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Canandaigua to Sodus

Finger Lakes & A Great Lake

tours-map-sodus

(3 Days)

DAY 1

Start your day with a visit to the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua, where you can tour the mansion, conservatory, themed gardens and visit the Wine Center for tastings of wines made from New York State grapes. 

The New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua is a perfect setting to learn about NY's bountiful agricultural and wine industry. You can enjoy a meal or drinks in the Upstairs Bistro, take a class and visit the Tasting Room to try wine, beer and spirits from all over the state. Just around the corner at the Canandaigua City Pier is a fantastic picture spot looking down Canandaigua Lake.  Consider an evening out on the lake and book a cruise aboard the Canandaigua Lady, a replica of a 19th-century paddlewheel boat that offers breathtaking views of the hillsides surrounding the lake. You could spend the night at the nearby Inn on the Lake or Bristol Harbour Resort for an overlook of Canandaigua, with all the amenities including an 18-hole championship golf course.

DAY 2

Drive along an Authentic American Road; Rtes 5 and 20 converge and take you along scenic farms, rolling hills, by antique shops, and through quaint towns. Livingston County is home to the only two undeveloped Finger Lakes, Hemlock and Canadice State Forests, with no shoreline development and the splendor is all about the fall foliage. This is a place to rest, enjoy the outdoors, and imagine what the Finger Lakes were like when Native Americans first lived here. 

Continue driving west along the route and stop at an iconic New York ‘burger joint,' Tom Wahl's. In its original location on Routes 5 and 20 since 1955, this is the place for a burger, fries and home-made rootbeer. Take Rte 36 north to Mumford to visit the Genesee Country Village and Museum. Here you'll enjoy a unique look at the history of the Finger Lakes area with a collection of historic buildings from the region, all situated in one spot with guides dressed in period costumes. 

A bit further north, take I-490 east into the city of Rochester for an afternoon visit to the mansion and gardens of the George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography and Film or the treasure trove of toys, miniatures and dolls at the National Museum
of Play
.

Visit Artisan Works, a huge and unique art-related space occupying several interconnected warehouses and other buildings - including the roof! You can find over 40,000 pieces of art ­- sculptures, paintings, prints, cartoons, photographs, furniture, and everything in between. Visit the website or call 585/288-7170 for a schedule of events.

DAY 3

Head north and east on Rte 104 along Lake Ontario and drive through miles of apple orchards. Stop at u-pick markets, like the Lagoner Farms in Williamson or Burnap's Farm Market in Sodus and enjoy freshly picked produce as you view nature's landscapes. 

Continue on Rte 104 to the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum.  The historic lighthouse is a three story stone block structure.  The first floor is dedicated to Maritime and Regional history.  Climb the 52 circular steps into the lens room to see the beautiful vista East along the Lake Ontario shoreline.  Plan to lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants and leave time to stroll along the beach.  

APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 120 miles

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