Midway between Rochester and Syracuse on Routes 5 & 20, Geneva anchors the Finger Lakes from its perch on the north shore of Seneca Lake. The city is home to Cornell AgriTech and FLCC’s Viticulture and Wine Center, underscoring its longstanding ties to agriculture, food science, and the Finger Lakes wine industry.
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 doughnut or a breakfast sandwich. Prefer a full plate? Settle into a booth at Water Street Cafe for classic, hot-off-the-griddle fare.
Morning
Begin at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center, where you can browse regional food and beverage products, learn about the Finger Lakes, enjoy panoramic views of Seneca Lake, and snap a photo with the giant I Love New York sign. Then follow the lakeshore trail through Seneca Lake State Park before continuing to your next stop. 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 Geneva’s history on a guided tour of Rose Hill Mansion on the northeast side of Seneca Lake. Wine enthusiasts can continue 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 indoor entertainment, play unlimited arcade and pinball games at Total Recall 315 or browse books and gifts at Stomping Grounds. Before dinner, explore downtown Geneva. Walk along South Main Street to see historic row houses across from Pulteney Park, then head down Seneca Street to discover murals, historic architecture, and the Smith Opera House. Opened in 1894, it continues to host concerts, films, theater productions, and community events in a restored historic theater.
Dinner
Choose from restaurants along Seneca and Linden Streets, including FLX Table, The Rusty Pig, Eddie O’Briens Grille & Bar, or the speakeasy at Vinifera. On Friday and Saturday evenings, Linden Street is often closed to vehicle traffic, enabling outdoor dining, live music, and dancing. Also consider Ports Cafe, Ichiro Japanese Restaurant, Anorah, Edgar’s Restaurant in the Castle, and Kindred Fare. For a fine-dining experience, consider Geneva on the Lake, which overlooks Seneca Lake and the property’s manicured gardens.
Evening
Cap the night with craft cocktails at The Linden Social Club or a glass of local wine at Microclimate. 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
The Geneva Music Festival from mid-May through early June features three weeks of classical, jazz, bluegrass, and other musical performances at venues throughout Geneva. The festival offers both ticketed performances and free pop-up concerts.
The Glorious Garlic Festival in early August brings three days of garlic-inspired foods, cooking demonstrations, wine, beer, music, and art to Lakefront Park along the shore of Seneca Lake.
Contact Information
Anorah 30 Castle St., (315) 325-5418, anorahrestaurantbar.com
Bagels & Cakes 746 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
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 20 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
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
Total Recall 315 40 Castle St.
Three Brothers Wineries and Estates 623 Lerch Road, (315) 585-4432, 3brotherswinery.com
Vinifera 44 Linden St., (315) 325-2349, viniferanewyork.com
Water Street Cafe 467 S. Exchange St., (315) 789-2560, waterstcafeny.com
Working Class Coffee 486 Exchange St., (315) 325-4244, theworkingclasscoffee.com
Explore More
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Seneca Lake
Visitors to Seneca Lake can spend the day exploring Geneva on the north end and Watkins Glen on the south end.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Geneva, NY?
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
