Sitting at the northern tip of Canandaigua Lake, the fourth largest of all of the Finger Lakes, the town of Canandaigua is a beautiful vacation spot known for its historic downtown district, its farm-to-table cuisine, and its gorgeous lake views.
Stroll through the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
Formerly the summer home of a wealthy New York City banker, the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park is a gorgeous 50-acre property with nine formal gardens. Much of the 40-room mansion is open to visitors, as are the gardens, which range from an elaborate Japanese garden to a peaceful rock garden. During the high season, the admission ticket includes a guided tour of the estate. The park is open to visitors seven days a week between the beginning of May and the end of October, and during these months, there are often evening concerts, afternoon high teas, and other special events.
Address: 151 Charlotte St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-394-4922
Go skiing at the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
Only ten miles outside of Canandaigua, the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort is the place to go if you want to have some fun outdoors, particularly in the winter. The park boasts 34 trails spread out over almost 140 acres, and with the trails ranging from green to double black, there's something for skiers and riders of all ability levels. Two terrain parks and a handful of cross-country skiing trails can be found here as well. It's worth visiting the resort in the summer as well; they have a challenging high ropes course, a ziplines course, and a kids' adventure park.
Address: 5662 NY-64, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Get to a show at CMAC
Known in full as the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, the CMAC is a large amphitheater that can hold up to 15,000 people. The seating is both under the roof and on the grassy hill overlooking the stage, and the performances range from popular musicians to ballet shows.
Address: 4355 Lakeshore Dr, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Take a guided tour of the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum
Originally constructed in 1816, the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum offers a fascinating look how people in the area used to live. The elegant three-story mansion is open to visitors by guided tour, and the tour also goes through two old barns filled with antique sleighs, carriages, and farm equipment.
Address: 295 N Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-394-1472
Admire historical objects at the Ontario County Historical Society
If you want to learn about the history of Ontario County and the people who have lived here over the years, there's no better place to do so than at the Ontario County Historical Society. They have a wide collection of historical objects and photos, and there's always an interesting exhibit to see.
Address: 55 N Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-394-4975
Take the kids to Lincoln Hill Farms
Occupying 95 acres of historic farmland, Lincoln Hill Farms is a family-friendly gathering place that holds both public and private events. Live music is held Thursday through Sunday, and every Sunday, there's a special family day with free admission, children's yard games, and a small petting zoo. A farm-to-table food truck and a 'silo bar' with 36 tap beers can be found on-site as well.
Address: 3792 NY-247, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-563-8846
Stop by the Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery
Owned and operated by a talented local artist, the Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery is a great place to see some incredible artwork made by artists who call the Finger Lakes region home.
Address: 71 S Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-394-0030
Have lunch at Simply Crepes Cafe - Canandaigua
Established by a French-Canadian family with a delicious crepe recipe that has been passed down for generations, the Simply Crepes Cafe - Canandaigua is a unique restaurant that serves sweet and savory crepes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Address: 101 S Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-394-9090
Take a cooking class at the New York Kitchen
For lovers of food, wine, or beer, the New York Kitchen is a must-visit while in Canandaigua. Hands-on cooking classes teach guests how to make everything from wontons to hot sauce, and wine and beer workshops cover everything you need to know about local New York state wine and beer.
Address: 800 S Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-394-7070
Have dinner at Rio Tomatlan
Specializing in authentic Mexican food and cocktails, Rio Tomatlan is an inviting restaurant with funky decor and a beautiful patio. The ingredients are either sourced locally or imported from small Mexican producers, and house specialties include mole enchiladas, chile rellenos, and chicken tacos.
Address: 106 Bemis St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-394-9380
Grab a sweet treat at the Cheshire Farms Creamery
Inspired by the happiness of old-time family farms, the Cheshire Farms Creamery is the perfect place for a sweet treat or a light lunch on a hot summer day.
Address: 10 Parrish St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585-396-9793
Have fun at Roseland Wake Park
Roseland Wake Park proves that you don’t need a boat to enjoy some adrenaline-pumping water sports! The park is the first (and only) full-sized cable wake park in the northeast area and is frequented by water sports enthusiasts from all over the country. Roseland Wake Park features a 2-tower cable training system that will help beginners to learn wakeboarding faster and will help get novice wakeboarders to the next level of the sport. The park’s systems can pull a total of nine riders at the same time, sending riders straight to awesome ramps and rails that are scattered throughout the park. It’s important to know that Roseland Wake Park does require reservations to visit. First-timers are also encouraged to book lessons ahead of time.
Address: 250 Eastern Boulevard, Canandaigua, New York 14424; Phone: 583-393-WAKE (9253)
Go bowling at the Roseland Bowl
If you’re looking for a place to bring your energetic family for a full day of fun and excitement, look no further than the Roseland Bowl. The main feature of Roseland Bowl is its 34-lane bowling alley equipped with optional bumpers and automatic scoring. Additionally, Roseland Bowl is home to a busy arcade called the Fun Zone that is jam-packed with the latest and most popular arcade games.
Address: 4357 Recreation Drive, Canandaigua, New York 14424; Phone: 585-394-5050
Buy chocolates at Sweet Expressions
Taking a trip to Sweet Expressions is like making your way to a chocolate lovers' paradise. After all, Sweet Expressions has been preparing decadent chocolates in incredible variety daily, just like their popular and fast-selling homemade fudge, since 1997.
Address: 169 South Main Street-Downtown, Canandaigua, New York 14424; Phone: 585-394-5250
