Explore Canandaigua

Of the five Finger Lakes closest to Rochester, Canandaigua Lake has the most to offer visitors in terms of activities. Located 30 minutes southeast of Rochester, the city is known for its historic downtown area, which features several charming shops, restaurants, and museums. Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, Canandaigua Lake is a favorite spot for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Plan Your Day Trip to Canandaigua

Breakfast

Start your day with something savory from Patty’s Place, Gateway Grille, or Simply Crepes.

Morning

Explore Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park, a magnificent late 19th-century Victorian estate featuring a Queen Anne–style mansion and nine formal gardens in this 50-acre New York State Historic Park. Marvel at the Lord and Burnham–designed glasshouse conservatory.

Lunch

Canandaigua has numerous excellent restaurants to choose from. Start with Green Front, Eric’s Office, Flavors of India, or Rio Tomatlan. Or head to the lake for dining at Nolan’s, Coho Pizza & Wine Bar, or a farm-to-table experience at New York Kitchen. Wegmans is a fantastic choice for preparing a lakeside picnic. Save room for ice cream from Cheshire Farms Creamery or Scoops.

Afternoon

Continue your historic homes tour at the Granger Homestead. Afterward, enjoy a walk along South Main Street to visit the local shops. Then, head to Canandaigua City Pier to check out the nearly 80 charming boathouses, some dating back to 1888, along Boathouse Row—one of the most photographed places in Canandaigua. Cross Lakeshore Drive to Lagoon Park, where you can follow the gravel pathway around Goodwin Island to explore the Canandaigua Outlet wetlands. Alternatively, you can play in the water at Kershaw Park Beach, Roseland Waterpark, or Roseland Wake Park—the first and only cable wake park in the northeastern United States. Visitors can also rent kayaks from SideShore or cruise around the lake on the Canandaigua Lady, a 19th-century steamboat replica.

For those looking for a tasting experience, there are several local breweries worth visiting, such as Naked Dove Brewing, Twisted Rail Brewing, and Other Half Brewing. You’ll find Star Cider next to CMAC. The New York Kitchen Tasting Room offers a selection of 60 rotating New York State wines, along with 10 taps featuring seasonal craft beers, ciders, distilled spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Alternatively, visit the Finger Lakes Wine Center to taste and purchase some of the region’s best wines.

Dinner

Enjoy a wonderful meal at Rheinblick German Restaurant, Eddie O’Brien’s Grille and Bar, Bon Ami French Bistro, Nick’s Chophouse Martini & Wine Bar, Il Posto Bistro, Casa De Pasta, or KiX ON MAIN, which offers rooftop seating. Head to the lakeshore to one of The Lake House’s elegant restaurants—the Rose Tavern or the Sand Bar.

Evening

If you’re planning a day trip around a concert at either Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) or Lincoln Hill Farms, you’ll find a delicious selection of food and beverage options at both venues. You can also enjoy a show at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center.

Signature Events

Arts in the Gardens

mid-July

Visit the 50-acre estate at Sonnenberg Gardens for a day of art, music, food, and beverages.

Canandaigua Lakefront Art Show

late July

Attend the two-day event at Kershaw Park on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake and enjoy regional arts, music, and food.

ChamberFest of Canandaigua

mid-July

Co-directed by cellist Amy Sue Barston and violinist Kevin Kumar, this annual series celebrates creative and intimate classical music performances. World-class musicians perform at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center and other locations.

Ontario County Fair

late July

The Ontario County Fair Committee, established in 1843, holds its fair at the end of July.

Pageant of Steam

mid-August

The multi-day celebration showcases antique steam-powered equipment through parades, demonstrations, and tractor pulls.

The Skeleton Army

October

Head out to Hopewell near Canandaigua for this fantastic Halloween display! Over 200 skeletons (humans, horses, dinosaurs, and dogs!) are marching on the home, heavily defended by trees (think of the Ents from Lord of the Rings).

Visit the Haunted House on CR-4 on Facebook.

Canandaigua Treaty Day Commemoration

November 11

The Canandaigua Treaty, signed on November 11, 1794, established a lasting peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The treaty also acknowledged the sovereignty and land holdings of both parties. A ceremony is held yearly to commemorate the treaty and “brighten the chain of friendship.” The ceremony begins with a procession down Main Street, followed by speeches on the lawn. This event is a unique opportunity to witness the past and present coming together and remind us of the treaty’s significance and the bond it has created between the two nations.

Christkindl Market

November

At Granger Homestead, guests can wander the grounds and enjoy a fun start to the holiday season with German-themed food and drink. Artisans and vendors will showcase their products under heated tents.

Google Map of Locations

View the map separately here.

The historical marker inscription reads, “The City Pier was built in 1848, and the first boathouses were built during the 1850s. Simple wooden boathouses contained mostly small skiffs while larger ones housed sculling shells, sailing and steam yachts. By 1888, over eighty boathouses were along the pier and in the “stream” basin. In 1903, the pier was enlarged to accommodate train and trolley tracks to service the steamboats transporting farm produce and passengers along the lake. At that time the village built the finger piers to accommodate the boathouses, which were either moved across the ice or demolished and rebuilt in their present location. This was done in the winter of 1903-1904. Soon after, The Boathouse Owners’ Association was formed to help protect and enforce the strict rules and regulations prohibiting people from living in the boathouses or using them as cottages. With their rustic nature, they are an attraction for artists, tourists and photographers and remain a unique and picturesque reminder of our heritage. In 1990, the City of Canandaigua added them to the Canandaigua Historic District to preserve their heritage.”

Where are your favorite places to visit in Canandaigua?

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