Eight spots you need to check out this season in Tipperary Hill
By Mary Beth Roach
Tipperary Hill, most often called Tipp Hill, might be a destination for celebrations marking St. Patrick’s Day in Syracuse. But this neighborhood offers so much to visitors all year round.
It’s an area with a rich mix of history, culture, music, nature, recreation, retail and restaurants.
Enjoy a nine-hole round of golf; take a dip in an outdoor public pool; meander through a lush arboretum; check out animals at a zoo; pick up some unique gift items or home goods; refuel at one or more of the local pubs and restaurants; or rest at a guest inn.
Tipperary Hill, named for County Tipperary in Ireland, came about with the construction of the Erie Canal through the western section of Syracuse. Many of those working to build the canal were Irish immigrants and they settled in this neighborhood.
1. The one-of-a-kind traffic light
It is home to the famous green-over-red traffic signal, said to be the only one of its kind in the United States. As legend has it, the city of Syracuse had installed the traditional red-over-green traffic light at Milton and Tompkins avenues. However, the youth of the neighborhood, upset that the British red was over the Ireland green, would throw stones, breaking the light. Finally, during the 1920s, the city relented and installed the unique traffic signal. In 1997, the Tipp Hill Memorial Park was dedicated on that corner, to celebrate the light and on its sign reads Céad Mile Fáilte, an Irish greeting that translates to “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes.” Nicknamed Stone Throwers Park, the space also has a sculpture of an Irish family, in which the father is explaining light legend to his family. The young boy in the sculpture might already know the story, evidenced by the slingshot in his back pocket!
2. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo
One of the biggest attractions on Tipp Hill is the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, with more than 700 animals, from poison dart frogs to pachyderms. According to its website, the Animal Health Center opened in 2022 and visitors can view treatment rooms, surgical suite, nursery/ICU, animal nutrition kitchen and a research lab. And if all these animals and other amenities aren’t entertaining enough, the zoo also offers special events throughout the summer, including Penguin Palooza on July 13; Canine Champions for Conservation Dog Shows, running Thursdays through Mondays from July 17 to Aug. 11; Brew at the Zoo on Aug. 1; and the Asian Elephant Extravaganza on Aug. 17. Before visiting the zoo, visit its website for more information and tips, www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org.
3. New art
Animal Health CenterOn Coleridge Avenue, near the Wilbur Avenue intersection, there is a bright new feature. What was once a gray barren cement retaining wall has been transformed into bright artwork created by Tipp Hill resident and muralist Ally Walker.
4. Burnet Park
For recreation and family fun, visitors can enjoy the many amenities at Burnet Park, one of the jewels in the city of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs system. Among its attractions are a nine-hole golf course with beautiful views of the city from the clubhouse; an outdoor swimming pool; a playground; outdoor fitness equipment; a basketball court; open ball fields; and a roadway for walking. The road is open to vehicle traffic, but it is wide enough to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians. The park can be entered from Avery Avenue or Coleridge Avenue. There is a picnic area at the Avery Avenue entrance.
5. James Pass Arboretum
Nature lovers looking for a serene experience can visit the 12-acre James Pass Arboretum, which is bordered by Salisbury Road, Avery Avenue and Tompkins Street. The site is maintained by the city of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs and boasts about 320 trees. To assist in identifying one or more of the trees there, visit the website: https://syracuseny.treekeepersoftware.com/index.cfm?deviceWidth=1920.
The entrance to the Arboretum on Avery Avenue will soon be the site for a monument dedicated to the two law enforcement officers, Onondaga County deputy Michael Hoosock and Syracuse police officer Michael Jensen, who were killed in the line of duty in April 2024.
6. Parish festivals
Two Tipp Hill parishes celebrate their respective heritages each summer with festivals.
St. Patrick’s & St. Brigid’s Parish will hold its annual festival in the parking lot of the church at 216 N. Lowell Ave. on July 18 to 19, complete with Irish dancers, music, crafts, food and beverages.
The church held its first mass on July 31, 1870. The building and the parish have undergone several changes since then, including major renovations a few years ago and a linkage with the St. Bridget’s Parish. The website is stpatricksandstbrigids.org
St. John The Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, at 207 Tompkins St., is celebrating its 125th anniversary and will hold its Ukrainian Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 25 and from noon to 10 p.m. on July 26 in the church’s parking lot.
In addition to entertainment, Ukrainian food delicacies and crafts, the festival will offer tours of the magnificent interior of the church, showcasing the brilliant architecture and iconography. The gold in the iconostasis, which is between the nave and the altar, is 24k and the icons tell the story of their faith. Visit their website at stjohnbaptistuss.com for more information.
7. Unique retail
Cashel House, 224 Tompkins St., offers apparel, jewelry, pottery and more — most of which has been imported from Ireland. Originally opened by Mary Jo and Winnie Coleman, it is now being run by Shelly Mahoney and her husband, Peter Heverin. Popular items, according to Mahoney, include Guinness apparel, Inis fragrances, Belleek pottery, Waterford crystal, woolen goods in rich hues and Celtic jewelry. The store’s website is cashel-house.square.site.
And at 118 Milton Ave., just a stone’s throw (pun intended) from the green-over-red light is BeeKind, owned by sisters Jillian Barrett and Jenna Graf. It’s a small shop, but packed with all sorts of local goodies — gift items, health and beauty products, jewelry, honey-related treats and their specialty — their homemade candles, the favorite one among shoppers titled “Tipperary.” The store’s website is beekindsyracuse.com.
8. Rest, refresh, refuel
Now, with all this walking, golfing, swimming and shopping, visitors might need some rest and refreshments to refuel and Tipp Hill establishments can certainly fill the bill. And many offer outdoor seating in the summer months.
Coleman’s Irish Pub, at 100 S. Lowell Ave., was established in 1933 and over the decades, it has expanded substantially. Patrons can find their favorite beverages, pub fare and a more extensive menu. There is also a small gift shop and even a leprechaun entrance! The pub also hosts a Summer Block Party, a series of musical events featuring regional bands Thursdays through Saturdays through mid-August. For times and a complete lineup visit Coleman’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ColemansPub. The pub’s website is colemansirishpub.com.
Boasting a unique rooftop bar and restaurant is the Emerald Cocktail Kitchen, at 1333 W. Fayette St., owned by mother and daughter, Michele and Nora Roesch. It is located at the same location as the former George O’Dea’s, which was owned and operated by Michele’s father, Jerry. The website is: www.emeraldcocktailkitchen.com.
Other favorite spots include Nibsy’s Pub, at 201 Ulster St., which opened in 1890 and is considered one of the oldest of Syracuse’s bars; The Blarney Stone, at 314 Avery Ave., is home to the famous “Blarney Burger”; Wheeler’s Tavern at 415 Avery Ave.; Steve’s Restaurant, at 401 Milton Ave.; and Aurora Brewing Co. at 620 Ulster St.
The sign outside might say Recess Coffee, but once inside the shop at 429 Ulster St., visitors will find a lot more than just coffee — a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, even mimosas; pastries; bagels; burgers; paninis; flatbread pizzas and more. Some summertime special drinks include lavender, cherry or blueberry lemonade. Plenty of comfortable seating and WiFi access. The website is Recesscoffee.com.
Those wishing to extend their stay on Tipp Hill may opt to check out Ophelia’s Garden Inn at 400 Avery Ave. The four-bedroom bed-and-breakfast is open from early May through November and is family-friendly. The location also offers views of Burnet Park and Pass Arboretum. Visit opheliasgardeninn.com for more information.
Traffic and Parking Tips
Regarding traffic parking on Tipp Hill, visitors should be aware of the number of one-way streets in parts of the neighborhood. Many establishments don’t have parking lots or if they do, they’re small.
There is on-street parking, but visitors need to be aware of the odd-even parking rules.