An hour’s drive from Rochester, you’ll find Penn Yan at the north end of Keuka Lake. Penn Yan is home to Old Order Amish and Mennonite communities, and horse-drawn buggies are a common sight on the roads surrounding the village.
Plan Your Day Trip to Penn Yan
Breakfast
Start with coffee from Amity Coffee Company. Pair it with a pastry from Blue Heron Bakery, or, during apple harvest season, a cider doughnut from Wager’s Cider Mill. For a sit-down breakfast, try The Wagner Restaurant.
Morning
Spend the morning exploring the east branch of Keuka Lake and the village of Penn Yan. Take time to browse the historic downtown and Main Street storefronts.
While in the village, walk the paved section of the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail.
The Yates County History Center, one of New York State’s oldest historical societies, has collected, preserved, and interpreted local history since 1860. The campus comprises three buildings: the Oliver House Museum, a Victorian mansion; the L. Caroline Underwood Museum, which houses extensive artifacts and digital archives; and the Scherer Carriage House, which focuses on the Public Universal Friend, an 18th-century religious leader. Be sure to visit the nearby Penn Yan Public Library, a classic 1905 Carnegie Library.
Along Main Street, check out the Arts Center of Yates County, Longs’ Cards & Books, Staving Artist Woodwork, and the retro Keuka Candy Emporium.
If you’re visiting Penn Yan on a Saturday, spend time eating and shopping at The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, a 44-acre destination featuring nearly 200 local producers and artisans. While in the area, check out Oak Hill Bulk Foods for goods to take home, or enjoy a meal at their Oak Leaf Cafe.
The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail is a seven-mile multiuse route connecting Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. It has minimal elevation change and offers a mix of surfaces, including paved (1.3 miles in the village), dirt, gravel, and crushed stone. Along the trail, you’ll see waterfalls and remnants of mills, locks, and bridges from the mid-1800s. Notable highlights include Seneca Mills Falls and Cascade Mills Falls, both accessible from nearby parking areas.
Lunch
If you’re on Keuka Lake’s eastern shore around lunchtime, head to The Olney Place for a meal with lake views. In the village, try Parker’s Grille, Tavern Restaurant, Casa Mezcal Reserva, or Keuka Restaurant.
For a worthwhile detour toward Seneca Lake, consider lunch at Sans Dumplings, followed by ice cream at Spotted Duck Creamery.
If you’re in neighboring Branchport, stop by Crooked Lake Mercantile for a light lunch. For dining in a historic lakeside setting, consider The Mansion at Keuka Lake.
Afternoon
Spend the early afternoon exploring the west branch of Keuka Lake. Garrett Memorial Chapel, a Gothic Revival chapel built in 1931 by Paul and Evelyn Garrett in memory of their son Charles, overlooks the lake from one of the area’s highest viewpoints. Known as the Little Chapel on the Mount, it features stone construction, stained-glass windows, and gardens surrounding the chapel. There is a small parking area at the end of Skyline Drive near the chapel, but many visitors park along the shoulder and walk the trails to reach it. The grounds and chapel are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., from the first week of June through the last week of September. Visitors may also enter the chapel after Sunday services in July and August.
Enjoy a late-afternoon walk or swim at Keuka Lake State Park, then head to the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum, where you can rent kayaks and paddle south on Sugar Creek through the Townsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve to reach Keuka Lake. Trails through the preserve lead to a boardwalk and pavilion overlooking the lake. Kayak, paddleboard, and bicycle rentals are also available from Shoreline Rentals to explore the Keuka Outlet.
Spend time experiencing the region’s wineries and craft beverages. Stop by Keuka Spring Vineyards, Vineyard View Winery, and Rooster Hill Vineyards for wine paired with a scenic Keuka Lake view. Enjoy local beer at Abandon Brewing Company, Upstate Brewing Company’s QKA Taproom, and Laurentide Beer Company, which is housed in The Laurentide Inn’s carriage house.
Dinner
Choose from 18th Amendment, Union Block Italian at the Landing, Burnt Rose Wine Bar & Restaurant, or Main Deck overlooking Keuka Lake. Or keep it casual at Seneca Farms with fried chicken and handcrafted ice cream.
Evening
Enjoy the sunset over Keuka Lake from either Red Jacket Park or Indian Pines Park before driving home.
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Signature Events
The Keuka Arts Festival in early June is a free, family-friendly event held along the Keuka Outlet Trail. Nearly 100 vendors typically showcase paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, metal sculptures, and other creative works. The festival also features live music and local food.
The Yates County Fair in early July has celebrated regional agriculture since 1839. Admission includes parking and access to midway rides, 4-H animal shows, live music, ATV rodeos, tractor pulls, and a demolition derby.
Paddle Keuka 5K on the first Saturday in August invites participants of all skill levels to kayak or canoe a 5-kilometer course on Keuka Lake. Hosted by the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum, the event welcomes both recreational and experienced paddlers.
Contact Information
18th Amendment 7 Main St., (315) 694-9032 18thamendmentkitchencocktailbar.com
Abandon Brewing Company 2994 Merritt Hill Road, (585) 208-9088, abandonbrewing.com
Amity Coffee Company 3 Main St., (315) 279-4440, amitycoffee.co
Arts Center of Yates County 127 Main St., (315) 536-8226, artscenteryatescounty.org
Blue Heron Bakery 136 Water St., (315) 924-3545
Burnt Rose Wine Bar & Restaurant 13 Main St., (315) 924-3000, burntrosewinebar.com
Casa Mezcal Reserva 104 Liberty St., (315) 924-3113, casamezcalreserva.com
Crooked Lake Mercantile 3736 New York State Route 54A, (315) 595-2233 crookedlakemercantile.com
Garrett Memorial Chapel 5251 Skyline Drive, garrettchapel.org
Indian Pines Park 69 Old Pines Trail, (315) 531-1567, villageofpennyan.com
Keuka Candy Emporium 131 Main St., (315) 531-4700, keukacandyemporium.com
Keuka Lake State Park 3560 Pepper Road, (315) 536-3666, parks.ny.gov
Keuka Outlet Trail keukaoutlettrail.org
Keuka Restaurant 12 E. Main St., (315) 536-5852, keuka-restaurant.com
Keuka Spring Vineyards 243 New York State Route 54, (315) 536-3147, keukaspringwinery.com
Laurentide Beer Company 12 Maiden Lane, (315) 694-7605, laurentidebeer.com
Longs’ Cards & Books 115 Main St., (315) 536-3131, longscardsandbooks.com
Main Deck 301 Lake St., (315) 694-7536, maindeckpy.com
The Mansion at Keuka Lake 3456 New York State Route 54A, (315) 239-4800, themansionny.com
Oak Hill Bulk Foods, Oak Leaf Cafe 3173 New York State Route 14A, (315) 536-0836, oakhillbulkfoods.com
The Olney Place 823 E. Lake Road, (315) 536-5454, keukalake.com
Parker’s Grille 11 Main St., (315) 227-2494, parkersgrille.com
Penn Yan Public Library 214 Main St., (315) 536-6114, pypl.stls.org
Red Jacket Park 309 Lake St., (315) 536-3015, villageofpennyan.com
Rooster Hill Vineyards 489 New York State Route 54, (315) 536-4773, roosterhill.com
Sans Dumplings 1030 Larzelere Road, (315) 530-2604, sansdumplings.com
Seneca Farms 2485 New York State Route 54A, (315) 536-4066, senecafarmsny.com
Shoreline Rentals 111 Liberty St., (315) 521-9257, shorelinerentalsny.com
Spotted Duck Creamery 999 New York State Route 54, (315) 509-3939, spottedduck.com
Staving Artist Woodwork 101 Main St., (315) 384-1110, stavingartist.com
Saunders Finger Lakes Museum 3369 Guyanoga Road, (315) 595-2200, fingerlakesmuseum.org
Tavern Restaurant 114 Elm St., (315) 536-2436
Union Block Italian at the Landing 138 Water St., (607) 246-4065, unionblockitalian.com
Upstate Brewing Company QKA Taproom 130 Water St., (607) 742-2750, upstatebrewing.com
Vineyard View Winery 2971 Williams Hill Road, (315) 694-7262, vineyardviewwinery.com
Wager’s Cider Mill 256 E. Main St., (315) 536-6640, wagerscider.com
The Wagner Restaurant 124 E. Elm St., (315) 536-8062
The Windmill Farm and Craft Market 3900 New York State Route 14A, (315) 536-3032, thewindmill.com
Yates County History Center 107 Chapel St., (315) 536-7318, yatespast.org
Safety first! When passing a buggy in areas where Amish and Mennonite communities are common, follow specific rules to keep everyone on the road safe. Please note that this information is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult local traffic laws or a legal authority to ensure compliance with specific regulations.
Slow down and maintain a safe distance behind the buggy to avoid startling the horse. Be patient, and only attempt to pass when it is safe. Ensure there is no oncoming traffic and that the left side of the road is clear for a sufficient distance.
You may cross a double-yellow line to safely pass a buggy, provided the roadway is clear and no-passing restrictions are not in place. Always ensure the left lane is clear of oncoming traffic and that you can complete the maneuver without interfering with the horse or buggy. However, passing in marked no-passing zones is prohibited unless special circumstances apply.
Signal your intentions and move into the opposite lane, leaving plenty of space between your vehicle and the buggy as you pass. Drive at a reasonable speed to avoid frightening the horse.
After passing, wait until there is ample distance between your vehicle and the horse before returning to your lane.
Always respect buggies’ right to share the road, and drive with care to ensure the safety of all road users.
Explore More
The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
Explore The Windmill Farm & Craft Market near Penn Yan, with 175-plus shops, local food, handmade goods, free parking, and seasonal events.
Garrett Memorial Chapel
Garrett Memorial Chapel overlooks Keuka Lake with sweeping views, peaceful grounds, and limited sanctuary hours in Penn Yan, New York.
9 Wineries with Scenic Keuka Lake Views
Visit these wineries in Penn Yan, Dundee, and Hammondsport to taste award-winning wines paired with scenic Keuka Lake views.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Penn Yan?
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
