Midway between Rochester and Syracuse on Routes 5 & 20, Geneva anchors the Finger Lakes from its perch on Seneca Lake’s north shore. Renowned for agricultural and food-science innovation, it hosts the Viticulture and Wine Center at FLCC and Cornell AgriTech—advances you can taste in its restaurants and wineries.
Plan Your Day Trip to Geneva
Breakfast
Swing by Monaco’s Coffee, Bagels & Cakes, Empire Coffee & Donuts, Working Class Coffee, or Captain’s Cafe for a barista-made drink and a fresh donut or breakfast sandwich. Prefer a full plate? Settle into a booth at Water Street Cafe for classic, hot-off-the-griddle fare.
Morning
Park at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center and walk along the north shore through Seneca Lake State Park. The walk to the sprayground is a little over two miles, so trek as far as you like before returning to the welcome center, where you can snap a photo with the giant I Love New York sign. If you’re planning a day of wine tastings, you can start just before lunchtime at Billsboro Winery, Ravines Wine Cellars, or Lacey Magruder Winery.
Lunch
Choose Char Burrito Bar for bold Mexican-inspired fare, The Elephant for vibrant Thai dishes, or Stonecutter’s Tavern at Belhurst Castle for casual pub classics alongside an on-site tasting room pouring wines, beers, and hard cider.
Afternoon
Experience the history of Geneva by joining a guided tour of Rose Hill Mansion on the northeast side of Seneca Lake. Then head to Three Brothers Wineries and Estates, home to Stony Lonesome Wine Cellars, Passion Feet Wine Barn, Bagg Dare Wine Company, and War Horse Brewing Co., for an afternoon of wine and beer tastings. Explore indoor fun at Total Recall 315, where you can play unlimited-play arcade and pinball, or browse books and gifts at Stomping Grounds. Before dinner, walk along South Main Street to see the historic row houses across from Pulteney Park and down Seneca Street to discover colorful murals, beautiful architecture, and the historic Smith Opera House. Opened in 1894, the Smith has a rich history of hosting music, dance, theater, speeches, and films. A major 1994 restoration preserved the building’s original 1894 exterior and its opulent 1931 Art Deco interior.
Dinner
Select from among the exceptional restaurants on Seneca or Linden Streets, like FLX Table, The Rusty Pig, Eddie O’Briens Grille & Bar, or the speakeasy at Vinifera. Linden Street has a European atmosphere on Friday and Saturday nights when the Herringbone brick road is closed to vehicles. Visitors can enjoy outdoor dining, live music, and dancing at innovative food and drink establishments. Also, consider Ports Cafe, Ichiro Japanese Restaurant, Anorah, Edgar’s Restaurant in the Castle, and Kindred Fare. Enjoy an exquisite meal at Geneva on the Lake, which offers stunning views of Seneca Lake and beautifully manicured gardens.
Evening
Cap the night with craft cocktails at The Linden Social Club or a glass of local wine at Microclimate. Or take a sunset stroll down Long Pier with a wine slushy or a scoop of Gifford’s ice cream from Long Pier Ice Cream.
Signature Events
Geneva Music Festival (GMF)
mid-May through early June
This annual three-week event celebrates a diverse range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and bluegrass, featuring world-class artists. The festival offers both ticketed performances and free pop-up concerts, making it accessible to a broad audience.
Cruisin’ Night
mid-July
Spend a warm Friday evening downtown at the city of Geneva’s longest-running event. Marvel at over 100 classic cars while enjoying food, wine, beer, shopping, and live music on multiple stages. The streets around Seneca Street are closed for this pedestrian-friendly block party.
Glorious Garlic Festival
early August
This three-day event celebrating the regional garlic harvest features food, wine, beer, cooking demonstrations, music, and art along Seneca Lake’s shoreline.
Contact Information
Anorah 30 Castle St. (315) 325-5418 anorahrestaurantbar.com
Bagels & Cakes 476 Hamilton St. (315) 781-7643 bagelsandcakesgeneva.com
Belhurst Castle Stonecutter’s Tavern and Edgar’s 4069 W. Lake Road (315) 781-0201 belhurst.com
Billsboro Winery 4760 W. Lake Road (315) 789-9538 billsborowinery.com
Captain’s Cafe 368 Exchange St. (315) 759-6045
Char Burrito Bar 68 Castle St. (315) 759-5969
Cosentino’s Ristorante 1 Railroad Place (315) 789-1638 cosentinosgeneva.com
Eddie O’Briens Grille & Bar 92 Seneca St. (315) 789-7999 eddieobriensgrille.com
The Elephant 1 Franklin St. (315) 759-6048 theelephantthaigeneva.com
Empire Coffee & Donuts 590 Pre Emption Road (315) 521-7681 ecdgeneva.com
FLX Table 22 Linden St. (315) 730-3083 flxtable.com
Finger Lakes Welcome Center 35 Lake Front Drive (315) 787-0007 taste.ny.gov
Geneva on the Lake 1001 Lochland Road (315) 789-7190 genevaonthelake.com
Ichiro Japanese Restaurant 405 Exchange St. (315) 789-8889 ichirogeneva.com
Kindred Fare 512 Hamilton St. (315) 787-0400 kindredfare.com
Lacey Magruder Winery 462 Armstrong Road (585) 260-1850 laceymagrudervineyardandwinery.com
The Linden Social Club 12 Linden St. (315) 787-0099 thelindensc.com
Long Pier Ice Cream & Rentals 47 Lake Front Drive (315) 781-2453 long-pier-ice-cream.business.site
Microclimate Wine Bar 38 Linden St. microclimategeneva.com
Monaco’s Coffee 115 Washington St. (315) 787-0397 monacoscoffee.com
Ports Cafe 4432 W. Lake Road (315) 789-2020 portscafe.com
Ravines Wine Cellars 400 Barracks Road (315) 781-7007 ravineswine.com
Rose Hill Mansion 3373 New York State Route 96A (315) 789-3848 historicgeneva.org
The Rusty Pig 60 Seneca St. (315) 325-4548 rustypigonlinden.com
Seneca Lake State Park 1 Lake Front Drive (315) 789-2331 parks.ny.gov
Smith Opera House 82 Seneca St. (315) 781-5483 thesmith.org
Stomping Grounds 41 Seneca St. (315) 789-1000 stompinggrounds.com
Three Brothers Wineries and Estates 623 Lerch Road (315) 585-4432 3brotherswinery.com
Total Recall 315 40 Castle St.
Vinifera 44 Linden St. (315) 325-2349 44linden.com
Water Street Cafe 467 S. Exchange St. (315) 789-2560
Working Class Coffee 486 Exchange St (315) 325-4244 theworkingclasscoffee.com
Explore More
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Where are your favorite places to visit in Geneva, NY?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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