It’s a gorgeous spring day in Syracuse. The campus lawns radiate a vivid shade of green, illustrating the color that the Emerald City is known for. I’m sitting in the Life Sciences building, across from the College Place bus stop staring at the picturesque sky and watching bright-eyed tour groups pass by. It is a perfect morning. The Connective Corridor bus approaches, getting ready to make its routine trip from the heart of campus to the hip neighborhood of Armory Square. I had a choice. Either stay inside working on an assignment or take a few hours out of my schedule to enjoy the warm spring day. Thankfully, I chose the latter.

The initial plan was to grab an Italian meal at Pastabilities. The festive Italian joint is well known among the Syracuse community for its hot tomato oil and delicious array of pasta dishes. As I headed to the beloved eatery, I passed a small restaurant called Lofo. Patrons were dining outside enjoying the crisp weather and the premise of farm-to-table food was too good to resist.

Inside, I was greeted by a friendly wait staff, who encouraged me to sit at the bar where the restaurant boasts its myriad of local brews. The beers are proudly displayed on the top shelf, hailing from Ithaca, Skaneatlas, and the Salt City itself. I order a beet burger, with a succulent patty dyed purple from its namesake mixed with brown rice and black beans. On top rests a few avocados, smoked gouda cheese, and a drizzle of sriracha mayonnaise. It was absolutely heavenly, served on a homemade whole wheat bun that was toasted to perfection.

From there, I decided to check out some of Armory Square’s boutiques. Although they are miniscule compared to the nearby Destiny USA mall, the charm that these small businesses offer is often overlooked and the collection, although much smaller, usually has some quality pieces. After finding a great deal on jeans, I decided it was time for coffee, and when in Syracuse, there’s no better place to get that caffeine fix than at Kubal. The regional chain’s new art-deco location is an absolute must, with stunning views of Clinton Square and the iconic Niagara Mohawk building. I’m sitting here now, drinking a cappuccino watching joggers, dog walkers, and shoppers whiz past. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon.