Salt Museum.

This modest, free museum on the shores of Onondaga Lake tells the story of how Syracuse earned its "Salt City" moniker. Rather than gold or steel, it was salt that built this region, and the museum occupies a structure appropriately crafted from the timbers of historic salt warehouses. Inside, the exhibits center on a reconstructed boiling block where visitors can see how brine from the lake was boiled down in massive kettles—a punishing, hazardous process. Original barrels, vintage equipment, and dioramas illustrate how this single industry once supplied most of the nation’s salt. Situated within Onondaga Lake Park, it offers a quick, fascinating detour into the gritty industrial heritage that shaped the local landscape before you head out for a walk along the waterfront.