NEWSLETTER
From July 19–20, 1848, a group of 300 women and 42 men came together in Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls for the first-ever women's rights convention in the U.S. They began laying the groundwork for what would lead to women's suffrage in New York in 1917, three years before the nation followed. It has been over 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The Wesleyan Chapel stands at the corner of Fall and Mynderse streets, anchoring a charming strip in a Finger Lakes town that makes for a perfect weekend getaway.
Originally published 03/20/2020
FRIDAY
3 pm: Get Lunch at Downtown Deli
This popular lunch spot is famous for its intimidatingly huge sandwiches with names like Balboa, Old Blue Eyes, and Drama Queen. For movie buffs, there’s a dedicated section of the menu called “It’s A Wonderful Life Panini Sandwiches” featuring items like “The George Bailey” (Hot Roast Beef, Melted Swiss, Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Red Onions & Horseradish Sauce on Grilled Sourdough Bread.) Plan to split the whole sandwich or just order half if you’re flying solo.
5 pm: Check in to the Gould Hotel
Check into the historic Gould Hotel—which dates back to 1920, but is definitely not stuck in the past. The chic rooms, complete with a chandelier above every comfy bed, have a decidedly boutique vibe with high ceilings, purple-and-gray accents, and dark hardwood floors. After you settle in, head to the Gould’s dining room for delicious and wide-ranging fare like roasted duck breast, fried eggplant caponata, ahi tuna, and garlic cream tortellini.
7:30 pm: Toast to a Good Night
After dinner, swing by the hotel bar to enjoy a drink from the extensive menu of craft cocktails, wine and beer with the locals (the staff is quick with a recommendation). If you’d rather get out for a drink, check out Parker's On Fall, a local watering hole just a one minute walk from the hotel, or Fall Street Brewing for craft beers, kombucha, and wood-fired pizza.
SATURDAY
9 am: Grab Breakfast at Penny’s Place
Take a quick drive (or a pleasant 30-minute stroll) over to Penny’s Place, which serves classic and kid-friendly diner fare like omelets and pancakes. TripAdvisor users have rated it one of the top places to eat in Seneca Falls.
10 am: Explore the National Women’s Rights Historic Park
The National Women’s Rights Historic Park isn’t a single park, but rather a collection of historic sites in Seneca Falls and the surrounding communities that includes Wesleyan Chapel, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, and the M'Clintock House. Stop by the Visitor’s Center for tour schedules, maps, and brochures. Also check out sculptor Lloyd Lillie's "The First Wave" installation, featuring life-size bronze statues of key figures at the First Women's Rights Convention, and the Waterwall at Declaration Park, a 100-foot long bluestone water feature inscribed with the words of the Declaration of Sentiments.
12 pm: Get Lunch at Cafe 19
This locally-loved café offers fresh items like homemade soups, salads, and inventive sandwiches in a stylish space decorated with modern portraits of trailblazing women’s suffrage activists like Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a tribute to the region's history. With indoor and outdoor seating, a rotating seasonal menu, and options for every dietary need, Café 19 has something for everyone!
1 pm: Visit the It’s A Wonderful Life Museum
It’s widely believed that Seneca Falls was the inspiration for the fictional town of Bedford Falls in the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life. This charming collection features items from and related to the film and its cast members, Richard Goodson and Karolyn Grimes, and includes international movie posters and information on Donna Reed’s peace activism during the Vietnam era.
2 pm: Discover the National Women’s Hall of Fame
Credit: @wheelerphotography on Instagram
Trailblazing American women from Anne Hutchinson to Oprah Winfrey and beyond are honored in this info-packed hall where visitors can read the impressive biographies of some of the most important figures in American History. It’s inspiring stuff, and kids will love leaving a note about women who have inspired their own lives.
4 pm: Shop and Play at DestinyUSA
Syracuse is just about 45 minutes from Seneca Falls, so check out this ever-expanding fun-plex. Among its dozens of shopping, food, and entertainment options, DestinyUSA includes fun activities like go-karts, a mirror maze, and the “amusement park for the mind,” WonderWorks, where you can lie on a bed of nails, experience hurricane-force winds, and more. Or challenge your children’s mental and physical skills at Trombi’s Tower, DestinyUSA’s 5-stage obstacle course enclosed in transparent walls! (Ages 5-12)
7pm: Dinner at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
While in Syracuse, stop by Dinosaur Bar-B-Que's original location on Willow Street, arguably the city’s most famous foodie stop featuring a menu full of BBQ favorites from Prime brisket and St. Louis ribs to pulled pork and smoked wings.
SUNDAY
9 am: Walk the Canal
Credit: @life.adventure.exposure on Instagram
After breakfast at the hotel, head out for a walk around town. The Cayuga–Seneca Canal—down the hill across from the hotel—makes for a lovely stroll, and there are benches along the way to stop and take in the scene (and snap some pictures). Across the canal, the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Center for Great Women, formerly the site of the Seneca Knitting Mill. Right next to the building, you’ll see what’s known by locals as Bailey Bridge, the very crossing said to have inspired the events in It’s a Wonderful Life.
11 am: Visit the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1938, this Seneca Falls-based wildlife refuge spans over 9,000 acres of marsh, forest, and grassland habitats. It’s home to 242 bird species, 43 mammals, 15 reptiles, and 16 amphibians, with populations fluctuating by season. Located along a major migratory bird path on the East Coast, the refuge attracts hundreds of thousands of birds!
2 pm: Raise a Glass to Your Trip
When in the Finger Lakes, you need to sample wine! Head to the Thirsty Owl, part of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, just 20 minutes outside of Seneca Falls. Grab lunch at their Bistro (check website for hours) with crowd-pleasing options like truffle parm french fries, fresh fried mozzarella balls, sandwiches, and hot entrees like chicken riggies and lobster mac and cheese. The Bistro also serves fresh desserts prepared daily. Taking in views of beautiful Cayuga Lake will be the perfect cap to your weekend. (And don’t forget to pick up a few bottles before you head home.)
GETTING THERE
By Car:
From Albany: 3 hours
From Buffalo: 2 hours
From NYC: 5 hours
From Philadelphia: 5 hours
From Cleveland: 5 hours
From Montreal: 5 hours
From Boston: 5 hours, 45 minutes
Closest Airports:
Syracuse Hancock International Airport: 1 hour
Frederick Douglass–Greater Rochester International Airport: 1 hour
By Train:
Amtrak to Syracuse or Rochester