TRAVEL + LODGING
About the Venue
Manlius Cinema
Nestled in the heart of the historic Village of Manlius, Manlius Cinema has been bringing people together through film for more than 100 years. Surrounded by locally owned restaurants, cafés, breweries, and boutique shops, the theater offers the perfect home for the Blackbird Film Festival, a place where independent cinema, community, and conversation come together in one of Central New York's most vibrant small-town destinations.
135 E Seneca St, Manlius, NY 13104
Travel Options
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Blackbird by Air
Traveling from out of town? Getting to Blackbird has never been easier. Located just outside Syracuse, the Village of Manlius is only about 20 minutes from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), Central New York's largest airport. With nonstop service to major hubs across the United States and a wide selection of rental cars available on-site, flying into Syracuse makes for a quick and convenient trip to the festival.
NEAREST AIRPORTS:
Syracuse Hancock International Airport (20 minutes from Manlius)
Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (75 minutes from Manlius)
Greater Binghamton Airport (90 minutes from Manlius)
Greater Rochester International Airport (105 minutes from Manlius)
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
We recommend flying into Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) and taking an Uber or Lyft directly to Manlius. The drive is only about 20 minutes, and once you arrive, the majority of Blackbird screenings, events, restaurants, cafés, and shops are all within easy walking distance of Manlius Cinema. If you'd like to extend your visit and explore everything Central New York has to offer, from Green Lakes State Park and the Finger Lakes to the Adirondacks and beyond, rental cars are readily available at the airport and offer the flexibility to discover the region at your own pace.
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Blackbird by Bus / Train
Traveling to Blackbird by bus or train is an easy and affordable option, especially for visitors coming from New York City and the Northeast. Syracuse serves as Central New York's primary transportation hub, with frequent Amtrak service and daily bus routes from Greyhound and Trailways. Once you arrive in Syracuse, Manlius is just a short 20-minute Uber or Lyft ride away, making it easy to reach the festival without renting a car.
GROUND TRAVEL OPTIONS:
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
If you're traveling from the New York City area, we recommend taking either Amtrak or a Greyhound/Trailways bus to Syracuse. From there, a quick Uber or Lyft ride will bring you directly to the Village of Manlius, where the majority of Blackbird screenings, events, restaurants, and accommodations are all within easy walking distance of Manlius Cinema. If you're planning to explore more of Central New York during your visit, rental cars are also available throughout Syracuse.
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Blackbird by Car
Whether you plan to rent a car or rely on rideshare services, getting around Central New York is simple. Syracuse Hancock International Airport offers a full range of rental car options, while Uber and Lyft provide convenient transportation between the airport, hotels, and the Village of Manlius. Once you arrive, the majority of Blackbird screenings, events, restaurants, cafés, and shops are all within walking distance of Manlius Cinema, making it easy to enjoy the festival without needing a car.
RENTAL CAR OPTIONS
Rental cars are available from all major providers at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), including:
Enterprise Car Rentals (Syracuse Airport)
Almo Rental Car (Syracuse Airport)
Budget Rental Car (Syracuse Airport)
Enterprise Car Rentals (Syracuse Airport)
Budget Rental Car (Ithaca Airport)
Avis Rental Car (Binghamton Airport)
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:
Uber and Lyft are very popular in the Syracuse area!
Suburban Taxi – (315) 434-9999
Midstate Taxi – (315) 214-1929
Syracuse Airport Taxi Service – (315) 446-3639
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
For most festival guests, we recommend using Uber or Lyft to travel between Syracuse Hancock International Airport and Manlius. Once you're here, you'll be able to walk to nearly all Blackbird screenings, events, restaurants, and local attractions. If you're planning to extend your stay and explore the Finger Lakes, Green Lakes State Park, the Adirondacks, or other destinations throughout Central New York, renting a car is a great option and provides the flexibility to experience everything the region has to offer.
Still a bit lost? We're happy to help!
Send us a message at info@blackbirdfilmfest.com
Lodging Choices
Resorts, Hotels, and AirBNBs
Whether you're looking for an affordable home base, a boutique hotel, or even a campsite beneath the stars, Blackbird guests will find accommodations to fit every travel style and budget. Thanks to Manlius' convenient location just outside Syracuse, visitors have access to dozens of lodging options, all within a short drive of the festival.
Blackbird's Hotel
CrestHill Suites Syracuse
Located just minutes from both Syracuse Hancock International Airport and Manlius Cinema, CrestHill Suites offers spacious apartment-style suites, complimentary breakfast, full kitchens, free parking, and an ideal location for filmmakers visiting the festival. Whether you're traveling solo or sharing accommodations with fellow filmmakers, CrestHill provides an affordable and comfortable home base for your Blackbird weekend. We hope to announce a special festival rate in the near future.
Premium Lodging
Looking for something a little more luxurious? Central New York is home to several outstanding boutique hotels and resorts, including:
The Craftsman Inn & Suites
A beautifully restored boutique hotel just minutes from Manlius.
Marriott Syracuse Downtown
A historic grand hotel in the heart of downtown Syracuse.
Hotel Skyler Syracuse
A unique boutique hotel housed within a beautifully restored historic building near Syracuse University
Adventurous Options
Green Lakes State Park
Looking for a truly memorable Blackbird experience? Consider camping at Green Lakes State Park, located just a few minutes from Manlius. Widely regarded as one of New York's most beautiful state parks, Green Lakes offers wooded campsites, hiking trails, crystal-clear glacial lakes, swimming, kayaking, and spectacular scenery—making it a perfect weekend getaway for filmmakers who love the outdoors.
Economical Options
Local Hotels, AirBNB and VRBO
The Syracuse area also offers dozens of hotels, vacation rentals, and Airbnb properties to fit every budget. We recommend searching Kayak or Airbnb for accommodations in Manlius, Fayetteville, East Syracuse, or Downtown Syracuse, all of which provide convenient access to Blackbird events throughout the weekend.