Auburn is the eastern juncture where Routes 5 & 20 converge. From Caledonia, the western juncture, travelers can embark on a scenic 67-mile journey through Canandaigua and Geneva to reach Auburn. This road has historical roots, tracing back to a foot trail used by the region’s earliest inhabitants to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie.
Auburn rests on the northern shore of Owasco Lake, which supplies drinking water to Auburn and its neighboring communities. With recreational activities and breathtaking scenic views, Owasco Lake reflects the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region.
Plan Your Day Trip to Auburn
Breakfast
Stop at New Hope Mills or the Auburn Diner for a hearty breakfast or grab a delicious donut from Cameron’s Bakery.
Morning
Start at the Auburn Welcome Center. From here, you can walk to almost everything—including Wegmans. Parking is available immediately outside the center or in the parking garage across the street. The Welcome Center is also home to the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center. Visitors can learn about everything this city offers and its role in the equal rights movement through immersive exhibits and knowledgeable staff.
Next door to the Heritage Center, you’ll find the Seward House Museum, the historic home of William H. Seward, who served as Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.
Then, drive to Willard Memorial Chapel—a rare example of the work of Louis C. Tiffany and Tiffany Glass and Decoration Company and the only complete and unaltered Tiffany chapel known to exist.
Lunch
Sit down to a delicious lunch at Mesa Grande Taqueria, Bambino’s Pizza, Seb’s Green Shutters, Wegmans, or Café 108—a community gathering space that provides healthy, sustainably grown food where every dollar spent in the cafe directly supports the Auburn Public Theater. Treat yourself to a sweet from Gretchen’s Confections or Moonflower Macarons.
Afternoon
Auburn is home to outstanding galleries and museums. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park honors the life and work of Harriet Tubman, the renowned abolitionist and conductor along the Underground Railroad. The main site, located at 180 South Street, features a visitor center, Tubman’s residence, and the Home for the Aged she established.
In her later years, Harriet Tubman was an active community member and vital to raising funds for the Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church, where her funeral was held in 1913.
The church is near Fort Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of both Tubman and Seward.
The Cayuga Museum of History and Art operates in three on-site buildings: the Willard-Case mansion, the Carriage House Theater, and the Case Research Lab, where the first successful system of sound on film was invented to make talking movies.
The Schweinfurth Art Center next door hosts several annual exhibitions, such as Art=Quilt=Art in December. The free Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum provides insights into the region’s agricultural history and rural life.
Dinner
Auburn offers many delightful dining options. I recommend trying Moro’s Table, Osteria Salina, Prison City Brewing, Parker’s Grille, or A.T. Walley & Co.
Evening
End your day in Auburn by enjoying a performance at either the Auburn Public Theater or the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. If you prefer sports, head to Falcon Park to cheer on the Auburn Doubledays, the country’s only city-owned professional baseball team.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sunset stroll through Emerson Park down the pier and along the shore of Owasco Lake.
Extraordinary Architecture
I enjoy strolling down Genesee, South, State, and William Streets, among others, and taking in the architecture of the buildings. Here are a few of my favorites.
Signature Events
Founder’s Day Festival
Mid-August
This annual festival is a history-themed event filled with outdoor activities, including a classic car cruise-in, live music, and a block party featuring downtown restaurants and merchants.
CNY TomatoFest
Early September
Enjoy an afternoon filled with food, music, and local vendors. Admission is free, and nonperishable food donations are collected for Cayuga County food pantries at all festival entry sites.
Contact Information
A.T. Walley & Co. 119 Genesee St., (315) 282-7314, atwalley.com
Auburn Public Theater 8 Exchange St., (315) 253-6669, auburnpublictheater.org
Auburn Diner 64 Columbus St., (315) 253-7375
Auburn Doubledays 130 N. Division St., (315) 255-2489, auburndoubledays.com
Auburn NY Visitor Center & NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center 25 South St., (315) 258-9820, equalrightsheritage.com
Bambino’s Pizza 100 Genesee St., (315) 255-3385
Café 108 108 Genesee St., (315) 252-2233, cafe108.org
Camerons Bakery 169 Grant Ave., (315) 253-6934, cameronsbakery.com
Cayuga Museum of History and Art 203 Genesee St., (315) 253-8051, cayugamuseum.org
Emerson Park 6877 E. Lake Road, (315) 253-5611, cayugacounty.us
Fort Hill Cemetery 19 Fort St., (315) 253-8132, forthillcemetery.net
Gretchen’s Confections 27 E. Genesee St., (315) 400-5224, gretchensconfections.com
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park 180 South St., (315) 252-2081, harriettubmanhome.com and nps.gov
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse 6877 E. Lake Road, (315) 255-1785, therevtheatre.com
Mesa Grande Taqueria 100 Genesee St., (315) 252-6252, mesagrandetaqueria.com
Moonflower Macarons 10 Seminary Ave., (315) 224-2790, moonflowermacs.com
Moro’s Table 1 E. Genesee St., (315) 282-7772, morostable.com
New Hope Mills 181 York St., (315) 252-2676, newhopemills.com
Osteria Salina 16 State St., (315) 258-9070, osteriasalina-auburn.com
Parker’s Grille 129 Genesee St., (315) 252-6884, parkersgrille.com
Prison City Brewing 28 State St., (315) 604-1277, prisoncitybrewing.com
Schweinfurth Art Center 205 Genesee St., (315) 255-1553, schweinfurthartcenter.org
Seb’s Green Shutters 6933 Owasco Road, (315) 282-7685, sebsgreenshutters.com
Seward House Museum 33 South St., (315) 252-1283, sewardhouse.org
Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church 49 Parker St., (315) 568-0024, nps.gov
Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum 6880 E. Lake Road, (315) 252-7644, wardwoharaagriculturalmuseum.org
Wegmans 1 Loop Road, (315) 255-2231, wegmans.com
Willard Memorial Chapel 17 Nelson St., (315) 252-0339, willard-chapel.com
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Where are your favorite places to visit in Auburn?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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