Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park

Details

Just a few blocks from downtown Canandaigua, Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park offers visitors a peaceful escape into one of the most beautiful historic estates in the Finger Lakes. Spanning 50 acres of landscaped gardens, historic buildings, and majestic trees, Sonnenberg is one of only two public gardens in the entire New York State Parks system.

The estate was created during the Gilded Age by Frederick Ferris Thompson and Mary Clark Thompson, who built Sonnenberg—meaning “Sunny Hill” in German—as their Victorian summer home. Today, the property remains one of the few surviving Country Place Era estates in the United States, offering a rare glimpse into the elegance and design of America’s late-19th-century country retreats.

Visitors can wander through flower-filled themed gardens from around the world, relax beneath the trees, or explore the magnificent Queen Anne–style mansion that once served as the Thompsons’ summer residence. Highlights of the estate include the Japanese Garden and traditional teahouse, intricate garden statuary, and the historic Lord & Burnham Greenhouse Complex, which showcases the horticultural innovations of the era.

Whether you're touring the mansion, photographing the gardens, attending seasonal events, or enjoying a quiet picnic, Sonnenberg offers a serene setting that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Although Sonnenberg operates as part of the New York State Parks system, it is maintained by an independent nonprofit organization. The estate relies on visitor admissions, memberships, events, donations, gift and wine sales, and grants to preserve the gardens and historic structures while keeping the property open to the public.

Estate Highlights

50-acre historic estate and gardens
Gilded Age Victorian summer home of Frederick Ferris and Mary Clark Thompson
Themed gardens of the world, including a Japanese Garden and Teahouse
Historic Lord & Burnham Greenhouse Complex
Queen Anne–style mansion tours
Seasonal events, programs, and garden experiences

This location is also a part of the Finger Lakes Virtual Museum!

Nearby Attractions

Rio Tomatlan – authentic Mexican restaurant with a menu rich in color, taste, and history
Crown Jewelry – family owned and operated jewelry store
Pickering Farms – quality locally grown beef and fresh eggs daily
Onanda Park – scenic lakeside park with cabins, hiking trails, and swimming access