Atrractions in City of Geneva

Attractions

There are several scenic and historic sites in the Geneva area which draw the attention of tourists and residents alike.

The Prouty-Chew Museum is located on historic South Main Street and serves as the headquarters for the Geneva Historical Society. The 1825 Federal-style building contains period rooms, an archive library, and exhibition galleries. A walking tour of the South Main Street Historic District is also available.

The Smith Opera House for the Performing Arts is located on Seneca Street in downtown Geneva. Originally constructed in 1894, the Opera House is a large Victorian-era structure which stands as a symbol of the City's devotion to the performing arts. The ASmith@ is open year-round for films and live performances. It has a 40' x 30' movie screen and a seating capacity of 1,400. The building has received national recognition for its excellent acoustics.

Rose Hill Mansion is located on Route 96A, just southeast of Geneva. The 21-room mansion was built in 1838 and is one of America's most distinguished Greek Revival-style houses. The interior of the mansion is furnished in the elegant Empire Style and reflects the social and cultural environment that prevailed in Geneva during the 1840s. The mansion has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

The Mike Weaver Drain Tile Museum is located at the corner of Route 96A and East Lake Road, near Rose Hill Mansion. The museum displays approximately 350 drain tiles dating from 100 B.C. It is located in the 1821 home of John Johnston, who introduced drain tiling to America in 1838.

The Women's Rights National Historical Park and the National Women's Hall of Fame are located in Seneca Falls. The Historical Park contains exhibits on the first Women's Rights Convention in 1848 and is the former home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. (568-2991). The Hall of Fame honors and celebrates the achievements of extraordinary women from Abigail Adams to Billie Jean King. It features displays and exhibits about women inducted into the Hall and women's history.

Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion are located in Canandaigua. The 50-acre Victorian estate has nine formal gardens including rose, Italian, Japanese, moonlight, colonial, and rock. There is also a greenhouse complex and garden restaurant. The mansion was built in 1887 and contains 40 rooms.

The Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum are also in Canandaigua. The 12-acre site has a restored 23-room Federal-style mansion built in 1816 by Gideon Granger, Postmaster General for Presidents Jefferson and Madison. The Carriage Museum features a collection of 50 horse-drawn private and commercial vehicles used from 1820 to 1930.

The Memorial Day Museum in Waterloo recognizes the village's significance as the birthplace of Memorial Day. It houses historical memorabilia from the first Memorial Day held on May 5, 1866, as well as items from the Civil War, both World Wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Ganondagan State Historic Site is located at Boughton Hill in Victor. It is the site of a 17th-century Seneca Indian settlement, featuring interpretive trails, a visitors center, numerous displays, and special cultural events. The site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

There are a number of Mormon historical sites near Geneva. The Peter Whitmer Home, where the Mormon Church was founded in 1830, is in Fayette, just south of Geneva. The home has been reconstructed with period furnishings. The Hill Cumorah Visitors Center in Manchester contains films and exhibits on Mormon history. The Hill Cumorah itself is the site of an annual pageant which tells the story of the Book of Mormon through music, dance, drama, and special effects. With a cast of 600, it is the largest outdoor pageant in North America. The Joseph Smith Home is located just north of the Hill Cumorah in Palmyra. It is an original 1820s farmhouse which was home to the founder of the Mormon Church.

At Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, located approximately 15 miles east of Geneva on Routes 5 & 20, visitors can observe abundant wildlife. Warblers, loons, Canadian geese, blue herons, and other waterbirds stop at the refuge during their journeys to and from nesting areas in the Atlantic Flyway. There are also white-tailed deer, rabbits, foxes, and bald eagles.

The Geneva Farmer's Market and Fresh Air Market are open Thursday mornings from mid-June through mid-October. The markets, which are co-sponsored by the Geneva Recreation Department and the Geneva Business Improvement District, are located at the Exchange Street Parking Lot. Merchants sell fruits and vegetables, homemade treats, and local crafts and wares. (789-5005).

Several other markets in the region also sell farm fresh produce, and there are many U-Pick-At Farms in the area which allow visitors to pick their own fruits--strawberries, blueberries, cherries, red raspberries, apples, apricots, peaches, plums, and table grapes--and vegetables--sweet corn, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, beets, peas, and pumpkins. From June to November, the time is ripe.

The Finger Lakes Region is best known for its many wineries. There are more than 30 wineries in the Geneva area, with the largest in New York State located in Canandaigua. Geneva is at the northern terminus of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and is near the Cayuga Wine Trial and Keuka Winery Route. Most wineries offer tours, sales, and free tasting. Several establishments have won prestigious awards for their excellent wines.

Navigate Seneca Lake or the Seneca/Cayuga Canal many ways with the help of Finger Lakes Water Adventures. Daily cruises, boat rentals, family tours and full moon cruises are offered along with several other boating opportunities.

Attractions

Related Links