Syracuse

View Our Visitor Guide

Welcome to Syracuse, Indiana

The two beautiful lakes of Syracuse Lake and Lake Wawasee are connected by a channel providing this quintessential lake town a lake life that is front and center all year long. Plus, Lake Wawasee is the largest natural lake in Indiana, providing the ideal space for water recreation, including swimming, fishing, sailing, skiing, wake surfing, tubing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. Read on to find things to do in Syracuse, Indiana.

Things To Do in Syracuse, Indiana

Lakeside Park & Beach

Lakeside Park & Beach is the largest park in the Syracuse Parks system. The park is lined with Saucer Magnolia trees that blossom in early spring providing beautiful views. Park amenities include a gazebo, open-air pavilion, playground, beach volleyball, and a swimming beach on Syracuse Lake.

Nauti Mule & Mare

The Nauti Mule & Nauti Mare are Lake Wawasee’s very own floating bars! Leave your troubles on the shore as you cruise around Lake Wawasee. Pick a boat, pack a cooler, and bring up to 14 people for some fun in the sun this summer.

Oakwood Resort Tour Boat

Oakwood Resort Tour Boat offers daily tours of Lake Wawasee. The tour is complimentary for hotel guests Sunday-Thursday but is also open to the public with a fee. Discover 27-acres of relaxation on Indiana’s largest natural lake.

SS Lillypad

The SS Lillypad is a two-story, 110 passenger dinner boat on Lake Wawasee. They offer private and public cruises throughout the summer months. Reserve a brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise on the SS Lillypad catered by the Frog Tavern as it takes you on a two-hour cruise of Lake Wawasee.

Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum

Located in the Syracuse Community Center across from Lakeside Park, the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum is a popular attraction. They have had visitors from as far away as India and offer a rich and interesting deep dive into the history of the area. No one leaves this museum without at least one thing to talk about.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail System

Come explore the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails. This more than 11-mile network of walking and bicycling trails meanders around the town of Syracuse, Syracuse Lake, and Lake Wawasee. Use the trails to visit the community center, athletics complex, wetlands, history museum, downtown shops, parks, and more! Enjoy sections of trail like the Conklin Bay Boardwalk which include four overlook areas for visitors.

Restaurants in Syracuse, Indiana

Boondocks “Home of Peterson Fish”

Boondocks “Home of Peterson’s Fish” has been family owned for 13+ years, and they have perfected their very own recipe to boast a delectable, battered white fish. Not only do they feature their delicious Famous Fish dish, but they also offer mouthwatering prime rib, shrimp, clams, crab cake, salmon, and a salad bar to satisfy every seafood craving.

Channel Marker

Come by boat, car, personal watercraft, or even seaplane to the Channel Marker, which offers a Key West style oasis to sun-worshipers, active families, fisherman, and lake cruisers right here in the Midwest. Our relaxed tropical atmosphere is a great place to have a cocktail, lunch, or dinner and enjoy live music performances. The Channel Marker has a full-service bar, family dining, and menu options from seafood to traditional favorites that are sure to hit the spot for any guest.

Down Under Bar & Restaurant

To find this well-known Syracuse bar and restaurant, look for the white gazebo. The restaurant itself is below ground! Choose from the wide variety of options on their menu, including seafood, pizza, steak, chicken tenders, Mexican dishes, and more. Wash it down with the high-quality liquor options they offer. However, this restaurant is not for the whole family, as you must be 21 or over to enter.

Kelly Jae’s Lakeside Café

Kelly Jae’s Lakeside Café is a place where you can feel comfortable in your shorts and sandals. Also visit here for a special occasion with friends. You can grab carry-out to take on the lake or enjoy our open-air tables during the summer months.

Kiyomi Japanese Restaurant

Kiyomi is an authentic Japanese and sushi restaurant which serves lunch and dinner. Enjoy a wide variety of sushi with groups, for take-out, catering, and dine-in.

Man Cave Brewing

Man Cave Brewing Company is a local brewery with craft beer brewed onsite and a full bar and restaurant. Their menu features salads, sandwiches and entrees. They have quickly become the local favorite for poutine, pub burgers, steaks, and craft beer.

Shopping in Syracuse, Indiana

Absolutely Apparel & Gifts

Absolutely Apparel & Gifts offers ladies apparel, accessories, jewelry, lake apparel, lake décor, and more.

The Gift Shop at Wawasee

Here at The Gift Shop in Wawasee you will find handmade items by the over 40+ artisans featured in the store, and all items are handpicked. Find the perfect souvenir at this cozy lake gift shop.

Pro Wake Surf Shop

Born out of a love of the water, Pro Wake Surf Shop was founded to do one thing; help families make memories. Their aim is to build up the community one connection at a time. They sell water-related sports gear, boating gear, swimsuits, and other beach wear.

Sawyer’s Country Edge

Sawyer’s Country Edge is a family-owned business whose goal is to get families outdoors and help them enjoy nature. They offer quality, field-tested hunting equipment, which includes crossbows, fishing gear, hand-crafted knives, binoculars, rifle scopes, archery equipment, outdoor accessories, game calls, and much more. Plus, they have a 20-yard indoor archery range to hone your skills with a bow and arrow. This is the perfect store for hunting and outdoor enthusiasts or anyone looking to connect with nature.

Lodging Options in Syracuse, Indiana

Brook Pointe Inn

Brook Pointe Inn is located on a beautiful 30-acre wooded lot. The property offers a 30-room hotel, cabins, walking trails, kids zip line, saltwater pool, exercise room and a relaxing atmosphere. A hot breakfast is available for all guests. Leisure and business travelers alike will appreciate the relaxed setting, impeccable service, and fine amenities offered at Brook Point Inn.

Oakwood Resort

As a luxury resort on the shores of Lake Wawasee, Oakwood Resort offers panoramic views and amazing sunsets. Relax on our beach, take a boat tour on the Oakwood Resort Tour Boat, pamper yourself in our lavish spa, or enjoy the resort’s full-service restaurant and bar, The Pier & Back Porch, with both indoor and outdoor seating available.

Bring style, luxury and taste to your next gathering at Oakwood Resort Conference, Event Center, and Hilltop Banquet Center. They host events from 5 to 1,000 guests. Choose from their 77 elegant guest rooms or nine vacation homes.

Engage Kosciusko Passports

Want to win prizes and receive exclusive discounts while visiting Syracuse, Indiana? Join our Engage Kosciusko Passports. We have six passports total, divided into two categories. The Sip & Savor Passports offer entry into a drawing for $100 in Kosciusko Cash upon completion and some participating businesses are offering exclusive discounts to passholders. These passports include the Taco Trail, Breakfast Trail, and Sipping Trail.

The Challenge Passports offer a prize after visiting just five passport locations. These include the Trail Blazer Challenge, which offers a metal water bottle and fidget spinner, the Adventure Challenge, which offers a Kosciusko County t-shirt, and the Public Art Trail Challenge, which offers a pair of sunglasses and upon trail completion, entry into a drawing to win $100 to the Village at Winona.

Your next adventure is just a few clicks away!