Geddes, N.Y. — When the sun is beating down and you’re feet are tired, here are seven places to take a load off and get something cool to drink or eat.

Exterior of the Suds Factory Court Side Grill, in the Center of Progress Building next to Chevy Court. There's an outdoor bar and lots of air-conditioned seating indoors. (Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com)Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com

What: Ice cream bar, beer and alcohol bar and snack bar all in one.

Where: Center of Progress Building

How much: Draft beers from $6.50 to $8.50; well drinks $8+; wine $7+. Ice cream: $5 for soft ice cream; $6 for milkshake; $6 for hot fudge sundae; grill offers 20-plus items, including chicken tenders ($9.50), BBQ pork platter ($15), Gianelli sausage sub ($9.75) and a hamburger for $6.75.

Why it’s great: There’s something here for your whole party. Teetotalers can get ice cream; alcohol drinkers can get a selection of libations; and if you’re hungry, there are munchies, too. The light is low, the air is cool and the restaurant is apart from the hubbub of the Center of Progress hucksters. Booths offer plenty of seating. If you’re willing to climb some stairs, you might have the booths ringing the upper level to yourself.

Interior of the DEC Aquarium Building, inside the Colonnade. It's cool, dim and the fish tanks are calming to look at. (Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com)Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com

Where: Inside the Colonnade, between Chevy Court and the Dairy Cattle Building.

Why it’s great: Do you like fish? Doesn’t matter. The DEC Aquarium Building is a dark, cool oasis where you can watch the various fish species of New York state float around in five big tanks. Very zen. But it can get crowded, so timing matters. Bonus: You can buy a fishing or hunting license here, too.

The Tipsy Cow drink served at the 1911 Established stand at the New York State Fair. Wednesday, August 24, 2022. (George Owens | gowens@syracuse.com)

What: Hard cider and specialty drinks

Where: Near the State Park at the Fair

How much: $13 for a Tipsy Cow (adding an extra shot is $3), $15 for Mermaid Melonade. They also serve a variety of other hard ciders.

Why it’s great: People go to the State Fair to try food and drinks that are unique, and the Tipsy Cow certainly qualifies. It’s made with 1911 cold brew coffee vodka, coffee and frozen chocolate milk, topped with whipped cream and an apple cider doughnut and served with an edible chocolate straw. It’s not often that you’ll get a brain freeze from a vodka drink, but this will do it. If chocolate isn’t your thing, you can try the Mermaid Melonade, which is new this year. That contains 1911 honey melon vodka and lemonade with rock candy on the bottom, pink sugar on the rim, topped with whipped cream, gummy mermaid tails, Swedish Fish, and a fish-shaped candy lollypop. It’s served with an edible strawberry straw.

The State Park at the Fair section of the 2022 New York State Fair. Wednesday, August 24, 2022. (George Owens | gowens@syracuse.com)

What: Benches, trees and a pond to relax for a bit

Where: Between Chevy Court and the Horticulture Building

Why it’s great: A relaxing, picturesque place to sit for a bit. There’s a pond with a fountain in the middle and lots of picnic tables. Grab something to drink at the nearby Middle Ages Brewing or 1911 Established and take a load off for a while. There’s also a misting fan nearby to cool you off even more.

Indian Village entrance near Gate 4 on the New York State Fairgrounds west end. The grassy area beyond is shaded with trees and studded with bench seating. (Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com)Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com

Where: Near Gate 4 on the fair’s west end, next to the horse barn.

Why it’s great: The Indian Village is an island of shade trees in the asphalt jungle of the fair. It’s grassy with lots of benches to sit on and vendors from the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy ringing the area. It’s quiet, except for the occasional train whistle. Check out the replica Long House. Bonus: Bottled water is just $1 here, while it’s $2 at other vendors around the fairgrounds. If you’re hungry and on a budget, check out the Six Nations Soup House. The day we visited, macaroni and cheese was only $7.

The Beer Garden at the 2022 New York State Fair offers a selections of dozens of domestic and  imported beers. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com)

How much: Domestic beers (16 ounce), $6. Imports (16 ounce), $7. New York craft beers (16 ounce), $8. New York craft beers (12 ounce), $6.

Why it’s great: Beer Garden is housed in a big tent with lots of tables and chairs. It’s housed in a big tent, so you get a break from the sun while sipping on a cold brew. And speaking of brew, it has dozens of beers, including many New York craft brands, to quench your thirst on a hot day.

The Expo Center at the 2022 New York State Fair has a play area for children (rights) and a display by the New York Air National Guard 174th Attack Wing, including an MQ-9 Reaper drone (left). (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com)

Where: Between the Midway and Restaurant Row

Why it’s great: First off, it’s air conditioned. And it’s huge, so you’re probably not going to feel packed in with a crowd like you might elsewhere at the fair. And while you’re enjoying the air conditioning, your children can enjoy a play area and you can check out displays by the New York Air National Guard 174th Attack Wing, including an MQ-9 Reaper drone.

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