Explore Routes 5 & 20

Routes 5 & 20, a 67-mile convergence of New York State Route 5 and US Route 20, is a gently rolling scenic highway. It connects the town of Caledonia in the west to the city of Auburn in the east, passing through Avon, Canandaigua, Geneva, and Seneca Falls. The road is known as Genesee Street in some areas and Main Street in others and serves as the main thoroughfare for the towns and villages it passes through.

The route follows a foot trail used by the region’s first inhabitants that connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie as it passed through a valley between the Adirondack and the Catskill Mountains. New York State Route 5 was originally constructed in 1794 to connect Fort Schuyler in Utica on the Mohawk River with Canawaugus in Caledonia on the Genesee River.

Avon

Historic Inns Around Rochester Avon Inn — Avon Inn

Attractions

Vintage Drive-In

Avon Driving Park and 5-Arch Bridge

Erie-Attica Rail Trail crossing at the Genesee River

Dining

Avon Village Restaurant

Fratelli’s Restaurant

🍦Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor

Breweries & Wineries

🍺 Mortalis Brewing Company

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Explore Avon

Avon is situated along the Genesee River at the western terminus of Routes 5 & 20 and grew as a stagecoach crossing and place of healing.

Exploring The Genesee River

At Genesee Valley Park, the river merges with the Erie Canal and continues north through Rochester before reaching Lake Ontario.

Bloomfield

Attractions

Wizard of Clay Pottery

Antique Wireless Museum

Dining

🍦 Shark’s Ice Cream

Canandaigua

Kayaking Canandaigua Lake — Canandaigua Lake

Sonnenberg Gardens Japanese Tea Garden — Sonnenberg Gardens

Attractions

Canandaigua Lady—a 19th-century steamboat replica and double-decker paddle wheeler.

Swim at Kershaw Park Beach.

Enjoy a concert at CMAC or Lincoln Hill Farms.

Ontario Pathways rail trail crossing of Routes 5 and 20 in Stanley.

Dining

New York Kitchen

Rio Tomatlan

Flavors Indian Restaurant

Eric’s Office

Rheinblick German Restaurant

The Green Front

🍦Cheshire Farms Creamery

Breweries & Wineries

🍺 Naked Dove Brewing

🍺 Twisted Rail Brewing (also Geneva)

🍺 Peacemaker Brewing

🍺 Bee Hive Brew Pub

🍺 Young Lion Brewing

🍷New York Kitchen

🍷Finger Lakes Wine Center

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Explore Canandaigua

Of the five Finger Lakes closest to Rochester, Canandaigua Lake and the city’s historic downtown have the most to offer visitors.

Canandaigua Lake

Canandaigua Lake, located 30 minutes from Rochester, spans from the city of Canandaigua in the north to the town of Naples in the south.

Attractions

Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake State Park

Rose Hill Mansion

Smith Opera House

Bishop Nature Preserve

Dining

Opus Espresso & Food Bar

Cosentino’s Ristorante

Ciccino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant

🍦Long Pier

Breweries & Wineries

🍺 Lake Street Filling Station

🍺Webe Brewing

🍺 Lake Drum Brewing

🍺 Bottomless Brewing

🍷Belhurst Castle and Estate Winery

🍷Ventosa Vineyards

🍷Raymor Estate Cellars Winery

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Explore Geneva

Situated midway between Rochester and Syracuse on Route 5 and 20, Geneva feels like the center of the Finger Lakes region.

Seneca Lake

Visitors to Seneca Lake can spend the day exploring Geneva on the north end and Watkins Glen on the south end.

Attractions

National Memorial Day Museum

Dining

Connie’s Diner

Mac’s Drive-In

Muranda Cheese Company

Seneca Falls

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge visitor center — Montezuma

First Convention for Womens Rights in Seneca Falls NY — Woman’s Rights

Attractions

Historic Route 20 Information Center

Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake State Park

It’s a Wonderful Life Museum

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

National Women’s Hall of Fame

Trinity Church

Women’s Rights National Historic Park, including the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Wesleyan Chapel.

Dining

Cafe 19

El Bajio Mexican Restaurant

Gould Hotel

Parker’s on Fall

Penny’s Place Family Restaurant

Breweries & Wineries

🍷Montezuma Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery

🍷Izzo’s White Barn Winery (Cayuga)

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Explore Seneca Falls

Seneca Falls, on historic Route 5 and 20, is the birthplace of the Women’s Rights movement and is the inspiration for It’s a Wonderful Life.

Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake, 38 miles long, is the longest of the Finger Lakes and the only one with lighthouses. Seneca Falls is an hour from Rochester.

Owasco Lake Merry Go Round Playhouse — Owasco Lake, Auburn

Seward House Museum Auburn NY — Seward House

Willard Memorial Chapel alter Auburn NY — Willard Memorial

Attractions

Owasco Lake

Willard Memorial Chapel

Auburn Doubledays MLB.

William Henry Seward Home

Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum

Finger Lakes Drive-In

Dining

Auburn Diner

Ichiban Sushi & Hibachi Japanese Restaurant

Kosta’s Bar & Grill

The Sunset

Oak & Vine at Springside Inn

Breweries & Wineries

🍺 Next Chapter Brew Pub

🍺 Good Shepherds Brewing

🍺 Prison City Pub and Brewery

🍷CJS Vineyards & Aurelius Winery

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Explore Auburn

Auburn offers a full day of immersive experiences. Follow this guide to make the most of your time exploring the city’s rich culture.

Owasco Lake

Owasco Lake is surrounded by farmland, with the city of Aurora located at the north end, 75 minutes from Rochester.

Geneva visitor center cover — Geneva Welcome Center

Historic Route 20 Information Center

🍷Canandaigua Wine Trail

🍷Seneca Lake Wine Trail

🍷Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

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Explore New York’s Finger Lakes Region

The Finger Lakes region is a popular tourist destination, featuring 11 lakes, charming cities and villages, and scenic farmland.

Explore Penn Yan

One hour from Rochester, Penn Yan is a unique day-trip experience due to the significant presence of Old Order Amish and Mennonite communities.

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.

Explore Livingston County

Take a drive through the Livingston County countryside to explore charming village Main Streets, historic districts, nature trails and lakes.

Museums Around Rochester

Rochester is home to world-renowned museums and thought-provoking galleries. You can spend weeks exploring our rich cultural heritage.

Geneva I Love NY Seneca Lake cover — Finger Lakes Welcome Center in Geneva

Where are your favorite day trips along Routes 5 and 20?

Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.

Debi Bower, Day Trips Around Rochester NY

Debi Bower is the founder and creative director of daytrippingroc.com and author of the award-winning book Day Trips Around Rochester, New York.

People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.