Routes 5 and 20 is a beautiful 67-mile stretch of highway where NY-5 and US-20 converge. The path it takes is a foot trail of New York’s first people from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, between the Adirondacks and the Catskills, and over a rolling drumlin field.
Connecting the Town of Avon in the west and the City of Auburn in the east, Routes 5 and 20 pass together through the cities of Canandaigua and Geneva, and the historic hamlet of Seneca Falls.
It’s the perfect northern gateway to the Finger Lakes region, skimming the tops of Canandaigua, Seneca, Cayuga, and Owasco Lakes. In fact, Routes 5 and 20 connect nine of the eleven Finger Lakes, leaving Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes just beyond the eastern junction.
A Suggested Itinerary for Your Routes 5 & 20 Getaway
From Rochester, you could jump on the thruway to get out to Auburn quicker—and that’s totally acceptable. But I recommend driving Routes 5 and 20 from Avon. It’s a sneak-peek of your 3-day trip in reverse. Take note of places you’d like to visit on the way back through or make a spontaneous stop on your way out to Auburn. You may find a great place to watch the sun rise if you hit the road early.
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Day One
Head east on Routes 5 and 20 to spend the afternoon and a night in Auburn.
Lunch
Afternoon
Tour the beautiful Willard Memorial Chapel—an extremely rare example of the work of Louis C. Tiffany and Tiffany Glass and Decoration Co. It is the only complete and unaltered Tiffany chapel known to exist.
Tour the historic William Henry Seward House Museum. Harriet Tubman Home, or wander around downtown Auburn.
Dinner
Evening
Enjoy a sunset stroll at Emerson Park on Otisco Lake.
Catch a show at The Rev Theatre Co. or Public Theater.
Lodging
Spend the night in Auburn at the Inn at the Finger Lakes.
Or, head to the Van Cleef Homestead or camp at Cayuga Lake State Park in Seneca Falls.
Day Two
Spend the day exploring Seneca Falls and Geneva. If you stayed overnight in Auburn, head west on Routes 5 and 20 toward Seneca Falls.
Breakfast
Hunter’s Dinerant in Auburn or Cafe 19 in Seneca Falls
Morning
Take a slow drive through Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and look for migratory waterfowl and nesting eagles.
Lunch
The Gould Hotel in Seneca Falls
Afternoon
Step back in history at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park.
Check out the famous “It’s a Wonderful Life” bridge and museum.
Dinner
Mac’s Drive In in Waterloo or FLX Table in Geneva.
Evening
Take a sunset stroll along the Seneca Lake shoreline. Grab an ice cream on Long Pier.
Lodging
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Geneva Lakefront Resort
Day Three
Spend the day in Geneva, Canandaigua, and Avon as you head toward home.
Breakfast
Water Street Cafe in Geneva
Morning
Take a self-guided walking tour along historic South Main St.
Start driving west on Routes 5 and 20.
In Canandaigua, walk down Canandaigua City Pier and check out the boat houses or rent a kayak. Interesting fact, homeowners are prohibited from actually living in these boathouses—they are for daytime use only.
Lunch
New York Kitchen or Rio Tomatlan.
Afternoon
Spend a few hours at Sonnenberg Gardens.
Dinner
Complete your trip along Routes 5 and 20 in Avon at the Vintage Drive-In with dinner and a double feature.
Destinations West to East:
Cities, Towns, Villages
There is so much to see and experience along historic Routes 5 and 20. These are a few highlights between Avon & Auburn.
Stop for tastings at the region’s wineries, distilleries, and breweries along the drive to create your own souvenir collection!
Avon
Attractions
Avon Driving Park and 5-Arch Bridge
Erie-Attica Rail Trail crossing at the Genesee River
Dining
Breweries & Wineries
Lima
Dining
Bloomfield
Dining
Breweries & Wineries
Canandaigua
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 Routed 5 and 20 in Stanley.
Dining
Breweries & Wineries
🍺 Twisted Rail Brewing (also Geneva)
Geneva
Attractions
Take a walk around Geneva’s historic South Main St. and city center: Seneca St, Main St, Linden St, Castle St.
Dining
Ciccino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
Breweries & Wineries
🍷Belhurst Castle and Estate Winery
Waterloo
Attractions
Dining
Seneca Falls
Attractions
Women’s Rights National Historic Park including the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Wesleyan Chapel.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Dining
Deerhead Lakeside Restaurant & Bar
Penny’s Place Family Restaurant
Breweries & Wineries
🍷Montezuma Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery
🍷Izzo’s White Barn Winery (Cayuga)
Auburn
Attractions
Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum
Dining
Ichiban Sushi & Hibachi Japanese Restaurant
Breweries & Wineries
🍷CJS Vineyards & Aurelius Winery
Official Visitor Guides
The History of the Great Genesee Road
NY-5, also known as Great Genesee Road, Great Western Road, Mohawk Trail, Iroquois Trail, Great Indian Trail, and Seneca Turnpike, was built starting in 1794 by New York State to connect Fort Schuyler (Utica) on the Mohawk Trail and Mohawk River with Canawaugus (Caledonia) on the Genesee River. [source]
It takes on the name “Genesee Street” in some places, “Main Street” in others, and serves as the main street through the towns and villages it passes through.
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Where are your favorite spots along Routes 5 and 20?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!