Explore Cayuga County and the Finger Lakes Region of New York to combine your love of the outdoors with your love of farm to table cuisine and boutique wines. Take scenic drives exploring the family-owned vineyards and wineries filling up on delectable and wholesome food. As much as we’d love the flavors of the Finger Lakes all day, we must fill other times of our day and what better way to do that than by getting out on one of Cayuga County’s eight lakes. We boast the most freshwater coastline in New York State, so the opportunity to get your toes wet are endless.
Fishing, no matter whether you like to fish for salmon, trout, bass, panfish, walleye, or northern pike, quality fishing for each of exists in Cayuga County. Lake Ontario is renowned for world class salmon fishing. The combination of outdoor adventure with food and wine will make you want to make an annual pilgrimage to Cayuga County’s waters for the fabulous fishing. If dry land is more up your alley, Cayuga County offers an impressive variety of places to get in touch with nature and pump fresh air into our lungs while exploring new spots. Spread throughout the county there are trails for every experience level, from tame, groomed walking trails to steeper trails leading to waterfalls. Experience Fillmore Glenn State Park and enjoy an invigorating walk to enjoy finding five waterfalls along the way.
Wander through small towns and beautiful county roads throughout the county. We take the saying ‘take the scenic route’ pretty seriously here in the Finger Lakes, since there often isn’t any other choice! The winding roads through charming small towns and villages are the perfect escape for recharging or reconnecting. The village of Aurora, for example is a village that defines the word quaint; enjoy a leisurely stroll along the main drag for shops like the Village Market and eateries like the 1833 Kitchen & Bar. And no drive through Aurora is complete without a stop at MacKenzie-Childs. Browse their collections of ceramics, furniture and gifts. Or head north by Lake Ontario to the village of Fair Haven. The Community Arts Center and South Shore Artisans and the Doc Gallery all on Main Street provide an opportunity to shop from local artisans or take part of the action yourself, they have an artistic outlet for anyone working on nearly any medium. The town and landscape are another bonus if you’re an outdoor person! From the Sterling Nature Center to Fair Haven Beach State Park and the very walkable village sidewalks, plus the boat marinas, there is no shortage of adventures to be had outdoors.
Dotted throughout Cayuga County are award-winning culinary experiences and welcoming wineries specializing in hand-crafted wine and stunning views. We’ve got farm-to-table eateries and cooking classes with renowned chefs that give you exclusive access you can’t experience anywhere else. Throw in farm stands and farmer’s markets as far as the eye can see and you have a winning destination. Many of the local establishments boast their farm-to-table menus with the focus on local produce, but by no means think that that makes them all the same. The creative chefs and staff at these eateries are inspired differently by our region’s bounty. The variety and distinctive menus will have you rethinking the term “home-cooking”. Many great things come from visiting and shopping farmer’s markets and small farm businesses. There are places where you can mingle and meet the locals, get to know the people growing your food and supporting the local economy and the hard-working individuals and families that make their living by cultivating the foods we enjoy.
Exploring Cayuga County through scenic routes, or by water will leave you wanting more. This is a destination with the making of family traditions through the generations, come and explore and know we’ll be waiting to host you again.
