Syracuse Socialite

Exploring NY State & Beyond

Syracuse winters might get dragged, but spring here hits different.

Cherry blossoms at Franklin Square are almost here 🌸

Don’t miss it this year!

Syracuse has the only upside-down traffic light in the country 🚦🇮🇪

Located in Tipperary Hill, this light was flipped in 1928 after local Irish residents repeatedly smashed the original red-over-green version, a protest against British symbolism.

Today, it stands as a symbol of Irish pride right here in Syracuse.

Have you seen it in person? 👀

New York coping mechanism 🍀

The Shamrock Shake is back at McDonald’s! 25 cents from every shake sold supports the local Ronald McDonald House, supporting families right here in our community.

Did you know that over the past four years, McDonald’s restaurants across New York State have raised a combined $450,000 for their local Ronald McDonald Houses in Albany, Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse during the annual Shamrock Shake fundraiser.

So go grab a Shamrock Shake and help give back to where it matters!

#AD #ShamrockShake #ShamrockShakeSzn #mcdonaldsNYState #mcdonaldsNYStatepartner

Let’s be real: Central New York is basically the arctic at this point

Lake Ontario, Oswego NY ❄️🌊

Blue icicles without trending audio

❄️ Seen at Wolcott Falls Park, in Wolcott NY

🚙 About an hour away from both Syracuse & Rochester

Noble Cellar has been named Best Restaurant twice now and I can see why!

It also has a fascinating history. The name “Noble Cellar” comes from a tie back to its historical roots and role in the Underground Railroad.

What do you think? Is this Syracuse’s best restaurant?

Best hidden pizza in Syracuse? Johnny Mac’s in Lakeland. Thin crust, killer sauce, old-school vibes. It’s one of my favs and I almost never hear people talk about it. A true local gem. 🍕 I’ve been coming here since I was a kid.

Syracuse has a new coffee spot worth checking out ☕️

ZAMAN Coffee House in North Syracuse is already one of my favorite local finds. Follow along for more around Syracuse.

Rochester, NY is full of holiday magic! ✨🎄

Inside the historic George Eastman Museum, dozens of gingerbread houses, beautifully decorated trees, festive mantels, and wreaths by local florists and garden clubs fill the mansion for the holidays.

My personal favorite? The Bills Stadium gingerbread display 🏈

Follow for more things to do in Rochester, NY, hidden gems, and seasonal events!

Did you know Bedford Falls is real? 👀 Seneca Falls, NY inspired It’s a Wonderful Life and visiting during the festival feels like stepping into the movie.

Follow for more CNY/WNY holiday day trips 🎄

Syracuse NY Christmas tree lighting ✨ but I honestly miss when the tree was REAL. Anyone else? 🎄

Cooperstown NY transforms into a magical holiday lights festival with Glimmer Nights at Fenimore Farm! 🎄✨

Walk through the historic Bump Tavern & General Store, explore the full light trail, see the new waterfall tunnel, spot the Mega Chicken, and ride the Empire State Carousel.

Perfect for a cozy winter outing! ❄️

Save this for later & tag a friend who’d love it!

Oneida, NY is so underrated. Here’s a full Central NY day trip itinerary with Eclectic Chic, the Shako:wi Cultural Center, and dinner at Jadie & June’s. Save this for your next CNY adventure!

Best hidden pizza in Syracuse? Johnny Mac’s in Lakeland. Thin crust, killer sauce, old-school vibes. A true local gem. 🍕

Everyone’s showing Bryant Park in 4K. I brought 1997 back instead. 🎥✨

Tell me this doesn’t feel like a Christmas movie.

We had the most amazing stay with the Hull family. Here are 5 reasons I’d recommend a weekend here:

1. The History: Hull-O Farms has been family-run for many generations and is one of the oldest working dairy farms in the Catskills.

2. The Cottage: We stayed in the Rose Cottage, a two-bedroom farmhouse with a full kitchen, cozy living space, and the dreamiest countryside views.

3. The Hospitality: The Hull family welcomes you like old friends, sharing stories about farm life and the region’s dairy roots.

4. The Experience: You can help feed the animals, collect eggs, or just sip coffee while the cows wander by.

5. The Peace and Quiet: Mornings are slow, nights are calm, and it is just lovely.

So, would you stay here for a weekend? 🐮🐑

NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani gets Gracie Mansion… I just want his rent-stabilized apartment 😂

New NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani gets Gracie Mansion… I’ll take his Astoria lease 😂

NYC mayor race is heating up, but have you seen the NYC mayor’s home? Step inside Gracie Mansion, the city’s historic mayoral residence.

NYC mayor race is heating up, but have you seen the NYC mayor’s home? Step inside Gracie Mansion, the city’s historic mayoral residence.

Follow @syracusesocialite for more of New York’s Mansions, Castles and Forgotten Estates.

“I’m so happy to live in a world where there are Octobers” L.M. Montgomery

📸 1-4 Oscar Wilde Bar & Restaurant
📸 5-6 Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
📸 7-8 Gamble House (Doc Brown’s House), CA
📸 9-11 Lyndhurst Mansion/Tarrytown NY
📸 12-13 Met Rooftop, NYC

Pt. 5 | New York’s Castles, Mansions & Forgotten Estates

Meet Lyndhurst Mansion, a stunning Gothic Revival estate in Tarrytown, NY, that could easily pass for the Addams Family house.

No surprise it’s right next to Sleepy Hollow, the OG Halloween town of New York. 🏇🎃

Several movies and shows have been filmed here, and it’s easy to see why, this place definitely has a dramatic flair.

Would you visit after dark? 🌕

🍁 New York in the fall just hits different.

From vintage trains to mountaintop gondolas, these are the most magical fall experiences worth adding to your bucket list.

Which one would you do first? 👇

✨ Save this post so you don’t forget!

I traded my laptop for farm chores and it was the reset I didn’t know I needed.

Morning starts before the coffee, the air smells like hay and pancakes, and everything moves just a little slower.

🐄 Hull-O Farms, Durham NY Save this if you’ve ever wanted to try farm life for a day.

I’m judging you… if you haven’t ridden this train yet! 😉

🍁This might just be the best fall foliage train ride in New York.

The newly reopened Delaware & Ulster Railroad is officially my favorite.

Step inside vintage train cars that feel straight out of an Agatha Christie mystery: polished wood, table seating, and those dreamy autumn Mountain views.

I’d recommend booking either the first-class lounge or the open-air car, both are worth it.

This scenic railroad is truly one of the most beautiful fall experiences in Upstate NY.

Save this for your fall bucket list and follow for more hidden gems + travel inspo! 🍂

Looking for the perfect fall weekend in the Catskills? Steal my itinerary! 🍂

☘️ Start in East Durham, the Emerald Isle of the Catskills 
🐄 Stay at Hull-O Farms, a multi-generational dairy farm with your own private farmhouse and dreamy countryside views
 🏰 Visit Storybrook Hollow, a castle-inspired microbrewery and fantasy-themed gift shop
 🇮🇪 Browse Guaranteed Irish for unique Celtic and Gaelic finds
 🍔 End the day with dinner and a waterfall view at Five Furlongs Tavern

Other nearby attractions:
🪨 Howe Caverns
🌊 Zoom Flume Water Park

Plus plenty of hiking trails and horseback riding options! 🥾🐎

Chocolate + caramel + energy ⚡

If you’re in Central or Western NY, you can find AWAKE Caramel Chocolate Bars at a Wegmans near you!

Not in Upstate NY? No worries, use the store locator on their website to find the closest location.

✅Kosher
✅Gluten-free
✅Fairtrade certified
✅100 mg caffeine
✅ All the energy, no jitters

Perfect for hiking, fall walks, or cozy outdoor vibes 🍫✨

@awakechocolate @wegmans #AwakeEnergy #WegmansFinds #FallVibes

🍂 Nothing beats seeing fall foliage in New York, especially from a train!

We rode the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, a 5.5-hour round trip from Utica to Old Forge, and the views of mountains, lakes, and forests were unreal.

Other NY foliage trains to check out: Catskill Mountain Railroad, Delaware & Ulster Railroad, Finger Lakes Railway, Arcade & Attica Railroad.

Save this for your Upstate NY fall bucket list and follow for more New York travel ideas! ✨

Finger Lakes Fall Bucket List Idea 💡🍁

Pumpkins, flower fields, apple cannons, paintball, corn maze, hayrides, giant corn hole, fall drinks & more!

🍁 Moore Family Farm: 570 Auburn Rd, Groton, NY
🚗 20 mins from Ithaca
🚗 1 hr from Syracuse

Tag your crew & save for your next fall photo dump 📸

Pt 3 | That’s a wrap on my CNY Summer Set Ups series! 🍂 As we head into fall in Central New York, I wanted to end with one last look at how we set up outdoor spaces.

Honestly, I used to think ordering furniture online was the easiest option. But after seeing the Finch Furniture collections at Green Acres, it’s clear there’s such a difference. These pieces don’t crack, fade, or blow over after one season, they actually hold up year after year.

Even local businesses like Lock 1 Distilling shop here because they trust the quality, which says a lot.

Thanks for following along with this summer series! 🌞 I’ve loved sharing these little slices of Central New York outdoor living with you.

Stay tuned for more Upstate NY inspo as we head into fall.

Pt 4 | New York’s Mansions, Castles & Forgotten Estates

Step inside one of New York’s most stunning Gold Coast mansions! This is where the 2013 rendition of The Great Gatsby was filmed, among many others!

Old Westbury Gardens feels like a castle, complete with sprawling gardens, historic interiors, and even whispers of ghosts 👻🤫

🏰 Save this for your next day trip and follow along for more of New York’s mansions, castles, and forgotten estates!

NEW FALL DRINK ALERT‼️

The Barn in Merrick is serving viral seasonal drinks and they might be the best fall drinks on Long Island right now.

🍎NEW apple cider slushie with soft serve and a cider donut from Jericho Cider Mill
🥧Pumpkin pie cold brew
☕️Golden cinnamon bun latte
🍩Apple cider donut iced latte
🎃Pumpkin spice latte in a real pumpkin

Which one are you team pumpkin 🎃 or apple 🍎?

If you love takeout in Syracuse, but hate the prices, this is for you. I only spent $20 for a full day of food.

I’m proud to partner with Too Good To Go to show how easy it is to fight food waste.

🥣 Breakfast: Circle K Surprise Bag: yogurt parfait, turkey wrap, brownie bites, and a fresh chocolate chip cookie.
🍲 Lunch: Hot Surprise Bag from Mr. Noodle & Mrs. Dumpling with chicken & broccoli and egg drop soup.
🍕 Dinner: Surprise Bag from Pavones: pizza slices at half the price of the regular menu, still delicious.

Why pay full price for takeout in Syracuse when meals like this are waiting to be rescued?

Next time you’re craving affordable takeout in Syracuse, check out the Too Good To Go app and grab your Surprise Bag!

#TGTGPartner

Hidden in the Finger Lakes: a 6-story treehouse above Denison Falls… and yes, it’s FREE! 🌲🍁

Who’s coming with me this fall?

🌲Cayuga Nature Center
📍1420 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY

Wegmans has a frozen dessert you need to try! 😍

Gü Desserts: Hazelnut & Chocolate, Double Salted Caramel, Cream & Chocolate Crunch

These were perfect for our date night!

Find Gü Desserts at your local Wegmans in the frozen dessert section!

@GUDessertsUSA @Wegmans
#ad #GüFrozenParfaits #GüDesserts #justforü

Pt 1 | Exploring Long Island

Did you know Long Island has a Blockbuster Video pop-up happening right now?

This might be one of the coolest things to do on Long Island right now, especially if you’re a 90s kid or love all things retro.

At Nostalgia Bar in Bethpage, NY, the walls are lined with VHS tapes, the “rentals” are actually the menu items. Pick out a movie, and it’s your drink or food order.

There’s even a TV set up to make you feel like you’re on a real Blockbuster security camera, plus interactive games like VHS stacking (we played and won a $10 gift card).

If you’re searching for Unique things to do on Long Island, this is the spot.

Tag your Blockbuster buddy, and follow along as we keep Exploring Long Island for more hidden gems, retro events, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Pt 3 | New York’s Mansions, Castles & Forgotten Estates

This Rochester mansion changed photography, looks like it belongs in a period drama, and holds a bittersweet story.

George Eastman was a pioneer who made photography accessible to everyday people. Before him, cameras were clunky, expensive, and mostly for professionals. He changed all that with Kodak, suddenly, families could capture their lives forever.

To match his success, he built a 50-room Colonial Revival mansion in Rochester. Later, Eastman was diagnosed with a progressive spinal disease and ended his life in this very home.

Today, it’s the George Eastman Museum, a stunning estate you can visit, and the oldest photography museum in the world.

Exploring Rochester: Part 7

Did you know Rochester once had a subway system?

Built in 1927 and closed in 1956, the Rochester Subway was the only underground transit system in New York State outside of NYC.

Today, the abandoned tunnels are covered in graffiti and street art.

This spot is a favorite for urban explorers, photographers, and history lovers alike.

Would you want to see Rochester restore its forgotten subway, or leave it as it is?

Pt 2 | New York’s Mansions, Gardens & Forgotten Estates

This castle looks like it belongs in a fairytale, but the story behind it is heartbreaking.

George Boldt built Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands for the love of his life, Louise. But when she passed unexpectedly, he left it unfinished and abandoned.

Today, thanks to historic preservation efforts, it’s one of the most romantic and Upstate New York castles you can visit.

🍸 Did you know Syracuse has a hidden speakeasy where YOU vote on the cocktails?
 Inside Harvey’s Garden is The Cabinet Room, a secret bar inspired by Syracuse’s first mayor.

Every week, two cocktails go head-to-head and you get to pick the winner.

This week’s contenders: 🍋 Limoncello Spritz 🌊 Durango Water

I cast my vote for the Spritz—what about you?

✨ Add this to your list of unique things to do in Upstate New York and save this for your next night out in Syracuse.

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@syracusesocialite

Anthony Tringale (EatlocalNY)

Harvey's Garden

"Working with Ana and Michael was not only effortless but also incredibly impactful for our speakeasy.

We were struggling to get the word out about our new speakeasy without relying solely on Facebook ads or our own organic content. Partnering with Ana and Michael resulted in far greater engagement and visibility than I could have achieved with a traditional digital ad campaign.

I highly recommend working with them, no matter what type of business you have. They are creative, efficient, and incredibly skilled, and they deliver exceptional results. If you want to gain visibility and increase sales, hire Ana and Michael immediately."

MacKenzie Jonathan

Kenzie Jonathan Atelier Candles

“I cannot say enough about the tremendous amount of business inquiries & bookings after having Ana & Michael share their time in my space! They created the most beautiful reel that captured every aspect of what my business entails! I am super grateful & you will be missing out if you don’t book them to reach a vast new audience!”

Jess Miller

Kitchen Literacy Project

"Working with Ana accelerated our social media reach in a truly meaningful way. The reel she created gained us hundreds of followers (at least a +38% increase, if not more), and, months later, continues to bring in a few new followers each week. This level of reach and engagement would have been difficult for a brand new account to achieve on our own. Not only does Ana create content that’s sincere, authentic, and engaging, but she also cares deeply about the Syracuse community and the local businesses that make this city a unique place to live."

Meet the Team

Ana Richardson

Ana Richardson, with over a decade of formal acting training, thrives on camera and in front of audiences. From adolescence, she hosted "Rough Times Live" on Cable Access Television as part of the Media Unit. Winning awards from the Syracuse Press Club and the Onondaga Co Dept of Aging and Youth, Ana excelled. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Oswego in broadcasting and acting, she briefly worked as television reporter for Channel 2 in Utica before pursuing other interests. Returning to storytelling and on-camera work, she found her niche with Syracuse Socialite.

Michael Calobrisi

Michael Calobrisi, a filmmaker and storyteller, relocated to Syracuse, NY, during the 2020 lockdown after developing a passion for Upstate NY during his time at SUNY Oswego. Graduating in 2016, he interned at Kaufman Astoria Studios, leading to roles as a Set PA on Orange is The New Black and a Video Editor for Joule Entertainment. Collaborating with industry names like Remy Ma and Mathematics from The Wu-Tang Clan, he co-founded "Defenders of Fresh" in Brooklyn. As a Videographer and Motion Graphics Designer at Pinckney Hugo Group, he directed photography for major brands like NBT Bank and Carrier. Recently appearing in a commercial for NYCM Insurance's 100th anniversary during the 2024 Super Bowl.

Services

Corporate Videography and Motion Design

Whether it's for a product, service, or event, we create visual stories that leave a lasting impact on your target audience. From concept to final edit, we specialize in high-quality video production that communicates your message clearly and creatively. We also design and animate stunning 2D and 3D visuals for web, mobile, and display ads—perfect for bringing your brand to life across platforms.

Vendor Stories #1.00_00_01_05.Still003.png

Drone Operation

Licensed and experienced, we offer dynamic aerial videography and photography that adds cinematic perspective to your project. Perfect for real estate, events, tourism, and brand storytelling, drone footage gives your content the edge it needs to stand out.

George Eastman Video #1.00_00_07_23.Still003.png

Influencer and User Generated Content

Authentic, engaging, and tailored to resonate, our influencer collaborations and UGC are designed to connect with real audiences. We specialize in creating content that feels native to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube while aligning with your brand’s voice and values.