Everyone raves about the Swedish meatballs at IKEA. We had to find out if the hype was real.

You've hiked at Watkins Glen, Letchworth Park, and Niagara Falls. This summer, it's time to go hiking at Ausable Chasm near Plattsburgh, NY and enjoy some incredible views over 5 miles of trails.

From the incredible owners to the beautiful decor, the scrumptious breakfasts to the friendliest inn dog, staying at the 1897 Beekman House Bed & Breakfast felt like coming home.

As a foodie who also loves games, I love any chance I get to gamify my food or drink options. Plus, I tend to be rather indecisive, so if I can roll a die and have it make a decision for me, even better. So I LOVE that there are a few places where you can now roll for a drink in Syracuse. If you're feeling lucky you can roll for a shot, a beer, or a latte.

This summer Prison City Brewery has teamed up with the Rev Theatre Company in Auburn to create signature prix-fixe menus for each show served in the speakeasy.

Something about a historic sanitarium automatically gives me the chills. The stories, the atrocities, and the health problems all combine to create a morbid history. Add to that a building that had been abandoned for years where some walls are crumbling and it's the perfect setting for a ghost tour. That's exactly what you'll find at the haunted Wildwood Sanitarium in Salamanca, New York.

When I arrived at Sanford Airport in Florida last week, I did a quick search for local restaurants for lunch. Upon discovering that the historic downtown area of Sanford was filled with breweries, I knew where to go. But the best surprise? Finding The Old Jailhouse in Sanford, with multiple dining rooms situated in the cells of an old historic jail, that served delicious food and signature cocktails.

Established in Carthage, NY in 1967, JRECK Subs remains a locally-owned business with locations across the state offering fresh meals while giving back to the local communities.

With the hustle and bustle of modern life, sometimes we want to take a step back and slow down. Drive along the country roads and stop to see what you can find. And experience another culture while you're at it. That's exactly what you can do along the Amish Trail in the enchanted mountains of Cattaraugus County of Western New York. The rural setting is filled with handmade/homemade goods, including everything from wooden crafts & furniture, baked goods, candies, cheese, quilts, farm goods, and more.

Filled with Scottish charm & haunted history, the Brae Loch Inn offers fine dining, warm hospitality, and an impressive collection of scotch.

Syracuse, New York has a surprisingly great food scene for a small-sized city. There's your typical Italian, Mexican, and Chinese dishes. But also Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Jamaican, Irish, Greek, and so many more cultures represented in the local restaurants. The local food scene is so good that it has earned the attention of celebrity chefs and Food Network executives. So this year during Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks, you can eat some of the same dishes as your favorite foodie stars - at a discount.

While on a recent visit in the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County, I had the opportunity to visit their two most famous haunted locations. The Haunted Hinsdale House and the Wildwood Sanitarium both offered me tours of the properties, with stories of the haunted happenings recorded throughout the years. Both are stops along the Haunted History Trail of New York with infamous local history. But is the Hinsdale House really haunted? Read these stories and then visit for yourself to find out...

Nestled atop the hills of Oswego County, Mexico, NY is filled with fascinating history. Visit a stop on the underground railroad. Do some phenomenal birdwatching. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book. Or learn about the history of America's first supermodel. There are plenty of things to do in Mexico, New York for any adventure seeker - and some of the activities just might surprise you.

Say what you will about tropical locations, but there's something magical about the sunset views in Oswego County. As the sky turns to shades of red, pink, and orange over Lake Ontario, you're transported to a far-off place. The water stretches across the horizon, mimicking ocean views. But even from other vantage points, sunsets around Oswego just hit differently.

In the past couple of months I've built a list of experiences that I never would have thought to put on my list. And it's been amazing! One of the highlights of this new venture was when I got to roast and blend my own bag of coffee at RocketCup Coffee in Cattaraugus, New York. As an avid coffee drinker, I never even thought that this was something I could do. And when I discovered it was possible, I made plans to go the next day.

People are putting aside their e-readers and cozying up at their local bookstores more than ever. And with this surge of new local bookshops, more local authors are getting their moment to shine. Here are several Central New York authors (or authors who live in Syracuse or have ties to the Syracuse area) and the books they've written that belong in your TBR pile. This selection of books covers everything from children's books, fantasy, local history, travel, and more.

All across the state there are hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Charming small towns, quaint villages, and scenes straight out of a Hallmark movie. And each of these areas has their own culture filled with unique history, eateries, shops, nature, and art. While many articles focus on one town and dive into all of the great things to do there, let's take a look at a wider range. Here are some cute towns and villages with great places to visit near Oswego, New York.

To celebrate the iconic film's 50th anniversary this year, venues across the state are showing special screenings and producing live renditions of the musical. For five decades fans have been attending interactive screenings for The Rocky Horror Picture Show with props included. And with Halloween around the corner, there is no better time to watch the film. Here are all of the screenings and performances of Rocky Horror in Syracuse and surrounding cities.

During their theatre season, the Rev Theatre in Auburn partners with Prison City Brewing and Cellar & Folly Whiskey to create signature cocktails themed around the current show. So enjoy a night out with dinner and drinks before going to see a show at the theater.

There are plenty of board game stores and cafes, gaming groups, and gaming events in Syracuse that embrace board games, video games, and other gaming culture. Things kick off this weekend with the annual CuseCon event and continue next month with RetroGameCon. The Oncenter also adds some concerts to the calendar.

If you're looking for a great place to take a day trip this fall, head up to Oswego County. The leaves are changing, the landscape is gorgeous, and the small town charm is calling you. There are plenty of things to do in Phoenix, NY to fill a day-long itinerary.

Since the Erie Canal celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, its the perfect time to acknowledge the legacy of its offshoots as well. Because there are several things to do along the Oswego Canal that are just as interesting and unique as the rest of the canal system. While the Erie Canal connected Albany through to Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, the Oswego Canal connected those cities to Lake Ontario and, subsequently, the St. Lawrence River.

Since 1947, generations of the Behling family have been harvesting fruit in Mexico, NY. Now Jenna Behling is adding craft beer and gourmet hot dogs to that list at 6 Acres Farm Brewery.

Upstate New York wouldn't be the way it is today without the construction of the Erie Canal. It helped establish the cities across the state as the canal moved products inland from the oceanic ports. From Albany through Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, to Buffalo, the ports along the canal grew into the biggest cities in Upstate. With the completion of the canal in 1825, this year marks the bicentennial, and there are Erie Canal Bicentennial events all year long to celebrate. From festivals and talks to beer releases and walking tours, find what events you're most interested in and celebrate New York history.

This year, Open Farm Day in Madison County features over 20 local farms inviting guests to experience it all on Saturday, July 26. Animal interactions, cut-your-own flowers, farm tours, farmers' markets, and more behind-the-scenes activities are available for visitors.

This Pride Month, there seem to be more events than ever celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Drag shows, bingo nights, fundraisers, pride nights, parades, festivals... You name it, and it's one of the Pride Month events in Syracuse or the surrounding communities.

There's something so charming about finding the perfect cup of coffee at a cozy cafe. And I've recently discovered so many new charming coffee shops in Oswego County! Each one has its own unique character and a delicious assortment of drinks and pastries. Turkish pastries. A coffee shop located in an old bank building. A cafe dedicated to both books and coffee. All that and more await you on your newest coffee adventures.

The Wedge, the new restaurant owned by The Curd Nerd's Sarah Simiele is opening next week. Like the shop next door, The Wedge restaurant will focus on all things cheese, carefully crafted by Sarah and her team of both locally and nationally renowned staff. The vibe is cozy. Each dish is delicious. The staff is approachable, yet knowledgeable. And I can't wait to go back.

With the recent addition of two new Vietnamese restaurants in Syracuse, there are now four places to order pho around town. But which one is the best?

YouTube video by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez