Destiny USA — Attraction in City of Syracuse

Destiny USA, located in Syracuse, New York, is an expansive and diverse destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Here are some key aspects of Destiny USA:

Size and Scope: Destiny USA is New York’s largest shopping center and the sixth largest in the United States, encompassing a massive 2.4 million square feet. The complex is a super-regional shopping, dining, and entertainment hub, located on the shore of Onondaga Lake in Syracuse​​​​​​.

Diverse Offerings: The center boasts over 250 places to shop, dine, and play. It includes a variety of offerings from luxury outlets to popular retail brands, alongside a broad range of dining options, from fast food to upscale restaurants. Entertainment options include a 19-screen Regal Cinemas, WonderWorks, Dave & Buster's, and the world's largest indoor rope course, among others​​​​​​.

Visitor Attraction: Drawing in 26 million guests annually, Destiny USA is not just a local shopping venue but a tourist destination as well, attracting visitors from all 50 states, Canada, and other countries. Its convenient central location in Syracuse makes it easily accessible​​​​.

Development and Expansion: The mall, originally opened in 1990 as Carousel Center, has undergone significant expansions and renovations. It was rebranded as Destiny USA in 2012, following extensive development which included new stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. This expansion made it the largest mall in New York and one of the largest in the country​​.

Recent Developments and Security Measures: In response to security concerns and a series of crimes starting in 2021, Destiny USA enhanced its security measures, including changes in visitor policies and increasing the presence of security officers. These measures were aimed at ensuring a safer environment for shoppers and visitors. In 2023, they installed Flock Safety cameras at every vehicular entrance to track license plates and alert the police about wanted or stolen vehicles arriving at the mall​​​​​​.

Continuous Evolution: Destiny USA continues to evolve, adding new brands and experiences to offer a unique and dynamic consumer shopping experience. Recent additions include Anthropologie, Ardene, Dry Goods, Earthbound Trading Co, FYE, Hugo Boss, and Urban Outfitters, among others​​​​.

Destiny USA stands out not only as a shopping center but also as an entertainment and dining hub, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences, making it a significant landmark in Syracuse, New York.

On a personal note, we had a blast there as a family. Having not been to a mall since the 90s, it was unbelievable how much fun we had and the types of experiences they had within the shopping center. Some of our personal favorites were the ropes course and the science experience. You can see I posted some of the photos of the science experience. It was a great stop to break up the trip on our way to the Adirondacks from Buffalo, New York. Perfect...

Destiny USA, formerly known as Carousel Center, is a large shopping and entertainment complex located in Syracuse, New York. It's one of the largest malls in the United States and has an interesting history with a significant impact on the local community.

History and Original Vision: Destiny USA's roots trace back to the early 1990s when the original Carousel Center was envisioned as a massive retail and entertainment hub. The project aimed to transform a former industrial site into a modern and innovative destination that would not only serve as a shopping center but also offer a wide range of entertainment options.

Planning and Offerings: The planning of Carousel Center was ambitious from the start. The mall's unique design featured an indoor carousel as a centerpiece, giving a nod to the site's history while introducing a whimsical element. Over the years, Carousel Center evolved into Destiny USA, expanding its retail offerings to include more than just shopping. It now features an extensive mix of retail stores, dining options, entertainment venues, and even hotel accommodations.

Zoning Challenges: One of the notable challenges Destiny USA faced was zoning and approval issues due to its massive scale. The project involved significant negotiations and cooperation between developers and local authorities to ensure that the development adhered to zoning regulations while meeting its ambitious goals.

Contributions to the Local Community: Destiny USA has had a substantial impact on the local community in several ways. The complex has provided a major economic boost to the region by creating numerous jobs, both during its construction and through its ongoing operations. It has also drawn visitors from surrounding areas, contributing to tourism and economic growth in Syracuse. Additionally, Destiny USA's commitment to providing a diverse range of entertainment options has made it a gathering place for people of all ages, enhancing the city's cultural and social fabric.

I recommend checking the official Destiny USA website or local sources for the most current information about the complex, its history, and its contributions to...

Let's get the bad things out of the way first.

Before going there, I saw a lot of reviews complaining about their parking. Man...it was bad when we got there. The signs were confusing. Since we had a little one, we didn't want to cross a lot of crossings with the traffic. It took us several rounds before we found a parking space at a reasonable distance.

The website SUCKS big time. Seriously, when you come to such a big mall, you want to find out what you are going to deal with. Otherwise, you will end us walking around and get lost. Before we went there, we saw on the website about the "Summer Pass". The package is that you can use that pass in 4 out of 12 participants of the games and stores on the 3rd floor of entertainment. It is $48/adult and $35/kid. We thought that it is awful a lot of money. So, I ended up calling those places the night before going to Destiny USA. I was glad that we don't have to buy the Summer Pass, but pay it at the entrance for each of the store/game.

After visiting a few of the places on the 3rd floor, I realized that if you picked the 4 participants smartly, you may save a few bucks per person, provided your kids are big enough for those games and/or adventures. Otherwise, the pass costs you more. Due the age and height of our little one, we ended up spending $50 for all the games/adventures.

I do love their outlet session. There are not many brands if you compare to the closest outlets in Waterloo. But the price is absolutely and ridiculously lower than any outlets you can find nearby. There are a lot of varieties of shops, restaurants and entertainment in this mall. Although there were a lot of people in the mall, it didn't feel overwhelmed. I love the ideas that there are so many things the kids can do, especially during winter time. Plus, it is close to some great tourist attractions. So, families can check out these places in one shot.

We will definitely come back again. Just hope that they will make the improvements on the websites...