumseh Road in DeWitt are also worth a look. And don't forget about the galleries at OCC, SU, and Cazenovia College.

For more ideas or inspiration, read the Weekend section of the Post-Standard, or visit their website at Syracuse.com.