Auburn sits at the northern end of Owasco Lake, the sixth-largest Finger Lake. Stretching 11 miles through southern Cayuga County, the lake supplies drinking water to more than 40,000 residents. The Owasco Outlet flows north from the lake through the heart of Auburn, where it has shaped the city’s landscape, industry, and development.
Plan Your Day Trip to Auburn
Breakfast
Stop at New Hope Mills or the Auburn Diner for a hearty breakfast, or grab a fresh doughnut from Cameron’s Bakery.
Morning
Start at the Auburn Welcome Center, where you can park and walk to many of the city’s attractions. Parking is available directly outside the center or in the parking garage across the street. The Auburn Welcome Center also houses the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center. Visitors can learn about what the 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 lunch at Mesa Grande Taqueria, Bambino’s Pizza, Seb’s Green Shutters, Wegmans, or Café 108—a community gathering space where purchases support the Auburn Public Theater. Treat yourself to a sweet from Gretchen’s Confections.
Afternoon
Auburn is home to several galleries and museums. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park preserves sites associated with Tubman’s life and legacy. The main site, 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 played a vital role in 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 Theodore Case developed innovations that made sound motion pictures possible.
The Schweinfurth Art Center next door hosts several annual exhibitions, including Art=Quilt=Art in December. The free Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum offers insights into the region’s agricultural history and rural life.
Dinner
Auburn offers many dining options. Choose from Moro’s Table, Osteria Salina, Prison City Brewing, Parker’s Grille, or A.T. Walley & Co.
Evening
End your day in Auburn with 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 city-owned Auburn Doubledays.
Alternatively, take 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. Here are a few of my favorites.
Signature Events
The Founders Day Festival in mid-August celebrates Auburn’s history with outdoor activities, a classic car cruise-in, live music, and a block party featuring downtown restaurants and merchants.
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 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
Falcon Park (Auburn Doubledays) 130 N. Division St., (315) 255-2489, auburndoubledays.com
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 Home 180 South St., (315) 252-2081, harriettubmanhome.com
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park— Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and Parsonage 47–49 Parker St., (315) 835-5945, nps.gov/hart
Mesa Grande Taqueria 100 Genesee St., (315) 252-6252, mesagrandetaqueria.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
The REV Theatre Company at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse 6877 E. Lake Road, (315) 255-1785, therevtheatre.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
Explore More
Explore Skaneateles
The Village of Skaneateles is the perfect place to get away and enjoy the pace of lake life, surrounded by unique boutiques and restaurants.
Owasco Lake
Owasco Lake is surrounded by farmland, with the city of Auburn at the north end, just 75 minutes from Rochester.
Fillmore Glen State Park
Named for America's 13th president, Fillmore Glen combines dramatic waterfalls, cool forest trails, and a touch of presidential history.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Auburn?
I’d love to hear from you—please reach out and share your thoughts and experiences.
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
