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Welcome to Marcellus, NY

Overview

Marcellus is a town in southwestern Onondaga County, bordered to the north by Camillus, to the east by Onondaga, to the south by Spafford and Otisco, and to the west by Skaneateles. Marcellus includes a village also named Marcellus and six hamlets. Marcellus is at the north end of Otisco Lake, one of the smaller Finger Lakes. The town is noted for Marcellus shale; the Marcellus Formation is a unit of sedimentary rock found in eastern North America and named for a distinctive outcrop near the village of Marcellus.



Essentials

Marcellus has smaller stores, like a hardware shop, a florist and an auto-parts store. There are plenty of nearby places for a greater variety. For grocery shopping, the closest Wegmans supermarket is in Syracuse, about 11 miles northeast at 3325 West Genesee St.; another Wegmans is about the same distance away on Onondaga Boulevard. Tops Friendly Markets has a grocery store on Fennell Street in neighboring Skaneateles. 



Recreation & Entertainment

Much of the entertainment here focuses on outdoor activities. Otisco Lake, at the southern end of Marcellus, is one of the Finger Lakes popular for boating, picnicking, camping and other such activities. Nine Mile Creek is a noted trout stream. Marcellus has several parks, including Marcellus Park and Howlett Hill Park and a nature center called Spinks Memorial Camp. The town has a golf course and the Marcellus Equestrian Center, and Marcellus is headquarters for the Central New York chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.



Transportation & Traffic

Route 20 heads east-west through the south part of Marcellus. Route 174 (heading north-south) intersects Route 175 in the village.



Pros & Cons

Marcellus is smaller (population just over 6,000) and more rural than some of its neighbors, but still close to the cities of Auburn and Syracuse. You’re in the heart of the eastern Finger Lakes region. The area is quite scenic, with lots of outdoor attractions. Otisco Lake is one of the popular Finger Lakes, and the more chic Skaneateles (and Skaneateles Lake) is a quick drive west.