Canandaigua.
- WHAT TO DO
- WHAT TO SEE
- WHAT TO EAT
- WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
Morning light catches the grey wood of the City Pier boat houses before the first wake breaks across Canandaigua Lake. North along Main Street, the nineteenth century holds firm in heavy brick courthouses and stout Greek Revival porches. You feel the lake at your back everywhere in town, cooling the air and feeding the valley vineyards that produce bone-dry Rieslings and cool-climate reds. Canandaigua is worth visiting if you want historic lakeside architecture paired with serious regional wine and quiet water.
Last updated 5 Sept 2026
Field notes
Photographs · Wikimedia Commons
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What to do in Canandaigua New York United States
Canandaigua anchors the western Finger Lakes around a long, clear glacial basin. The town moves comfortably between the quiet waterfront along Lakeshore Drive and the substantial civic architecture of North Main Street. Days belong to open water, estate walks, and farm-driven tables, suiting travellers who prefer regional wine and architectural weight over crowded resort bustle.
24 hours in Canandaigua New York United States
Start early with coffee along South Main Street before walking the grounds and conservatory at Sonnenberg Gardens. Spend midday at the City Pier checking out the boathouses, followed by a glass of dry Riesling and lunch at New York Kitchen. Finish with sunset views from Kershaw Park's shore. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Canandaigua New York United States
A second day lets you explore the 1816 Granger Homestead in the morning, followed by an afternoon drive along West Lake Road. Stop for tastings at hillside vineyards and head to Cheshire for cider and wood-fired flatbreads before a quiet dinner in the historic downtown. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Canandaigua New York United States
A third day opens up the Bristol Hills. Drive south to hike the waterfall gullies at Grimes Glen in Naples, stop for a slice of local grape pie, and loop back through the valley for craft beer and dinner at a converted grain mill by the old rail line.
Canandaigua New York United States itineraries by interest
Wine & Vineyards in Canandaigua New York United States
Sip bone-dry Finger Lakes Riesling and Cabernet Franc at New York Kitchen tasting rooms or regional family cellars along Route 21.
Historic Architecture in Canandaigua New York United States
Walk Main Street to see the 1858 Ontario County Courthouse where Susan B. Anthony stood trial, alongside intact Federal and Victorian homes.
Gardens & Estates in Canandaigua New York United States
Explore Sonnenberg Gardens, a late-nineteenth-century Queen Anne estate with nine formal gardens, Lord & Burnham greenhouse, and shaded lawns.
Lakeside Life in Canandaigua New York United States
Stroll Kershaw Park's boardwalk and the historic City Pier, where colourful boathouses line the shallow northern edge of the lake.
Local Food in Canandaigua New York United States
Sample regional cheddar, smoked lake trout, and seasonal sweet corn from local farm kitchens and diner counters along South Main.
Regional History in Canandaigua New York United States
Tour the 1816 Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum, home to four generations of prominent post-Revolutionary lawyers and politicians.
Outdoor Recreation in Canandaigua New York United States
Paddle a kayak past the calm water of Squaw Island or launch a sailboat from the north basin for a morning on the open water.
Markets & Produce in Canandaigua New York United States
Browse the summer farmers market for Concord grapes, heritage apples, maple syrup, and baked goods from nearby Ontario County farms.
Brewing & Distilling in Canandaigua New York United States
Taste local pale ales and malt whiskeys at craft taprooms converted from old industrial mills near the historic railway corridor.
Scenic Drives in Canandaigua New York United States
Follow Route 16 south through the Bristol Hills to see steep glacial valleys, roadside apple stands, and sweeping lake lookouts.
Hiking Trails in Canandaigua New York United States
Hike Ontario County Park trails or navigate through the limestone creek beds and shale gullies of nearby Grimes Glen in Naples.
Winter Sports in Canandaigua New York United States
Head twenty minutes south to Bristol Mountain for downhill skiing and snowboarding across thirty-eight trails overlooking the valley.