How to Have a Great Time in Syracuse During the Basketball Tournament

The Carrier Dome hosts the East Region finals March 24 and 26, transforming this lakeside New York city into a basketball Mecca. Do come, won't you?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Get ready to have a "Fan"tastic weekend, as Syracuse would call it. The town has prepared for your arrival.

2. Locate the convention center (800 State Street) and prepare to spend some time in the three-day "Fan"demonium event.

3. Walk upstairs into the exhibit hall where a family fun zone is set with activities and interactive rides for kids.

4. Follow the noise, creep downstairs and enter the ballroom. The expanse has been transformed into a sports bar, complete with a mammoth square bar in the center. Each of the four sides are decorated in color and theme of the four East Region teams.

5. Say hello (and smile sweetly) to the Buffalo Bills Cheerleading squad, which will be visiting.

6. Slap some stick with The Crunch ' Syracuse's AHL hockey team, which is present with a slap shot cage for visitors to try.

7. Take a look at the displays borrowed from the Basketball and Baseball Hall of Fame.

8. Get an autograph from Donovan McNabb and other sports heroes who will be roaming the "Fan"demonium throughout the weekend.

9. Grab some munchies from the assorted tailgate-style food vendors.

10. Play some billiards, darts or shoot some hoop with the selected tavern games at hand.

11. Watch the various big screen TVs at game time.

12. Check with the information desk in the convention center to pick up a "Fan"tastic Weekend guide and pass. With it, receive discounted transportation between the various happening sites: Armory Square (filled with great restaurants and boutiques), Carousel Center Mall, the team hotels, the Carrier Dome and the convention center.

13. Make time to visit the city's other attractions: the symphony, the Syracuse Stage theater and the Museum of Science and Technology, with the only IMAX movie theater in New York state. Also, check out the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park and its new addition of a baby elephant born in February.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information. (1-800-234-4797 or www.syracusecvb.org)

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