Need a scenic Finger Lakes escape with lakeside charm and wine trails? Head to Penn Yan! Located at the northern tip of Keuka Lake, Penn Yan offers historic character, vineyard views, and tranquil water access. Whether you’re kayaking, sipping award-winning wine, or exploring Amish markets, Penn Yan is a peaceful yet vibrant small-town getaway in upstate New York.
Penn Yan, NY Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Kayak or paddle Keuka Lake – Rent from local outfitters and enjoy crystal-clear waters and scenic shoreline.
- For History Buffs: Explore the Oliver House Museum – Discover 19th-century life and local heritage in this historic home.
- For Shoppers: Browse the Windmill Farm & Craft Market – A popular weekend destination featuring Amish goods, baked treats, and artisan crafts.
- For Couples: Sip along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail – Enjoy tastings at stunning vineyards like Heron Hill and Keuka Spring Vineyards.
- For Families: Walk or bike the Keuka Outlet Trail – A scenic trail along a historic canal route with waterfalls and wildlife.
When I like to visit Penn Yan, NY
The best time to visit Penn Yan is from May through October. Summer is ideal for boating and wine touring, while fall brings breathtaking foliage and harvest events in the Finger Lakes.
Tips for getting to Penn Yan, NY
- If you are traveling by car: Penn Yan is located on NY-14A, about 1 hour from Rochester and 1.5 hours from Syracuse or Ithaca.
- By Air: The closest airports are Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) and Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM), both about 1–1.5 hours away.
- By Train/Bus: Limited options—driving is the most flexible way to explore the Finger Lakes region.
Where I like to stay in Penn Yan, NY
- Trimmer House Bed & Breakfast – A beautifully restored Victorian home offering cozy accommodations and hearty breakfasts.
- Hampton Inn Penn Yan – Comfortable lakeside hotel with indoor pool, fitness center, and views of Keuka Lake.
- Los Gatos Bed & Breakfast – A peaceful B&B with gardens, home-cooked meals, and countryside charm just outside town.
Best Things to Do in Penn Yan, NY
1. Keuka Spring Vineyards
The Keuka Spring Vineyards is located close to historic Penn Yan and Keuka Lake, just around two miles away from the town’s downtown district. The vineyard offers visitors a selection of delicious wines, as well as beautiful views of the lake. Judy and Len Wiltberger purchased the grounds in the early 1980’s and opened their tasting room to the public in the mid-1980’s. The vineyard itself includes vines of Vignoles, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, and Lemberger.
243 Route 54, East Lake Rd, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-3147
2. Fox Run Vineyards
The Fox Run Vineyards boasts a simple motto: “drink wine, be happy” and strives to make the wines they produce more approachable. Since 1989, this family-owned and operated vineyard and winery has been producing estate wines and aims to be a winery for both the amateur taster and wine connoisseur can enjoy. Wine tastings are offered as flights, typically consisting of five different wines. Visitors can also join a tour of the vineyard, which lasts around forty-five minutes.
670 State Rt. 14, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-4616
3. Anthony Road Wine Company
The Anthony Road Wine Company dedicates itself to making wines that are reflective of the climate and soils of New York’s Finger Lakes Region. The varietal wines produced by the wine company are crafted from the grapes grown in the vineyards managed or owned by the Martini family. Anthony Road Wine Company offers a variety of wines to please nearly any wine palate and is particularly well known for their off-dry and dry Rieslings. Visitors can stop by for tastings in the tasting room, take a walk through the garden, browse the gift shop, and check out the art gallery.
1020 Anthony Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-2182
4. The Arts Center of Yates County
The The Arts Center of Yates County in Penn Wan, New York offers workshops and classes to both children and adults at the Rosenfield Studio, as well as continually changing art exhibits at the Flick Gallery, which showcases a broad assortment of art mediums. The Arts Center also operates a seasonal location known as Sunny Point at the popular Keuka Lake, offering artist retreats and residencies, additional art workshops, and a pottery studio.
127 Main St, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-8226
5. Prejean Winery
Honoring the tradition of making wine that has been handed down from one generation to the next for nearly a thousand years, the Prejean Winery is one of the many wineries found within the Finger Lakes region of New York. Specializing in the grape varieties of Old World Europe, including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. In addition to the varieties, the Prejean Winery has also added a few more unique varietals, such as Vignoles and Marechal Foch.
2634 NY-14, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-7524
6. Rooster Hill Vineyards
Rooster Hill Vineyards is situated within the heart of New York’s beautiful and scenic Finger Lakes Wine Country. The vineyard combines two of the great pleasures in life: wine and scenery. Visitors can experience the timeless landscape of Keuka Lake, featuring brightly flowered meadows and vineyard-draped hills, along with savoring some of the best wines produced in the region. The winery’s expansive porch welcomes guests to sit for a while and relax with a glass of wine, as well as bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a meal “al fresco” with the gorgeous scenery as the backdrop.
489 NY-54, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-4773
7. Red Tail Ridge Winery
The Red Tail Ridge Winery is a winery and 52-acre vineyard situated on the western shores of Seneca Lake. This Finger Lakes winery is named for a pair of nesting hawks who live within the surrounding woods. The Red Tail Ridge Winery is owned and operated by a husband-wine team, one being the winemaker and the other being the viticulturist, in addition to a few other helping hands. The dog-friendly Tasting Room is open to visitors year-round, except for a few holidays.
846 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-4580
8. Apple Barrel Orchards
A family-owned and operated farm in the scenic Penn Yan area of New York, the Apple Barrel Orchards is situated in the middle of the naturally beautiful Finger Lakes Region and has been around since the middle of the 1960’s. The orchard was bought by Roxanne and Bernie Wagner in 1994 and moved to their family farm along Sand Hill Road, which has been in the family now for three generations. This farm today is known as Apple Barrel Orchards and offers guests an opportunity to pick their own fruit that’s in-season, such as apples, cherries, and grapes.
2673 Sand Hill Rd, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-2744
9. Seneca Shore Wine Cellars
The Seneca Shore Wine Cellars also operates as the Medieval Winery of the Finger Lakes, growing, producing, and selling premium wines of New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country. These wines can be tasted and bought in the Tasting Room and visitors can relax with a glass of wine on the deck that overlooks Seneca Lake. The award-winning vineyards of Wine Cellars were established in 1979, producing Gold Medal Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with other vinifera varietals, including Lemberger, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Riesling. There are also fruit wines, Sherry, and Port available.
929 Davy Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527, Phone: 315-536-0882
Where I Like to Eat in Penn Yan, NY
- Union Block Italian Bistro – Popular Italian restaurant with pasta, wood-fired pizza, and a warm ambiance downtown.
- Seneca Farms – Local favorite for fried chicken, burgers, and homemade ice cream with outdoor seating.
- Oak Leaf Café – Charming spot for coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries in a cozy setting.
My favorite local events:
- Windmill Market Saturdays (April–November) – Live music, food, and shopping at this popular outdoor market.
- Keuka Lake Wine Trail Events (Year-round) – Themed tastings, food pairings, and seasonal celebrations at member wineries.
- StarShine Festival (December) – Holiday lights, local shopping, horse-drawn wagons, and Santa visits downtown.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Penn Yan, New York:
- Hammondsport (25–30 min) – Visit the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum and more wineries at the lake’s southern tip.
- Geneva (25 min) – Explore Seneca Lake’s northern shore, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, and more vineyards.
- Dundee (20 min) – Wine tasting at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard or Lamoreaux Landing, plus scenic overlooks.
- Branchport (20 min) – Quiet lakeside town near Keuka Lake State Park, perfect for picnics and hiking.
- Watkins Glen (30 min) – Visit the famous state park with stunning gorge trails or check out racing history at the International Speedway.
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