“Canandaigua feels like the kind of place that remembers your name, even if it’s your first time.” That thought hit me somewhere between a morning stroll through downtown and my second bite of maple-drizzled French toast. Canandaigua is warm in a way that has nothing to do with temperature—it’s in the way shop owners smile, the way the lake catches light just right, and the way old homes seem to nod as you pass. I came for a little lake air and local flavor. I left with flour on my hands from a cooking class, a watercolor tucked into my bag, and a quiet admiration for a town that doesn’t need to shout to be seen.
Best Things to Do in Canandaigua, NY
Downtown Canandaigua
I started in Downtown Canandaigua, where Main Street curved like an invitation. Brick buildings, iron balconies, and hand-painted signs set the tone—this wasn’t a rush-through kind of place. I stopped into a bookstore with creaky floors and a shop that sold nothing but local honey and lavender sachets. On a whim, I bought a jar of lilac-scented hand cream that still reminds me of that morning. “This town smells like spring and feels like a welcome,” I thought, crossing the street to a café where the windows were fogged with laughter and espresso steam.
New York Kitchen Cooking Class
At New York Kitchen, I signed up for a hands-on cooking class not knowing I’d leave with both a new recipe and new friends. The instructor had the kind of warmth that made you forget how sharp the knives were, and we chopped, stirred, and sautéed our way through a menu that celebrated the Finger Lakes’ best. My dish—a pan-seared chicken with local apples and cider glaze—tasted even better knowing I’d made it myself. “Food feels different when you’ve cooked it right where it was grown,” I thought, licking the last bit of sauce off my fork and already planning to try it again at home.
Stroll through the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
Sonnenberg Gardens felt like stepping into another time—and another pace. The Victorian mansion stood proudly at the heart of it all, but it was the gardens that stole the show. Italian, Japanese, rose, and rock gardens, all woven together with fountains, arbors, and paths that made it easy to lose track of time. The sun hit the treetops just right, and for a while, I forgot where I was. “This place breathes beauty,” I thought, sitting beside a lily pond and watching koi ripple the surface like living brushstrokes.
At a Glance
- Drive Time from Rochester, NY: ~40 minutes southeast
- Vibe: Old-world elegance with floral flair
- Highlights: 50-acre estate, themed gardens, restored Victorian home
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for peak blooms
- Cost: Moderate admission; combo mansion + garden ticket recommended
- Tip: Bring a camera and good walking shoes—there’s more to explore than you’ll expect
Go skiing at the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
Even though I wasn’t there in peak ski season, Bristol Mountain Ski Resort still had that quiet hum of mountain energy. The lifts moved in the distance, and the view from the base was all green hills and blue sky. In winter, it’s a popular spot for downhill and Nordic skiing. In summer, the trails trade snow for wildflowers, and the aerial adventure park opens up for climbing, zipping, and rope-walking through the trees. “This mountain shifts with the seasons, but it never stops offering something,” I thought, sipping an iced coffee from the nearby café and listening to the clink of climbing gear in the distance.
Get to a show at CMAC
I didn’t catch a concert at CMAC (Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center) this time, but even walking past it gave me a little spark of summer energy. Nestled in a green stretch near the lake, this open-air amphitheater pulls big names and local talent alike. On a quiet day, it looked like a stage waiting for its story. Locals told me the sound carries all the way to nearby lawns, where you can catch notes drifting in with the breeze. “Even empty, this place feels like music,” I thought, promising myself I’d come back when the lights were on and the crowd was swaying.
Take a guided tour of the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum
Granger Homestead was stately and still, with white columns and wide porches that seemed made for storytelling. Inside, the 19th-century furnishings gave me that creaky-floorboard kind of nostalgia, but it was the Carriage Museum that really pulled me in. Dozens of antique carriages—from elegant coaches to rugged sleighs—stood like time-traveling artifacts, their wheels quietly resting on polished floors. “These weren’t just rides—they were reflections,” I thought, tracing the curves of a velvet-lined buggy and picturing what it must’ve felt like to arrive in one.
Canandaigua Lake
I spent the better part of an afternoon by Canandaigua Lake, one of the eleven Finger Lakes and easily one of the most inviting. I walked along the city pier, watched paddleboarders cruise by, and found a perfect bench near the boathouses to just breathe it all in. Ducks paddled, kids shouted over melting cones, and the water shimmered like it was lit from below. I grabbed lunch at Sand Bar, a lakeside spot where I ordered a grilled trout sandwich with lemon aioli and sweet potato fries. The fish was fresh and flaky, and the breeze carried just enough lake air to make every bite feel earned. “This is what lake days are made of,” I thought, watching a pontoon drift lazily toward open water.
Admire historical objects at the Ontario County Historical Society
The Ontario County Historical Society surprised me with how deeply it cared about the little things. The exhibits weren’t massive, but they were personal—Civil War letters, local business histories, antique tools, and portraits that watched you like they still had opinions. One corner recreated a Victorian-era parlor, and I caught myself reaching out to touch the worn arm of a velvet chair. “History hits different when it’s this close to home,” I thought, scribbling notes beside a map that showed the changing footprint of Canandaigua since the 1800s.
Take the kids to Lincoln Hill Farms
Lincoln Hill Farms was part working farm, part event space, and part sunset magic. I arrived in the golden hour, when everything glowed—rows of hops, the pond, the string lights strung over picnic tables. There was a live band warming up onstage, and the scent of fresh pizza wafted from the food truck. I wandered past goats and sunflowers, grabbed a lemonade, and settled in under a wooden pergola. “If relaxation had coordinates, this would be it,” I thought, tapping my foot to the music and watching families dance in the grass.
Stop by the Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery
The Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery was intimate, airy, and full of light—and not just from the windows. Local artists’ works filled the space with emotion: watercolor landscapes, bold abstracts, delicate line work. I talked briefly with one of the artists who’d just dropped off a new piece. “It’s a community here,” she said, and I could see what she meant. The gallery wasn’t just a place to show art—it was a place that believed in it. “This town doesn’t just frame beauty—it supports the people who make it,” I thought, lingering in front of a moody lake scene that somehow felt exactly like the sky outside.
Have lunch at Simply Crepes Cafe - Canandaigua
I wrapped up my visit at Simply Crêpes Café, tucked just off Main Street, where breakfast lasted all day and every table smelled like vanilla and cinnamon. I ordered the apple crisp crêpe—warm sautéed apples, cinnamon sugar, and a caramel drizzle over paper-thin folds of crêpe, with a scoop of vanilla bean cream on the side. The first bite made me pause. The apples were soft but not mushy, the sauce rich without being cloying. “This is what comfort food tastes like when it’s proud of itself,” I thought, sipping a hot coffee and watching late sun stretch through the front windows.
Best Time to Visit Canandaigua, NY
After years of visits, I’ve found the sweet spot is from late spring through early fall (May–October). You’ll get lake weather, winery patios, and outdoor concerts in summer. I’m partial to fall for the foliage and harvest festivals—it’s pure Finger Lakes magic. Winter slows things down, but if you’re craving snowy charm and cozy retreats, I say lean into it. I’ve done it—and it’s lovely.
How to Get to Canandaigua, NY
- If you’re traveling by car: I usually drive in from Rochester—it’s only about 30 minutes. You’re also looking at 1.5 hours from Buffalo or Syracuse, and the route is scenic either way.
- By Plane: I fly into Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), then it’s an easy 40-minute drive southeast. I’ve always found it smooth and convenient.
- By Train: Amtrak drops you in Rochester, and I’ve rented a car from there. You can also grab a rideshare and be lakeside in under an hour.
Where to Stay in Canandaigua, NY
- The Lake House on Canandaigua – I treated myself to a stay here and it was unforgettable. You’ll get spa vibes, fine dining, and views that make you want to stay on the balcony all day.
- Bed & Breakfast at Oliver Phelps – I’ve recommended this to friends who love historic charm. You’ll wake up to a gourmet breakfast and feel right at home.
- Holiday Inn Express Canandaigua – I’ve stayed here when I had events at CMAC—super convenient, clean, and perfect if you’re traveling with family or on a tighter schedule.
Final Thoughts
Canandaigua isn’t just a lakeside stop—it’s a rhythm you slip into. It offers beauty without flash, creativity without pretense, and flavors that somehow taste like the land they came from. I arrived looking for a peaceful getaway and left with flour-dusted fingers, new art in my bag, and the feeling that this town knows exactly who it is. Whether you come to hike, ski, taste, or just breathe deep by the water, Canandaigua welcomes you the way all great towns should—with open arms and something fresh on the stove.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Stroll through the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
- • Go skiing at the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
- • Get to a show at CMAC
- • Take a guided tour of the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum
- • Canandaigua Lake
- • Admire historical objects at the Ontario County Historical Society
- • Take the kids to Lincoln Hill Farms
- • Stop by the Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery
- • Canandaigua Boat Houses
- • Have lunch at Simply Crepes Cafe - Canandaigua