Ontario County's Finger Lakes Itineraries

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With so much to see and do in Ontario County, here are a few suggested group itinerary ideas for maximizing your time in the Finger Lakes.

• A Step Back in Time
• The Road to Naples
• Fall Foliage, Food and Fun
• Day Trips - Around the Finger Lakes
• A Taste of New York Package

A Step Back in Time (Printable Version)

Day One

Arrive mid-day and begin your visit with a scenic luncheon cruise aboard the Canandaigua Lady, a 19th century replica of a paddlewheel steamboat, on Canandaigua Lake. After a leisurely cruise, head for Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion, a turn of the century 50-acre garden estate featuring nine formal gardens, and arboretum, greenhouses, and a mansion which was built in 1887. Next, just a few blocks away, visit the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum. The home was occupied by four generations of the Granger family and contains many original Federal period furnishings. Gideon Granger was the US Postmaster General for Presidents Jefferson and Madison. The Carriage Museum houses over 40 horse drawn vehicles from the 19th century. Also on the property is an 1822 law office. Then check into your hotel and enjoy a meal of Finger Lakes cuisine complemented by the local award-winning wines at one of our fine restaurants.

Day Two

Begin your day with breakfast at your hotel or one of the restaurants in the area. Head to Ganondagan State Historic Site, where centuries ago stood an Iroquois town where thousands of Native American Seneca lived. See an exhibit detailing their clan system, view a video program on the history of Ganondagan, visit the replica bark longhouse, and explore the trails and learn about the Seneca's strong connection with Mother Earth. Your next stop is the town of Clifton Springs, where in the 1800's visitors were drawn by the natural sulphur springs, which were thought to have curative powers, and a relaxing stay at the Sanitarium (which we would call a spa today). The Spa building is still an impressive landmark, as is the gingerbread cottage of Dr. Foster, the founder of the Clifton Springs Water Cure. Take time to explore this beautifully refurbished village and its unique shops before an elegant lunch at Warfield's in the Foster Block. Then spend the afternoon in Geneva, starting with the Prouty-Chew Museum, the headquarters for the Geneva Historical Society. Enjoy their period rooms, exhibits on Geneva's heritage, and walking tours of the historic neighborhood and Federal style row houses. Then take in Rose Hill Mansion, an 1839 Greek Revival Mansion overlooking Seneca Lake. There are over 20 rooms to view, furnished in elegant Empire style. A relaxing dinner at one of Geneva's excellent restaurants is in order before you return to your hotel for the evening.

The Road to Naples (Printable Version)

Begin your day exploring downtown Canandaigua - home to the widest Main Street in the USA! Don't miss the Country Ewe, the Goodie II Shop, Nadal Glass, Cats in the Kitchen, and the many antique shops, as you browse the storefronts and gaze at the beautiful flowers that line Main Street. Then there are some treasures waiting to be found in the nearby Bristol Hills. The small town of Cheshire, just outside of Canandaigua, is home to the Cheshire Union, a large converted schoolhouse. This landmark features the Company Store, on the ground floor, and the Antique Center and Gift Shop upstairs. Many unique things, new and old, can be found at the Cheshire Union. Next on your must-see list is the Wizard of Clay, where you will find the famous Bristoleaf pottery workshop and outlet, under a maze of geodesic domes. There is also a nature trail there, where those folks inclined to take a stroll can discover the origins of the leaves and plants used in making the Bristoleaf pottery. Bristol Harbour Lodge & Golf Resort is a spot not to be missed on your way south to Naples! Take in the incredible views of Canandaigua Lake from their expansive patio while enjoying a light lunch. Wind your way into the quaint village of Naples, home to the century-old Widmer's Wine Cellars. Take a guided tour of the winery, which ends with a complimentary tasting in their wine shop. Stop in at the unique shops in the village also, such as Classics and Timberwood. Afterwards, you can take in dinner at Bob & Ruth's Vineyard Restaurant, complete with a slice of famous Naples Grape Pie, and then a play at the Bristol Valley Theatre. Bristol Valley is the best in the region for professional summer stock theatre, featuring musicals, comedy, and mystery thrillers.

Fall Foliage, Food and Fun (Printable Version)

Begin with a drive along Route 5&20 west of Geneva, where you'll pass rural landscapes, restored farmhouses, and roadside farm stands. Be sure to stop at Amberg Wine Cellars for a taste of fine Finger Lakes Wine and a peek at their gallery of local art. When you arrive in Geneva, a visit to Red Jacket Orchards is in order. The old-fashioned farm market has a unique selection of local cheese, syrup, honey, bread, pies, and cookies, as well as seasonal fruits and juices for tasting the bounty of the harvest in the Finger Lakes! Consider stopping at the nearby Pasta Only's Cobblestone Restaurant for lunch. The restored 1800 farmhouse is well known for its fine cuisine, served up in style along with many Finger Lakes wines. Continuing along Routes 5&20 will lead you to the downtown Geneva area, where you can do some shopping, or take in a walking tour of notable buildings and row houses offered by the Geneva Historical Society. When shopping, don't miss Guard's Cards, the Country Basket, and the many antique shops that grace the downtown area here. Be sure to check out beautiful Seneca Lake while you're here, against the backdrop of the dazzling fall colors. You can visit Lakefront Park next to the Ramada Inn, or go a bit further east to the Seneca Lake State Park, both have walking trails that take in the view. Dinner in Geneva holds many options. Belhurst is a favorite, offering elegant dining in a Romanesque castle built in the late 1800's. Or try Port's Café, where you can dine lakeside on their patio while enjoying a wide selection of Finger Lakes wines and micro-brews. Whichever you choose, your evening is sure to be filled with food and fun!

Day Trips (Printable Version)

Use Ontario County as your hub, and after visiting our many unique attractions, take excursions to other interesting destinations within an hour or so of Ontario County, and add even more variety to your Finger Lakes experience!

Day trip to Rochester could include:
George Eastman House & International Museum of Photography and Film
Strong Museum
Susan B. Anthony House
High Falls Laser Light Show

Day Trip to Wayne County could include:
Sodus Point Lighthouse Museum and the Seaway Trail
Long Acre Farms and the Amazing Maize Maze
Alling Coverlet Museum
Ontario Lake Wine Trail wineries

Day trip to Seneca Falls could include:
National Women's Hall of Fame
Women's Rights National Historic Park
Waterloo Premium Outlet Mall
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail wineries

Day trip to Auburn could include:
Williard Memorial Chapel, designed by Louis C. Tiffany
Seward House
Harriet Tubman Home
The Merry Go Round Playhouse

Day trip to Ithaca could include:
Cayuga Nature Center
Paleontological Research Institution
Ithaca Commons Marketplace
Greater Ithaca Art Trail

Day trip to Corning could include:
Corning Museum of Glass
Historic Market Street
The Rockwell Museum

Day trip to Penn Yan, Hammondsport and Keuka Lake could include:
Windmill Farm and Craft Market
Glenn Curtiss Museum of Aviation
Keuka Lake Wine Trail wineries

A Taste of New York

A 3-day, 2-night itinerary hub and spoke tour sure to please! Fun stops in some of the Finger Lakes' most charming villages and towns, including Canandaigua, Geneva and Naples.
Day 1 - Welcome to the Finger Lakes
Arrive in Canandaigua in the Finger Lakes Region, NY
Visit the newly opened New York Wine and Culinary Center. New York wants you to taste everything we have to offer. From the finest dining to hundreds of first-rate vineyards and wine makers, plus a rich agricultural heritage, our state is eager to share its flavorful bounty.

Check in to your hotel.
Enjoy a special evening of food and wine pairing at your hotel tonight with top chef at Steamboat Landing.
Return to your hotel.

Day 2 - Canandaigua and Geneva
Enjoy breakfast.
Visit Weaver-View Farms, an Amish County Store. Nostalgia, history, old fashioned shopping on a 220 acre working dairy farm overlooking the west shore of Seneca Lake. Enjoy over 50 varieties of their famous home made jams, jellies, salsas, fruit butters, cheeses and other goodies. Includes your special gift…
Afterwards take the short trip to see Red Jacket Orchards. Located in Geneva, NY along the rolling hills of Seneca Lake, Red Jacket was originally planted in 1917. Today, the orchard and juice company is managed by the second and third generation of the Nicholson family.
Starting with Joe and Emily Nicholson in 1958, they have spent nearly 50 years mastering the art and science of quality fresh fruit and juice production, delivering product of the highest quality and flavor to their customers. In reverence to the environment, Red Jacket employs Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that are both effective and environmentally friendly. Take a tour of the facility and have an inside look at the recognized by Zagat's, NY Times and Gourmet Magazine.
Enjoy lunch on your own at Wegman's Market Café.
This nationally recognized grocery store and market café develops a year-round appreciation of fresh produce, from the best growers in the region, with chef-developed recipes and techniques that focus on convenience and great taste. Wegman's also introduced their Produce Department's nationally recognized Strive for Five program.
Afterwards stop for wine tasting at Widmer Wine Cellars on the Canandaigua Wine Trail. Located in Naples, NY in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, Widmer's Wine Cellars had its beginning more than 100 years ago when Swiss winemaker John Jacob Widmer and his wife Lisette ventured to Naples' beautiful valley. A lot has changed over the last century, but the winery has combined Old World tradition and modern technology to work hand-in-hand today to produce more than 50 different wines.
Stop for a chance to sample one of the region's best kept secrets and most talked-about dessert- the Grape Pie as featured on the Food Network-Monica's Pies, in Naples. Although the region is noted for its wine making, only Naples is noted for grape pies. Monica is one of many grape pie makers in the area, but unlike the other pie makers, her grape pies are available at her pie shop year round. Monica and her mother make all kinds of jams, jellies, conserves and gifts along with seasonal and holiday specialties and a vast array of different kind of pies.
Stop by Arbor Hill Grapery for a tour of the facility and canning process, also featured on the Food Network. The Grapery showcases all of the delicious Arbor Hill jams, jellies, and preserves; wine sauces; flavored vinegars; mustards; barbecue sauces; ice tea concentrates and salad dressings - all made one batch at a time by the Brahm family. Their products are open and available for tasting. Stepping up to the tasting bar, you will sample the best of New York Cheese and award-winning dry to sweet wines. You'll find traditional flavors, plus a few new grape varieties, like Traminette. Their wines and cheeses will delight even the most avid wine and cheese enthusiast.
Return to your hotel for some R&R.
Enjoy a short presentation from a member from the Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty. The organization has been developed to enhance tourism and contribute to the economic well being of area farms, food producers, wineries, businesses, and communities. It promotes the unique regional cuisine based on fresh, seasonal locally grown and made ingredients paired with the region's excellent wines to offer an extraordinary culinary experience.
Dinner at Belhurst, Geneva, overlooking the beautiful Seneca Lake. Construction began in 1885 and it took four years and 50 people to build the castle. National Register of Historic Places.
Return to your hotel for the evening.

Day 3 - Enjoy breakfast and then check out of your hotel.

Package Inclusions:
Accommodations for two nights at a quality hotel in the Finger Lakes, NY
Dinner at Steamboat Landing and Belhurst Castle
Two breakfasts
A tour of the New York Wine & Culinary Center
Entry fees to sights on the program
Wine tasting at two wineries
Step on guide for your full day tour in the Finger Lakes
Baggage handling, round trip
All current, applicable taxes
Inquire for future pricing and customized options. (585) 394-3915