Itinerary for Arts & Culture

• Start your day off with a visit to the Arts Center of Yates County. Located in the charming village of Penn Yan right on the Main Street, this center showcases the work of local artists and hosts various events and workshops on site and at their lakeside location, Sunny Point. Take part in one of their art classes or simply browse the diverse collection of art on display.
• In addition or alternartively, take your artistic eye for a stroll down Main Street Penn Yan and pick up a great piece to take home! Potter’s Gallery and the Art Studio @ 126 Main have everything from clay sculptures, to mosaics, to jewelry pieces that are both eye-catching and locally-made. Staving Artist features handcrafted pieces that combine the elegance of fine woodwork with the rustic allure of reclaimed wine barrels
• Venture out and take a drive to Middlesex to visit the Rochester Folk Art Guild. For over 50 years, Guild artisans have been producing fine crafts including pottery, woodworking, weaving, natural fiber clothing and folk toys. Residents live on-site year-round, sharing meals and working together in a community setting in an effort to live more sustainably.

Taste local Finger Lakes wine at artsy and culture forward establishments 

• Wine is art and winemaking is pure craftsmanship, which is why the art and wine scene can collaborate so easily. Stop for a wine tasting at Scout Vineyards on Seneca Lake. Take notice of their labels that are designed by a different local artist for each vintage. Both wine and art bring people together, and they have molded the two together in a way that is meaningful and fun.
• Grab lunch from Seneca Stag Brewing or Tabora Farm & Winery
• After lunch, head to Apollo’s Praise, a newer winery, but the owners and winemaking duo, Kelby and Julia, aren’t newbies to making cool-climate wines in the Finger Lakes. During warmer months, tastings take place in their seasonal tasting barn. In the winter, you can book a tasting in their farmhouse. Their love for music and art is obvious when you spend any time here, so that’s why they landed a spot in this itinerary!

• Start off your second day by heading to the Yates County History Center in Penn Yan. Consisting of three museum buildings including the Oliver House Museum, Caroline Underwood Museum and Scherer Carriage House Museum, the center is one of the oldest in NYS, has been actively collecting, preserving and interpreting history since 1860. Its collections of over 50,000 artifacts date from the mid 1700s and include magnificent costumes, an impressive 6,000 digital images, and the foremost collection of The Public Universal Friend artifacts in the United States.
• Take a self-guided walking tour of the Penn Yan Historic Downtown District & Birkett Mills. A National Register district with 65 acres and 281 structures spanning from the 1820s to 1920s. A Main Street audio tour is available, all you need is a map and smart phone! Pick up the map from the History Center or Yates County Visitor’s Center. Birkett Mills has been continuously operating since 1797 in Penn Yan, making the town the “buckwheat capital of the US”.
• Consider venturing to our neighboring county of Steuben to visit the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, located on Keuka Lake. This unique museum showcases the rich history of boating in the Finger Lakes region, with a focus on antique and classic boats. Take a guided tour or enjoy a leisurely stroll through their outdoor displays. Learn more about the Penn Yan Boat Company here.
• While in the Hammondsport area, make a stop at the Glenn Curtiss Museum. Dedicated to the memory of the pioneer aviator, Glenn Curtiss began his career as a builder of bicycles and then, motorcycles. In 1907 he became the ”fastest man on earth” when he attained a speed of 136.4 MPH on his V8 powered motorcycle. The museum contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation and regional history, as well as a 75-seat theater, large open area for special events, museum store, and Restoration Shop.

After a day of expanding your mind, expand your palette with dinner at Main Deck Restaurant. This lakefront restaurant was inspired by the sporting and boating heritage of the picturesque American Finger Lakes region and pays homage to the 20^th Century Penn Yan Boat Company and the integral role that the region played as a major lake port for commerce and shipping. Their menu is known for its “fresh ingredients prepared with fresh ideas” and creative cocktail concoctions.

Experience fresh air… and fresh flavors.

• Start your final day with a visit to the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail. This scenic trail follows an abandoned railroad bed and offers stunning views of waterfalls, gorges, and historic buildings that traces the 19th-century industrial corridor between Keuka and Seneca Lakes. It transitioned from  a water-powered hub for milling and canal system to a railroad before becoming the popular multi-use recreational trail it is today. This four-season trail offers experiences in any season—take a leisurely walk or winter hike, snowshoe the trail, or bring a bike for a more active experience.

If you have additional time or days, here are some other attractions, activities and businesses not to miss that we recommended.

• In the Spring, Summer, and Fall, experience creativity in the form of custard at Spotted Duck! The only duck egg custard in the country, guests can order a flight to try all of their unique and ever-changing flavors of this tasty treat.
• On Saturdays from the end of April to the beginning of November, the Windmill Farm & Craft Market features nearly 200 merchants of local artisans, producers, and farmers.
• Capture beautiful photos at Garrett Memorial Chapel, a Gothic-Revival style chapel that sits on the bluff overlooking Keuka Lake. Grounds are open daily from April-November.
• Visit or participate in a program or event at Saunders Finger Lakes Museum. As a showcase of the cultural heritage and ecological evolution of the Finger Lakes, the museum plays a vital role in cultivating cultural intrigue of this region. Check out their website for upcoming events and programs. The new main exhibit building is under construction and plans to open in the spring of 2027.