Canandaigua is one of the busiest cities in New York. It has a reputation for agricultural assets, summer homes, businesses, and beautiful scenery.
Let us then consider some of the best and most fun things to do in Canandaigua (NY).
Things To Do In Canandaigua (NY)
Without further adieu, here is a list of some of the best and most fun things to do in Canandaigua (NY):
1. A Visit To Lincoln Hill Farms
Visitors can enjoy live music from Thursday to Sunday, but Sunday is also a special free family day from June to August. The attraction includes a small petting zoo, a silo bar with 36 beers on tap, a 200-seat entertainment area, a 6,000-square-foot tent for 400 people, a sunflower field, vegetable, hemp, and flower gardens, and hops.
There is also a glamping pitch. There is something for everyone at this incredible farm.
2. Bristol Mountain Ski Resort Adventure
You should book recommendations before traveling to the Resort. An adventure experience at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort is one of the fun things to do in Canandaigua, New York.
The tracks are mountain biking, downhill skiing, and cross-country skiing. The types of trails provide skiers and riders of all skill levels with something to do.
There are also chairlifts and slopes in the recreation area. The Resort is also worth a visit during the summer as it has a zipline course, high hopes course, and a children’s adventure park.
3. Have A Beer
Visitors have access to the tasting room seven days a week, where they can enjoy a variety of locally brewed beers, fill a growler, or select a keg for events.
On weekends, visitors get tours of the brewery with demonstrations of the brewing process.
BBL Microbrewery and Tasting Room are a must-visit in Canandaigua, New York if you are a beer lover.
4. Rio Tomatlan
The restaurant is quite inviting with its attractive decoration and beautiful terrace. The restaurant focuses on authentic Mexican food and cocktails made with fresh and seasonal ingredients and spices from small Mexican producers in the region.
In addition to food, guests can enjoy a wide selection of refreshing Mexican tequilas and mezcals. It occasionally hosts live music, themed dinners, and other special events. Individuals and groups can also reserve spaces for various private events.
5. Roseland Bowl
The bowling alley has unique features such as automatic scoring, custom gutter bumpers, and synthetic lanes.
There is Annie’s Café and a sports bar where visitors can get some snacks and drinks on site. Roseland Bowl also has space for private events. Having fun at this family entertainment center is one of the fun things to do in Canandaigua, NY. You cannot afford to miss a visit to the Roseland Bowl.
6. Satisfy Cravings
Sweet Expressions is the perfect place to satisfy your cravings. Their chocolates are made to order and mostly freshly made, to the point that you can smell their sweet aroma from the entrance.
The chocolates then receive festive patterns and new shapes. The staff at Sweet Expressions is always available to assist you if needed.
7. Canandaigua Farmers Market
Farmer’s Markets come from local farms and gardens and offer locally grown goods such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, flowers, and meat.
Each vendor is responsible for selling only their own products, and since all products come directly from the farm, all products in the market are undoubtedly fresh.
At the market, visitors can interact with locals and vendors to make new friends and get recipes for indigenous foods. Do not hesitate to add this place to your itinerary.
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8. Tour Of The Sonnenberg Gardens
Visitors can tour the place and view its antique items and furniture. During the summer months, the attraction hosts, among other things, evening concerts and afternoon teas. Sonnenberg Gardens is home to the Finger Lakes Wine Center, which tastes and sells fine wines from more than 40 New York wineries.
9. Kitchen In New York
The lovely restaurant has a casual setting with outdoor and indoor seating overlooking the lake.
New York Kitchen offers hands-on cooking classes that teach visitors how to prepare various dishes.
10. Canandaigua’s Cheshire Farms Creamery
The destination is known for its homemade ice cream made from local dairy products. The ice cream has about 20 flavors to choose from; however, the offer is dynamic.
Creamery offers a range of non-dairy Dole whips. Cheshire Farms Creamery also has a cafe that offers sandwiches, a variety of fresh baked goods from the in-house bakery, and delicious locally roasted coffee.
11. Visit The German Restaurant Rheinblick
The German restaurant Rheinblick offers delicious authentic German food in a live setting with Bavarian music.
The restaurant serves German desserts and drinks, including bottled/can beer, draft beer, and white and red wines.
The restaurant serves dishes like pork steak: tender, lightly breaded, and sautéed in butter.
12. Attend An Event At Premier CMAC
During the events, there are various food and drink trucks, so you don’t have to worry about where to eat. Patrons can enjoy their drinks on the Corona-themed outdoor patio on the lawn. On request, you can purchase tickets to the VIP tent with a private bar and complimentary refreshments.
The center offers 10,000 seats on the meadow and 5,000 covered seats for various performances and events. The entertainment center has featured renowned musical artists and famous acts, including Lady Antebellum, Snoop Dogg, Kenny Chesney, The Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan, and Kid Rock.
13. Read About The History
This history museum is one of the best places to learn about the history of Canandaigua.
The museum houses more than 100 antique sleighs, carriages, and farm equipment.
It is a great place for antique lovers. You can take a self-guided tour of the beautiful gardens and surroundings of the museum.
14. Kershaw Park
The stunning park features lake frontage that offers incredible views, grassy grounds, a new beach, sparsely spaced trees, picnic tables, a small craft launch area, a children’s playground, pavilions, a bathhouse, and a public marina with a boat pump, outside the station.
This park is a popular place for families to enjoy swimming, boating, and kayaking. There is a kayak launch if you want to check out the shores of Canandaigua Lake and Lagoon Park.
15. Explore The Jeanne Beck Gallery And Studio
If you want to explore your creativity and want to learn to paint, Jeanne offers private painting lessons. Private painting lessons are also open to artists of other levels. The gallery and studio are currently available by appointment only.
The artworks on display at the Jeanne Beck Gallery and Studio are stunning mixed media creations, large-scale installations, and paintings created by the gallery owner.
Their works are visual media that convey knowledge about creativity, human experience, and context.
Occasionally, the gallery hosts free and paid workshops covering various areas of storytelling, painting, mixed media creation, and consumables.
16. Canandaigua Lake
You can explore Canandaigua lake by kayak or canoe at sites near the town, fishing boats to the outer shores, and use the Canandaigua Lady steamboat for sightseeing cruises.
You can fish in the lake as Canandaigua, and New York is teeming with freshwater games such as bass, trout, pike, and panfish.
Canandaigua lake is the primary source of drinking water for Canandaigua residents and is also used to irrigate neighboring farmland.
17. Richard P. Outhouse Memorial Park
Richard P. Outhouse Memorial Park has a fitness center, especially for seniors, and a paved walking trail that leads to scenic wooded areas.
Children have a large playground just for them. The court has a soft leather covering so that no one gets hurt.
Adults can relax on the benches scattered around the park while their children are on the playground.
You could even spot some of the animals and birds living next to it. The park’s enclosed hall and outdoor pavilion are available to rent to the public for several social events.
18. Simply Cafe Crepes
Simply Crepes Cafe offers handcrafted salads, side dishes, and crepes in a warm, inviting atmosphere, though they offer off-season dining.
You have access to the restaurant throughout the week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except for Sundays, when only a special brunch buffet and made-to-order crepes are available.
They make all meals from fresh local ingredients, and the chicken used is hormone- and antibiotic-free. Seasonally, the menu changes to reveal local farmers and different tastes. On request, customers can also have lactose- and gluten-free pancakes.
19. Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery
A signature feature of the Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery is multi-session classes and one-day workshops in Studio II, delivered by experienced local artists.
Classes are in various art disciplines such as drawing, multimedia, painting, pastels, etc. An art class at the Pat Rini Rohrer Art Gallery is one of the best things to do in Canandaigua.
Visitors can see a variety of artist styles and mediums, such as oil and watercolor paintings, fascinating sculptures, hand-blown glass, jewelry, and ceramics.
The gallery also sells quality oil painting materials, including good oil brushes, Raymar painting panels, Gambian oils, and various painting media.
20. Canandaigua Lakefront Art Show
The Show features more than 70 vendors who display and sell paintings, jewelry, sculpture, prints, handmade furniture, and glassware.
You will be amazed to find rare artifacts and items unique to the city. If you are not interested in buying anything, you can walk along the trails and enjoy the view.
There will also be live music for everyone to enjoy. Admission to the Art Show is free. If you happen to be in town during the Show, be sure to attend.
21. Ontario County Historical Society
The History Museum’s exhibits include a wide variety of artifacts organized into themes related to Western New York roots. If you want to do some research, their staff are always ready to help, but you should book an appointment in advance.
The museum is accessible all year round.
The Ontario County Historical Society also offers an education room to host educational programs monthly during the spring, fall, and winter.
22. Wakeboarding
New riders are also encouraged to book training lessons in advance.
Roseland Wake Park offers a complete cable system and wakeboarding ramps. Wakeboarders of all levels are welcome as there are 2-tower cable training systems to help beginners learn wakeboarding quickly and help amateurs progress in the sport. Professionals are sure to have an adventurous and exciting time.
Wake Park’s systems can pull up to nine riders at a time and propel riders directly to the great tracks and ramps throughout the park. However, visitors must make a reservation before visiting.
23. Drink Wine And Beer
Visitors can also participate in wine and beer workshops to learn about New York wine and beer.
Junior Chef courses are for children, where they can learn to make pizza, pasta, and biscuits from scratch. A large percentage of all ingredients used come from a local farm in New York State.
Frequently Asked Question
What are the top attractions to visit in Canandaigua?
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
Kershaw Park
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
Canandaigua City Pier
CMAC
What are the most popular things to do in Canandaigua with kids?
Kershaw Park
Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures
Canandaigua City Pier
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum
Is Canandaigua worth visiting?
Canandaigua is a beautiful vacation spot known for its historic downtown district.
What is Canandaigua New York known for?
Canandaigua is best known for its tourism assets, thriving downtown business section, beautiful residential neighborhoods.
What is there to do in Canandaigua in the winter?
Some things to do in Canandaigua during winter are;
Play in the snow.
Ice skate at Canandaigua Lake.
Go skiing in the Finger Lakes.
Glide down a mountain snow tubing.
Explore Cumming Nature Center.
Can you swim in Canandaigua Lake?
Before swimming in a natural body of water, it is important to note how rough the waters are.
Can you drive around Canandaigua Lake?
Yes, you can drive around the entire lake in 60 minutes.
Is Canandaigua a nice place to live?
Canandaigua is a safe, lakeside community that is a regional leader in culture, and commerce.
Is Canandaigua a good place to retire?
Canandaigua is among the list of the top ten places to retire.
What can you do in Canandaigua for free?
Finger Lakes Wine Center
Canandaigua City Pier
Deep Run Beach
Ontario County Historical Society
Conclusion
Canandaigua (NY) is a great destination where anyone can have a great moment. You can choose to hang out, swim, grab a beer, and many more.